🏆 Brazil confirm favourites tag as Spain and Portugal face tough tests | OneFootball

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Alex Mott·6 December 2022

🏆 Brazil confirm favourites tag as Spain and Portugal face tough tests

Article image:🏆 Brazil confirm favourites tag as Spain and Portugal face tough tests

Day 16 of the 2022 World Cup will see the quarter-final line-ups completed.

But can anyone at this tournament compete with Brazil after they put on a clinic yesterday against South Korea?


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OK, what was your best moment from yesterday?

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As far as statements go, that was just about as definitive as you can get.

Brazil hd been fairly impressive in the group stages but on Monday they truly laid a marker down as the side to beat at this World Cup.

Tite’s side were sensational, especially in the first half, against South Korea and scored four goals of the very highest quality.

Their third, and Richarlison’s second of the evening, was the very best though.

A swift passing move that saw the Tottenham man sweep home from close range, leaving the Korean defenders swiping at air.


Do you have a memorable photo?

Article image:🏆 Brazil confirm favourites tag as Spain and Portugal face tough tests

After beating Spain and Germany in this World Cup, Japan’s exit on Monday was a bit of a damp squib.

The Blue Samurai took Croatia all the way to penalties after they drew 1-1 after extra time.

But three dreadful penalties from Maya Yoshida, Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino saw the Japanese head home.

Croatia, despite their advancing age as a side, are through to yet another quarter-final where they will face Brazil.


Got any interesting stats or facts?

With Brazil comfortably winning 4-1 yesterday, coach Tite decided to bring on third goalkeeper Weverton.

And in doing so, they became the only team in World Cup history to play all 26 of their squad players at a tournament.

It’s a remarkable feat, really, and must be doing wonders for their team spirit going into the weekend’s quarter-final.

Japan’s penalties may not have been of the best quality, but they still had to be saved.

And they very much were by Dominik Livakovic, who made three of them to become only the third World Cup goalkeeper to do so.


And if I need a laugh, what happened that’ll tickle me?

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane may have fumed at Brazil’s dancing celebrations.

But nobody else in the stadium seemed to mind as Richarlison got coach Tite involved for the third goal, with the 61-year-old recreating the striker’s pigeon moves.


So, I’m free today, what can I not afford to miss?

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The quarter final line-ups will be completed later today as four sides battle it out for the final two spots.

First up we have Spain who take on, arguably, the surprise package of this tournament so far, Morocco.

Walid Regragui’s side topped their group ahead of Belgium and Croatia, and throughly deserve their spot in the last 16.

With Spain looking uninspired for one and a half games so far, Morocco must surely feel that La Roja are there for the taking.

And lastly, we have Portugal’s clash with Switzerland.

Selecao boss Fernando Santos has lambasted Cristiano Ronaldo this week for his behaviour when coming off against South Korea in their final group game and publicly failed to confirm whether the Ballon d’Or winner would even start this match.

It makes an interesting subtext to what should be an intriguing fixture.


And lastly, have you got a player to watch?

Article image:🏆 Brazil confirm favourites tag as Spain and Portugal face tough tests

It could have been so different for Achraf Hakimi today.

In a different world, the lightning full back could well have been playing for Spain rather than Morocco.

The 24-year-old was born in Madrid to Moroccan parents and came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid.

But he tied his international allegiances to north Africa immediately and will be hoping to inflict yet more pain on the country of his birth later.