After sequence of upsets best yet to come from World Cup favorites. The World Cup in Qatar has already produced a number of huge surprises, but as it enters the knockout stage, the main contenders, like Brazil and France, have a lot to show.
This is the first World Cup since the 2010 tournament in South Africa to feature teams from Asia, Africa, and North America in the last 16.
Brazil is the overwhelming favorite to win a sixth World Cup and end Europe’s recent domination on the world stage.
Tite’s team will undoubtedly benefit from Neymar’s return from an ankle injury sustained in the opening win over Serbia, but they have a stunning array of attacking potential beyond the world’s most expensive footballer.
Even though they lost their final group game against Cameroon with nine changes to the starting lineup, they are normally rock-solid defensively.
Brazil is yet to encounter strong competition and will hope to stroll past South Korea on Monday, before facing Croatia or Japan in the quarter-finals.
A semi-final meeting with Argentina remains a possibility, with Lionel Messi and his colleagues coming back from a shock loss to Saudi Arabia to overcome Mexico and Poland.
If Messi’s squad beats Australia, they might face the Netherlands in the last eight, albeit the Dutch must first beat a difficult United States team.
Argentina entered the World Cup unbeaten in 36 games and with great hopes of winning the trophy for the third time, but coach Lionel Scaloni has downplayed their chances.
Despite the elimination of Germany and Belgium, the other side of the draw favors Europe.
France is the squad to defeat, and they have the most intriguing player in the competition in Kylian Mbappe.
Didier Deschamps’ team breezed through their group, despite fielding an unrecognizable lineup in their final loss to Tunisia as regulars rested.
History is not on France’s favor as they attempt to become the first team since 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup, and they might face England in the last eight.
Spain, which tied England for the most goals in the group stage with nine, is also on their side of the draw.
England, semi-finalists in 2018 and runners-up in Euro 2020, are quietly gaining confidence.
Japan, who have never advanced past the first round, surprised Germany and Spain and now have 2018 finalists Croatia on their radar.
South Korea qualified as well, thanks to a last-gasp goal against Portugal. After sequence of upsets best yet to come from World Cup favorites.
Qatar has also been a good World Cup for Africa so far, with two teams in the final 16 compared to none four years ago.
Senegal, who have recovered from the loss of Sadio Mane, will face England, while a quality Morocco team is living up to expectations and will have the support of many in the Arab world when they face Spain.
Brazil remains most people’s favorite, but there is a sense that more surprises are on the way.
