'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAjl//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG/9oACAECEAAAADX/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAADf/xAAhEAACAQMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABBETISIxUVKBof/aAAgBAQABPwCS3treBmk1ioI5RsFYHO3UEY7j6K5eTemr/8QAFhEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEi/9oACAECAQE/AHJ//8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEL/2gAIAQMBAT8Al//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With the round of 16 complete, we now know the final eight teams left in the World Cup 2018. There has been plenty of drama, shocks, and talking-points throughout the tournament so far and there is bound to be many more as we edge closer to finding out who will lift the famous trophy. Let's look at the remaining countries, how they got here, and what they can expect in their respective quarter-final fixtures.
France
Pre-Tournament
Arriving at the World Cup with high expectations, France has so far delivered. Boasting numerous household names in the form of Pogba, Mbappe, and Kante, this is the strongest France squad since they lifted the trophy on home soil in 1998. They cruised through qualification, topping a group containing Sweden and the Netherlands losing only once in the process.
The Story So Far
Placed in a group with Australia, Peru, and Denmark, many fancied France to swagger through the opening rounds and cruise into the last 16 with ease. However, there were some hiccups along the way, namely in their first clash against Australia when an 80th-minute Behich own goal saved their blushes in a 2-1 victory. A routine 1-0 win against Peru followed by a 0-0 draw with Denmark saw France top the group and meet Argentina in the round of 16.
What followed is easily the game of the tournament so far with two heavyweights battling it out with thrilling attacking football. After taking the lead, the French contrived to fall 2-1 behind in the second half. However, a 10-minute blitz, led by teenage sensation Killian Mbappe, gave the French a 4-2 lead which was enough to go through to the quarter-finals despite a late goal from Argentina.
What's Next
The French seem to have come into form at the right time and now face Uruguay in the quarter-finals. Breaking down a strong Uruguayan defense is no easy feat, but with the embarrassment of riches the French boast up front they will enter the last eight as strong favorites to progress. If they can replicate their performance from the round of 16, it is difficult to see any team stopping them from going all the way and lifting the trophy for the second time.
Uruguay
Pre-Tournament
Predicted as dark horses before the World Cup began, Uruguay has been going about their business quietly and efficiently. Featuring numerous players coming towards the end of their illustrious careers, the Uruguay side arrived feeling it is this generation's last opportunity to go deep into a World Cup. Having finished second to Brazil in World Cup qualifying, the two-time World Cup winners entered the tournament full of confidence.
The Story So Far
Of all the South American sides, Uruguay received the kindest draw in the group stages due to the hosts, Russia, placed as the group's first seed. they kicked off their campaign with back-to-back comfortable, if not exciting, 1-0 victories over Eygpt and Saudi Arabia. However, it was in their final group game against the hosts which saw the Uruguayans really kicked into gear as they cruised to a 3-0 win, silencing the home fans and topping the group.
A giant stumbling block stood in their path for the round of 16 in the shape of the European Champions, Portugal, and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, a brace from Cavani either side of a Pepe goal secured an impressive 2-1 win and gave Uruguay their fourth straight win at the tournament, something they haven't done at a World Cup since 1930, a year they won it.
What's Next
Next up for the South Americans is an in-form French side who will provide a very stern test. With news filtering through of a possible injury for Cavani, the Uruguayans will find it a difficult assignment without their talisman who contributes so much to the team. They will need to rely on their defensive prowess and the finishing ability of Suarez if they wish to make it to the Semi-Finals for the first time since 2010.
Russia
Pre-Tournament
Russia is arguably the story of this World Cup. The team came into the World Cup on the back of a dreadful run of form and without a win for over a year since a 2-0 victory against New Zealand in the Confederations Cup. Ranked the lowest of the 32 competing countries, pessimism swept the nation pre-tournament regarding the home nations chances, with many calling this the weakest Russia side in recent memory.
The Story So Far
However, the hosts started the World Cup with a bang, swatting aside Saudi Arabia in a superb, free-flowing 5-0 win on opening night. Suddenly, optimism spread across the country sweeping from Moscow to St. Petersburg where the hosts guaranteed qualification to the round of 16 after only two games with an excellent 3-1 victory over Eygpt. Their final group game against Uruguay brought many back down to earth as the South Americans coasted to a 3-0 win over an abject Russia.
