WORLD CUP KICKOFF: The first quarterfinals feature familiar enemies

MOSCOW (AP) What to watch for Friday's clash at the World Cup quarter-finals:

TEAMMATES VS. TEAMMATES

The first match features a number of teammates in their professional clubs face-to-face when France faces Uruguay in Nizhny Novgorod. France striker Antoine Griezmann plays at Atletico Madrid alongside Uruguayan defenders Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez; Godin is the godfather of Griezmann's daughter. These ties are so tight that Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez attacked Griezmann this week for trying to be Uruguayan. Suarez himself will find a Barcelona team-mate on the other side of French defender Samuel Umtiti's pitch.

With so much talent on both sides, the last game of Kazan presents even more intrepid intrigue: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City, Fernandinho and Danilo against teammates Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium; Brazilians Willian against Chelsea, teammates Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi and Thibaut Courtois, all Belgian; and the Belgian Thomas Meunier against his Brazilian teammates at Paris Saint-Germain – Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Neymar.

SPEED AND SKILL VS. SOLID D

Belgium scores almost one goal per match more than any other team in the tournament, with 12 games in four matches. Brazil, to the surprise of some, has only allocated a single goal in four games. Only one other team was so stingy: Uruguay, which will face an attack from France laden with speed and scorers. In both cases, something must be given.

NEYMAR BECOMING NEYMAR

The most expensive player in the world has had a good tournament until now and it's the biggest star whose team is still alive. Some think that Neymar could even win his first FIFA World Player title if Brazil wins everything. But he grieves more and more because of his flop, his dive and his convulsion after a minor touch. Will this prompt the referee to give more leeway to the Belgian defenders, or will Neymar continue to receive the calls?

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