The Fifa World Cup has reached the quarter-finals stage. This tournament is flying by but there is still a lot more action to come.
As the last eight stage begins on Friday we are treated to two interesting ties as Croatia take on Brazil and the Netherlands face Argentina. At this stage of the tournament, there is set to be excitement, drama and more so what more could you ask for on a Friday?
Here is everything you need to know about today’s action.
Croatia v Brazil - Quarter-Final
Where: Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
When: 3pm (GMT / 6pm (AST)
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website
Last meeting: Brazil 2-0 Croatia (Liverpool, 2018)
Croatia’s last 16 result: Won 3-1 on penalties against Japan
Brazil’s last 16 result: Won 4-1 v South Korea
Croatia squad: 1 Dominik Livakovic, 2 Josip Stanisic, 3 Borna Barisic, 4 Ivan Perisic, 5 Martin Erlic, 6 Dejan Lovren, 7 Lovro Majer, 8 Mateo Kovacic, 9 Andrej Kramaric, 10 Luka Modric, 11 Marcelo Brozovic, 12 Ivo Grbic, 13 Nikola Vlasic, 14 Marko Livaja, 15 Mario Pasalic, 16 Bruno Petkovic, 17 Ante Budimir, 18 Mislav Orsic, 19 Borna Sosa, 20 Josko Gvardiol, 21 Domagoj Vida, 22 Josip Juranovic, 23 Ivica Ivusic, 24 Josip Sutalo, 25 Luka Susic, 26 Kristijan Jakic
Brazil squad: 1 Alisson, 2 Danilo, 3 Thiago Silva, 4 Marquinhos, 5 Casemiro, 6 Alex Sandro, 7 Lucas Paqueta, 8 Fred, 9 Richarlison, 10 Neymar, 11 Raphinha, 12 Weverton, 13 Dani Alves, 14 Eder Militao, 15 Fabinho, 16 Alex Telles, 17 Bruno Guimaraes, 18 Gabriel Jesus, 20 Vinicius Jr, 21 Rodrygo, 22 Everton Ribeiro, 23 Ederson, 24 Bremer, 25 Pedro, 26 Gabriel Martinelli
Preview: Croatia can thank goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for his penalty shoot-out heroics against Japan to get them through to the last eight. We are still yet to see any real signs that Croatia have what it takes to reach a second consecutive World Cup final and their luck could be set to run out against Brazil.
Against South Korea, the first half display from Brazil was mesmerising. The goals they scored were beautiful and reminiscent of the football played by their great teams of the past. It was their best attacking performance at the World Cup so far and they showed their rivals that there is a lot to be feared. Their attacking play was like art at times and A Selecao are starting to live up to the billing as the tournament favourites. They have goalscorers throughout the squad which is always a blessing at this level.
Sportsman stat: Croatia have lost four of their five World Cup games against South American opponents, including two losses against Brazil (1-0 in 2006 and 3-1 in 2014 - both at the group stage).
Betfred match odds: Croatia 8/1, Brazil 4/11, draw 4/1
Favourites for first goalscorer: Neymar (Brazil) 3/1, Richarlison (Brazil) 7/2, Pedro Dos Santos (Brazil) 4/1
Featured bet: Over 2.5 Brazil goals 13/8
To qualify: Croatia 4/1, Brazil 1/6
Netherlands v Argentina - Quarter-Final
Where: Lusail Stadium, Lusail
When: 7pm (GMT) / 10pm (AST)
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website
Last meeting: Argentina 0 (4)-0 (2) Netherlands (Sao Paulo, 2014 World Cup)
Netherlands’ last 16 result: Won 3-1 v USA in normal time
Argentina’s last 16 result: Won 2-1 v Australia in normal time
Netherlands squad: 1 Remko Pasveer, 2 Jurrien Timber, 3 Matthijs de Ligt, 4 Virgil van Dijk, 5 Nathan Ake, 6 Stefan de Vrij, 7 Steven Bergwijn, 8 Cody Gakpo, 9 Luuk de Jong, 10 Memphis Depay, 11 Steven Berghuis, 12 Noa Lang, 13 Justin Bijlow, 14 Davy Klaassen, 15 Marten de Roon, 16 Tyrell Malacia, 17 Daley Blind, 18 Vincent Janssen, 19 Wout Weghorst, 20 Teun Koopmeiners, 21 Frenkie de Jong, 22 Denzel Dumfries, 23 Andries Noppert, 24 Kenneth Taylor, 25 Xavi Simons, 26 Jeremie Frimpong
Argentina squad: 1 Franco Armani, 2 Juan Foyth, 3 Nicolas Tagliafico, 4 Gonzalo Montiel, 5 Leandro Paredes, 6 Gaston Pezzella, 7 Rodrigo De Paul, 8 Marcos Acuna, 9 Julian Alvarez, 10 Lionel Messi, 11 Angel Di Maria, 12 Geronimo Rulli, 13 Cristian Romero, 14 Exequiel Palacios, 15 Angel Correa, 16 Joaquin Correa, 17 Alejandro Gomez, 18 Guido Rodriguez, 19 Nicolas Otamendi, 20 Alexis Mac Allister, 21 Paulo Dybala, 22 Lautaro Martinez, 23 Emiliano Martinez, 24 Enzo Fernandez, 25 Lisandro Martinez, 26 Nahuel Molina
Preview: The Netherlands looked a lot more threatening when they beat USA last time out after looking rather limited in the group stage. Louis van Gaal’s men seemed too dependent on Cody Gakpo’s goals to get them through to the knockout stage but they showed that other players can step up and deliver when they defeated the Stars and Stripes with Memphis Depay, Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries getting on the scoresheet.
Argentina were once again given the boost from Lionel Messi to help them through to keep his World Cup dream alive. They have been slowly improving after their opening game shock against Saudi Arabia but they still have a lot more to do if they have what it takes to go all the way. Julian Alvarez has looked bright and he himself has contributed two goals but more is needed from the players behind the two attackers to help Messi fulfil his life-long ambition.
Sportsman stat: This will be the sixth meeting between the two sides at the World Cup with only the Netherlands v Sweden (7) and Argentina v Germany (7) being played more often.
Betfred match odds: Netherlands 13/5, Argentina 6/5, draw 11/5
Favourites for first goalscorer: Lionel Messi (Argentina) 7/2, Memphis Depay (Netherlands) 11/2, Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) 11/2
Featured bet: Over 2.5 goals 11/8
To qualify: Netherlands 5/4, Argentina 4/7
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
