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Europe and South America will once again fight for supremacy of football in the quarter-finals of the World Cup but with many usual fighters already out there, there is a feeling of freshness for a new or absent finalist.
While Africa, Asia and North America will not be represented, and that any hope of revolutionary breakthrough in the final destination of the trophy will not be achieved, at least the One of the 2018 finalists will not have reached the decisive title.
Germany, Spain and Argentina, all of whom have experienced a tournament that has sparked a series of endless surprises, have an imbalance marked by the talent that weighs on both sides [19659004]. In one half, England, who played in the finals in 1966, and Sweden, lost to Brazil in 1958, will meet on Saturday against Croatia or Russia in anticipation of the final. win Neither the hosts, whose best precedent was a semifinal like the Soviet Union in 1966, nor Croatia, which also reached the last four in 1998, were supposed to challenge but surpbaded many supposed superiors. 19659002] On the other side of the table, Brazil's five-time winners face the Belgian "Golden Generation" and France, France's champion in 1998, faces Uruguay, which was crowned twice in the early days. of the tournament
. the usual battle between the two dominant football continents, which produced all the previous winners of the World Cup, will take place.
While this is the fourth time in the last seven tournaments that no team outside of Europe or South America Even this quadrennial conflict will reject its usual pattern. Reversing their preconceptions on the two main football pitches, the quarter-finals pitted exciting and adventurous European teams against pragmatic, stubborn and defensive opponents of South America
Brazil, usually the game's leading artists. World Cup, having conceded once in their four games. Their opponents, Belgium and France, are more focused on creating havoc on the other end.
Uruguay beat Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo in his 2-1 victory in 16, just as France beat Argentina to four. They play at Nizhny Novgorod Friday
The spotlight on Brazil is still stubbornly drawn to the Neymar talisman, which has been defined by its histrionics as well as its executions in Russia, yet the real heroes on their present side are apparently stationed at Other end of the field. The Brazilian defensive record under coach Tite was remarkable, with just six goals conceded in 25 matches, and they were just as stingy in Russia.
Belgium are the tournament's top scorer with 12 consecutive wins in four, including a superb two-goal return to beat Japan in the last 16.
In Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, Belgium, which reached the semifinals in 1986, has two of the most devastating creators of the game. Yet, as they head for the biggest superpower of the world football in Kazan on Friday, they might wish to play Sweden instead.
That could have been their fate had they lost their last group match in England, which were rewarded he finished second with – on paper – which seems to be a much easier route to the final .
Having defeated Colombia on penalties in the round of 16, English manager Gareth Southgate will probably feel his decision to align a second side. against Belgium was justified. If England receives Sweden, she will face Russia or Croatia, who face each other in Sochi.
None of the teams on this side of the table, including England, would have started the tournament pending the final. Yet what was once distant dreams is getting closer and closer to reality
Reuters
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