With six of the quarter-finalists now decided there has yet to be a turn-up for the books, with all the favoured sides winning their Last 16 games so far.
CROATIA SPOT ON – Four of Croatia’s last five knock-out matches have gone to extra time, and three of those have gone to penalty shoot-outs with the Croats winning all three. They have only lost one of their last eleven matches – the 2018 final to France. Japan went out at the last 16 stage for the fourth time in the last six World Cups.
BRAZILIAN BRAVADO – Brazil turned on the style, aided by a supine Korean defence, racing into a four goal lead just after the 30 minute mark and that was that. Game very much over, bar the dance moves. Brazil extended their impressive record in last 16 matches to nine wins out of ten with a solitary defeat to Argentina in 1990. After Japan’s loss earlier South Korea were the last Asian representative in Qatar and if Morocco do not beat Spain it will be left to South American giants Argentina and Brazil to battle it out with European teams again for a tilt at the title.
Have a listen to the World Cup Nuggets Group round-up podcast with special guest Kate Mason right here – https://bit.ly/3us3PT7
You can pick up a copy of the World Cup Nuggets book directly from the publishers, Halcyon https://bit.ly/3eXfV2y or via Amazon https://amzn.to/3TKD1J0 – the choice is yours…
The Football Mine 