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The 2022 Fifa World Cup moves into the quarter-final stage with some intriguing match-ups. Most interestingly is the resumption of the 100-years war between England and France as the two old foes go head-to-head on Saturday evening in the final game of the last eight.
The other big clash on Friday evening sees the Netherlands take on Argentina.
However, we start Friday evening off with Croatia, beaten finalists in 2018, taking on Brazil, who last won the world cup in 2002. Croatia made it through to the quarter-finals thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Japan after the match and extra-time ended 1-1.
Japan, who looked lively throughout the match survived some tense moments with Croatia unable to find the back of the net in the first half. Japan had opened the scoring shortly before halftime before Croatia leveled early in the second half.
Brazil laid down a serious marker when they trounced Korea Republic 4-1. The South Americans, who have won the tournament five times and appeared in the final seven times overall, are looking good for a semi-final place with myself, Chippy and Paddy all predicting a 3-1 win for Brazil.
The Netherlands, who have made the final on three occasions without success, their last being the 2010 final in South Africa when they were beaten 1-0 by Spain after extra-time, will be hoping to overcome a very tough assignment against two-time champions Argentina.
The Dutch played extremely well in their 3-1 win over the USA, who had crowed all tournament long that they were going to win it. To me that was Trumpism! Arrogance does not always get you where you want to go!
Argentina’s last appearance in a final came in 2014 when they lost 1-0 to Germany after extra-time. Most notably, the Argentine’s have never lost a semi-final!
The pair did meet in the semi-finals of the 2014 event with Argentina winning 4-2 on penalties after the match ended goalless. In 2018, Argentina were knocked out by by eventual winners, France.
Argentina had to overcome a very plucky and resilient Australian side, who had defied all odds to end second in their group which included France, Denmark and Tunisia.
The only quarter-final that does not feature a former winner or finalist is our first game on Saturday when Morocco take on Portugal. The Portuguese, who left Cristano Ronaldo on the bench for the Round 16 game against Switzerland, finished third in 1966 while ending fourth in 2006.
Portugal were rampant against Granit Xhaka’s Swiss men, running out 6-1 winners in a one sided, Round 16 match with sensational 21-year old Goncalo Ramos scoring a hat-trick.
Morocco surprised all when they held Spain to a goalless draw after extra-time, only to win the penalty shoot-out 3-0 and send the Africans to the quarter-finals. The last time an African side made it to the last eight was Ghana, who were beaten by a spiteful Luis Suarez hand!
Suarez was sent off with Ghana missing the penalty. Uruguay would go on to win the spot-kicks 4-2. No African team has ever made the semi-finals of the world cup and Morocco will be hoping to make history on Saturday evening.
When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 and took control of the country, the “English” nobility spoke French as their first language for neigh on 300 years before Henry IV, who ruled from 1399 to 1413, made English the first language of the English royal court.
England and France have always been at war since 1066 with English monarchs always laying claim to the French throne through their ancestry, or with France allying with Scotland and Spain in wars against the English.
And so the feud resume on Saturday evening and Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe go head to head. England produced a clinical performance when they downed Senegal 3-0 while France produced an equally sublime performance in their triumph over Poland 3-1.
All the talk has been about how England will cope and strategize around Mbappe but do not forget that England have their own stars in Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, while Jordan Henderson has been putting in some decent performances.
Of course we know that France have Harry Maguire on their side!
Since Woody has not bothered to send in his predictions for the quarter-final stage (he will say “but I’ve been in the Big Smoke drinking it up with the bosses”) the rest of us all think that Brazil will make the semi-finals.
Both Chippy and Paddy say that the Dutch will succeed but I think Argentina will go through – but hey, my predictions have been so terrible that the Dutch will more than likely triumph!
We all agree that Portugal will overcome Morocco while Paddy and I agree on an England victory over the French while Chippy is going for a French penalty shoot-out win.
*Woody did eventually send his predictions after much berating from the rest of us!
