FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinals: James the Jellyfish previews and predicts!
FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinals: James the Jellyfish previews and predicts!
World Cup 2022 is at the quarterfinal stage. James the Jellyfish has previewed all four ties and made bold superstar predictions.
There is a thread that connects the three leading favourites to win the World Cup starting in Qatar on Sunday. Photo: Andres Kudacki / AFP.
World Cup 2022 has been an absolute treat, and now the fun part really begins.
With just eight teams standing, James the Jellyfish brings you his comprehensive quarterfinal previews and predictions.
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JAMES THE JELLYFISH CALLS THE WORLD CUP 2022 QUARTERFINALS
- Croatia 1-2 Brazil
- Netherlands 1-1 Argentina
- Morocco 0-0 Portugal
- England 1-1 France
World Cup 2022: Full quarterfinal preview from our expert
CROATIA VS BRAZIL
Croatia have lost four of their five World Cup games against South American sides, with the exception being a 3-0 win over Argentina in 2018. Two of those four defeats have been against Brazil – 1-0 in 2006 and 3-1 in 2014. Although Luka Modrić and his boys are a resilient bunch, this will be a bridge too far against the Samba Boys who played some festival football against South Korea.
NETHERLANDS VS ARGENTINA
The last two World Cup meetings between Netherlands and Argentina finished 0-0, in the 2006 group stages and the 2014 semi-final (Argentina progressing on penalties). Perhaps a repeat is on the cards here. Watch out for Lionel Messi, obviously, who will be playing his 1001st professional match for club and country. Also look out for the two midfield artists, with Frenkie De Jong vs Enzo Fernández looking like a tasty battle.
MOROCCO VS PORTUGAL
The Atlas Lions under Walid Regragui are ridiculously difficult to break down. Gonçalo Ramos, the 21-year-old who was preferred to Cristiano onaldi in the Portugal attack against Switzerland, hit a hat-trick on his full international debut. Morocco won’t be quite as hospitable as the Swiss though. They’ll make life difficult as possible for the 2016 European Champions.
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ENGLAND VS FRANCE
It’s almost impossible to call this one. All I’m going to say is that we are privileged to watch youngsters like Foden (22), Saka (21), Bellingham (19), Tchouameni (22) and 23-year-old Kylian Mbappé, arguably the finest footballer on the planet right now.
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