Their defeat against Uruguay meant the Russians would face a fancied Spanish side in the round of 16 with few giving the hosts any hope of going through. However, after falling a goal behind, the Russians rallied and got back into the game thanks to a penalty. Their defensive prowess helped them through the remainder of the match and extra time to a penalty shootout where they secured their greatest victory in a World Cup since the days of the Soviet Union.
What's Next
Next up for Russia is a stern test in the form of an excellent Croatia side who have shown themselves to be dark horses to go all the way. However, with the backing of their home support and strong belief rising in the dressing room, Russia will give themselves every chance to shock the world again and go through to the Semi-Finals of their home tournament.
Croatia
Pre-Tournament
Croatia arrived at the World Cup with cautious optimism. They had struggled through qualification, coming second to Iceland in a weak qualifying group before comfortably dispatching Greece over two legs in a playoff match. However, with game-changers such as Modric and Rakitic in their squad, the Croatians felt they could go toe-to-toe with anyone on the world's biggest stage.
The Story So Far
It seemed like Croatia's destiny was written before a ball was kicked at the World Cup. They would finish second in their group behind Argentina and face France in the round of 16 where their journey would come to its conclusion. However, the Croatians were writing their own script and blitzed through their group, beating Iceland, Argentina, and Nigeria to finish top with maximum points.
Thier group stage performances rewarded them with a last 16 tie against Denmark which proved a more difficult assignment than expected. A frantic opening 5 minutes saw both sides score and the game remained deadlocked at 1-1 to take the match to a penalty shootout. A narrow and nervy 3-2 win on penalties saw Croatia enter the quarter-finals and set up a showdown with the hosts, Russia.
What's Next
In any other circumstance, Croatia would enter a match against Russia and clear and strong favorites. However, the hosts have shown that home advantage can prove a massive advantage and Croatia will play this tie against the backdrop of a noisy home crowd. If they can eliminate nerves and settle into their game quickly, they should have enough to overpower the host nation and enter the Semi-Finals only the second time in their history.
Brazil
Pre-Tournament
Brazil entered the World Cup with a huge demon perched on their shoulder in the shape of a 7-1 defeat to Germany at their home tournament in 2014. The demon had been nested there for four long years and Brazil came to Russia determined to exorcise it by bringing home a record sixth World Cup. While their qualification campaign got off to a rocky start, a change of manager saw Tite take over midway through qualification and lead Brazil to comfortably top the group by 10 points.
The Story So Far
The pre-tournament favorites began the World Cup with an unimpressive 1-1 draw against Switzerland leading some to question their credentials to go all the way. Those doubts were raised further throughout their second group match against Costa Rica as they struggled to break through a resilient defense for 90 minutes until two goals in additional time led to tears from Neymar which circulated around the world. A comfortable 2-0 win against Serbia saw Brazil top their group and head into the last 16 in decent form.
While not scintillating, Brazil entered the last 16 with high hopes of progressing to the next round when paired with a Mexico team who had never beaten them in a World Cup match. An exciting match saw the Brazilians run our 2-0 victors, extending their excellent run against CONCACAF nations at the World Cup to eight wins out of nine matches. However, Neymar Jr.'s play-acting which overshadowed Brazil's group games continued into this match, taking headlines away from Brazil's progress and placing them on their star player for the wrong reasons.
What's Next
Brazil's win over Mexico has set up a mouthwatering quarter-final tie against a strong Belgium team. Unlike the famous Brazil sides of the 70s and 80s, this incarnation of Brazil focuses on defensive prowess over slick attacking football and that could be the difference maker against Belgium's exciting front line. This promises to be the match of the round and if Neymar Jr. can stay on his feet, it has all the hallmarks of a World Cup classic.
Belgium
Pre-Tournament
Many people's picks as 'dark horses' for this World Cup, Belgium's golden generation has yet to shine at their previous two major tournaments. However, their previous performances at major tournaments didn't dampen expectations coming into this World Cup as the Belgians cruised through a straightforward qualifying group, finishing nine points ahead of their nearest rivals, Greece. As the World Cup began, many wondered if this would finally be their year.
