Check out the battle map
The top sixteen matches will be put first, and then we will talk about groups.
The upper half can be called the South American Heroes and the Heroes, while the lower half can be called the European Lords Meeting Africa.
Netherlands vs USA:
The two teams that were absent from the last World Cup not only returned to the World Cup stage this time, but also advanced smoothly. Although both teams have participated in the competition many times, the two teams have never competed in the World Cup. This game will also allow the two teams to rewrite their results in the World Cup.
The Dutch team did not play very well in the group stage. Although the results of two wins and one tie look pretty good, the scoring ability of the Dutch team has been questioned. Five goals in three games. Compared with the Dutch team, which is famous for its offensive football in history, this result is really shabby. The biggest problem of this team now is that it has no offensive core. Jia Kebo performed well and scored three goals, but judging from the content of the field, he has not yet reached the core level. Once the opponent strangles him at this point, who can stand up and share the burden of scoring? It's a pity that I can't feel who can do it at the moment, Depay can't, Klaassen can't, Jensen can't, and Belgwijn can't. What restricts the Dutch team from going further is their offensive ability. If this problem can be solved in the knockout round, it is not impossible for them to reach the semi-finals with a defense that is better than offense.
The problem of the US team is actually similar to that of the Dutch team, which is also weak offensively. Only two goals were scored in the three group matches, and only by conceding few goals and England's release of water was the qualification for promotion. This American team has no strength to go further.
If the two teams compare each other on the premise that the offensive end is not very good, the Netherlands may be more reliable, and the Netherlands has a high probability of winning this game. And there is a high probability that the two teams will play overtime.
Argentina VS Australia:
The group stage encountered a bad start, and Argentina, which was once suspected that it might go home after the group stage, won the last two games, and the team's state is also steadily improving. Although they are not in their best form, now that they have come to the knockout round, they want to stay in the end. The result of the knockout round cannot be accepted.
Australia gave people a surprise in this cup. In addition to the dismal performance against France in the group stage, they showed excellent performances in the last two games. They won two games in a row and successfully qualified. They also eliminated the seed player Denmark in this group. They gave their fans big enough candies and let the charm of the World Cup be reflected. Strength on paper is never an absolute advantage, and performance on the spot is more important.
When the two teams meet in this field, the Australian will definitely continue his simple and fast style to fight Argentina until the last moment. The advantage against powerful teams shown in the match against Poland is Argentina's confidence. Facing Australia, Messi and his teammates must hope to win the game without bloodshed and steadily step forward to the knockout round. first step. Personally, I think Argentina is more likely to win.
Japan VS Croatia:
Asian Glory Japan is arguably the most surprising team in this tournament. Double-killing Germany and Spain made the Japanese team a force that cannot be ignored. The combat power they display has the ability to defeat any opponent. As a rather conservative coach, Mori Yasuichi has a high probability of entering the knockout rounds and will continue his own style, pursuing a late strike. If he is really allowed to realize his strategy, the goal of the top eight called by the Japanese is not a dream.
Croatia didn't have an easy time in their group, but the result was good, progressing to the round of 16 normally, and avoiding the strong team of Spain. Modric, Perisic and other veterans ran tirelessly as before, but after all, four years later, and this World Cup was held in the middle of the season, the players' physical fitness was not at their best. When they will break out of the problem is a hidden danger.
Japan has yet to beat Croatia at the World Cup and has never won a knockout round. The two teams with high tactical literacy in this game are likely to stage the most beautiful game in the top 16. It feels like Croatia has the edge, but I'm looking forward to Japan to win and see how far they go.
Brazil VS South Korea:
Although Brazil, who qualified early in the group stage, lost to Cameroon last night, it did not affect their group ranking. The main players also got a rest and can fully prepare for the knockout round. Brazil is the biggest favorite in this cup. Every performance of them has attracted the attention of fans and opponents. Neymar’s injury has caused them a lot of loss in strength. If he cannot appear in this game, who will replace him? Position, Tite needs to think carefully
Like the Japanese team, the South Korean team is also worthy of respect. After defeating Portugal and getting the qualifying spot when he had no chance to retreat, the Korean achieved his goal. It may be a hidden danger that Sun Xingmin did not open the scoring account, but at present, the Korean team is very united and has the same goal. Goals are the efforts of everyone. Cao Kyu-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang Eui-ju, and Li Gang-in can all help share this task. No worries, maybe the Koreans can inspire stronger strength.
