SUPER 8
So here we stand. The quarter-finals of this unique and expanded Geopolitics World Cup have arrived! A whopping 96 games have been played and 40 teams have now received their marching orders. The Germans, the Dutch and the Brazilians are gone. And despite the absence of such heavyweights, it’s still a lip-smacking last eight lineup to tuck into. France v Morocco, Spain against Belgium, Norway tackling England and Lionel Messi Argentina against the Swiss. Yes, it has taken much longer to reach the quarter-final stage than in any of its predecessors – the 1934 World Cup was a straight 16-team knockout with just 17 games taking place over two weeks – but the business end of the tournament is unchanged and untarnished. It captures the imagination because the jeopardy ratchets up a few notches and stomachs begin to churn. If you’re based in Europe you may have suffered some sleep deprivation to get here, meaning you have truly earned the opportunity to drink in the final stages. Allow Football Daily to run through the quarter-finals, picking out the narratives and individuals that will inevitably dominate the coverage.
- France v Morocco: Kylian Mbappé remains unstoppable; France likely to edge Afcon champions Morocco despite their strong Canada win.
- Spain v Belgium: Spain ruthless under Luis de la Fuente, but Belgium, boosted by Folarin Balogun, are dangerous; upset not ruled out.
- Norway v England: Erling Haaland v Harry Kane headline, yet both sides are cohesive; England boast the stronger supporting cast.
- Argentina v Switzerland: Lionel Messi chases the Golden Boot; Argentina have looked unconvincing, a Swiss shock would be huge.
- Brahim Díaz forgot his answer after a mini scuffle in the press room, creating the article's funniest moment.
France v Morocco is a rerun of the 2022 semi-final, where the Atlas Lions’ brave run came to an abrupt halt. Are they a better side four years on? Well, they are Afcon champions now and steamrollered Canada 3-0 in the last 16, a clinical display that triggered Jesse Marsch to protest his team “totally controlled the match”. Morocco also came through the last 32 thanks to some ropey Dutch penalties, so we predict France may have too much. Kylian Mbappé is doing his World Cup thing and Kylian Mbappé doing his World Cup thing is quite hard to stop. A footnote: expect plenty of handwringing should the Argentinian officials give some decisions against France, even if Didier Deschamps is pretty unfazed. “We have to deal with it,” he shrugged. “I trust the referees. Our opponent is Morocco, not the referee.”
A few weeks ago, Spain v Belgium would have been pretty easy to call. Spain remain ruthless tournament specialists under Luis de la Fuente and few expected much from the post-golden generation Belgians. But that was before. Before Spain were held by Cape Verde and Donald Trump decided the availability of former Middlesbrough loanee Folarin Balogun was a top political priority, transforming Belgium into inspired neutrals’ favourites as they thumped Trump’s boys and marched into the quarters. Spain to progress? Probably, but it may not be straightforward.
Then there is Norway v England and a game destined to be described as a battle between two star strikers. Some of the tabloids may even cut out the middle man and just call it Erling Haaland v Harry Kane. It’s a very palatable narrative for viewers familiar with the goal-hungry go-getters. The only problem with that framing is that it ignores the fact both teams have shown themselves to be hugely cohesive collectives so far. You don’t beat Brazil or overcome the Azteca with one player. England should have enough, you would think, courtesy of the slightly stronger supporting cast. That Jude Bellingham is quite good.
Finally, it’s Argentina v Switzerland and Messi’s march towards the trophy that has eluded him for his whole career: the Golden Boot. The Swiss may be arguably the least glamorous side left in the draw, which would make their toppling of the holders all the more impressive, if it happens. Whisper it but, Messi apart, La Albiceleste have not been all that convincing, squeezing past Cape Verde and Egypt to get here. Let the fun commence!
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Here we go again. Join Scott Murray from 9pm BST (4pm EDT) for hot minute-by-minute coverage of France 2-1 Morocco.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I forgot the question” – Brahim Díaz gets derailed from the mundanity of his pre-match media duties for Morocco … after a minor scrap seemingly broke out between two hacks at the back of the room. The midfielder was in full, autopilot flow, giving perfectly serviceably copy on important matters pertaining to mentality, what his side are capable of blah blah blah, only for cries of: “But why did you hit me? Why did you hit me? You can’t hit me” to liven things up immeasurably. Perplexed onlookers and suits intervened, allowing the real show to continue. But Díaz nervously giggled and had to admit that he’d lost his train of thought. Gah. But everyone laughed so it was aaaaaaaaaaaallright.
