A stacked weekend lies ahead with all four quarter-finals kicking off live and free on SBS On Demand at 1:30AM and 5:30AM AEDT on Saturday and Sunday.
Brazil has bristled, playing like a team that is desperate to stamp its own mark on the history of a football nation that has proven the benchmark for World Cup excellence.
They danced their way to the quarter-finals, slicing and dicing Korea Republic. The 4-1 scoreline felt like it could have been a whole lot more punishing. Tite has rolled out all 26 squad members, a clear indication the Selecao have more gears to explore as we get to the final eight.
Even though his attitude and body language are far too often 'one star', Neymar put in a five-star performance in the round of 16. But as the pressure mounts on Brazil, their enigmatic number 10 will come under increasing pressure to show his best against the best, something he’s been guilty multiple times of not doing.
Croatia will have to get to a new level to match them in their quarter-final. In Luka Modric they have a midfielder that encapsulates the spirit of the beautiful game. His imagination and passing range are exquisite. Modric seems at odds with the muscular explosiveness of the modern game and that makes him even more endearing.
If there was more pace around him to break the lines you would give Croatia some chance. But they look too one-dimensional and despite Josko Gvardiol being one of the defensive finds of this World Cup, Brazil will have too many attacking layers for Zlatko Dalic’s men to handle.
The following day England play France and the possibilities are intoxicating.
Much is being made of the looming battle between England right-back Kyle Walker and the electric Kylian Mbappe. Walker has faced Mbappe four times for Manchester City against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The ledger is squarely in the defender’s favour. City won three out of the four matches, Mbappe scored just once - an equaliser in their most recent encounter which the Premier League champions won 2-1.
But there’s no doubt Walker is not at full capacity at this World Cup after groin surgery in October. The 32-year-old will have to find something extra, to be razor sharp even to stay with Mbappe.
For me, the most intriguing battle will be in the midfield. Jude Bellingham’s play for England at this World Cup has been sublime. A seamless playmaker combining great technique with pace and cutting edge, he is different gravy and ably supported by Declan Rice.
A little more industrious is France’s Aurelien Tchouameni. The Real Madrid man has struck up a good partnership with Adrien Rabiot, the Socceroos found that out on matchday one. Rabiot’s vision and left foot passing range have been a pleasure to watch.
Did I mention Harry Kane and Olivier Giroud? For all its star quality, this quarter-final has come up too soon. France turned on the style against Argentina 4 years ago in Kazan it was the most compelling match of Russia 2018.
England vs France in the early hours of Sunday morning (AEDT) has the same feel. Let’s hope reality matches hype. Lovers of attacking football are demanding it!
How to watch England v France LIVE and FREE on SBS
Sunday, December 11
Quarter-Final - England v France
5:30am - 8:30am (AEDT) - kickoff at 06.00am
LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand
