Brazil is the champion, but its opponent is still unknown

Andrey Talalaev, head coach of Torpedo, winner of the Cup of the country, who worked with the youth team and many domestic teams, a former football player of the Russian national team.

“The most anticipated quarter-final match for me is England and France. Their meetings are always very interesting according to the scenario, very serious, with a high intensity of struggle. Moreover, if I am not mistaken, they have not met at this stage for more than forty years.

In Qatar, both teams, the British and the French, are very strong, and individually the players in them are also strong. In general, in this championship both the British and the French have one of the best teams along with the Brazilians. So for me, this fight stands apart.

It will also be interesting to watch the Argentina match. Messi continues not only to drag the national team, but plays at a very high level. If Ronaldo is already starting to lose his place in the main team of Portugal, the youth come to the fore. Which pleases the fans with its game. And it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Cristiano to remain as important to the team as Messi is to Argentina. But the matches of the quarter-finals of the championship will be considered under this prism. How team leaders will be able to show themselves.

As for the surprises, this is definitely the Moroccan team. Ziyech, Hakimi, and in general half of the team have European football education and European playing practice. Perhaps this is what determines their success. At the group stage, they went gradually from match to match and gained more and more confidence in their abilities. In the second half with the Spaniards, the Moroccans showed very mature football. They lack a bit of brightness in attack. There were only two dangerous moments when the substitute player ran away to the Spanish goal. Probably, football players of a higher class would be able to realize these threats. But I repeat once again – Morocco is interesting for its integral team play, dedication. There are stars in every line. The young goalkeeper looked great both in the game and in the penalty shootout with the Spaniards. Everyone is still talking about Amrabat. And, of course, Ziyech with Hakimi.

I also hope that the Dutch will be able to surprise. Louis van Gaal has assembled a very good car from his national team, where the balance of youth and experience. And in which new football names are revealed. Not only scorers, but also other players. Capable, together with Depay, to perform a football miracle.

Ruslan Pimenov, former player of the Russian national team, TV commentator, two-time champion of Russia, winner of the Russian Cup and Super Cup.

“For me, the favorites are the French and Brazilians, they are united by their physical readiness, tactics, they have superstars Mbappe and Neymar in the lineup. If we talk about other teams, England plays somehow hard, there is no lightness, the Portuguese are adding from match to match, but only Messi drags Argentina, but this is not enough to win the World Cup.

Viktor Bulatov, coach, three-time champion of Russia and winner of the Russian Cup.

“The first match is Brazil and Croatia, the Brazilians are the obvious favourites. The Croats have a lot of star players by European standards, but, as they say, they are already “coming from the fair”, an age team. They beat Japan on experience, but this is where their limit has already been exhausted. Brazil is on the move, Brazilian stars are in the juice – Richarlison, Neymar, Vinicius, Casemiro. Good balance of experience and youth. They are for me in general favorites for the championship. So here I am sure of their victory.

The Netherlands and Argentina – both teams in their matches at the championship in Qatar did not look like clear favorites to win the tournament itself. The Dutch played more for the result, without some enchanting football. For the Argentines, the match with the Poles was brighter, similar to an application for the championship. Therefore, I think that Argentina will win this pair. In addition, they have a very balanced composition. Even Messi does more of the dirty work than usual. Yes, and the “Messi factor” itself should play a role in psychological terms.

The most interesting match in the quarter-final stage is England and France. Rivals deserve each other. Both at the group stage and in the 1/8 finals they showed decent football. Both teams have stars, and they are on the move. But I still think that the French are a little stronger. Both in anthropometry and in physical condition. The four Griezmann-Mbappe-Girou-Dembele, of course, are very powerful in attack. Plus, the whole team works out in defense. One Griezmann is worth something. Mbappe in general, in my opinion, is the main contender for the title of the best player in the championship.

In the duel between Portugal and Morocco, I am still under the impression of the match between the Portuguese and the Swiss, in which the Portuguese went over the Swiss national team like a skating rink. But Morocco also looked worthy in a meeting with Spain. And yet I consider the favorites of the Portuguese, who have new stars, in particular, Ramos and Bernanda Silva. Yes, and Hernando is a good substitute, enhances the game of the national team. Therefore, due to the high performance skills, they can beat the Moroccans. Morocco does not have as many star players as the Portuguese.

Dmitry Bulykin, former football player of the Russian national team, three-time winner of the Russian Cup, champion of the Netherlands, silver medalist of the Belgian championship.

“In two matches, the favorites are obvious for me. This is the Brazilians in the game with the Croats. They are absolute favourites. And the Portuguese in the match with the Moroccans. The only question is with what score the Portuguese will beat the Moroccans – either by one goal, or they can warm up well on them before the semi-finals. Because they simply took out the Swiss, scoring everything they could.

In a pair of the Netherlands – Argentina, the Argentines are also, of course, favorites, but here we can expect a surprise. I support the Netherlands because I played in this country. So I will root for the Dutch.

The French are capable of defeating the British. They are good, although not clear favorites for me.

There will be no favorites in the semi-finals. Everyone will be equal there, no matter who advances to this stage of the championship.

Let’s see. Very interesting matches are waiting for us!”