Few could have predicted this matchup in the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup before the tournament started, so making a Russia vs Croatia prediction might seem like a fool’s errand. But whoever survives the quarterfinal on Saturday at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi will deserve its spot in the semifinals against either Sweden or England.
France takes on Uruguay in the first quarterfinal of the 2018 World Cup at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Friday, July 6, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The match will serve as the tournament’s first truly fascinating clash of styles: the attacking zest of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba versus the hard-bitten play of Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez and Luis Suarez. It’s all on the line with the winner advancing to the semifinal to meet either Brazil or Belgium.
England are trying to get to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2006. Do they have to horses to beat James Rodriguez and Colombia? Jose Pekerman has yet to say if the Colombian star is fit to play, but Harry Kane and company will try to reverse the notion that the Three Lions choke at the World Cup. Then a battle between Switzerland and Sweden will surely be a defensive chess match. Who will be able to break through?
Can Mexico reach the quinto partido? They will have to beat a staked Brazil team to get there but this World Cup has shown that anything is possible. Beligum will try to keep their hot form against Japan.
The second day of the Round of 16 pits the host nation against a strong Spanish side and Croatia trying to show they are for real against Denmark.
Here are the picks from Connor Fleming (@conmanfleming), Bryce Badwan (@bbadss) and Travis Yoesting (@travisyoesting).
We made it. Now it's time for the knockout stage at the 2018 World Cup. And boy does the first day of the Round of 16 start off with a bang! Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are both in action against a loaded France team and Uruguay team with plenty of talent. Can Argentina keep this mircale going? Will France finally kick it into high gear? Can Cristiano Ronaldo keep carrying a team on his back? What in the hell is Luis Suarez going to do?