By: Browntown B.
We’ve finally made it to the round of 16, where things really start getting interesting. There have been amazing moments in the group stages like Argentina’s Marcos Rojo scoring in the 86th minute to clinch a spot in the round of 16. Now it’s win or go home. So, how do the teams match up?
France vs Argentina
How they got here:
Neither team has looked like as strong as most people thought they would. France struggled with Australia, needing an own goal to win 2-1. That performance was followed with a 1-0 win over Peru on a tap-in by Kylian Mbappe, and a 0-0 draw with Denmark on a meaningless game to finish first in Group C. The French were never really tested, but also haven’t given opponents much to fear up to this point.
On the other hand, Argentina limped into round of 16, qualifying by the skin of their teeth. The club -- and especially star Lionel Messi -- never really found their stride in the group stage. Game one against Iceland ended in a 1-1 draw after Messi missed a potential game-winning penalty kick. The next game was a 3-0 dismantling at the hands of Croatia where Argentina never looked like they had a chance of winning. At this point, the Argentine team seemed dead in the water and appeared to be headed home. They needed a series of small miracles just to move on. They got that after beating Nigeria 2-1 with an early goal from Messi from a nice pass from Banega, and then the game winning goal from Rojo. With a suspect defense, and Messi not firing on all cylinders, this looks like a tough match-up game for them.
Players to Watch
The obvious pick here is Messi for Argentina, but I really think the player that will determine this game for Argentina will be striker Gonzalo Higuain. If he has a big game, then I think Argentina has a big game. Messi has proven in this World Cup that he needs help.
For France I think Antoine Griezmann is the key. He plays in that center forward position right behind Oliver Giroud as almost an attacking midfielder. He plays really deep, and gets the ball extremely early. He will need to be a big part of this game for France to win.
Prediction
If Argentina wants any chance of winning this game, they will have to be solid in the back and fight off counter attacks by France. Argentina has had well over 50% of the possession in their first 3 games, which leaves them open to counter-attack. This is EXACTLY what France looks to capitalize on with Griezmann taking the ball early and pushing forward to Mbappe and Giroud. If France can finish, their counter-attack will be the difference in the game. Never count any team with Messi out, but this World Cup has not been kind to him.
France, 1-0
Portugal vs Uruguay
How they got here:
Uruguay got off to a slow start with 1-0 defeat to a Salah-less Egypt. While Portugal started off with a bang in a 3-3 draw with Spain in what many have called the “game of the tournament.” Cristiano Ronaldo reminded us why he’s in the argument for best player ever with a hat trick, the final goal coming in the 88th minute to level the game. Both Uruguay and Portugal won their 2nd games, with Uruguay defeating a fiesty Saudi Arabia team 1-0 and Portugal defeating Morocco 1-0 on a set-piece header from Ronaldo. Uruguay finished strong with a very convincing 3-0 win over host Russia, and Portugal saw a 1-1 draw with Iran. A shocking block by Iran’s Beiranvand on a Ronaldo penalty kept Portugal from getting a win and topping Group B.
Players to Watch
The player to watch for Uruguay has to be Luis Suarez. His two goals leads his team thus far, and he can be clinical when he wants to. The hope is that he doesn’t lose his head and take a bite out of a Portuguese player...again. For Portugal there is no doubt it’s Ronaldo. He is absolutely the best player on the pitch in this game, but he not the only one worth some attention -- it’s Pepe in the back. Not because of his greatness, but rather because he has not been great in this World Cup. If he doesn’t show up, I don’t think Portugal stands a chance. The Portuguese are going to need a great day in the back third defending Uruguay’s attacks on goal.
Prediction
With both teams mostly likely running out of a 4-4-2, this should be a very interesting matchup. Portugal calls their formation a 4-4-2, but Ronaldo does a lot of roaming, moving from his favorite side of the pitch on the left to right. He can will also move a bit deeper to get the ball early if needed. I think this game will be more open with neither team sitting back in the low block allowing the other to keep possession (unless the game starts to get away from Portugal -- we may start to see them hold for more possession). They did this in the 2016 Euro and it got them a title, but they are much more comfortable pushing forward and letting Ronaldo run in space. I think a late Ronaldo goal is the difference in this game.
Portugal, 2-1
Spain vs Russia
How they got here:
This should be a very interesting game. It’s always going to be tough playing the host nation, much less when the host nation is very good Russian squad. For Russia, this World Cup has been a tale of two very different teams. In game one they absolutely destroyed Saudi Arabia 5-0 making great passes all over the pitch and looking like a legitimate contender. They followed that up with a 3-1 defeat of Egypt in Mo Salah’s World Cup debut. Again Russia dominated most of this game, and looked like a pretty well-organized team. They finished with Uruguay and did not look like the same team. They were beaten soundly 3-0 on two Uruguayan goals, and one own goal. They had much less of the ball and looked very over-matched. I think this is the team we most likely see in the round of 16.
