From the elusive Kylian Mbappé to Brazilian soccer samba to Argentina’s Messi addiction, an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the eight quarter-finalists of the 2022 World Cup.
Indestructible Croatia
The famous checkered jerseys make the game last. In their last seven knockout stage matches, Croatia have gone into extra time six times, winning four times, including three on penalties, a routine they never miss.
“Never underestimate a Croatian,” says coach Zlatko Dalić, who however has two slight weaknesses: his side Borna Barišić and Josip Juranović, and the absence of a finisher of the caliber of Mario Mandžukić.
We found the “jogo bonito” of Brazil
This Brazilian team seems painted in trompe-l’oeil. Admittedly, she scores magnificent goals (returns, juggles, volleys, etc.) and dances the samba to celebrate them, but it is above all her defense that is solid.
Tite’s “Seleçao” doesn’t have many weak points, with its new-style laterals. Escaped from the Brazilian school of the crazy counter-attackers of Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Jorginho, Dani Alves and others, Éder Militão and Danilo are less brilliant, but safer defensively.
orange tradition
Faithful to their tradition, the Netherlands have a very solid collective and great self-confidence, and their formidable soil has once again made a flower of soccer grow, the amazing Cody Gakpo (three goals), 23 years old .
But Louis van Gaal’s men have not yet been pushed to their limits during the competition, they have not trembled once, have never been behind.
Argentina’s Messi
The strong point of the “Albiceleste” is obviously Lionel Messi, genius at the rendezvous who finally scored his first goal in the elimination phase of the World Cup, in his fifth participation, to discourage Australia (2-1).
The formation of Lionel Scaloni is less sovereign elsewhere, especially in defense, but after being very scared by losing entry against Saudi Arabia (2-1), Argentina has the faith of the survivors.
Morocco, the wind of history
The least impressive team of the eight on paper, Morocco are driven by a quest: to become the first African selection to reach the last four of a World Cup.
In addition to its compactness, which disgusted Spain (0-0, 3 goals on penalties against 0), Walid Regragui’s formation relies on the best defense of the tournament: it only conceded one goal against his side. The Portuguese have been warned.
The Portuguese armada
Difficult to find a weak point in the formidable team of Portugal, which boned Switzerland (6-1). It relies on the finest generation in its history, the 2016 European champions having further enriched themselves with pearls, such as Bernardo Silva, João Félix, Bruno Fernandes or the amazing Gonçalo Ramos (21), author of a hat-trick for his first tenure!
Could the only gash in the shell come from Cristiano Ronaldo’s new status? Benched by Fernando Santos, will the megastar accept her fate without flinching?
France: Mbappé takes care of everything
The Blues are betting on the stratospheric form of Kylian Mbappé, the tournament’s top scorer (five goals) and already at 14e place in the historic rankings with nine goals, at only 23 years old!
The faults of France are behind and on the bench. She conceded one goal per match, her side do not give all the guarantees, and her B team used against Tunisia (0-1 defeat) was frankly disappointing.
England’s strike force
Faced with the best attack of the tournament with 12 goals, the danger comes from everywhere. England have eight different goalscorers in the tournament, and Gareth Southgate is spoiled for choice: Kane, Rashford, Saka, Bellingham, Grealish and Foden, as well as Sterling if he returns from England, where he left for family problems.
The problem may be in defense, with the relative slowness of his central hinge, especially against Mbappé, but the English rearguard has not conceded a goal in his last three games.