Commentary Box: All eyes on the quarter-finals

It’s time to suit up for the business end of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as this coming weekend sees the meeting of 8 countries who all have one goal in mind – to lift the World Cup in Moscow on 15 July.

The first objective for these teams though will be to get past their quarter final opponents. There will be no quarter given in these mouth-watering encounters.

1. France vs Uruguay: Friday, 6 July at 16:00

The first quarter-final will see France take on Uruguay on Friday at 16:00. Les Bleus with their host of stars such as Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud will be confident in taking down Uruguay. The French tore Argentina apart with their pace on the counter-attack in their last 16 encounter and Uruguay will have to be at their defensive best to curtail the French. Another positive aspect for France this tournament has been their rock solid defensive pairing of Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane and this provides stability for the team to play with the flair that they are known for.

Uruguay on the other hand has been just as impressive throughout the tournament with captain Diego Godin leading from the back. Uruguay’s main weapon is their strike-duo, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who can rip any defence apart on their best days. It will be vital for Uruguay’s young and energetic midfield to supply enough possession for these strikers to work with.

Expect a lot of goals with back and forth action across the 90 minutes. One clinical strike or moment of magic could decide this exciting encounter. France should take this one by a whisker.

2. Belgium vs Brazil: Friday, 6 July at 20:00

This will be the best and biggest quarter final match during Russia 2018. The star power in this clash is absolutely off the charts. Brazil can count on Neymar, Phillipe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus , Willian, and Paulinho while Belgium will look to Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens to take them to the semi-final stage.

Belgium currently have a golden generation who showed that they can score freely from anywhere on the field. They also showed their tenacity and will power during their stunning come from behind 3-2 victory against Japan. Belgium will not give up, even against a star studded Brazil. Frankly, Brazil’s defence has not truly been tested yet and they have yet to concede first, so this could be a chance for Belgium to put Brazil under pressure with an early goal.

Brazil though has enough individual stars that can turn a match in their favour with one moment of magic. The key for Brazil will be to stay calm and play with patience. The pressure this time around is not as intense as it was in Brazil in 2014, and Neymar and company can play with more freedom this time around. The team also has a better balance and is probably odds on favourite to win the World Cup at this stage. The question is whether they can overcome a determined Belgium side.

Expect this match to go the full distance, maybe even to penalties.

3. England vs Sweden: Saturday, 7 July at 16:00

England expects – as they always do.  This time it seems if there is a fresh optimism in this young England team under Gareth Southgate’s leadership. Harry Kane and company defeated Colombia in a nerve wrecking penalty shootout and will now focus these eyes on Sweden, who themselves have exceeded expectations by reaching the last 8.

Sweden will have nothing to lose and will try their utmost to defeat England and reach a top 4 place. Sweden’s captain, Andreas Granqvist, who is the current Swedish player of the year, has been an outstanding leader for his team. The centre-back also steps up to take penalty kicks and he has converted two priceless kicks for his team already. Another Swedish player to look out for is their midfield maestro, Emil Forsberg, whose goal sent them to the quarter-finals. Sweden will give a dogged and determined performance against England and the Three Lions will need to score early and maintain momentum in this match. England has their own trump card in Kane, who is the leading scorer in Russia on six goals. If Kane fires, then England will progress. The English has also been solid in defence with John Stones and Harry Maguire keeping things tight at the back. Wing backs, Kieran Tripper and Ashley Young have also stood out and they will crave an opportunity to supply delicious crosses and set-pieces.

England should squeeze through by a goal in this one, which ultimately will be a cagey affair.

4. Russia vs Croatia: Saturday, 7 July at 20:00

This might be the most interesting quarter final of the lot with the host nation Russia taking on dark horses, Croatia. You would have been a brave man to predict that Russia would make it through to the quarter-finals, but here they are after defeating Spain via penalty shootout. The team has soaked  in the atmosphere of playing on their home ground and view the thousands of fans as their proverbial 12^th man. The Russians truly play as a team with no big stars taking the spotlight. They have a few quality player in Artem Dzyuba, Denis Cheryshev and the dangerous Aleksandr Golovin who can unlock a defence.

Croatia will lean one the talents of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, who have both had exceptional tournaments. Mario Mandzukic is always a goal scoring threat and Ivan Perisic will want to create havoc with his speed on the left. On paper, Croatia has the better team, and this is a superb opportunity for this generation to stake their claim for a top 4 spot.

This match should be another cliff-hanger with Croatia just edging it. Still Russia could sneak through on the basis of their home advantage.