Presenting romanticism, drama, excitements FIFA World Cup 2018 entered the high tension quarter final stage. Pre-tournament favorites Germany, Argentina, Spain and Portugal left the scene. With 24 of the 32 teams already living the scene 8 survives the race for the championship. Eight Countries won 20 championship in the past. Off them Italy failed to qualify for 2018. Germany, Argentina and Spain left the scene at different stages. Brazil, Uruguay, France and England survived.

World Cup Role Of Honor

The quarter finals comprise of 6 teams from Europe and two from South America. No team from Asia Oceania, Africa and CONACAF region could go beyond the round of 16.

The winner of Belgium Brazil would meet the winner of France and Uruguay. On the other hand winner of Croatia and Russia would meet winner of England and Sweden. Any admirer would tell you that any of the four teams of the first group has the potential for winning the championship. France won 8 of the previous world cup matches against Uruguay. On the other end only England won it in once in 1966. But that is the way the events of World Cup 2018 has worked out.

Package One:

Brazil Vs Belgium
Brazil and Belgium are 2nd and 3rd  FIFA ranked teams have played admirably well in the tournament. Unfortunately one has to quit. Brazil undoubtedly is favorite to win but many would not like to see Belgium leave so early. Brazil has all round strength – impregnable defence, creative midfield , aggressive wing backs and innovative front line. Belgium has two of most fearsome marks men Lukaku and Hazrad , dynamic mid fielder De Bruyen. But defence is a bit slow and weak. The weakness was very much exposed against Japan. Fast moving innovative Brazil forwards and mid fielders may punish them. But in any case it will be an entertaining match. We predict Brazil win.

France Vs Uruguay
The respective matches of France and Uruguay in the group of 16 matches evidences that these two are the most dynamic teams of the tournament. Even in group stages they topped the respective groups. The match will possibly witness very fast and attractive football. It will be anybody’s game .The team that produces a game on the day would win. It may turn into a high scoring entertainer. Cavani and Suarez are as effective as Mbappe and Griezmann in unlocking opponent defence.  It is very difficult to chose one from the two well matched teams.  Uruguay has advantage of greater experience but France has more younger legs. My money goes for Uruguay as I would like to see two surviving South American teams meet in the semi final ensuring that at least one appears in the final.

As told earlier winner of Brazil and Belgium would meet with winner of France and Uruguay. In our analysis Brazil would meet Uruguay and Brazil would go to final.

Package Two:
Croatia Vs Russia.
It is all European affair in Package two where Croatia meets Russia and England plays Sweden. These teams know one another very well as they meet in European championship regularly. Only England has won the championship at home in 1966. Russia started the world cup as rank outsider. But surprised all avalanching Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the first match. Even then many thought Russain surge would be short lived. When Uruguay won the last match of the group 3-0 against them many thought Russia may not survive beyond the group of 16. But they again surprised all knocking out one of the tournament favorites Spain in tie breaker. They play matured and steady performer Croatia in the quarter final. In business as usual Croatia should win. But in this wide wide open world cup fringe teams can spring surprise. But I think dream run of Russia would come to an end against Croatia. We must not forget Croatia initiated the collapse of Messi inspired Argentina beating them 3-0 in the group stage.

England Vs Sweden:
England being one of the tournament favorites strategically avoided meeting Brazil in the quarter final. They possibly intentionally let Belgium win the crucial group match playing most of the players from the bench. They did not look that impressive against Columbia winning the tie luckily on the tie breakers . Yet they have even chance of winning against Sweden. We would go for England winning .

England may meet Croatia in the Semi Final and Croatia would win. That will take Croatia to meet tournament favorite Brazil in the final. Let us leave previews of Semi Fianl and Final for the future.

BDST: 1030 HRS, JUL 04, 2018
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