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The group stages of the World Cup 2018 is done and dusted and the business end of the competition is fast approaching. The World Cup has already seen a huge upset with the defending champions Germany being knocked out of the competition in the very first round.
This World Cup has been special because of a number of reasons but the most important reason is that the difference between the top teams and the so-called relatively weaker teams has been minimal this year.
The teams which were touted as the favourites before the competition have fared poorly in the competition and those teams which were thought to be just making the numbers have risen to the occasion and have outperformed the top teams.
Argentina just managed to scrape through to the Round of 16, Portugal was given a run for its money by Iran before it secured its qualification to the Round of 16. Spain too was held to a draw by an impressive Morocco in its final game. France played out a dull draw in the end though it managed to top the group it have struggled to shine in the competition.
With such a backdrop let's look at the top 3 contenders for the World Cup after the Group stages.
#3 Belgium
Belgium was considered as one of the dark horses of this year's tournament and the team have performed brilliantly in the competition. The team have some brilliant talents in its fold and all of them have come to the party in this competition.
Belgium began its World Cup campaign in a stunning fashion as it defeated Panama 3-0 in its opening fixture. The team continued its impressive run in the second match as well where it defeated Tunisia 5-2. The Belgium juggernaut continued in the match against England as a second string Belgium side defeated a weakened English side 1-0 and have topped their group.
The famed trio of Belgium which consists of Lukaku, Hazard and De Bruyne have been a treat to watch in this World Cup. Lukaku has combined brilliantly with both De Bruyne and Hazard and it has resulted in an abundance of goals.
Belgium is not that strong in defence but they have the ability to strike fear in opponents by scoring quickly and is, therefore, a contender for the World Cup trophy
#2 Croatia
Croatia is one team which didn't feature in the top 8 teams of most football experts. This World Cup has belied the experts on many of their predictions and this is among them. Croatia has topped its group and will be facing Denmark in the Round of 16 games.
Croatia have been brilliant in the competition as they have played an attacking brand of football and has tasted plenty of success with it in a competition where the big teams like Germany, France and Spain are struggling in playing that brand of football.
The Real Madrid duo of Modric and Kovacic have been phenomenal in the Group stages and if they continue the way they have been playing, the duo could pose a serious threat to the top teams in the competition.
Croatia have a possible quarterfinal opponent in Spain and if the team manages to beat Spain then the route till the final seems to be clear for the European side. Croatia is a team to watch out and their match against Spain could decide the team which will play in the finals.
#1 Brazil
Brazil began this year's tournament as one of the favourites and they might finish as the best team. Brazil had a poor opening fixture where they struggled against Switzerland and managed out a draw in that game.
Brazil continued to struggle in the second game as well as the team was level 0-0 till 90 minutes and then suddenly transformed into a totally different team in the injury time to score two goals. The injury time period in its second game showed a glimpse of what the Brazilian side was capable of.
Brazil continued to play in the manner which it usually does in the third match as well and had a comfortable victory over Serbia. The Brazilian flair has seemed to have returned and with other top teams not performing up to the mark this year might well be Brazil's.
Brazil have the prospect of facing Belgium in the quarterfinals and that match might well decide the title winner.
