France and Argentina will be the first match of the knockout stage Saturday morning-(Pacific Standard Time). France is a team full of young talented players such as Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe. Yet, the french national team hasn't played to their best capabilities or maybe due to the names on the team one assumes they can play better. Argentina is a complete mess. There is no visible strategy and after the Croatia lost there where rumors that the head coach would be fired before the third world cup game. Argentina beat Nigeria to advance in dramatic fashion. It is chaos. France on the other hand is the opposite of Argentina. The french have a team structure and a plan or an idea of what they want to do. France should be the team to win, but I worry that Argentina's chaos might work as an advantage due to the french will have no idea what they will be facing. Having a team on their toes while having a player like Lionel Messi on your side can be a winning formula in the knockout stages of this tournament.
Later in the day Portugal will face Uruguay. Portugal had to rely heavily on their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the group stage when the faced Spain and Morocco. The Portuguese team as a whole doesn't give me the confidence they will reach the final this tournament. Uruguay is a team that is built to win this tournament. By that I mean that I don't think they will, but the team structure, the defensive and rough philosophy accompanied by the Edson Cavani and Luis Suarez pairing up front give Uruguay the best chance in any match to win against any opponent. I don't see Uruguay winning this tournament, but I can see them beating Portugal. The winner of this match will go on to play the winner of the France vs Argentina match where there is a possibility of a Ronaldo vs Messi Quarterfinal.
On July 1 Spain will play the host in the round of 16. Russia may have the home field advantage, but that's the only positive I can see from this Russian side who played a weak Saudi Arabian team and an Egyptian team in political turmoil. Spain have not played well at all in this tournament which might boost as a morale for the Russian side, but I don't see Spain giving up any ground to the host. As long as Spain doesn't overlook their opponent they should set up a date with the winner between the Croatia vs Denmark match.
The next match for that day will be Croatia vs Denmark. Of the two, Croatia is by far the better team this tournament with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic controlling and creating from the midfield. Denmark were a bit fortunate to get 3 points against a Peruvian team that played better. I really don't see Denmark advancing past Croatia who to me have been one of the top two teams of this tournament so far based on performances.
July 2 will be a very emotional day for me. Brazil and Mexico will battle it out for a spot in the quarterfinals. The best teams from North and South America will go at it in a knockout match. Brazil started off a bit slow with that draw against Switzerland, but have been flying high and all over the pitch since then. Phillipe Coutinho has been the best player for me this far, but Neymar is a talented and dangerous player who has been performing well. Mexico started off well by defeating Germany in their opening match and South Korea after, only to need the Koreans' help after Mexico lost to Sweden by a score of 3-0. For this match my brain says Brazil, but my heart and soul say Mexico.
Belgium vs Japan will be the second match of the day. On paper Belgium are the better team, but Japan showed that they aren't a team to be overlooked and will take advantage of an opportunity that becomes available. Belgium should beat Japan, but they will face the winner of the Mexico-Brazil match. That may linger in their minds a bit more than it should due to multiple sports journalist labeling their side of the bracket as the "stronger" side. Which Belgium are aware because in their last group game against England they used plenty of their bench players. Maybe Belgium just wanted to rest their starters and we the fans are over thinking and assuming too much, but it does seem probable. Belgium will go through, but if this team is going to go far they will have to play very strong opponents the whole way.
Sweden and Switzerland will battle it out for an opportunity to play Colombia or England in the quarterfinals. Sweden was a surprise to most that didn't keep a close eye and overlooked them due to the name and that frankly their style of play isn't necessarily attractive to watch. Sweden is a team that can defend with all 11 players and composed enough to seek the one goal that will further benefit their style of play. Switzerland will have a tough time breaking through the Swedish team. I can see this match going to extra time and eventually a penalty shootout.
Colombia vs England! England got their wish (I assume) on being seeded on the "weaker" side of the bracket. However, England will be tested right away against a Colombian side that has been on of my favorites to watch. Not to stereotype, but Colombia play with a South American flair that is fun to watch and the players have excellent technique that when the Colombians move the ball around the field it truly resembles the joyous dance they perform after they score. I like England, most that know me understand that I don't normally rate the English as being above average in the international footballing world. England beat a weak Tunisian side and a first timer in Panama only to lose to Belgium's B team. In England's defense they also used plenty of their bench players to start their last match against Belgium. I am torn between these two, but I will lean towards Colombia. The winner of these two on paper will have a really good chance on reaching the semifinals.
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