I came across the Italian newspaper Gazzetta’s assessment of the round of 16 in a World Cup that Italy is not qualified for for the third time in a row.
We notice a cool distance in all comments to Norway, after all, it was us, who in the qualification for the World Cup made sure that Italy had to stay at home. Italy are also annoyed with FIFA, which also shines through.
Read: Fantastic Antonio Nusa on the wish list of another Premier League club
On Live.sporten.com you can follow all the World Cup matches.
Now there are only 16 teams left. We started with 48 nations in Infantino’s inflated World Cup format – and 32 have gone home. Some unexpected, such as Germany and the Netherlands. Others with their heads held high, such as Curaçao and not least Cape Verde. Some with a bitter aftertaste, such as Croatia, Senegal and DR Congo.
From today, the eight-round finals will be played – what was once the first round of direct elimination. There are exactly 15 days left until the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York. The eight matches that send the teams to the quarter-finals will be played over four hectic days – from today until 7 July (night of 8 July Norwegian time).
Here is the full schedule and a brief analysis of each and every match.
Read on Sporten: Tottenham tops are sure of 90 million striker: “He wants to go to London”
Canada – Morocco (today, 19:00 BST)
Houston – indoors, so the weather conditions don’t matter.
For Canada, this is the first time ever in a World Cup quarter-final. Morocco, on the other hand, were in the semi-finals four years ago – losing to France, who they can now face again in the quarter-finals.
The Atlas Lions start out as favourites.
“Preparing against Morocco is like a cruel and bloody nightmare,” said Canada coach Jesse Marsch. “Everyone wants to write us off. We must turn negativity into an opportunity.
History speaks for Morocco: three wins and one draw against Canada. In the round of 32, Canada beat South Africa 1-0, while Morocco knocked out the Netherlands on penalties.
Paraguay – France (today, 23:00 BST)
On paper, it’s not a struggle. France have dominated everything, having fun with their opponents – with a magical Mbappé (already 6 goals) and an Olise in dream shots (5 assists).
Admittedly, there is no sport less logical than football – you can dominate for 90 minutes, hit the bars four times and lose on an own goal. But it takes something supernatural to stop Deschamps’ machinery.
Paraguay were responsible for the tournament’s surprise when they knocked out Germany on penalties. France won comfortably 3-0 over Sweden.
This will be the third World Cup meeting between the teams. The first time was in Sweden in 1958, when Just Fontaine scored a hat-trick in France’s 7–3 victory. The second time was 40 years later – in the last eight, when Paraguay’s goalkeeper Chilavert was big, but had to bow to Blanc’s “golden goal” after 114 minutes.
The game will be played in Philadelphia, where it is reported to be around 38 degrees and the possibility of severe thunderstorms.
Brazil – Norway (Sunday, 22:00 BST)
Another big game – at MetLife Stadium in New York.
Carlo Ancelotti, after a narrow 2-1 win over Japan, will now have to deal with Erling Braut Haaland – who has already scored 5 goals in the championship.
For Brazil, this could be revenge for the loss against Norway in 1998. Bebeto gave Brazil the lead in the 78th minute, before Tore André Flo equalized and Kjetil Rekdal scored the penalty that gave Norway the victory. Both teams still advanced to the eight-legged final at that time.
Ancelotti can start Neymar from the first minute:
“He can play 90 minutes. When I see that I need him, I use him,” said Brazil’s national team manager.
Norway’s Solbakken says:
“Brazil are favourites, of course. But we believe that we can cause them problems. We don’t play for fun – we play to win and go to the quarter-finals.
The winner will face Mexico or England.
Mexico – England (Monday, 02:00 BST)
For several hours, it was considered to move the match due to bad weather, but the “matter” was resolved – it will be played as planned on Monday night.
This is one of the most exciting matches of the last eight. England impressed with a 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening match, but have since struggled – and came close to falling to DR Congo in the round of 32, before Harry Kane saved them with two magical goals.
The match will be played at the Azteca – in other words, at home for Mexico. Double advantage: home crowd and altitude. El Tri beat Ecuador 2-0 and have yet to concede a goal in this World Cup.
England returns to the “scene” – the stadium where Maradona’s “Hand of God” was performed in 1986. The only previous meeting was in the group stage in 1966, when England won 2–0 with goals from Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt.
Portugal – Spain (Monday, 21:00 BST)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance? After what we’ve seen so far, it should be.
Spain start as favourites and have danced through the tournament – after a small opening miss against Cape Verde. Against Austria in the round of 32, it was just formalities.
Portugal, on the other hand, struggled mightily against Croatia – winning 2-1 after a late half, with a lucky penalty and a Croatian goal nullified for a subtle offside.
De la Fuentes Spain, like Mexico, has yet to concede a goal. This will also be the battle where the baton is handed over from CR7 to Lamine Yamal – the 18-year-old who represents the future.
The game will be played indoors in Dallas.
USA – Belgium (Tuesday, 02:00 BST)
The whole nation is cheering on the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) in the domestic World Cup. The dream of lifting the trophy at MetLife on July 19 is probably distant – but the road to the quarter-finals is open.
Belgium qualified almost miraculously: they were down 0-2 against Senegal with four minutes left, before turning around and winning on penalties in extra time.
Pochettino saw his men control Bosnia without much trouble – 2-0. But he will have to do without goalscorer Folarin Balogun, who was sent off in the round of 32 and is suspended. Pepi could get the chance instead.
Argentina – Egypt (Tuesday, 18:00 BST)
Messi vs. Salah. Admittedly, Messi is the tournament’s top scorer with 7 goals, while Salah is not at his best physically – but he has taken the Pharaohs by the hand and led them to the last eight, after a penalty shootout win over Australia.
Argentina got a real scare against Cape Verde – and only went ahead on an own goal in the second extra time. The Blue Sharks showed that anything is possible.
One previous match between the teams: in 2008, a friendly match that Argentina won 1-0.
The game will be played indoors in Atlanta.
Switzerland – Colombia (Tuesday, 22:00 BST)
Switzerland has had an easy road so far. They won the group after victories over Bosnia and Canada – plus a surprising draw against Qatar. In the round of 32, they comfortably beat Algeria 2-0.
Colombia eliminated Ghana after winning their group. This is a close game on paper, with Switzerland’s great talent Manzambi – who has been dubbed “Manzadona” by Corriere del Ticino after the show against Algeria.
Four previous meetings: two Colombian wins, one draw, one Swiss win. The only World Cup meeting was in the group stage in the United States in 1994, when Colombia won 2-0 with goals from Gaviria and Lozano – but it was not enough to advance.
The match will be played indoors in Vancouver.
