Last Updated on December 9, 2022 10:35 am by Erwin Noguera
There are only 8 teams left, as we are in the quarterfinals of Qatar 2022 and we are going to review how each one got to this stage.
The World Cup Run: Croatia
Croatia is the current runner-up in the world and arrived at Qatar 2022 with many of the same players that were at Russia 2018, so we do not see a generational change but rather a team with a considerable majority of age, taking into account that their star, Luka Modric, is already 37 years old.
The Balkans have been an inconsistent selection. They started playing very badly, although they managed to draw against Morocco (0-0) in the first game. Then against Canada (4-1) they came back and crushed them 4-1, showing that the flame was still burning. However, against Belgium (0-0) they again showed a very poor level and if not for their goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic, they would have been eliminated.
In the round of 16, they had a surprising rival who was not the most difficult, Japan, and in a boring match, they drew 1-1 and managed to advance on penalties again thanks to an immense Livakovic, the best Croatian player of this World Cup, who blocked 3 charges.
Just like Livakovic, one of Croatia’s big surprises has been defender Josko Gvardiol, from Red Bull Leipzig, who surely won’t stay with that team for long.
They are possibly the worst team that has qualified for the quarterfinals, and it has been very difficult for them to play well. Also, they need to lose to react, since both against Canada and Japan, they started losing.
The World Cup Run: Brazil
Brazil arrived at Qatar 2022 as the top candidate for the title and continues to be so. The South American team recovered that ‘Jogo bonito’ from the days of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Kaká, and company, and has the world of football dancing, even if Roy Keane doesn’t like it.
In the group stage, it cost them more than expected. Although they were among the first to qualify and dominated almost all the matches, the rivals closed in very far behind and did not let them enter. They achieved tight victories against Serbia (2-0) and Switzerland (1-0), where they did not receive a single shot on goal. Then, already classified, the coach rested the starting players and they lost to Cameroon (1-0) with a goal in added time.
Something that was seen against Switzerland, which was the rival that cost them the most, is that this team needs Neymar. Although the level of players like Vinicius, Rodrygo, Richarlison, or Casemiro is very high, the PSG player is the commander of this ship, and the team dances to his rhythm. ‘O Craque’ was injured against Serbia and did not play again on the group stage. He returned in the round of 16 against South Korea (4-1) and it was an incredible display. They scored 4 goals in 36 minutes and sealed the match before the end of the first half. And that is the Brazil we are going to see from now on.
The World Cup Run: Netherlands
One of the undefeated teams in the World Cup is the Netherlands. They came to Qatar on a 15-game winning streak and have kept it going. More than 1 year without losing and they had just won their UEFA Nations League group. However, in the beginning, it was difficult for them.
In the group stage, they defeated Senegal 2-0 in a false result, since the Africans deserved more and the goals came at minute 84 and 90+9 in the only 2 shots on goal they had. Then with Ecuador, they drew 1-1 and it was also a generous result since the South Americans were superior and even Louis van Gaal accepted it. Against Qatar (2-0) there was no problem and they got in first in Group A.
The best Netherlands was seen in the round of 16. It seems that the coach, after several changes, found the team he wanted. Memphis Depay returned to the starting lineup and responded with a goal in a 3-1 win over the United States. In that game, they were ‘A Clockwork Orange, with two key pieces: their sides. Denzel Dumfries on the right and Daley Blind on the left were two trains going up and down. The one from Inter scored 1 goal and 2 assists, one of those for the Ajax player. That is the strength of the team, now we have to see what will happen in the quarterfinals where Argentina will surely cover their exits.
The World Cup Run: Argentina
After the Copa América title, Argentina ended a 20-year streak without lifting a trophy and several lost finals. Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, and Nicolás Otamendi are the old guard that remains of that team that lost the final with Germany in Brazil in 2014 they are facing their last dance, and they know it. Precisely Messi and Otamendi are having a great World Cup.
But not everything started positively. The first big surprise of the World Cup was given in their first game. Saudi Arabia came back and beat them 2-1 and it looked like it was going to be a catastrophe. Lionel Scaloni’s team did not know how to rebuild in that game and found itself strategically outclassed by its rival. Then against Mexico (2-0) and Poland (2-0), they were superior and ended up advancing without problems.
In the round of 16, they faced Australia and everything seemed to be easy. The game began and they were the dominators, with Messi being able to open the scoring after 35 minutes. A mistake in the Australian back was taken advantage of by Julián Álvarez who made it 2-0 and everything seemed on track, but a goal from Australia at minute 77 changed the course of the game and the South Americans ended up suffering more than necessary. A save by Dibu Martínez on the last play gave them a place in the quarterfinals and taught them not to trust each other.
Although they are a very good team, they have faltered at important moments and they don’t look very strong. However, if they have Lionel Messi, and at the level, he is at, anything is possible.
