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<\/p>\nAfter 56 games the World Cup 2018 is down to its final eight teams for the World Cup 2018 quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Here is a look at the four quarter-final games and what to watch out for.<\/p>\n
As with all knockout rounds at the World Cup if a match is level at the end of 90 minutes it will go to extra time for another 30 minutes. If there is no winner then, the tie is decided on penalties.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Date<\/strong>: July 6 (Friday), 19:30 IST<\/p>\n Venue<\/strong>: Nizhny Novgorod<\/p>\n How they got there<\/strong>\u00a0France won Group C thanks to two wins and a draw, before two goals from Kylian Mbappe helped them win a seven-goal thriller with Argentina in the last 16.<\/p>\n Uruguay had a 100 per cent record in Group A and two goals from Edinson Cavani inspired them to defeat European champions Portugal 2-1 on Saturday in the second round.Except for an early wobble against Egypt, Uruguay breezed through their group-stage fixtures with three wins and finished comfortably on top of Group A, earning themselves a date with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the round of 16.<\/p>\n Previous meetings<\/strong>\u00a0To say that previous meetings at the World Cup between the two teams have not been thrillers would be something of an understatement. They played out goalless draws, in group games, at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.<\/p>\n They also met in the group stages in 1966, with Uruguay winning 2-1.<\/p>\n The teams last played in a friendly in June 2013, where a Luis Suarez goal gave Uruguay a 1-0 victory.<\/p>\n Prediction<\/strong>\u00a0Hard one to call. France were brilliant going forward against Argentina, but Mbappe and his teammates will not be afforded the same gaps in defence to run into by Uruguay.<\/p>\n With Cavani an injury doubt and likely to be limited even if he does feature, the extra quality that France have will give them a 2-1 win.<\/p>\n What to expect:<\/strong><\/p>\n While Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez took their time to get going, they are now hitting top-gear as was personified by the first goal against Portugal, when the duo combined to deadly effect. They did not concede a single goal in group stages. Pepe\u2019s goal against them in the round of 16 was, in fact, the first they have conceded in 2018. Cavani\u2019s fitness would be a concern for the South Americans, but their defensive record should hold them in good stead in the last eight.<\/p>\n Facing Uruguay will be France, the youngest squad remaining in the tournament. Didier Deschamps\u2019 men came in for criticism for their below-par showing in the group stages, especially after a dour 0-0 against Denmark. But during the 4-3 win against Argentina, France showed the danger they possess going forward. Kylian Mbappe, who emulated Pele by scoring twice in a World Cup knockout fixture, is the man to watch out for. As the cliche goes, France seem to be peaking at the right time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Date<\/strong>: July 6 (Friday), 23:30 IST<\/p>\n Venue<\/strong>: Kazan<\/p>\n How they got there<\/strong>\u00a0Brazil have improved as the tournament has progressed. After being held by Switzerland they won Group E by beating Costa Rica and Serbia, before Neymar and Roberto Firmino were on target in their 2-0 win over Mexico in the second round.The\u00a0Selecao\u00a0<\/em>have not looked back since the two late goals against Costa Rica. With Coutinho emerging as one of the leading contenders for player of the tournament, they are hitting top gear. Their 2-0 win against a spirited Mexican side in the round of 16 once again highlighted their defensive solidity, despite losing their first-choice wingbacks in Marcelo and Danillo.<\/p>\n Belgium scored nine goals in winning Group G and then came from two down to beat Japan 3-2 in the last 16 thanks to Nacer Chadli’s stoppage-time winner.After romping through their group-stage fixtures with three wins out of three, the golden generation of the Red Devils were staring down the barrel against Japan in Rostov when a familiar knockout exit seemed imminent. But they produced a comeback that will be spoken about for many a year, to win 3-2 and break Japan\u2019s hearts.<\/p>\n Previous meetings<\/strong>\u00a0The positive omen for Brazil here is that the last time they won the World Cup in 2002 they defeated Belgium in the second round, with Rivaldo and Ronaldo both scoring.<\/p>\n Prediction<\/strong>\u00a0Belgium will feel fate might be on their side after their fightback against Japan. But Brazil looked impressive against Mexico, and with Neymar getting fitter and more effective with every outing, the Belgians should be concerned. Brazil to go through 3-1 and move closer to that sixth world title.<\/p>\n What to expect:<\/strong><\/p>\n Arguably the most exciting fixture of the World Cup so far. Under Tite, Brazil have steadily gathered steam from their opening-game disappointment against Switzerland. So has Neymar, who is now seemingly back to full match fitness after struggling for the first couple of games.<\/p>\n While the defence will be an area of concern for Roberto Martinez, they come into this fixture high on confidence, knowing they have the character to turn around a tough situation, an exciting encounter of free-flowing attacking game awaits football fans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Date<\/strong>: July 7 (Saturday), 19:30 IST<\/p>\n Venue<\/strong>: Sochi<\/p>\n How they got there<\/strong>\u00a0Russia got off to a flier by beating Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening game of the tournament, and they went on to qualify in second place in Group A. They rode their luck at times against Spain, but knocked out the 2010 world champions on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n Croatia also made it to the quarter-finals thanks to spot-kicks, which got them past Denmark in the second round. Before then Zlatko Delic’s men won Group D with maximum points. Croatia were not good against Denmark, but Dalic, the former Al Ain manager, will know his side got away with that display and they should have too much for their hosts. Croatia to win 3-0.