In terms of strength, Brazil has the absolute upper hand, but South Korea's victory over Portugal last night has greatly improved their confidence. It will not be easy for Brazil to pass this hurdle, but Brazil still has a greater hope of advancing
The lower half of the region can be called the European Union of Princes Africa
England vs Senegal:
The group stage of the Three Lions went smoothly, and they easily qualified without encountering any resistance. The consumption of players was not great, which is their biggest advantage over other strong teams. Southgate finally put Foden into the starting lineup in the final round, and the latter responded with a goal. When it comes to the knockout round, it depends on whether Southgate continues to take the lead without the Prince of Manchester City, or corrects his mistakes and follows the trend. This is likely to determine what will happen to them when they face a strong opponent.
It is normal for Senegal to break out of a mediocre group. Although Ecuador is worthy of respect, their strength is indeed still some distance from Senegal, and the advancement of the Africans cannot be regarded as luck. But in the knockout round, it's hard to say how far they can go. The team's defensive end has a problem of not being tight, and the absence of Mane on the offensive end may expose their lack of attacking ability when facing a real strong enemy. . But if they can qualify, their task has been completed, and the rest of the game will relax, and there may be unexpected results.
Senegal has many players playing in the Premier League. I don’t know if there will be an illusion of playing in the club against England in this scene. From the strength and state of the two teams, the Three Lions are still more likely to win the game.
France vs Poland:
The French team, which was affected by a major injury, still won the first place in the group stage without any suspense and came to the knockout round. The last round of big rotation made Didier Deschamps, who had been rehabilitated by the main team, already preparing for the knockout round. The French team, which has been resting for a few days now, should be ready enough to start their real journey. The top 16 is just the beginning, and they don't allow themselves to fall where they started.
Poland is really able to advance thanks to its opponents in the same group. If Saudi Arabia hadn't scored a goal at the last moment, maybe it would be the Mexicans who are playing against France now. Poland's performance in the group stage was unconvincing, and the defeat of Saudi Arabia did not take advantage of the field. It is really difficult for Lewandowski and his team to go further with their current strength.
The two teams played against each other from strength to state, and then to style of play. As long as the French team does not play with fire, it is almost impossible for the Poles to advance. Mbappé and Dembele will wantonly in the backcourt of the Polish team, which is as open as a grassland Reckless, France has great hopes of advancing.
Morocco vs Spain:
Morocco is another surprise team besides Japan. They were able to overwhelm Croatia, and Belgium's first place in the group cannot be explained by good luck. The playing style of this team is more like an upgraded version of the Saudi team, finding a delicate balance between delicate cooperation and tough confrontation. Maybe they will become a big dark horse.
Spain can be said to drive high and low in the group stage, and even was on the verge of being eliminated for a few minutes. Enrique will certainly not be satisfied with the team's performance. But it is a good thing that Croatia was staggered in the knockout round. That opponent is not easy to deal with, and North African football has a close relationship with them. Relatively speaking, Morocco is a passable opponent.
The playing styles of the two teams are not the same, and Spain needs to concentrate all its attention on the opponent. Whether Enrique will start Asensio or Morata is hard to say. Enrique is not a coach who likes to follow the routine. This game is likely to go back to overtime, or even a penalty kick. In overtime, Morocco has a greater chance of winning. As a neutral fan, based on the principle that watching the excitement is not a big deal, I hope that Morocco can win the game.
Portugal vs Switzerland:
Both teams experienced a war of attrition last night. Although Portugal has qualified after two rounds, the loss of last night's game will have some impact on their team, after all, no one will feel comfortable being killed. But in this cup, the Portuguese are united as never before, and they put aside all disharmonious things for the goal of winning the championship, which really made them explode into a lot of fighting power. And Ronaldo has also found his own position in this team. In the next game, he needs his teammates to work together towards the highest goal.
The Swiss team played well in this cup. Except for losing to Brazil, they won the other two games, and yesterday's game also showed a good attack power. But entering the knockout round, they will still use the magic weapon of intensive defense. After all, there is no benefit in playing against Portugal.
The match between the two teams is likely to be the most difficult to score, and even a goalless match. The Portuguese must be prepared for a penalty shootout. After all, the Swiss team once reached the quarter-finals without a defeat, but only fell in the end. The team on the penalty spot. This game will be a hard fight, but Portugal hopes to be bigger.