The World Cup Run: Morocco
The big surprise of the round of 16 was, without a doubt, Morocco’s qualification. In the country, it is all a party for this historic step and they do not want to stay there. Even the local airline brought out 7 new direct flights to Qatar for the quarterfinal match and they sold it all.
They arrived like Cinderella and have done historic things. The players are at their best and with a very important feeling of nationalism for these events. They played extremely well in the group stage and managed to eliminate Belgium, the current world number 2, as well as advance as first over Croatia. Precisely against the Croatians, they drew goalless in the first game, although they deserved to win, and then they beat Belgium (2-0) and Canada (2-1).
In the round of 16, they faced Spain in a spicy game about the geopolitical history of these countries. It was a boring 0-0 although they had opportunities to score, contrary to their rival who always had the ball but did not transform it into arrivals. On penalties, the hero was Bono, who stopped the shots by Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets, as well as the missed penalty by Pablo Sarabia. Achraf Hakimi, one of the figures of the National Team, made the last shot with a definition “a la Panenka” and the party broke out.
As we said, many players are at their best level, and we must highlight Sofiane Boufal and Sofyan Amrabat, who are setting the pace for the team.
The World Cup Run: Portugal
Goals and controversies, that’s how Portugal can be summed up. They gave a lecture on football in the round of 16 and got on the podium of the candidates. After a group phase with ups and downs, already in the next phase, with some changes, they raised their level.
They started by beating Ghana 3-2 in an entertaining match where they narrowly tied, and then against Uruguay (2-0) a great Bruno Fernandes gave them victory with his two goals. Already qualified, they faced South Korea with several substitute players and lost 2-1 with a goal in added time. However, more than the result, something happened in this last game that would change the course of Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, from a questionable World Cup, was substituted in the 65th minute in the duel against the Asians and he did not like it. He reproached his coach Fernando Santos, who for the game against Switzerland for the round of 16 left him on the bench, and brought in Goncalo Ramos, who entered against Ghana at 88′ and Uruguay at 82′. It was his first start for Portugal and the 21-year-old responded with a hat trick. 3 great goals from the Benfica forward who agreed with the coach and increased the controversy surrounding the team, with Cristiano Ronaldo and his wife Georgina posting messages on social networks after the game.
But as far as the game is concerned, it was a great game for Portugal, pure touch, and with great effectiveness. It was a resounding 6-1 against a good Switzerland that was canceled. In addition, we must highlight the desire to always go ahead of the Portuguese team, since despite having 3 or 4 goals, they always went for more. After that demonstration, they got among the candidates.
The World Cup Run: England
I don’t think England fans have had so much hope for their team since 1966 when they were champions. Gareth Southgate managed to put together a great team with many youngsters on offense and veterans on defense, forming a great balance that has them achieving their goals.
The group stage was almost a walk. They began by crushing Iran 6-2 and with that, they practically got into the round of 16. They then drew a poor match against the United States (0-0) and easily beat Wales (3-0) to clinch first place. Now came a litmus test in the round of 16: Senegal.
The English suffered at the beginning but managed to open the scoring in the first half and from then on, everything improved. The result in the first 45 minutes was a lie because the Africans deserved to score at least one goal, but the Europeans knew how to defend themselves and strike when least expected, and that is also very important. Already in the second half, they dominated and ended up winning 3-0.
We must highlight Harry Kane from England. The captain and goalscorer ironically scored his first goal in this World Cup in the game against Senegal, but that has not stopped him from being important. The Tottenham forward is the baton of this team and with his style of play, he is helping much more than if he only scored goals. He is in charge of opening the field, playing with the wingers, taking marks, assisting, and driving… He is an all-rounder and is having a great World Cup, so much so that he is the tournament’s top assistant (3).
Now they’ll have to face Kylian Mbappe’s France.
The World Cup Run: France
The current world champion is together with Brazil the best candidate to win this world cup. Those led by Didier Deschamps are showing a great game, but in the defensive part, they are having some difficulties that have caused them to receive a goal in every game.
It was one of the teams to qualify after 2 games following their victories against Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1), where Kylian Mbappe was the figure. Against the Australians, he scored 1 goal and assisted another, while versus the Danes he scored 2 goals. Already in the last match against Tunisia, they put the substitutes and lost 1-0.
But going back, Mbappé’s level is superlative. He is on his way to winning the Golden Ball of this World Cup if they reach the final. He had already said that he had prepared in a great way for this tournament. In the round of 16, they beat Poland 3-1 with 2 goals from the PSG player and an assist. He is the World Cup’s top goalscorer (5) and is third in the assists table (2) behind Bruno Fernandes and Harry Kane, both with 3.
But Mbappé is not alone. Antoine Griezmann is also playing in a great way and is everyone’s partner. He is no longer the striker who scores goals, but he is in the middle leading this team that also has Olivier Giroud, who if he did not score goals in Russia 2018, in Qatar 2022 he has 3 and has made not to miss Karim Benzema at all.
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