HOME OF SAMBA BOYS ( BRAZIL)
The FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter final stage kicks off on Friday, December 9, with Brazil taking on Croatia in the first match.
The action-packed last-eight stage will also see the Selecao Canarinho’s South American neighbour Argentina – led by superstar Lionel Messi – take on the Netherlands on the very first matchday.
Old rivals England and France face each other on the second day. Morocco, fourth African team ever to make the QF, will lock horns with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
The four winners will progress to the semifinals, starting December 1
Is it too early to start building up to Brazil v Croatia on Friday? Probably, but who is going to stop me? Certainly not Reuters, which has just published a little fact box about the clash, including these highlights:
Brazil have reached at least the quarter-finals in their last eight World Cups. They were champions in 1994 and 2002 and runners-up in 1998, but have only reached the semi-finals once since then – as hosts in 2014 when they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany.
In four games in Qatar so far, Croatia have won only once in 90 minutes – the 4-1 group stage win over Canada either side of goal less draws with Morocco and Belgium, before overcoming Japan on penalties with the score deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time.
Brazil striker Neymar, who marked his return from injury by scoring in Monday’s 4-1 win over South Korea, netted twice when they beat Croatia 3-1 in the group stage in 2014.
Croatia have won all three of their World Cup penalty shootouts. They beat Denmark in the last 16 and hosts Russia in the quarter-finals 2018, and Japan on Monday.
Brazil are unbeaten in their four meetings with Croatia (won 3 drew 1). The teams have met twice in the World Cup, with Brazil winning 1-0 in 2006 and 3-1 as hosts in 2014.
4.
