A couple of days break and then the competitions really hits the heights. The last 16 wasn't the greatest, but a dramatic end to the England game and one of the games of the tournament last night adding sparkle to the Euros. The Copa America group stages came to an end with a couple of surprise eliminations.
EURO 24 QUARTER FINALS
Spain vs Germany - 5pm Friday
Arguably the two best teams of the tournament go head to head. Spain overcame the shock of conceding early to Georgia and ran out comfortable 4-1 winners. Germany had to battle the elements as well as a determined Danish side, winning 2-0 with a bit of controversy.
Youngsters Yamal and Musiala will garner a lot of attention in the build up, and I think the home advantage will be a factor to help Germany win - 2-1 Germany
France vs Portugal - 8pm Friday
Two teams who had a mighty stuggle to get here. France needed a late deflected goal to get past Belgium while Portugal went all the way to penalties to beat Slovenia.
Mbappe has not been very good this Euros, and everyone is waiting for him to fire. Ronaldo will be centre of attention again, but I think he will be in tears again as France finally click - 2-0 France
Switzerland vs England - 5pm Saturday
The Swiss dominated the last 16 tie with Champions Italy, looking very good in the process. England, on the other hand, were pretty awful and were saved by a 96th minute equaliser against Slovakia before winning in extra time.
Can England be as bad again? Can Switzerland maintain their form? I am saying YES to both - Switzerland 1-0
Netherlands vs Türkiye - 8pm Saturday
On paper this should be a great game, both sides have attacking talent aplenty and haven't looked especially secure at the back. The Dutch beat Romania 3-0, although it was edgy for much of the game. The Turks beat Austria 2-1 in a thrilling game, with a wonder save at the death to secure their place.
The Dutch have found it hard to gel their attack, making numerous changes. Türkiye have suspension issues. The young talent in their attack should be on show though, but I am going 3-1 Netherlands
COPA AMERICA QUARTER FINALS
Argentina vs Ecuador - 2am Friday
The World Cup winners eased through the group, 3 wins, 5 goals scored and 0 conceded. Ecuador had a harder time after losing their opened to Venezuela after an early red for their captain Enner Valencia. A 3-1 over Jamaica and a 0-0 with Mexico was enough.
Lautaro Martinez has been the star for Argentina, with 4 goals already. Ecuador have a lot of young attacking stars, with 17 year old Kendry Paez standing out. Have to go Argentina 2-0
Venezuela vs Canada - 2am Saturday
Venezuela stroll group B, with 3 wins and 6 scored with just 1 conceded. The big come from behind win over Ecuador in game one set them right, before a 1-0 over Mexico put them through in game 2. Canada had a tougher time, but a 1-0 win over Peru in game 2 proved pivotal as they drew with Chile in game 3 to get through. With just 1 scored, Canada have yet to hit the heights and could find the inform Venezuelans too much - Venezuela 1-0
Colombia vs Panama - 11pm Saturday
Colombia's form continues, 7 points from group D and 6 goals scored. Panama put out the hosts, US, with a comeback 2-1 win before beating Bolivia. Panama did give Uruguay their toughest test, 2 late goals making their defeat look worse than maybe it was. However, you cannot see past the Colombians, who are on a 26 game unbeaten run - winning 10 in a row prior to last nights draw with Brazil. Colombia 3-0
Uruguay vs Brazil - 2am Sunday
The big one. The in-form Uruguay against the woefully out of form Brazil. 9 goals in their 3 group wins saw Uruguay win group C with some ease. Brazil started their campaign with a very disappointing 0-0 with Costa Rica, although a 4-1 win over Paraguay hinted they may be finding form. They progressed thanks to a 1-1 with already qualified Colombia.
Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 in a recent qualifier, and on form you have to fancy them in this. Brazil are close to catastrophe with their WC qualifying form being awful and legends being vocal about their disdain towards the team. Uruguay 3-2
Should be an entertaining couple of days!
