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The first day of knockout football in Russia is poised to be gripping, as the heavyweights of the international game are in action. France's clash with Argentina gets things started, while the reunion between Portugal and Uruguay caps off the day's action.
While there's a lot of things going on for these teams, fans will hope the enterprising and positive football that's been a feature of this World Cup continue beyond the group stages. Read on for the fixture details in full, including the odds on the teams in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Saturday Fixtures and Odds
3 pm-France (+137) (bet $ 100 to win $ 137), Argentina (+258), Draw (+204)
7 pm-Uruguay (+192), Portugal (+181), Draw (+201)
Figures are courtesy of OddsShark .
France vs. Argentina
JUAN MABROMATA / Getty Images
Despite being in the background of the competition from the C, the mood of the team is mixed with a showdown with Argentina
Wins over Australia and Peru were functional rather than fluid, the 0-0 draw between The Blues and Denmark will be contender for the worst game of the tournament. Untitled Documentary
As noted by the journalist Tom Williams, a final group game has become something of a trend under the manager:
Tom Williams ] @ tomwfootball
Under Didier Deschamps, France have recorded 0-0 draws in their final group-stage matches they have played at major tournaments (0-0 v Ecuador at World Cup 2014, 0-0 v Switzerland at Euro 2016, 0-0 v Denmark at World Cup 2018).
While they are so much attacking class in their squad, pragmatism is set to be the order of the day for France again in this one. It is a question of being able to start a career in the world of football. Olivier Giroud is poised to lead the line again.
Argentina's road to the last-16 was anything but straightforward, they have recovered from a hammering at the hands of Croatia to beat Nigeria and scrape by. A masterful display of Lionel Messi in the latter game was crucial to the Albiceleste's victory.
Ben Hayward of Goal praised the great man, even thinks further improvement is needed agains the French:
Ben Hayward @ ] bghayward
Everybody will have their opinion about which is the best goal at this #WorldCup, but Messi's last night was wonderful if not so much for the finish, but the two keys that preceded it. Technically, and at that speed, it's absolutely extraordinary.
France are better off to cope with Messi, while they also have the quality in attack to the holes in the Argentina defense. The Albiceleste No. 10 may turn it on again for his team, although it will not be able to prevent an Argentina exit.
Prediction: France 2-1 Argentina
Uruguay vs. Uruguay Portugal
MANAN VATSYAYANA / Getty Images
Given the defensive nature of both sides, this fixture is unlikely to be the most open in the knockout stages.
However, that does not mean it will not be fascinating, as Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo will seek to breach the best defense in the tournament so far. As noted below, Uruguay are the only team yet to have conceded a goal at the World Cup:
Galatasaray EN @ Galatasaray
After today's #WorldCup results, Fernando Muslera becomes the sole goalkeeper who hasn 't yet conceded a goal in the tournament! ?? https://t.co/HfDHVBCTPF
That defensive robustness makes them a tough team to tackle, with the Atletico Madrid pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, fitness permitting, indomitable at center-back. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani can be decisive in the final third.
Portugal's gameplay is centered around similar features to Uruguay's, as manager Fernando Santos places a great deal of emphasis on not conceding. However, there have been times when the European champions have been a little stretched at the back of this World Cup.
Even so, as noted here by Jan Hagen, it's been a long time since anyone got the better of this outfit:
Jan Hagen @ PortuBall
Last night's draw against Iran was Portugal's 17th consecutive game with a tournament (Euros, World Cup, Confederations Cup), making the European national team with the longest unbeaten tournament run in history.
Spain had the old record on 16 unbeaten games. https://t.co/OQpTtFgjYz
This is unlikely to be a classic. Expect both teams to be cautious, to play direct and to hope one of their key attackers can create something from nothing.
this one late on
Prediction: Uruguay 1-0 Portugal
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