After 2.5 weeks of exuberant football, order has largely been restored to this World Cup, with the exception of Morocco, who won the hearts of the Arab world – and underdogs everywhere – by crushing the quarter-finals party. final.
Brazil, Argentina, France and England have combined for 10 world trophies and six runner-up medals. Add the Netherlands and Croatia into the mix, and the number of league appearances rises to 20 in total.
Portugal have never reached the final but won the European Championship – the sport’s second most prestigious competition – six years ago.
“It’s a very, very thin line,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said on Thursday. “We can’t really say who is the favorite and who can win. We are talking about equal national teams. Some opponents, in principle, you might think do not have enough talent. In the end, we realize that it is quite the opposite. Each of the eight teams can play the final.
Brazil started the tournament as favorites and remain the favorites, despite a misstep in the group stage against Cameroon. Argentina have Lionel Messi. France presents Kylian Mbappé. England have 56 years of pent up frustration since Wembley glory.
Three times finalists, the Netherlands are the best footballing country to have never won the title.
“The tournament starts tomorrow for real for us,” Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said, rejecting the USA’s round of 16 test.
The heaviest quarter-finals bring massive clashes, starting on Friday when the Netherlands take on Argentina and Brazil take on 2018 runners-up Croatia. On Saturday, defending champions France take on England and Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to be on the bench again, preparing for Morocco.
Victories for two-time champions Argentina and five-time winners Brazil would set up a semi-final on Tuesday and their first World Cup clash since 1990. But first they have work to do.
During Thursday’s press conference, Brazil coach Tite answered questions about injuries, tactics and Croatia, but was mostly asked about the dancing, in particular the sambas after Brazil’s goal, which his 61-year-old coach.
“If you ask me to dance, I will dance,” he said. “It’s not my national team. It’s the Brazilian national team, of which I have the responsibility of being the coach. I will not talk about those who do not know the history and culture of Brazil.
Brazil have been criticized by some in the footballing world for being too expressive after scoring four goals in the first half of their 4-1 tie against South Korea in the round of 16.
“It’s Brazilian culture when a goal is scored; we will never disrespect him,” Tite said. “We will continue to do it our way.”
As for his dance moves, Tite added, “It’s a connection I have with the younger generation. I’m 61 and I work with 21, 22 year old players [years old]. They could be my grandchildren. Anyone who really knows me knows that if I have a chance to connect with them, I’ll keep dancing.
He said, however, “I have to train more [because he has a] torticollis.”
There was also the matter of cats. During Brazil’s media session at their training site on Wednesday, a cat jumped on the table. A team communications manager picked up the curious feline and dropped it. Asked for a chat update on Thursday, Tite said: “You should ask our media manager. He said, ‘Go, go, go away my cat. Go away, cat. ”
The Croats, who edged Japan on penalties in the round of 16, don’t seem to care about cats or dancing.
“They have their own way. They celebrate. They are festive,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said of the Brazilian expression. “They demonstrate their character and their tradition. Respect or disrespect? I can not tell. I would not like to see my players dancing. It’s a different culture. It’s nice to watch them.
Dalic and his players are more worried about an opponent who has reunited with superstar Neymar (ankle injury) for the knockout stages.
“Brazil are the favourites. It’s understood,” said star midfielder Luka Modric. “But proven favorites can also lose.”
After Croatia’s third-place finish in 1998 and second-place finish in 2018, “Our ambitions won’t stop there,” Dalic said.
Van Gaal’s press conference was all over the place, with the usual fights with reporters.
He discussed his future, saying: “I’m 71, but of course I look wonderful and incredibly young.”
He responded to a report that Argentine star Ángel Di María called him the worst manager he had played for when the two were at Manchester United. “He’s one of the few players to say that,” Van Gaal said. “Usually it’s the other way around.”
Dutch star Memphis Depay was also on stage.
“Sometimes a head coach has to make decisions that don’t always end well,” Van Gaal said. “There’s someone here sitting next to me, the same thing happened to him [with Van Gaal at Manchester United]. Now we kiss mouth to mouth.
Depay burst out laughing and wiggled his finger.
Portugal will face an emotionally charged Moroccan side (while conceding one goal – an own goal – in four matches). Morocco shut out toothless Spain for 120 minutes and a penalty shootout.
“They didn’t win because of what Spain did,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos, “but because of their own merit.”
Portugal, who won 6-1 against Switzerland in the round of 16, are aiming for their first semi-final appearance since 2006. Santos, however, would prefer his side to temper their enthusiasm.
“When we are very excited, very euphoric, we go beyond what we should be doing,” he said. “Football is not fun. You have to play, you have to run, but having too much fun is not in order. It could cause problems and make things more complicated.
