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Just a few weeks ago, 32 teams began the journey for World Cup glory, and now, after 4 mouthwatering quarter-final matches, only 4 teams remain. A lot of good teams have been knocked out so far, and with the semi-finals kicking off soon, 2 more of arguably the best teams in the world will bid the World Cup trophy adieu.
With the World Cup final drawing ever closer, it's almost impossible to accurately predict the outcome of any of the remaining games. Many of the so-called 'favourites' are on their way home, and through all of the teams that secured a place in the semis undoubtedly deserved their victory, some have been marginally better than others on the road so far.
Based on their performances throughout the World Cup so far, here are the rankings of the 4 teams left in the World Cup.
#4: Croatia
Before the start of the World Cup, many expected Croatia to finish second in their group, behind Argentina. However, their performances were a pleasant surprise to the World, playing attacking football and winning all 3 of their group games, most notably a 3-0 victory of Argentina. They come into the quarter-finals after edging Denmark on penalties after 120 minutes of highly contested, high-quality football, before similarly edging quarter-final opponents and tournament hosts Russia in the shootout after a highly entertaining 2-2 draw over 120 minutes.
Boasting perhaps the best midfield in the World Cup at the moment, with names such as Rakitic and Modric, they have a perfectly rounded team with excellent players in every position. After starting the tournament in excellent form, it looks like they have slowed down a tad bit, but with the big players they have, the Croatians will surely be backing their team to go one better from the legendary Croatian team of 1998.
#3: England
There has been a lot of hype surrounding the English team through the past few days, and with good reason. England has a well-rounded squad with good players for every position on the pitch. Beating Panama, Tunisia, Colombia and Sweden on their way to the semi-finals, the 3 lions have looked solid so far but will face a much bigger test in the name of Croatia in their semi-final tie.
Very much to the credit of Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff, England look much better than their predecessors. The 3 lions seem to be peaking at the perfect time, and are in free-scoring form going into their semi-final encounter with Croatia. Reaching their first semi-final since 1990, this team has already made a resounding impact on this year's world cup and now with the final in sight, the English supporters will surely be backing their boys to the hilt to win it all.
#2: Belgium
After winning all three of their group games, Belgium came up against the Japanese in their round of 16 tie. Coming into the 2nd half goalless, a 10 minute Japanese blitz left the Belgians 2 goals down and with time running out. Bringing in Fellaini to add some height and physicality to the game, the Belgians seemingly turned the corner and went on to equalise via 2 headers, with their height difference over the Japanese ultimately paying dividends. With the game seemingly set to go to extra time, the Belgians won the ball back off a Japanese corner and had the final say, scoring the winner in injury time via a sweeping counter-attacking move, completing one of the best comebacks the World Cup has seen.
If the Belgians display was uncertain in that game, they were just as good in their quarter-final tie with hosts Brazil, sending the runaway favourites home after brilliant performances from everyone across the pitch. Roberto Martinez and this Belgian side showcased in the match that they are very much ready to change up their tactics at a moments notice and do whatever it takes to beat whoever it is in front of them. Set to come up against the excellent French in the semi-finals, the Belgians will surely draw a world of confidence from their previous result and think that they can go all the way now.
#1: France
After beating Argentina 4-3 in one of the games of the World Cup so far, the French team has seemingly found its feet after unconvincing performances in all 3 of their group games, then going on to beat Uruguay in a relatively comfortable 2-0 win. The dynamism and speed of the young French squad ultimately proved too much for the Uruguayan team to handle, who were unfortunately without the man of the moment Edinson Cavani due to injury.
Scoring a goal on each side of the break, the French dominated proceedings. With solid performances all across the board, the French have seemingly peaked at the perfect time and will need to be at their explosive, attacking best if they are to have any hope of breaking down the Belgian defence, that did such a brilliant job of containing the Brazillian attack, in their semi-final tie on Tuesday.
