The 2018 World Cup Quarterfinals begin on Friday with a pair of games. Former World Cup winners Uruguay, France, and Brazil hope to secure a semifinal spot, while Belgium’s greatest generation of talent looks to move closer to a maiden World Cup trophy. Our panelists offer their predictions.
Uruguay vs France (Friday in Nizhny Novgorod)
Steen Kirby: Despite having a stifling backline, if star striker Edinson Cavani doesn’t play, Uruguay has a slim chance in my estimation. France produced 4 goals in their last outing, they have a fantastic midfield that can dictate pace, and enough attacking talent to score. Uruguay will manage this game, but I don’t see their midfield being able to give (a possibly injured) Luis Suarez enough supply to keep things close. France 3-1
Lukas Weese: There is a lot of star power in this fixture. Pogba and Mbappe for France. Luis Suarez for Uruguay. I would not be surprised if this game goes to extra time or penalties. I think France has the defensive core to neutralize the Uruguay attack. France wins to advance into the semis. France 2-1 (after extra time)
Shiven Mohindra: Both sides are coming off very close round of sixteen games. Uruguay edging past Portugal and France scraping past Argentina in a 4-3 thriller. Uruguay’s round of sixteen game showed what could happen if (a now injured) Edinson Cavani is in form, whilst the French showed off Kylian Mbappe, who picked up 2 goals and won a penalty. This will surely be a close game but France will edge it in extra time largely due to Cavani’s absence. 2-1 France (after extra time)
Brazil vs Belgium (Friday in Kazan)
Steen: Pressure is on both these teams for a different reason. Given what has happened so far Brazil would have to consider themselves the favorites to win the whole thing. Belgium have already shown their attacking prowess, but they had to claw back from the brink of defeat against Japan in the R16. Neymar and Firmino should terrorize a poor Belgian defense, but I’m still not sold Brazil will survive the weight of expectations as long as Belgium can match them score for score and at least force extra time. Belgium 3-2 (after extra time)
Lukas: Again another matchup with a lot of stars of football. Neymar and Coutinho for Brazil. Hazard, Lukaku, and De Bruyne for Belgium. This will feature box to box football with tons of scoring chances from either team. It will be close all the way through but I got Brazil winning with a Neymar go ahead goal. Brazil 2-1
Shiven: This is definitely the best tie of the quarter finals. Brazil had a rather comfortable game to lead them into the quarter finals whilst Belgium however came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in a thrilling game against dark horses Japan. Belgium displayed their fighting spirit and manager Roberto Martinez was able to completely change the game after going down 2-0. In what will be a fierce battle, Brazil will proceed to the semi finals after a penalty shootout. Brazil 2-1 Belgium (after extra time)
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