Qatar 2022 continues to be the World Cup of surprises and, in the quarter-finals, it was no exception. There are only 4 teams left in the fight for the title, but let’s review what happened in this round before the semifinals begin.
World Cup Quarter-Finals: Croatia vs. Brazil
When:
Friday, December 9 at 10:00 am ET at the Education City Stadium
Moneyline odds:
Croatia +740
Brazil -259
Draw-Offs:
+380
Where Can I Watch it?
The first of the surprises of this round. Croatia played their best game in this World Cup and managed to beat Brazil, the top contender for the title, on penalties. It was a game where although the Brazilians controlled it, they also suffered as the Croats came at them with danger.
Again Dominik Livakovic was the figure of the match, saving the European team on several occasions during the 90 minutes. The score did not move and they went to extra time. Here the figure of Neymar appeared, and in a great collective play, the player entered the area, eluded Livakovic, and scored 1-0 which seemed to seal the game.
Even though they were already in extra time and were winning, Brazil kept attacking and attacking, and in one of those Croatia came out quickly and had a great counterattack that Bruno Petkovic took advantage of and scored the draw. It was 1-1 at minute 117′ and the game went to the definition from the penalty spot.
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Here the figure of Livakovic appeared again (when not), who stopped Rodrygo’s first shot and already gave the Balkans an advantage. Everyone scored in Croatia and in the fourth round Marquinhos missed his shot and qualified Croatia, which we remember from the last World Cup was runner-up.
It must be remembered that in Russia 2018, Croatia eliminated Denmark (round of 16) and Russia (quarterfinals) on penalties, in addition to England (semifinals) in extra time. Now they have eliminated Japan and Brazil in this way.
For their part, Brazil took it as a great disappointment since they had a lot of confidence in becoming champions. Even the country’s newspapers made surveys of what the shield with the 6 stars should be like. Tité resigned as coach.
World Cup Quarter-Finals: Netherlands vs. Argentina
When:
Friday, December 9 at 2:00 pm ET at the Lusail Iconic stadium
Moneyline odds:
Netherlands +261
Argentina +122
Draw Offs:
+219
Where Can I Watch it?
Fox Sports, Telemundo, Peacock, and Sling
If the match between the Netherlands and Argentina was already a derby, after what happened this Friday it will be even bigger. It was a great match with a lot of emotions that were defined by penalties, and the Argentines were left with the passage to the semifinals.
Strong game, with many fouls, and a record of 17 cards in the match. Quite spicy. Regarding football, the game opened after 35 minutes with a goal from Nahuel Molina after a great pass from Lionel Messi, who is playing better every day.
In the second half, a foul on Marcos Acuña was sanctioned as a penalty and Messi did not hesitate to convert it to make it 2-0. In addition, he celebrated in the face of Louis van Gaal, with the classic celebration of Juan Román Riquelme, since the coach had spoken a few days before and criticized Messi.
The fouls and the strong game continued, but everything seemed under control for Argentina. However, at 78 minutes Wout Weghorst entered and changed history. The Besiktas striker headed in a Steven Berghuis cross to make it 2-1 at 83′, and it seemed that the history against Australia was repeating, but this time Dibu Martínez couldn’t save his team. A free kick on the edge of the area in the last play, at minute 90+10, was executed with a set play and again Weghorst scored to heroically make it 2-2 and send the game to extra time.
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In the first 15 minutes, nothing happened, but in the second half Argentina went with everything in search of victory but they did not achieve it and they went to penalties. Here, as in Copa America, Dibu Martínez was once again a figure. The first penalty, by Virgil Van Dijk, he stopped. Messi put his team ahead. The second penalty, by Steven Berghuis, he stopped. Leandro Paredes increased the advantage for his team and everything seemed on track.
In the fourth Argentine round, Enzo Fernández missed the goal and added drama, but in the last set Lautaro Martínez scored and it was an explosion of joy. Then came the already famous photo of the Argentine players celebrating the Dutch in the face, in addition to the subsequent interview with Messi in which he calls Weghorst “bobo”.
