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in world •  7 years ago 

World Cup quarter-finals guide: Who will progress to the last four in Russia? And what are some of the key player contests as the World Cup heats up?

The World Cup 2018 quarter-final line-up was completed on Tuesday night when England defeated Colombia on penalties to secure their place in the last eight.
Brazil continue to impress after a comfortable win over Mexico while Kylian Mbappe inspired France to victory over Mexico and Edinson Cavani fired Uruguay through at Portugal's expense.
With the quarter-finals set to begin on Friday, all you need to know about the four matches, a key battle in each contest and who we think will progress.


  • URUGUAY VS FRANCE

  • Venue: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

  • Date: Friday, July 6
    Kick-off: 3pm

  • Uruguay form: The South Americans came into the knockout stages having not conceded a goal and their defensive resolve was put to the test against Portugal. However, when you've got a strike force as capable as Luis Suarez and Cavani you've always got a chance and the latter came up trumps to send them through.

  • France form: They made it through their group despite not really clicking into gear. However, against a woeful Argentine defence, Mbappe shone and fired his nation into the quarter-finals. With so much depth in their squad, Didier Deschamps will feel confident of going one step further.

  • Key match-up: Diego Laxalt vs Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe's piercing and direct runs caused Argentina's defence so many problems. Marcos Rojo and Nicolas Tagliafico could not cope with his speed and power and it will be pivotal to Uruguay's chances that Laxalt can get a grip of the PSG youngster early on.

  • Verdict: France to edge it.

  • BRAZIL VS BELGIUM

  • Venue: Kazan Arena

  • Date: Friday, July 6
    Kick-off: 7pm

  • Brazil form: A dominant display against Mexico was perhaps the clearest sign yet of why Brazil are favourites to lift the trophy. They have an unbelievable defensive record under manager Tite and attacking options galore. Neymar is coming into form as well at just the right time.

  • Belgium form: Belgium were very comfortable in the group stages but were on the brink of elimination against Japan on Monday night. Two goals down with less than 30 minutes to play, they somehow produced a magical comeback. Criticism has been levelled at Roberto Martinez's tactics and a similar performance against Brazil will surely mean the end.

  • Key match-up: Neymar vs Toby Alderweireld.

Belgium's back three are likely to come under extreme pressure from Brazil's attacking trio. Having played on the right side of the defensive three so far, Alderweireld will more than likely come up against Neymar if Thomas Meunier leaves him isolated. It would not be wise to leave the Tottenham man 1v1 but you wouldn't bet against him shackling the Brazilian.

  • Verdict: Brazil to go through

  • RUSSIA VS CROATIA

  • Venue: Fisht Olympic Stadium

  • Date: Saturday, July 7
    Kick-off: 7pm

  • Russia form: Saudi Arabia and Egypt were well beaten and many thought Russia's heavy defeat against Uruguay showed their true colours. Solid enough but lack the individual brilliance to trouble the best sides. Their mammoth effort against Spain in the round of 16 saw such a resilient display that penalties were needed. Igor Akinfeev then saved twice in the shootout to send the hosts through.

  • Croatia form: Coming into the knockout stages they were the tournament's form side after coasting past Argentina and Nigeria before showing their depth as their second string beat Iceland. An organised and tidy Denmark team took them all the way to penalties but Danijel Subasic produced three sublime saves to seal progression.

  • Key match-up: Aleksandr Golovin vs Luka Modric.

Not necessarily direct rivals on the pitch but you would think whichever play maker has the more influential game would lead to their team having a better chance of winning. Modric is the linchpin for Croatia while Golovin's unbelievable energy against the Spaniards set the tone for the hosts' emphatic upset.

  • Verdict: Croatia on penalties

  • SWEDEN VS ENGLAND

  • Venue: Samara Arena

  • Date: Saturday, July 7
    Kick-off: 3pm

  • Sweden form: Impressive effort to top the group against the likes of Germany and Mexico. They probably had one of the more balanced last 16 matches and narrowly came through it 1-0 against the Swiss. Emil Forsberg's deflected shot proved to be the winner in a scrappy game.

  • England form: The Three Lions are on a high after winning a penalty shootout for the first time in their history to see of Colombia in the last 16. England edged past Tunisia and thrashed Panama in their opening two Group G matches before they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Belgium in a dead rubber.

  • Key match-up: Harry Kane vs Andreas Granqvist

  • Verdict: England to win 2-0FB_IMG_1530726178289.jpg

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