One reason each semifinalist will win the World Cup (and one reason each won’t)
The semifinals of the FIFA 2022 World Cup are all set after a thrill-a-minute quarterfinal spherical that noticed three conventional powerhouses and an upstart African nation emerge because the final groups standing.
Argentina and Croatia booked their spots within the semis after successful dramatic penalty shootouts, whereas France and Morocco took care of business in regulation time, however not earlier than going through a little bit of a scare towards their opponents.
Who has what it takes to go all the way in which in Qatar?
Here’s a take a look at the ultimate 4 groups, and why every of the semi-finalists will win the World Cup, and why they’ll fall brief.
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ARGENTINA
Path to the knockout stage: First place in Group C
Results: 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, 2-0 win vs. Mexico, 2-0 win vs. Poland, 2-1 win vs. Australia, 2-2 vs. Netherlands (PK win)
Next opponent: Croatia (Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Why it’ll win the World Cup
Contrary to standard perception, Argentina hasn’t merely relied upon Lionel Messi to get it this far. To make certain, the PSG star has been the primary protagonist for La Albiceleste with 4 targets in 5 video games. But the group’s crop of thrilling kids — led by Enzo Fernández (21), Julián Álvarez (22) and Alexis Mac Allister (23) — have additionally performed main roles in Argentina’s run to the semifinals.
As a consequence, opponents can’t afford to easily concentrate on stopping Messi. If they do, it’ll open up house and alternatives for his younger teammates to do injury.
Why it gained’t win the World Cup
Game administration has been a problem for Argentina since its group stage opener when it took the lead however couldn’t end off Saudi Arabia and finally misplaced. Up 2-0 towards the Dutch, the Argentines conceded two late targets and had been pressured to go to a penalty shootout.
In the Round of 16, Australia had Argentina on the ropes for the final 20 minutes, and almost pressured further time. Messi and his cohorts can’t afford to maintain permitting their opponents to stand up off the mat after being knocked down.
FRANCE
Path to the knockout stage: First place in Group D
Results: 4-1 win vs. Australia, 2-1 win vs. Denmark, 1-0 loss to Tunisia, 3-1 win vs. Poland, 2-1 win vs. England
Next opponent: Morocco (Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Why it’ll win the World Cup
Simply put, they’re the reigning champions and have performed prefer it at this event. The three earlier World Cup holders did not get out of the group stage: Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018. But France has barely missed a beat in Qatar, aside from the loss to Tunisia when supervisor Didier Deschamps rested his starters.
Kylian Mbappé has been sensational, midfielder Adrien Rabiot has been a revelation, and Antoine Griezmann has been one of many event’s greatest playmakers on a French beginning 11 that’s balanced from entrance to again.
Why it gained’t win the World Cup
France has but to maintain a clear sheet on this event, whereas fullbacks Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde haven’t precisely wrapped themselves in glory in Qatar, with Kounde being the weakest hyperlink in defence. Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal of Morocco are two deadly wingers who like to run at defenders, and fullback Achraf Hakimi is among the quickest gamers at this event.
Morocco’s harmful trio of broad gamers will goal Kounde and Hernandez and exploit the dearth of defensive assist that the French fullbacks will obtain from Mbappé.
MOROCCO
Path to the knockout stage: First place in Group F
Results: 0-0 vs. Croatia, 2-0 win vs. Belgium, 2-1 win vs. Canada, 0-0 vs. Spain (PK win), 1-0 win vs. Portugal
Next opponent: France (Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Why it’ll win the World Cup
One phrase: Defence. Morocco boasts the most effective defensive file at this World Cup, with only one aim towards in 5 video games, and it was an own-goal in its group stage win over Canada. No opposing participant has managed to attain and breach their again line.
Buoyed by the excellent centre-back duo of Nayef Aguerd and captain Romain Saïss, the Moroccans have managed to close out Belgium, Croatia, Spain and Portugal, holding world-class attackers resembling Ronaldo and Kevin De Bruyne off the scoresheet.
Why it gained’t win the World Cup
We know Morocco can maintain onto a lead, however we do not know if it may possibly come from behind because the Atlas Lions haven’t trailed in a sport for a single minute at this World Cup. France has opened the scoring on three events in Qatar, successful all 3 times.
If the French rating first, that’ll imply the Africans should open up and take some possibilities, which doubtlessly leaves them defensively susceptible and simpler to use by France’s high-octane assault led by event high scorer Kylian Mbappé.
CROATIA
Path to the knockout stage: Second place in Group F
Results: 0-0 vs. Morocco, 4-1 win vs. Canada, 0-0 vs. Belgium, 1-1 vs Japan (PK win), 1-1 vs. Brazil (PK win)
Next opponent: Argentina (Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Why it’ll win the World Cup:
In Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea) and Marcelo Brozović (Inter Milan), Croatia boasts a central midfield nucleus that oozes pure class and high quality, and that’s the envy of each different group at this World Cup. The trio has confirmed to be extremely sturdy, as they’ve began all 5 video games collectively and have mixed to play 1,441 out of a attainable 1,530 minutes.
The Croatians have managed the midfield battle for almost all of their time in Qatar, together with within the final two video games that went to penalty kicks.
Why it gained’t win the World Cup:
Aside from its 4-1 win over Canada within the group stage, the Croatians have but to seek out their goal-scoring groove on the World Cup. They’ve been shut out on two events, have but to open the scoring by way of their first 5 video games of the event and have solely as soon as managed to attain a couple of aim in a single sport.
Argentina has but to be blanked in Qatar, which implies Croatia will probably must get a couple of targets towards the South Americans with a purpose to advance to the ultimate.
John Molinaro is among the main soccer journalists in Canada, having coated the sport for over 20 years for a number of media shops, together with Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is presently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a web site devoted to in-depth protection of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer. TFC Republic might be discovered right here.
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