The Story So Far
The group stages were extremely kind to Belgium with matches against Panama and Tunisia helping them guarantee qualification for the next round before a dead-rubber match against England. The Belgians cruised to an opening 3-0 win over Panama and followed that up with a 5-2 thrashing of Tunisia, resting many first-team players for their 1-0 victory over the English to secure top spot in the group with a maximum nine points.
A kind draw awaited them in the round of 16 as they faced a weak Japanese side, the only Asian team to make it beyond the group stages. Many predicted a comfortable win for Belgium, however, shock and disbelief ensued when the Japanese took a quickfire two-goal lead in the second half. An astonishing late comeback from Belgium saw them run out 3-2 winners and proved their credentials as real contenders for this tournament with the team and fighting spirit around the camp at an all-time high.
What's Next
Belgium may regret beating England in their final group game which led to them entering the harder side of the draw. Next up they will face their biggest test in the shape of Brazil in what could be a wonderful game of attacking football. While the Belgians have incredible riches up front, their defense has been suspect throughout the tournament, particularly in their last match against Japan. They will need to shore up the leaks in their defense quickly if they are to knock out the tournament favorites.
Sweden
Pre-Tournament
While few people expected anything special from Sweden in this World Cup, there were signs that something was building during their qualification campaign. Finishing as runners-up to a strong French side in their qualifying group, the Swedes eliminated the Netherlands in the process and set up a two-legged playoff tie against Italy. Defensive solidity helped them shock the Italians with a 1-0 aggregate win and earn their place in Russia.
The Story So Far
Placed in a group with World Cup holders, Germany, the Swedes were expected to battle for second place with Mexico. Their opening game against South Korea kicked off their campaign perfectly with a 1-0 victory, leaving them in a very good position to qualify thanks to Mexico's shock win over Germany. A solid performance against the Germans led to heartbreak for the Swedes when Toni Kroos netted a winner in stoppage time and left Sweden needing a victory in their final game against Mexico to progress. Sweden announced themselves on the biggest stage with a stunning 3-0 win over Mexico, topping the group and earning plaudits worldwide.
Switzerland awaited in the last 16, and an attritional match ensued. The Swedes worked hard and stuck to their gameplan in impressive fashion to run out 1-0 winners and progress to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994. This was the first time Sweden has won back to back World Cup games since they hosted the tournament in 1958 with their discipline and teamwork making them a tough proposition for any side to face.
What's Next
An intriguing match against England is Sweden's reward for dispatching Switzerland. While many questioned the call to exclude Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the World Cup squad before the tournament began, the Swedes are functioning better as a unit without their all-time top scorer and England will not relish the task of breaking down the Swedish defense. Confidence is continually growing in the Swedish camp and they will feel they can progress to their first World Cup Semi-Finals since they finished as runners-up in 1958.
England
Pre-Tournament
For the first time since 1990, there was very cautious optimism surrounding the England squad as they took off for the World Cup in Russia. Years of apathy and pessimism were replaced with excitement as Gareth Southgate announced a young, fresh squad of English players eager to represent their country on the biggest stage of all. A cruise through qualification is nothing new for England, but with players such as Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad, expectations for England were at a recent all-time high.
The Story So Far
A straightforward group awaited England with games against Tunisia and Panama representing an excellent opportunity to seal qualification to the knockout rounds before a showdown with Belgium. A hard-fought 2-1 opening win over Tunisia was followed by a 6-1 drubbing of Panama to seal a place in the next round. The final game against Belgium saw England rest most of their starting 11 and fall victim to a wonderful Adnan Januzaj goal. This left them second in their group, but also placed them into the 'easier' side of the draw for the knockout stages.
The prize for finishing second was a meeting with Columbia who has impressed during the group stages to top their group at the death. England took the lead with a Harry Kane penalty, bringing him to 5 for the tournament so far, but conceded deep into stoppage time to a Yerry Mina header. Extra time couldn't produce a winner and the tie went to a penalty shootout with England emerging as winners, winning a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time in their history.
What's Next
England will fancy their chances against Sweden in the Quarter-Finals but will need to be wary of the organization and discipline from the Swedes. Having conceded a goal in every game so far this tournament, England will need to work hard on their defensive work and rely on the likes of Sterling and Kane to break down the Swedish rearguard. They will also be wary of the history between the two sides, with England only beating the Swedes twice in their last 10 fixtures and having never beaten them in a World Cup tie, drawing twice in 2002 and 2006.
