Russia 2018 World Cup has been a Cup with scintillating moments and thrilling results. But hold on! It isn’t the end.
As we narrow down the competition, the world’s most popular event is picking up seed. None predicted the turn of events during the 20 odd days. The big names flew home, but, the best performers have sealed their spot in the last eight.
Busy indulged in the nerve-wracking R16 encounter and celebrating the favourites’ progress, we missed many breathtaking and interesting facts. Brazil created a new record of scoring most number of goals (228 goals) in the World Cup following their win over Mexico 2-0. Neymar’s opener against Mexico took Brazil’s tally to 227 goals in the Cup ahead of Germany’s 226.
The win also takes Seleção to 73 wins in the Cup. The most by any country so far as the South Americans are the only country to have never failed to feature in every World Cups so far.
At this stage none can write off any teams. The four quarter-finals will be a treat to watch and will be nothing less than a nail-biting encounters. But the best among the lot is the second quarter-final scheduled on Friday when the tournament’s best attacking team – Belgium take on the best defending team – Brazil.
-The toughest defence?- Brazil conceded just a single goal so far in the tournament. Tite’s side has registered three straight clean sheets in the tournament after suffering a dull 1-1 draw against Switzerland in the opening encounter. Brazil’s Alisson Becker will surely have a tough task in containing the Belgium’s defence.
Tackles, vital interceptions, blocks – Brazil defence led by captain Tiago Silva, left no scope for the rival attack in wonder and thoughts to crack every possible move to crack the last line. This is one reasons, Brazil have conceded just five shots on target in their last four games. For Belgium, their strikers will have to be at their best to tuck in much needed goals.
Brazil will be without Casemiro who will be suspended after his second yellow in the previous encounter.
-The best-attack so far- Belgium came into this tournament as the ‘dark horses’. But the side consisting of a set of best attacking options consisting of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens, are the most talented side in the Cup.
They have been unbeaten throughout the run and have scored 12 goals in the tournament – the most by any side in this edition. Thanks to Romelu Lukaku who scored four and for their hardworking midfield line which is the envy of all other teams.
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has been in fearsome form for Belgium and has four goals so far, but the striker struggled and failed to score against Japan in the R16 clash. Rather than feel daunted at the prospect of facing Brazil’s defence, however, Lukaku and Belgium’s midfield is relishing the prospect of finding a crucial match-winner to silence the critics considering the fact they have failed to progress past the quarter-final stage in their last two big tickets events. They lost to Argentina in the 2014 Cup and Wales in the 2016 Euro in the QFs.
Belgium almost suffered a shock exit against Japan, but thankfully the last-gasp Nacer Chadli’s goal send them through to the quarters with a 3-2 win registering a biggest comeback in the cup history. Belgium will surely try to overturn their QF jinx at big tournaments as they take on Brazil in the second quarter-finals on Friday.
