We are now halfway through the 2022 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 and after a group stage packed with World Cup shocks, we now know the first two of the four quarterfinals to be played this coming weekend.
Today and tomorrow will see the final four quarterfinalists decided and we will preview these games in more detail below, as well as giving you our tips for the bets to make with odds provided by bet365 Sport.
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First though, let’s recap how the games went over the weekend when we learnt who the first four quarterfinalists would be.
FIFA World Cup Round of 16 – Part 1 – Results
Saturday 3rd December
The first Round of 16 game set the tone for what has been a high-quality set of games so far. Memphis Depay gave the Dutch the lead with a fantastic finish from a lovely Dutch move and just before half time, Daley Blind doubled their advantage.
However, the United States battled hard and pulled a goal back with a goal from Haji Wright that was either brilliant, or a complete fluke. However, just as the USA looked like they could get back into the game, Denzel Dumfries scored a vital third to put the game to bed and ensure the Dutch were the first team into the quarterfinals.
Football fans were given what many of them had wanted for a long time, a true Lionel Messi masterclass at the World Cup Finals. The Argentinean superstar scored the first goal and produced a virtuoso display to lead his country to a narrow 2-1 win over the hard-fighting Australians.
Messi’s cool finish to open the scoring was followed by a superb second half display where he showcased his talents in full, but it was a mistake by the keeper that allowed Alvarez to score a second. A deflected shot gave Australia some hope, but in the end Argentina defended stoutly despite some intense pressure to hold on and claim the win.
Sunday 4th December
If we had a PSG masterclass from Messi on Saturday, it was another PSG star that stole the show on Sunday afternoon as Kylian Mbappe took his tally to five goals in this World Cup with a superb double for France against Poland.
He also set up Giroud’s key opener just before half time after a half where the Poles had enjoyed the better of things, but in the second Mbappe was unstoppable, scoring twice to ensure France made comfortable progress, even though a twice-taken Lewandowski penalty meant that they did not claim a clean sheet.
After a tough opening 30 minutes, England finally found their rhythm against Senegal and it was Jude Bellingham once again who was the star. The youngster made a superb break from midfield and teed up Jordan Henderson to sweep home the first before his break and pass to Foden saw the Man City man set up Harry Kane to score his first goal in these finals emphatically.
At 2-0 down Senegal looked down and out and when Bukayo Saka rounded off another superb England move in the second half, flicking the ball home from Foden’s cross, England were home and dry and even had the chance to rest some players ahead of their huge quarterfinal with France on Sunday night.
FIFA World Cup Round of 16 – Part 2
Monday 4th December
One of the surprise qualifiers from a group that also included Spain and Germany, Japan will start the game with Croatia as the 29/10 underdogs with bet365 Sport, while the 2018 World Cup Finalists are even money to win the game inside 90 minutes (12/5 the draw).
I like the look of the draw here as we have not had a game go to extra time just yet and Japan have shown that they have the energy to match any European side. Croatia have quality, but they are a much older side and I think that will be key here.
Japan’s style unnerves European sides as we saw with their wins over Spain and Germany and while I think Croatia may prevail in extra time or even on penalties, I think that we will see a game with a goal or two at both ends and extra time.
As such, I’d back the draw here at 12/5 with bet365 but I feel Croatia will do just enough in added time to clinch the quarterfinal spot.
Brazil met South Korea in Seoul earlier this year and ended up winning 5-1 and you can bet that few would have put these teams together as Round of 16 opponents in Qatar. Brazil’s reserves may have lost to Cameroon last time out, but they should be back to full strength today, especially with Neymar set to return from injury.
South Korea did remarkably well to knock out another South American side in Uruguay to qualify alongside Portugal but they did ride their luck at times during that qualifying group and they’ll need to produce the game of their life to win here.
The potential absence of their best defender Kim Min-jee is a real worry for me for the South Koreans as I have no doubt Brazil will look to exploit that whenever they can and I am not sure his potential replacement is up to that standard.
So I am backing Brazil to progress here with the Selecao a 1/4 chance to progress.
Tuesday 5th December
For me, this is the game that I feel has a real chance of an upset. That may sound strange considering Spain won their opening game of this World Cup Finals 7-0, but I think Morocco have really improved as a team over the course of the tournament and their wins over Belgium and Canada, plus the draw with Croatia, was the minimum of what they deserved.
Spain of course are former World Cup winners and have a young squad packed with quality and there’s no doubt that in terms of ability and big-match experience, they have the edge, but I do worry how the Spaniards are going to get at this hugely talented Moroccan defence.
Losing Hakimi at right back is a big blow, if he cannot play and that may be Spain’s main avenue to exploit, but I think Morocco will do enough to take this game all the way into extra time and they could even snatch the win on penalties if things go that far.
Spain are the hot favourites to win here but I am backing the draw at 90 minutes which is an 11/4 chance with bet365 and I would not be too surprised if Morocco surprise us all and progress here.
Portugal are a team that seems a little ill-at-ease with its identity at the moment. Fans are calling for Ronaldo to be dropped, which won’t likely happen, but given all their attacking talent, the coach Fernando Santos does prefer to play a more defensive game and that conflict has been evident at times.
In contrast, Switzerland play an unapologetically defensive game in the main, which is where their strength lies and they then rely on their creative players like Shaqiri and Embolo to make the difference. It may not be football for the purist but it has been effective.
The bookies have Portugal as the 10/11 favourites for this one, but I am not convinced. Switzerland have beaten some of the best teams in Europe in recent times. That includes a 1-0 win over Portugal back in June, albeit that come on the back of a 4-0 loss in Lisbon to the same opponent a week previous.
This is another game that I think could well go into extra time and if it goes to penalties, I’d fancy the Swiss to win it. As such, I am going to back the draw here once again which is a 9/4 shot and I am backing the Swiss to pull off a huge upset win here.
FIFA World Cup Quarter Finals
Friday 9th December
The winner of these two games will contest the first semi-final.
Saturday 10th December
The winner of these two games will contest the second semi-final.
Check back on Friday as we preview all four quarterfinals and give you our top tips for each of the four games.
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