As the World Cup approaches its climax, only six teams remain in contention for prestigious title. After a month of intense competition,the tournament will soon see its final four emerge, with next round of matches set to take place shortly.
On Thursday, France solidified their status as favorites by eliminating Morocco with a decisive 2-0 victory. This win marked Morocco's exit from the tournament, despite their commendable performance as the best African team in the competition. The following day,Spain triumphed over Belgium in a thrilling quarter-final match,securing 2-1 win thanks to late goal from Mikel Merino.
France's dominance has been evident throughout the tournament, boasting six wins, 16 goals scored,and only two conceded . Their attacking prowess, led by Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, poses a significant threat to any opponent. Mbappe currently leads the tournament with eight goals, while Dembele has contributed five. The French defense has proven impenetrable, not allowing a single goal in their knockout-stage matches,which has led to a projected 34 percent chance of them lifting trophy next Sunday.
Spain's journey has been marked by resilience. Their latest victory against Belgium showcased their ability to limit opponents' chances,as Belgium managed just 0.37 expected goals during the match. Despite conceding their first goal of the tournament, Spain's tactical discipline and late-game heroics have kept them in the hunt. Their upcoming semi-final clash against France promises to be an exhilarating encounter, pitting Spain's defensive strength against France's formidable attack.
Argentina has also made headlines,navigating a challenging path to the semi-finals. After a back-and-forth match against Cape Verde, where they initially fell behind,Argentina rallied to secure a comeback victory. Their subsequent match against Egypt further tested their resolve,as they turned a 2-0 deficit into 3-2 win in just 13 minutes. While their performances have raised concerns about their consistency,their ability to overcome adversity demonstrates their character. Next, they will face Switzerland,who have proven to be a tough opponent .
In the rankings,England holds the fourth spot despite facing setbacks. The team is grappling with injuries to key players like Marc Guehi, Declan Rice, and Reece James ahead of their quarter-final against Norway. England's victory over Mexico was significant achievement, especially given the pressure of playing on home soil. The team's defensive display, particularly from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, has been commendable,allowing them to maintain their lead even after a red card reduced their numbers.
Norway,ranked 21st by FIFA,has made an impressive run, largely thanks to the prowess of Erling Haaland, who scored twice against Brazil to secure their place in the quarter-finals. With solid midfield led by Martin Odegaard,Norway has shown they can compete with top teams.
Switzerland has reached the quarter-finals for first time since 1954,overcoming Colombia in a penalty shootout. Despite missing key player Johan Manzambi,who had three goals and two assists in tournament,Switzerland's defensive solidity has been crucial to their success. They will look to carry this momentum into their match against Argentina.
The tournament has seen its share of disappointments as well. Belgium, despite a rocky start, managed to reach quarter-finals but fell short against Spain. Their journey included a dramatic comeback against Senegal, but injuries to key players like Youri Tielemans and Thibaut Courtois ultimately hindered their progress.
Morocco made history by becoming the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarter-finals, although they could not replicate their previous success. Their campaign included a notable draw against Brazil and a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands. However, they struggled against France,missing the attacking flair of injured forward Ismael Saibari.
Paraguay and Mexico also faced early exits. Paraguay's victory over Germany was a highlight, but they could not match France's intensity in the knockout stage. Mexico,on the other hand, experienced heartbreak on home soil, losing at the Azteca Stadium for the first time in World Cup history .
As the tournament progresses, the stakes are higher than ever. The remaining teams will battle not only for victory but for place in the annals of football history.