<\/p>\n Previous meetings<\/strong>\u00a0The teams have never met at a major tournament before. Croatia beat Russia 3-1 in a friendly in November 2015 with Mario Mandzukic among the scorers.<\/p>\n Prediction<\/strong>\u00a0This is where the adventure ends for Russia. Given they are the lowest ranked side in the competition getting to the last eight is a huge achievement.<\/p>\n Well, who would have thought? While Croatia set the marker as the tournament dark-horses early on, we cannot imagine even the most die-hard Russian fan thought their team would make it to the last eight. But here they are, having sent the 2010 World Champions packing.<\/p>\n Spain were considered the favourites to reach the final from their half, but Russia and their defenders had other ideas. Bouncing back from the reality check that was the 3-0 defeat to Uruguay in the final group game, Russia put in a defensive masterclass to frustrate Fernando Hierro\u2019s men. Igor Akinfeev\u2019s feet did the rest in the penalty shootout.<\/p>\n What to expect:<\/strong><\/p>\n Croatia, another team that represents the country\u2019s golden generation, was the revelation of the group stages. Their win against Argentina was a masterclass in pressing and counterattacking, with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic pulling the strings. But their performance against Denmark in the round of 16 left a lot to be desired, with their famed midfield struggling to impose themselves on the game.<\/p>\n Despite a missed penalty by Modric, the Croats sneaked past Kasper Schmeichel and the Danes, thanks to their goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, who saved three times in the shootout. Croatia will once again come up against a sturdy defensive unit in Russia and it remains to be seen if their midfield and front-line can improve from a dire performance against Denmark.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Date<\/strong>: July 7 (Saturday), 23:30 IST<\/p>\n Venue<\/strong>: Samara<\/p>\n How they got there<\/strong>\u00a0Sweden showed considerable resolve to clinch top spot in Group F by beating Mexico, just days after experiencing the agony of a last-gasp defeat to Germany. A 1-0 win over Switzerland has got the side, featuring Al Ain’s Marcus Berg, into the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n England went through in second spot in Group G after victories over Tunisia and Panama, before they triumphed on penalties against Colombia in the second round.<\/p>\n Previous meetings<\/strong>\u00a0England’s 3-2 win over Sweden at Euro 2012 was their first win over the Scandinavians at a major tournament.<\/p>\n They met in the group stages at the 2006 and 2002 World Cups, with the encounters ending respectively 2-2 and 1-1.<\/p>\n Prediction<\/strong>\u00a0Sweden showed their mental strength in how they responded after losing to Germany, but England will have gained confidence from the manner in which they got past Colombia. With Harry Kane in superb form England’s captain could be the difference maker again, and they will reach the semi-finals on the back of a 2-0 victory.<\/p>\n What to expect:<\/strong><\/p>\n Will football take another step closer to home? Sweden, alongside Russia, are the rank outsiders who have made it this far at the World Cup. It was a near-miracle that the Swedes topped the group that contained Mexico and Germany in it, but with two wins in the group stages, they earned their spot in the easier half of the draw.<\/p>\n Emil Forsberg\u2019s second-half strike against Switzerland meant Sweden were through to the World Cup last eight for the first time since 1994 in the United States. Their route to the quarters has not been easy and, what they have lost in the individual brilliance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they appear to have gained in grit, determination and collective spirit. Their next opponents would be foolish to take them lightly.<\/p>\n Which brings us to England, who have finally gotten rid of a monkey on their backs. Having never won a World Cup penalty shootout in their history, the Three Lions rewrote history on Tuesday night against Colombia in what was otherwise a forgettable game of football.<\/p>\n England impressed early on in their group stages with a last-gasp victory against Tunisia and the tournament\u2019s biggest win so far against Panama. Gareth Southgate\u2019s decision to field a second-string side against Belgium earned some criticism but having defeated Colombia, he must feel vindicated and raring to go against Sweden.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After 56 games the World Cup 2018 is down to its final eight teams for the World Cup 2018 quarter-finals. Here is a look at the four quarter-final games and what to watch out for. As with all knockout rounds at the World Cup if a match is level at the end of 90 minutes it will go to extra time for another 30 minutes. If there is no winner then, the tie is decided on penalties. Uruguay v France Date: July 6 (Friday), 19:30 IST Venue: Nizhny Novgorod How they got there\u00a0France won Group C thanks to two wins and a draw, before two goals from Kylian Mbappe helped … Continue reading “World Cup 2018 quarter-finals: Preview, fixtures, predictions”<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":1147,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[451,450,449,452,448],"class_list":["post-1141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-brazil-v-belgium","tag-russia-v-croatia","tag-sweden-v-england","tag-uruguay-v-france","tag-world-cup-2018-quarter-finals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/football-tribe.com\/india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Brazil v Belgium<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRussia v Croatia<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nSweden v England<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n\n