It has been a challenging tournament to predict three weeks in. Whether it is Saudi Arabia’s surprise win over Argentina in their opener or 2014 champions Germany crashing out again, this edition has provided thrilling comebacks and climaxes.
Are upsets going to remain the norm? As the World Cup enters its final laps, here’s what you can expect from the remaining fixtures. Let’s begin with the quarter-finals.
Argentina vs. Netherland
The Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved twice in the penalty shootout to deny Steven Berghuis and Virgil van Dijk. Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive winning penalty after Enzo Fernandez missed Argentina’s attempt. An almost last kick of the ball led the Netherlands to stun Argentina with a late fightback after falling two goals behind.
In each half, Nahuel Molina – who scored his first goal for Argentina – and a Lionel Messi penalty gave Argentina a comfortable lead. Wout Weghorst pulled back one goal for the Netherlands before leveling the score in the game’s dying seconds. Instead of shooting, Berghuis tapped a low pass into a crowded penalty box, allowing Weghorst to roll into the goal.
Tuesday’s semi-final will feature Argentina versus Croatia.
Brazil vs. Croatia
Both Brazil and Croatia fans shed tears as Croatia ascended to the semi-finals at the expense of Brazil.
Croatia was going home in extra time due to Neymar’s extra-time strike, which surpassed Pele’s record of 77 international goals.
The game ended in a penalty shootout after Bruno Petkovic scored a last-gasp leveler. After Rodrygo missed a penalty and Marquinhos hit the post, Croatia won 4-2 on penalties.
Now, they will play the winner of the other quarter-final, Argentina.
Let’s move to our main concern: Which teams will most likely appear at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final?
Which teams are most likely to play the FIFA world cup 2022 final?
During the knockout phase of FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, more and more big-name teams are being ruled out.
For the first time, football’s most momentous match will occur in mid-December, and we’ll find out which two teams will compete a week before the match.
Four-and-a-half years after France beat Croatia in the 2018 final, we have a good sense of who will be on either side at the Lusail Stadium.
In the showpiece, who will be able to play against who? Which match do the bookmakers think is most likely to take place in the final? Here are the latest developments.
World Cup final: who is in it?
Our two final teams will be revealed on December 13 and 14, but each of the four quarterfinalists in each Round will be at Lusail due to the predetermined route each team will follow.
To finish off the Round of 16 matches, Portugal thrashed Switzerland after Morocco beat Spain in a penalty shootout.
Finalist 1
Netherlands- Argentina
- Croatia
Brazil
Finalist 2
- England
- France
- Morocco
Portugal
Finalists in the World Cup
On Friday, Argentina’s win over the Netherlands kept Lionel Messi’s dream of World Cup glory alive, while England faces France today.
Croatia knocked Brazilian favorites out of the tournament on penalty kicks in the quarter-finals. In extra time, Croatia defeated Japan on penalties after going behind in regulation time. They proved that they are experts at taking knockout games to extra time and winning.
Portugal defeated Switzerland with a hat-trick by Goncalo Ramos after Morocco stunned Spain in the Round of 16.
Semi-finals
- The first match will be Argentina vs. Croatia on December 13 (Lusail).
- The second match will be between England or France against Morocco on December 14 at Al Khor.
Match for third place
- Match between loser semi-final 1 and loser semi-final 2 – December 17, Al Rayyan
Final
- The winner of semi-final 1 will face the winner of semi-final 2 on December 18, Lusail
Prediction of the World Cup finals
According to bookmakers’ odds on the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, Argentina and France will face off in the final.
France looked formidable after winning their group with a game to spare and strolling past Poland to reach the semi-finals after finishing second in their group. Lionel Scaloni’s team became even shorter favorites after edging the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