Spain made headlines before they even played a game; they fired their coach two days before their first match. Head man Julen Lopetegui was let go because he announced he’d be taking the Real Madrid job after the World Cup was over. There was speculation on whether the firing would affect this team, but the Spaniards appeared unphased during their game one classic with Portugal, playing the passing game they are so well known for while scoring three goals. They were a little porous on defense, but put together an all-around stellar performance. It took a goal from Diego Costa in the 54th minute to see Spain through again Iran, even though the passing and possession were on point, the finishing in the front third was lacking. Finally, match three put them up against Morocco that had looked rather week to that point. It took a goal by Iago Aspas in stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw and win the group. Neither of these last two matches made Spanish fans feel good about the state of the team going into the round of 16.
Players to Watch
Dennis Cheryshev is the leading scoring for Russia with 3 goals, and the Russians will lean heavily on him if they have any hope of beating Spain. He’s not a world super star, but Russia doesn’t need that. They really embody what the World Cup is all about -- playing as a team. As for Spain, Isco is the key for this team. He can play on the left or right side of the middle field, in the middle, or even play the “false 9” (dropping deep into the midfield) if needed. He is everywhere for this Spain team, and he enjoys being on the ball.
Prediction
If Spain plays the way they are capable, this will be an easy win for them. The problem is that Spain and many other powerhouses haven’t played their best yet. If Spain shifts into fifth gear, we could see a rout, but being that they are playing the hosts, I don’t see this being an easy match for them. Russia might try to open the game up, and play fast to see if they can get an early goal, but I think this game will be very similar to their match again Uruguay. They will be over-matched, and Spain will wear them down with their high-volume, surgically-precise passing. I don’t see this as very close.
Spain, 3-1
Croatia vs Denmark
How they got here:
This could be another very interesting matchup. Denmark hasn’t look very threatening yet, so if they have any chance of winning this match, Christian Eriksen is going to have to have a huge game. Their opponent, Croatia might be one of strongest teams in this tournament. They started out their campaign with a 2-0 win over Nigeria on the back of Luka Modric. (More about him later). In one of the biggest statement games of this World Cup, Croatia took out Argentina 3-0. With what might be considered the best midfield in the tournament, Modric and Ivan Rakitić both netted goals. Finally in a game that was not a must-win, they topped Iceland 2-1. Iceland was fighting for their World Cup lives, and Croatia was resting some of their starters. Not too much to take away from this one other than Crotia’s depth in midfield.
Denmark opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Peru. It wasn’t their strongest start, but ended with a good finish by Yussuf Poulsen. The key for the Danes is Eriksen; as he goes, Denmark goes. They followed their win over Peru with a 1-1 draw over Australia on an early Eriksen goal -- their worst game of the World Cup thus far. Australia played better than most thought, but Denmark played far below their capabilities. The Danes ended the group stage games with a 0-0 draw to France, who didn’t need a result to advance to the next round.
Players to Watch
Luka Modric is the player to watch for Croatia. He plays both right center mid and center mid, and does an amazing job of distributing the ball all over the pitch. He works really well with Rakitic and his teammate at Real Madrid Mateo Kovacic. He can score, but his passing and I.Q. are the best parts of his game. He controls the tempo of the game for Croatia. Eriksen is very player for Denmark, but a bit more versatile since he can move to the wings if needed. Mostly he will control the center of the field, but can roam to the left or right if necessary. At Tottenham he’s played both sides, but for Denmark he primarily patrols the middle of the midfield. He’s not going to light up the scoreboard, but he will direct and control the game for Denmark. It will be key for him to keep possession and move the ball to the open spaces; if he can’t it will be a very long day for Denmark.
Prediction
The Eriksen factor keeps you from completely counting Denmark out of this game, but they have a huge task ahead of them. Stopping Modric and Rakitic (if that is the lineup Zlatko Dalic decides to run with) is the key in the game. If Denmark can’t hold on to the ball and let Eriksen work his magic, they’ll be chasing for the entire match. Croatia likes to stay on the ball if they can, but are fine with sitting back low and waiting on their chances as they did against Argentina in their second match.
Croatia, 3-0
Check back Monday for the remaining previews!
My knockout round Power Rankings:
Belgium
England
Brazil
Spain
I think the Belgians have what it takes to lift the gold trophy in a couple of weeks. Right now, I think Spain is on the outside looking in, but with a strong performance against Russia, things could get really interesting. Let’s all enjoy these round of 16 games, and hope they can match the level of entertainment the tournament has already given us.
Comments