Quarter Finals
Day 18
Education City Stadium
Croatia v Brazil
Croatia are a good team who hadn't been beaten up until this game. Neymar scored then didn’t take a penalty. He should have been first up, the best penalty takers should always go first. Croatia closed down Brazil well and defended well throughout the match. Brazil had no answer til extra time. Brazil came back as they had to go forward, but it was a surprising performance from Brazil. Took one of their best players in Vinicius Junior off early in the second half. What a goal from Neymar before the Croatian keeper won the shoot out.
Final Score: Croatia 1 – 1 Brazil (Croatia win 4 – 2 on penalties)
Day 18
Lusail Iconic Stadium
Netherlands v Argentina
Another game that went to penalties, Messi took a great pen again. Argentina were well on top most of the time. Went two nil up then sat back a bit and Holland came at them. Weghorst came on and scored two goals. Couldn’t believe they made a comeback against this Argentinian side. A bad tempered game, with Paredes kicking the ball at the Dutch bench. The Dutch did a bit of kicking themselves. A lot of flair in the Dutch team and they can play good football but didn’t display it on this occasion as Argentina went through thanks to Emi Martinez in goal and a cauldron of Argentinian support at the Lusail.
Final Score: Netherlands 2 – 2 Argentina
Day 19
Al Thumama Stadium
Morocco v Portugal
Morocco look pretty solid. Good defensive team and Portugal didn’t play really, even when they brought on Ronaldo they didn’t get anywhere. Ramos didn’t do anything following his hattrick in the last game. Morocco are good going forward when they want to and take the sting out of the other team. They go marauding on. Tied Portugal up wouldn't let them play. The individuals in the Moroccan side are playing for the team. They are hard to break down and must be carefully watched on the break as they don’t throw everything at the opposition to start with.
Final Score: Morocco 1 – 0 Portugal
Day 19
Al Bayt Stadium
England v France
France have good players up front with Mbappe and Giroud. England were never up for it, they went one nil down then Kane scored a perfect penalty. That’s the way he always takes them. Giroud got a headed winner when England missed him at the near post. England kept trying and got the second pen. Kane skied it. The referee didn’t give anything. France were aggressive in defence, particularly against Saka who had also been targeted by Italy in the European Championship finals of 2020. France knew he was the one who could cause a lot of problems. Rashford maybe should have come on sooner. Tchouameni was impressive for France and got the opening goal and Antoine Greizmann has been playing very well so far this tournament. France progress.
Final Score: England 1 – 2 France
