The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
And then there were eight
The 2018 World Cup has reached the quarterfinal stage. Here, Courier Sport looks at the eight teams still competing in Russia.
FRANCE
France scraped one-goal wins over Australia and Peru in their two opening games before finishing Group C with a dour goalless draw against Denmark. They then sprung into life and lit up the tournament on their way into the last eight, sending home Argentina in a seven-goal thriller which will live long in the memory.
Les Bleus have a supremely talented squad which includes three of the world’s five most expensive footballers. They have a solid spine to their starting XI and also possess the firepower to progress further.
Coach Didier Deschamps still appears to be working out his best team, particularly in attacking areas, while his cautious approach does not always produce the best from an exciting forward line.
URUGUAY
After taking maximum points from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Russia without conceding a goal in the group stages, the two-time champions underlined their potential as dark horses to win the tournament by knocking out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Oscar Tabarez’s vastly-experienced side is organised, fiercely competitive and contains two world class strikers. His players – six of whom have won more than 100 caps – know their roles and possess a strong team spirit.
Efficient at the back and potent in attack, Uruguay appear to lack sufficient creativity and flair to go all the way to the final. They have yet to fall behind at this tournament and could come unstuck when chasing a game.
BRAZIL
Following a frustrating draw against Switzerland in their opener, Brazil kept successive clean sheets to see off Costa Rica, Serbia and last -16 opponents Mexico.
Undoubted attacking ability, a blend of creative and solid midfield players, and experienced – albeit ageing – centrebacks, Brazil seem well equipped to make up for the World Cup humiliation suffered on home soil four years ago. They have conceded just six goals in their last 25 internationals.
Injuries to first-choice full-backs Marcelo and Danilo have given coach Tite a minor headache. Their attacking intent also tends to leave them overly exposed at the back, something which could be exploited by stronger teams prepared to go toe-to-toe.
BELGIUM
Roberto Martinez’s Red Devils became the first team since 1970 to come back from two goals to down to win a knockout game at a World Cup by beating Japan in the second round. Before that, they topped Group G with three wins from three against Panama, Tunisia and England.
Belgium’s so-called ‘golden generation’ is packed with talent. In addition to their ability to play free-flowing, attacking football, the height and strength of Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini gives them a plan B.
Despite their potential, Belgium’s team sometimes appears to be less than the sum of its parts. Makeshift wing-back Yannick Carrasco has looked susceptible defensively, while Vincent Kompany’s persistent injury problems could leave them reliant on Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata.
RUSSIA
After successive wins against Saudi Arabia and Egypt sealed their passage to the knockout stages, Russia produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament by coming from a goal down in the last 16 to defeat 2010 champions Spain on penalties.
Stanislav Cherchesov’s hard-working team have the passionate backing of the home crowd and appear to be thriving on the pressure of being the home nation.
The lowest-ranked team in the competition, Russia lack top-class quality. Their unlikely defeat of Spain may raise the country’s expectation levels and could prove an unwanted burden.
CROATIA
Croatia edged through on penalties against Denmark in the last round after impressing with maximum points in the group stages, including a memorable 3-0 demolition of two-time champions Argentina.
Coach Zlatko Dalic has a settled system, which includes players playing in their natural positions. The pace of Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic, combined with the passing ability of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, makes them effective on the counter-attack, while target man Mario Mandzukic gives them the option to go long.
Croatia have looked a little shaky in defence. Centre-back partners Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren have occasionally been rash with their decision-making and appear prone to errors.
SWEDEN
After a slender victory over South Korea and last-gasp defeat to Germany, Sweden reached the knockout stages by crushing Mexico 3-0. Their last-16 clash with Switzerland proved a tight affair but they prevailed 1-0 with a deflected Emil Forsberg strike.
Janne Andersson’s side may no longer have the star quality of Zlatan Ibrahimovic but, as they showed by seeing off Holland and Italy in qualifying, they are a spirited and determined outfit. They are also well organised which can make up for some of their deficiencies
The Mexico result aside, Sweden are still not scoring enough goals. Their lack of firepower had been a major issue in the build-up to the tournament and they are still struggling to convert chances.
ENGLAND
Gareth Southgate’s men scraped into the last eight with a tense penalty shootout win over Colombia. In the group stages they claimed a last-gasp 2-1 win over Tunisia and thrashed Panama 6-1 before losing a dead rubber to Belgium 1-0.
Led by the inspirational Harry Kane, the attack is proving strong. Kane provides a sharp cutting edge while Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling look menacing behind him and further support comes from out wide. The squad also have youth and vibrancy on their side, and a wise head in manager Gareth Southgate.
Jordan Henderson has performed well so far but questions still remain over whether England have enough midfield quality to unpick the sternest of opponents when it really matters. The way they fell flat and allowed Colombia to get on top in extra-time of their last-16 tie may also be a concern. The World Cup quarter-final ties get under way tomorrow when Uruguay face France