The stage is set for some fascinating quarter-final drama from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
After three weeks of pulsating action, just eight teams are left standing as the 32-nation tournament heads into the final rounds of knockout competition after a two-day break.
A blockbuster set of quarter-finals gets under way on Friday when five-time champions Brazil face 2018 runners-up Croatia.
That clash is the appetiser for another heavyweight World Cup collision between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and three-time losing finalists, the Netherlands.
On saturday, Morocco will carry the flag for African football in their quarter-final clash with Portugal before holders France face England in an eagerly anticipated showdown.
Wins for Argentina and Brazil on Friday would set up a titanic semi-final between the two South American heavyweights.
For now, though, Brazil are looking no further than on Friday’s assignment against Croatia at Education City Stadium.
“They have individual quality and collective quality as well as a resilience and persistence,” Brazil coach Tite said of Croatia. “We are aware of their virtues but my focus is on maintaining our standards and whoever plays best will go through.”
Croatia captain Luka Modric yesterday said his side were determined to progress beyond the last eight.
“We did a great thing by going to the quarter-finals, but regardless of that we would like to do more,” the Real Madrid midfielder said. “We have to play our best match. And if we do that we have a chance of winning.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is optimistic that Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul will be available for his side’s clash against the Netherlands at Lusail Stadium after injury issues.
His opposite number, Louis van Gaal, back in charge of the Dutch for a third spell, said his team would have to step up a gear to compete with the South American side.
who beat them on penalties in the 2014 semi-final in Brazil. “The tournament is actually starting on Friday for real for us, although of course I don’t want to downplay the importance of other countries we were able to beat,” he said.
“But Argentina and Brazil, who we will possibly play in the next round, are quite different to the teams we beat in the group stage and last 16.” Tomorrow, all eyes will be on the battle between France and England at Al Bayt Stadium.
England said on Thursday that forward Raheem Sterling is set to return to the squad after initially leaving the team’s World Cup base following a break-in at his family home.
Sterling did not feature in England’s squad for the 3-0 last-16 win against Senegal and it would be a major surprise if the 28-year-old starts against France. In tomorrow’s other quarter-final, buoyant Portugal will be looking to end Morocco’s fairytale run to the last eight. The match takes place at Al Thumama Stadium.
Portugal produced one of the most scintillating displays of the tournament by dismantling Switzerland 6-1 in the last 16 after coach Fernando Santos opted to drop Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to reports in Portugal, Santos’s decision to drop Ronaldo prompted the 37-year-old superstar to threaten to walk out of the team camp. But Ronaldo took to social media to stress the squad was rock solid after the Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement denying the reported bust-up with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star.
On the other hand, after springing the latest World Cup upset in a tournament that has had its fair share, an increasingly confident Morocco side that masterminded victory over Spain will aim to continue their fairytale run in tomorrow’s quarter-final with Portugal. (AFP) Sport Pages 1-8