National Post (National Edition)
THE REAL WORK STARTS NOW
Postmedia’s Kurtis Larson analyzes what could happen in the World Cup round of 16:
URUGUAY VS. PORTUGAL
Saturday — Sochi
WHY URUGUAY COULD WIN
Yes, the South Americans eased through the worst group in the competition. But they did it in impressive fashion, something to be commended nonetheless. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have combined better than any strike tandem in the competition.
WHY PORTUGAL COULD WIN
Portugal has won just two of its previous 10 major tournament fixtures in regular time. Some see that as a negative stat, but I see it as a positive. Simply put, this is a side that knows how to get results. The Iberians are more than Cristiano Ronaldo. William Carvalho is one of the most underrated holding midfielders in the tournament in front of a steady back line led by Pepe and Jose Fonte.
FRANCE VS. ARGENTINA
Saturday — Kazan
WHY FRANCE COULD WIN
The French were at one time one of three favourites to win this tournament and for good reason. Les Bleus can trot out a world-class player at every position. They’re also well rested, having qualified after two games before a drab clash with Denmark. On paper, there’s no comparison. This French side should reach the semis — especially when you consider they’ve only improved following a run to the European final.
WHY ARGENTINA COULD WIN
Being blasted in the media motivated the two-time World Cup champions. The good news for Argentina is Lionel Messi appears to be interested again after sauntering through consecutive games. Messi always gives you a chance. We just don’t know what lineup Jorge Sampaoli is going to trot out.
SPAIN VS. RUSSIA
Sunday — Moscow
WHY SPAIN COULD WIN
La Furia Roja didn’t reach this part of the competition four years ago. They had multiple close calls during the group stage. This is a Spanish side that’s more than talented now. They’re finally battle tested after back-to-back disappointments at major tournaments. The Russians are more than vulnerable following a punishing defeat to end the group stage.
WHY RUSSIA COULD WIN
The hosts do have some difference makers in Aleksandr Golovin and Denis Cheryshev. If they can stay compact and take cues from Iran, the Russians will have a few chances to find the goals they need. Having 70,000 fans behind you doesn’t hurt, either.
CROATIA VS. DENMARK
Sunday — Nizhny Novgorod
WHY CROATIA COULD WIN
The Croatians didn’t just survive the group of death. They were dominant in dispatching Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland. Luca Modric is finally getting the credit he’s due and Ivan Perisic has shown he can hurt teams from wide positions. Three of Croatia’s players were involved in May’s Champions League final, which demonstrates the strength of its roster.
WHY DENMARK COULD WIN
The Danes are a bit like the Swedes: a side capable of staying compact and grinding out a result while at the same time having a player who can hurt teams at the opposite end of the park. Christian Eriksen has shown he can produce a moment at this tournament. If Denmark can deny Croatia counter-attacking opportunities, they’ll give themselves a chance.
BRAZIL VS. MEXICO
Monday — Samara
WHY MEXICO COULD WIN
Mexico’s one hope is they’re meeting a Brazilian side that’s not going to sit back. Brazil will look to dominate possession, meaning spaces could open up if the fivetime champs give away possession. It sounds strange, but this matchup for Mexico might be better than how it matched up with Sweden.
WHY BRAZIL COULD WIN
Philippe Coutinho looks almost unstoppable right now next to Neymar. The Brazilians appear sturdy enough in midfield and are supported by a pairing in central defence that’s the best in the tournament.
BELGIUM VS. JAPAN
Monday — Rostov-on-Don
WHY BELGIUM COULD WIN
Belgium’s golden generation is now its experienced generation. Coach Roberto Martinez rested a number of key players in a win over England. Expect Romelu Lukaku to have his way with Japan’s defence.
WHY JAPAN COULD WIN
Never say never, I suppose. But Japan is a massive underdog. The only way Japan wins this game is if they benefit from something outside their control — a questionable call or another red card.
SWEDEN VS. SWITZERLAND
Tuesday — St. Petersburg
WHY SWEDEN COULD WIN
It’s a side playing with an immense amount of confidence after destroying Mexico. It’s also a side that has defended better than anyone at this tournament. Sweden is a well-coached side that’s also sharp enough to break out on the counter and steal goals against the run of play.
WHY SWITZERLAND COULD WIN
The Swiss have better attacking players in Xherdan Shaqiri, Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka. It’s also a side that traditionally has had to reach this point by defending well and not being wasteful in the attacking third. The Swiss survived a meeting with Brazil and outlasted a hard-nosed Serbian side.
ENGLAND VS. COLOMBIA
Tuesday — Moscow
WHY ENGLAND COULD WIN
This the best England side we’ve seen in a decade, a side with speed surrounding the best pure No. 9 in the world. What’s more, James Rodriguez could miss this fixture through injury, leaving Colombia without its best player. They’re also well rested after coach Gareth Southgate handed Group G to Belgium.
WHY COLOMBIA COULD WIN
The South Americans still have a legitimate scoring threat in Radamel Falcao. Yes, the Three Lions have a superior roster at the minute, but this Colombian side is battle tested after going down to 10 men during the group stage and surviving a scare from Senegal. They appear to be in form.