It was a great game that had the nerves to the maximum and that was defined by fights after Argentina’s victory, and that will surely continue to be talked about for a long time, but the truth is that the ‘Albiceleste’ is in the semifinals and Messi is still in the race of the only title that is missing.
World Cup Quarter-Finals: Morocco vs. Portugal
When:
Saturday, December 10th, 10:00 am ET at AL Thumana, Qatar
Moneyline Odds:
Morocco -144
Portugal +460
Draw Offs:
+260
Where Can I Watch it?
The Cinderella of the World Cup continued to surprise and took down another of the European powers. Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 and became the first African country to reach the semifinals of a World Cup. Youssef En-Nesyri, at 42 minutes, jumped like an NBA player and beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa to score 1-0 with a header.
The Moroccans, throughout the tournament, dedicated themselves to defending and practically did not allow the Portuguese to reach the goal. Portugal had the ball but could not penetrate the African defense. Bruno Fernandes showed his impotence because he could not finish off the goal. Joao Félix had two opportunities but Bono responded in a great way.
Cristiano Ronaldo was again a substitute and coach Fernando Santos was highly criticized for this decision since when CR7 entered after 51 minutes, his team improved, but it was not enough. Today’s free agent had a chance but Bono again said no.
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Portugal turned to the attack and even Pepe had a clear header in the last play, but he could not reach equality and at the end of the game, they criticized the referee and FIFA itself for putting an Argentine referee in charge of this match. Ronaldo left crying and published a farewell letter on social networks for not having been able to achieve his greatest dream.
On the part of Morocco, everything is a party in the country and several African and Arab countries. Without a doubt, it is the greatest sporting feat in their history and they do not want their dream to end. They already made sure to play all 7 World Cup games but they want it to be the final. It should be noted that they are the best defense of the tournament and have only conceded 1 goal, which was an own goal by Nayef Aguerd against Canada. Precisely Aguerd is injured and could not play against Portugal, but it is expected that he can return in the semifinals since the other central defender and team captain, Romain Saiss, was injured this Saturday.
World Cup Quarter-Finals: England vs. France
When:
Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 pm ET at the Al Bayt stadium
Moneyline odds:
France +142
England +209
Draw Offs:
+225
Where Can I Watch it?
Fox Sports, Telemundo, Peacock, and Sling
Great match. For many, the best of this World Cup. It was an early final between two great teams. France, the current world champion, is one of the strongest candidates. England, with a large group of young players, had the whole country excited.
The game started for the French very early they went ahead with a very good shot by Aurélien Tchouaméni, just after 17 minutes. Even though the Gauls were winning, it was not good for them because they immediately dedicated themselves to defending and the English grew a lot.
Hugo Lloris became a figure and England attacked from all sides but could not tie the game until at 54 minutes a foul on Bukayo Saka was sanctioned as a penalty and Harry Kane deceived his Tottenham teammate to make it 1-1.
The British kept attacking and attacking and they were better than their rivals, who did not have a good Kylian Mbappé, but they did have a great Antoine Griezmann, who put a great pass to Olivier Giroud for the striker to make it 2-1 with a header when England was playing much better. There were 78 minutes and there was still time to spare.
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Barely 3 minutes later, the VAR called referee Sampaio for a possible foul by Theo Hernández on Mason Mount. The Brazilian did not hesitate and again a penalty for the English. Kane again passed in front of the ball and Lloris, but this time he sent the ball to the clouds and with it the illusions of an entire country.
After that, it was just waiting for France to get back into the semifinals, but without a doubt that this process of England and Gareth Southgate is very good and deserves continuity because many young people are shining.
For those led by Didier Deschamps, suddenly it was the worst game of the World Cup and also for Mbappé, and they will have to improve a lot in the semifinals because Morocco has already defeated several greats.
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