The World Cup is down to only eight groups, with a heavyweight line-up set to do battle within the quarter-finals from Thursday.
AFP Sport appears to be like on the match-ups, all of that are happening in the USA.
France v Morocco
Imperious France have lived as much as their billing as World Cup favourites, sweeping by way of the group stage and swatting apart Sweden earlier than edging previous Paraguay within the final 16.
It’s tough to see any group retaining Didier Deschamps’ males quiet, given their embarrassment of riches in assault, together with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and the splendidly inventive Michael Olise.
However unbeaten Morocco won’t be fazed by dealing with the two-time world champions after seeing off the Netherlands on penalties and crushing co-hosts Canada 3-0 within the final 16.
The North African group could have revenge on their minds in Boston after they misplaced to France within the semi-finals 4 years in the past in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions created historical past by changing into the primary African group to progress to the final 4 in 2022 and can be wanting to match that feat.
Spain v Belgium
In beating Portugal 1-0 on Monday, Spain turned the primary group in event historical past to document six consecutive World Cup clear sheets.
Luis de la Fuente’s European champions don’t at all times set pulses racing however they’re strikingly environment friendly and comfy on the ball.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has netted simply as soon as in 5 video games however Mikel Oyarzabal has scored 4 occasions, together with twice in a 3-0 win towards Austria within the final 32.
Belgium go into the match in Los Angeles on the again of a 4-1 thumping of co-hosts the USA.
That got here after they rallied from two targets down within the final 32 to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra-time.
The World Cup is probably going the final hurrah for the rest of the nation’s so-called Golden Technology, together with Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who can be determined to depart the stage on a excessive.
Norway v England
England’s defenders are used to dealing with Norway hotshot Erling Haaland within the Premier League — however whether or not they can deal with him is one other story.
Thomas Tuchel’s males arrived in the USA among the many favorites to win the event for simply the second time of their historical past.
Captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been the standout gamers up to now, scoring 10 of the group’s 11 targets, together with all three in a gripping 3-2 win towards Mexico.
England, diminished to 10 males, needed to dig deep to see off the co-hosts in a end result that can infuse them with confidence forward of their assembly with Norway.
However they may come up towards a group in Miami led by the irrepressible Haaland, who has scored seven targets as far as he chases the Golden Boot.
The Manchester Metropolis man has netted in every of his previous 14 aggressive outings for Norway — 27 targets in whole — and is sure to create issues for England’s shaky protection.
Argentina v Switzerland
Lionel Messi’s Argentina have come by way of two almighty scares to arrange a quarter-final towards Switzerland.
The defending champions have been taken to extra-time by World Cup debutants Cape Verde earlier than prevailing 3-2.
Then within the final 16 they regarded down and out when trailing 2-0 towards Egypt earlier than an astonishing comeback, with Messi on the middle of the motion.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni will know his group can’t preserve testing destiny as they chase a fourth World Cup crown, however they’ve proven they will by no means be counted out.
Now they face Switzerland in Kansas Metropolis, who beat Colombia on penalties in Vancouver after a goalless draw.
The Swiss, who’re within the final eight for the primary time since they hosted the event in 1954, are an organized outfit and can doubtless be powerful to interrupt down.
