First of all, how about World Cup 2018??? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED????
If you’re like me, you’ve thrown your bracket away. The Group games have come to an end and your bracket is useless. You’ve learned the all-important lesson that at this World Cup: There are no favorites. There are only teams, and anyone can pull off a shock victory at any time. So this is my way of recreating my bracket. Bear with me.
Left-hand side
Uruguay vs. Portugal: Uruguay and Portugal played their last group matches against Russia and Morocco respectively. Uruguay beat Russia by three goals, while Portugal missed a penalty and ended up with a draw against Iran. Russia had already advanced while Iran was still alive. To me, that says it all. Portugal got in by a hair’s breadth. Expect a stronger team like Uruguay to escort them home.
France vs. Argentina: Ah, my favorite match-up. If you’ve read my previous write-ups, you know France is my favorite to win the World Cup. They haven’t blown me away yet, and as I said earlier, there ARE no favorites. But if Argentina thinks that their aging midfield and porous defense is going to stack up to France, especially as they got out of their group stages by the skin of their teeth, they have another think coming. No doubt that France will pull off this victory.
Brazil vs. Mexico: This will be such a good matchup. Mexico will be careful, while Brazil will be adventurous and more incisive. And yes Neymar will be marked to no end. But I see this ending no other way than with a Brazil victory. For one thing, Mexico let Sweden put three goals past them when they had not even secured advancing to the second round. If they lose any composure in this match, they’re as good as gone.
Belgium vs. Japan: Belgium will likely be too much for Japan to handle, and should be able to come out with the victory here. If there were any favorites on this left-hand side, it would be them.
Right-hand side
Spain vs. Russia: I don’t have much to say, except that I will take Russia as far as I can they can realistically go. They’re the host country, and there is usually some kind of fanfare wave that pushes the host country deep into the tournament. Based on the side of the draw, they could play for the Cup. Losing 3-0 to Uruguay will have no effect on them whatsoever. Spain, on the other hand, should count themselves lucky to be atop the group. They were losing to a team that had already been eliminated until the 90th minute. This time they won’t be so lucky.
Croatia vs. Denmark: I want to issue a public apology for underestimating Croatia, and I will do my all to rectify that. I definitely give the edge to Croatia here. They haven’t lost a game yet and will be more clinical than any team Denmark has faced thus far.
Sweden vs. Switzerland: Sweden topping the group with Germany was remarkable, but I think Switzerland has more grit to get the victory here. They will not be as kind as Mexico was to let Sweden in, and they will take their chances more effectively.
England vs. Colombia: I am cautious as I write England into the quarters, but even though I think Colombia is a tricky matchup, I think Team England has enough to outlast them.
And there you have it!! What’s YOUR Final Eight??
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