Round of 16 World Cup 2022 found six pairs of opponents. Judging by those duels, there is once again the potential for surprises like in the group stage.
The World Cup in Qatar is difficult to predict who will be able to win in one match. The initial shock comes from defeat Argentina 1-2 of Saudi Arabia in the first day of the group stage.
In the process, despite losing early on, Argentina managed to advance to the knockout stage with group winner status. Saudi Arabia was even eliminated from this World Football Party event.
Another surprise was Germany’s defeat Japan. Germany then left Qatar and Japan managed to qualify as group winners after beating Spain.
Morocco also surprised at the World Cup, this time Hakim Ziyech et al. managed to advance to group winner status. Belgium were effectively knocked out of the competition, one of them because they lost to Morocco.
12 countries progressed to the round of 16. The Netherlands as Group A winners met the USA as Group B runners-up.
The Netherlands could have encountered difficulties at this stage. Louis van Gaal’s men didn’t actually make a special appearance in the group stage. America can surprise because the current generation is very different from before, and even England can’t beat Christian Pulisc Cs.
There is also a meeting between Japan and Croatia. Japan can once again surprise Croatia as a 2018 World Cup finalist.
Croatia are currently playing solidly in the centre, but Japan have deadly pace. This can drain the energy of some of the older players who are the regulars of Zladko Dalic’s squad.
England face Senegal in the round of 16 and Gareth Southgate’s men don’t look promising. England beat Iran 6-2 and Wales 3-0, but their performance against the United States was questionable.
Senegal have a superior quality to their opponents England in the group stage. Klidou Koulibaly et al. potentially problematic for The Three Lions.
On paper, Spain have met better opponents with second place. The Matador’s side faced Morocco rather than Croatia, but with events in the group stage everyone must be wary of their opponents.
The other two games are Argentina vs Australia, but Tanggo’s team seems to be moving smoothly after learning from the early defeat. Then France met Poland and Les Blues could easily win.
(Ran/Krs)
