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After a first promising phase, Switzerland and England must win Tuesday in the last two knockout stages of the World Cup-2018, against Sweden and Colombia, to validate their return to the elite of the football
In Moscow (20h00), the "Three Lions" will try to put behind them years of underperformance, provided they overthrow the beautiful Colombia of Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado. James Rodriguez is convalescing him. Will he be able to play?
For English football, this match will be the most important of the decade, warned coach Gareth Southgate. England, since its last appearance in the quarter-finals of the World Cup-2006, chained the failures with a certain regularity.
The English were thus humiliated in eighth by Germany (4-1) in 2010. They had finished last in their group in 2014, with no win. More recently, they were left without glory in the eighth of the Euro-2016 by the small Iceland.
Under the impulse of Southgate, quiet mahout of a rejuvenated and inexperienced team, England has become rather attractive since the beginning of the tournament, thanks to the incredible finisher Harry Kane, already author of five goals (top scorer of the tournament).
– "It's been twelve years" … –
In a serenity rare (no scandal to note), and with an offensive and modern football, the selection of His Majesty beat Tunisia (2-1) then crushed Panama (6-1), before turning and losing against Belgium (1-0) on the last day. A defeat that suits Southgate well since it allowed him to get out of half of the table favorites Brazil, France and Belgium.
But before dreaming big, as some British media already do, it will be necessary to get rid of Cafeteros.
Nothing is done for the "Three Lions", the South Americans were quarter-finalists in 2014, and also have a home scorer, Falcao.
"No need to think about what might happen next," insisted Southgate. "It's been twelve years since we won a knockout match (at the World Cup), for this team it's a great opportunity to go further than more experienced teams before (…) and I think they have a chance. "
The winner will find the winner of the other eighth of the day, between the discreet Switzerland and the surprise Sweden.
In Saint-Petersburg (16h00 French), the "Nati" wants to pbad a course, she who does not never won a World Cup knockout match
– Switzerland to the top? –
Fifth world nation ranked by Fifa, Switzerland finally wants to leave the role of stooge of the great competitions.
"It is very important to win. It is the validation of our successes", a coach Vladimir Petkovic said. "We are not sure of going to the semifinals but we will have a lot of appetite."
Guided by an oiled game and her stars Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, she held the clash against Brazil ( 1-1) before overthrowing Serbia (2-1). Be careful not to purr, it remains on a draw against Costa Rica (2-2).
The Helvetii will face them Swedes in great shape, in the wake of a magnificent 3-0 against Mexico that allowed them to finish first in their group.
The falling favorites are "a source of inspiration for us," promised coach Janne Andersson.
The Scandinavians, who deprived Italy World Cup in dams, are proving that there is a life after Zlatan Ibrahimovic, removed from the selection since summer 2016. Without star, they rely on their collective for "Zlataner" the "Nati". [19659020] © 2018 AFP. All rights of reproduction and representation reserved. All information reproduced in this section (news, photos, logos) is protected by intellectual property rights held by AFP. Therefore, none of this information may be reproduced, modified, reposted, translated, exploited commercially or reused in any way without the prior written consent of AFP.
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