A mock final between England and France, the revenge spirit of the Dutchman Louis Van Gaal against Argentina, the “dancers” of Brazil against the Croatian resistance and the surprising Morocco facing an independent Portugal of Cristiano Ronaldo will animate the quarterfinals of the World Cup from Qatar.
With a majority of Europeans in the draw, South America crosses its fingers for a victory for Argentines and Brazilians that will repeat the 2021 Copa América final on the big stage and secure a representative in the decisive match for the title on December 18 at the lusail stadium.
England and France, the two greatest offensive powers of the tournament, will seek to continue the dominance that Europe has exercised for 20 years.
But be careful with Morocco, the only non-European or South American team among the eight best in Qatar and the first from the African continent in the quarterfinals of a World Cup since Ghana in 2010.
If their teams give up in this instance, it will be the farewell to the World Cups of the Argentine star Lionel Messi, 35, the Croatian Luka Modric and Cristiano -suddenly substitute in Portugal-, both with 37.
WILL VAN GAAL FIND THE FORMULA AGAINST MESSI?
Louis van Gaal, the oldest coach in the World Cup at 71 years old, and mentor of a Netherlands that has gone unbeaten in 19 games, will try what none of his colleagues could so far in Qatar: handcuff Messi when they face Argentina on Friday at the Lusail.
The 35-year-old Argentine star has three goals in the World Cup — he has accumulated a total of nine on the big stage — and he is at a superlative level. He may seem absent for several stretches, but a burst of inspiration from Ten is enough to break even the most orderly defense.
With a long history in the most competitive leagues in the world, it is to be expected that Van Gaal executes a defensive tactic that limits Messi’s movements, in a duel that for the Oranje is presented as an opportunity to take revenge for the defeat on penalties in semifinals of the 2014 World Cup.
“It is good that there is a rematch. That is what we want”, warned the Dutch coach. “Our goal is to be world champions.” The Netherlands is the only team from Europe’s elite that has never been able to win the top trophy, which eluded it in 1974, 1978 — against Argentina — and 2010.
THE DANCERS VS. THE BRAVES
To assume that the dance of the Brazilian stars after each of the goals with which they beat South Korea is going to intimidate Croatia would be to underestimate it.
The current runners-up beat Japan in a penalty shoot-out — goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three — extending a very striking streak: since 1998, all their World Cup or Euro 2016 knockout round matches have gone to extra time, except the 2018 World Cup final that they lost to France.
“Never underestimate Croatia. Croatia is a small nation, but we are brave, defiant and loyal,” coach Zlatko Dalic said ahead of the game against the five-time world champions on Friday at Education City Stadium. “We will always give everything we have, especially this generation of players.”
Of course, Brazil got Neymar back and with him “the beautiful game” returned.
“Neymar is our leader, the team feels it and makes a difference. He makes everyone play better, ”Tité acknowledged.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, who injured his right ankle in the opener against Serbia and missed subsequent first-round games, scored a penalty in the 4-1 win over South Korea and aims to match the legendary Pele as Brazil’s all-time scorer with 77 goals.
The winner of this crossing will face the survivor of Argentina-Holland.
EARLY END
Two European powers, the highest scorers in the World Cup, a kind of early final.
England and defending champions France will play at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday. A battle, the third in history on the big stage, that will inflate the victor’s morale for the remainder.
The Three Lions have 12 total goals in their four games, three more than Les Bleus. They have also kept three clean sheets against none for France.
But all statistics are ridiculed if Kylian Mbappé is in front. The Frenchman is the only player in history to have scored a total of nine World Cup goals under the age of 24.
“This is the competition of my dreams, my only goal is to win the World Cup. That is my dream, my only dream. That’s why I’m here”, clarified the 10 as if it were necessary.
In England, Harry Kane scored his first goal of the tournament against Senegal in the round of 16 and came one shy of equaling top scorer Wayne Rooney (53).
THE SURPRISE AND PORTUGAL DC (AFTER CRISTIANO)
In the first World Cup held in the Middle East, Morocco is the first and only Arab nation to be in the top eight.
Spain, one of the candidates, was charged on penalties, and now they will have to measure forces against a Portugal that looked liberated after the decision of its coach Fernando Santos to confine Cristiano to the bench in retaliation for his gestures of disgust when he was replaced against South Korea in the first round.
His replacement Gonçalo Ramos, who currently plays for Benfica, delivered a hat-trick against Switzerland, putting a big question mark over the presence of the 37-year-old star since the start on Saturday at the Al Thumama stadium.