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The stage is set for the quarter-finals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and there are at least two surprises Teams in the last eight.
Some people did not expect hosts to win a match, let alone make the quarter-finals, but they go up against Croatia on Saturday after ousting Spain in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Sweden tossed a group including Germany and Mexico and then beat Switzerland to set up a last-eight clash with England, themselves a slightly surprising inclusion in the quarters given at this World Cup since 2006. [19659004] On the other s
Two-time World Cup winners Uruguay and France face off in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday, and favorites Brazil take on perennial dark horses Belgium in Kazan thereafter. [19659004]
Friday, July 6
3 pp. BST, 10 a.m. France on ITV (UK) and FS1 (U.S.)
7 p.m. BST, 2 p.m. AND: Brazil vs. Belgium on BBC One (UK) and FS1 (U.S.)
Saturday, July 7
BST, 10 a.m. England on BBC One (UK) and Fox (U.S.)
7 pp. BST, 2 pp. ET: Russia vs. Croatia on ITV (UK) and Fox (US)
Live-streaming will be available via BBC iPlayer ITV Hub and Fox Soccer Match Pass.
Brazil went into the tournament as a favored triumph, and their claims were only strengthened as Spain, Germany and Argentina have fallen by the wayside.
the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne will pose a significant threat to Brazil 's stout defense.
However, in this tournament, Roberto Martinez' s Red Devils conceded twice against both Tunisia and Japan.
Etsuo Hara / Getty Images
That will surely give Brazil confidence that, with their firepower, they can cause Belgium all kinds of trouble
France will likely be concerned with the opposite. put in the last 16, but Uruguay boast arguably the best defense in the tournament France star Kylian Mbappe will have nothing like the freedom he was afforded against The Albiceleste
Oscar Tabarez is an experienced and talented manager with a high-quality squad, and Uruguay will not fear France despite their abundance of star players such as Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele and Nabil Fekir.
If Uruguay are to match the side of 2010 and make it to the semi-finals, though, it looks like they will have to do it without key forward Edinson Cavani, by beIN Sports (via Get French Football News):
Get French Football News @ GFFN
Edinson Ca vani's injury situation is not ameliorating – 2 days out from Friday's quarter-final, it is all but certain that he will not start vs. France, according to BeIN Sports.
England will undoubtedly be buoyed going into their quarter-final matchup with Sweden, having won a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time to get past Colombia in the previous round.
On paper They also have a greater role in the development of the United States.
Manager Gareth Southgate immediately warned against complacency in the wake of the victory over Colombia, per the Guardian 's Sid Lowe:
Lowe Sid @ sidlowe
Like this from Southgate: "We have a poor record against Sweden. What are they doing? "
Sweden has a fine record against the Three Lions and are, at least partially, responsible for the Netherlands, Italy's, Germany's, Mexico's and Switzerland's failures to make it to Russia or early eliminations. the World Cup
Meanwhile, Croatia did not look their best in their last -16 clash against Denmark, they have played a part in the finest football of the tournament.
They have quality in the squad, particularly in midfield, where Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic dictate the play.
Croatia will have learned from Spain's unimaginative round-of-16 display against Russia. The hosts are a tough side to break down, but they are limited to Sochi, impose themselves and get the crucial first goal.
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