We're down to the last eight in Russia, with two quarterfinal matches scheduled for both Friday and Saturday. The perceived best eight national squads in the entire world, and we'll be down to the semifinals by the time we all make our way to Gillette for the Revolution and Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday afternoon.
Let's do a light breakdown to remind everyone how we got to this point:
Uruguay-France, Friday, 10 a.m., FS1
Uruguay topped Group A, while France topped Group C. Uruguay beat Portugal in the Round of 16, while France knocked off Argentina.
In my eyes, France can do no wrong, as its attacking players in Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Greizmann, and Olivier Giroud are getting the job done, and Mbappe is fast. Les Bleus have to try to contain Luis Suarez, but if things get desperate for the Celestes, expect some chippy play in the last half an hour -- much like we saw with England and Colombia on Tuesday. Uruguay is expected to be without Edinson Cavani.
Brazil-Belgium, Friday, 2 p.m., FS1
Brazil topped Group E, while Belgium topped Group G. Brazil beat Mexico in the Round of 16, while Belgium beat Japan.
Are we looking at the matchup that provides the potential favorite to lift the trophy next Sunday? It's entirely possible that's true, as both sides have incredible quality. My only concerns for this match? How many times will Neymar roll if breathed on (seriously, dude... he didn't step on your ankle), and can Belgium keeper Thibalt Cortois maintain things against Brazil's pressure?
Russia-Croatia, Saturday, 2 p.m., FOX
The host nation finished second in Group A, while Croatia topped Group D. Russia went on to beat Spain on penalties in the Round of 16, while Croatia needed penalties to beat Denmark.
We're not expecting penalties in this one, and we just don't really know what to expect from the Russians, who haven't been at this level of the tournament since 1970 -- as the Soviet Union. But as this tournament has proven: expect the unexpected. Luka Modric will be ready to lead the Croatians to their first trip to the semifinals since 1998.
Sweden-England, Saturday, 10 a.m. FOX
Sweden topped Group F, while England finished second in Group G. Sweden beat Switzerland in the Round of 16, while England beat Colombia on penalties.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson told Three Lions supporters not to look beyond Sweden, a team that has already knocked off Italy and the Netherlands en route to the tournament, and took part in the de-throning of defending champion Germany. I would say both sides are playing with house money at the momoment, and that whoever loses should go home happy as one of the best eight teams in the world.
The Uruguay-France and Brazil-Belgium winners will play at 2 p.m. ET Tuesday in Saint Petersburg (FOX), while the Russia-Croatia and Sweden-England winners at 2 p.m. ET Wednesday in Moscow (FOX.) The third-place game is next Saturday, with the Final slated for Sunday.
Other notes of note from Russia over the last 48 hours or so:
- Russian officials are asking fans to shower in pairs. Yup, you read that correctly: to prevent a water shortage from getting any worse, officials are looking at Samara, where Sweden and England are set to tangle, and have asked World Cup spectators to buddy up when getting clean. The AP reported Thursday morning that the Samara Communal Systems notes that with a heatwave -- much like the one we're experiencing -- plus the influx of fans, it is delivering 10 percent more cold water, and it's causing water pressure to drop in some neighborhoods.
- FIFA has announced that 17 referees, 37 assistant referees, and 10 VAR officials have advanced through to the semifinal round. Americans Jair Marrufo and Mark Geiger are available for selection, and were not assigned quarterfinal matches.
- FIFA has also shut down commentary from Argentina legend Diego Maradona regarding Geiger's officiating of England and Colombia. Maradona called England's win "monumental robbery," which is ironic given Maradona's use of his hand to beat England in the quarterfinals back in 1986, and said Geiger should not have been given the duties of that match.
- Costa Rica has officially parted ways with manager Oscar Ramirez.
- Japan is reportedly interested in hiring former United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann to be its new national team manager. Akira Nashino was only an interim manager, and he is not being retained. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also a potential replacement.