The Quarters...
posted on 3/7/24
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 10 seconds ago
Just seen Vini jr is suspended for Brazils quarter.
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They aren’t beating Uruguay anyway - they are craaaap at the moment
posted on 3/7/24
Just checked William Hill, you can get just over 10/1 for all of Germany, France, Uruguay and Venezuela to progress
posted on 3/7/24
good article DJ
posted on 3/7/24
Our progress I think hinges on Xhaka's injury. If he's out, I think we go through. He pulls all the strings for the Swiss. They're screwed without him. If he plays my head says we're going out.
There are two ways of looking at it.
1. We have a fortunate draw and we're building our way into form at the right time.
2. We've not played anyone decent yet and haven't improved in any of the four games.
Anyone thinking rationally knows that 2 is the only true statement. It's similar to the 2010 World Cup. We won one game, drew two and limped into the next round and then got destroyed by the Germans. Everyone seems to think that as the tournament goes on we'll get more space in behind to create so it'll suit us more. That statement only makes sense if we utterly dominated the ball in our previous 4 games and came up against a low block. We haven't. We've relinquished control in each of those games so this isn't suddenly going to correct itself by playing a bigger side. What's more likely is that we'll just sit deeper and concede more. Everyone appears to be hailing our defence without considering that we've played four teams who are reasonably blunt up top. We're nowhere near as solid as people think we are.
Switzerland 2-0 England
They'll score early and as the game gets stretched whilst we try for an equaliser, they'll seal it on the break.
posted on 3/7/24
I don't have much confidence in England's ability to progress, but teams that try to attack us more proactively will probably create a bit more space for our talented front four to exploit. Above all, we've struggled to break down well organised low / mid blocks and looked vulnerable to counter-attacks. The better teams will present different challenges.
posted on 3/7/24
England to knick it 2-1
posted on 3/7/24
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
Our progress I think hinges on Xhaka's injury. If he's out, I think we go through. He pulls all the strings for the Swiss. They're screwed without him. If he plays my head says we're going out.
There are two ways of looking at it.
1. We have a fortunate draw and we're building our way into form at the right time.
2. We've not played anyone decent yet and haven't improved in any of the four games.
Anyone thinking rationally knows that 2 is the only true statement. It's similar to the 2010 World Cup. We won one game, drew two and limped into the next round and then got destroyed by the Germans. Everyone seems to think that as the tournament goes on we'll get more space in behind to create so it'll suit us more. That statement only makes sense if we utterly dominated the ball in our previous 4 games and came up against a low block. We haven't. We've relinquished control in each of those games so this isn't suddenly going to correct itself by playing a bigger side. What's more likely is that we'll just sit deeper and concede more. Everyone appears to be hailing our defence without considering that we've played four teams who are reasonably blunt up top. We're nowhere near as solid as people think we are.
Switzerland 2-0 England
They'll score early and as the game gets stretched whilst we try for an equaliser, they'll seal it on the break.
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Xhaka has been passed fit - but you do wonder if he is somewhat diminished.
My confidence is A) Southgate has to make a change as Guehi is injured B) he finally started using subs against Slovakia C) Luke Shaw is ready D) Bellinghams belief is back
It will be dull, but I think we 1-0 it and play the Dutch in the Semis
posted on 3/7/24
On the England and Switzerland game I'm going to remain neutral.
posted on 3/7/24
comment by Diafol Coch 77 🏴 (U2462)
posted 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
On the England and Switzerland game I'm going to remain neutral.
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As a Scot with an English wife, I have to try to remain neutral for every Eng game, tricky as that is.
Suspect Eng will spawn their way through again TBH, and probably again in the semis … if it’s against the Dutch anyway. If it’s against Turkey then Southgate should definitely get a lottery ticket on.
posted on 3/7/24
I will go for Spain V Port, Eng V Turk.
I feel the football gods have lined up Pepe v Yamal, I still feel Eng are going to make it to the final, and Turk will be the surprise semi-finalist which you normally get at least one of at every tourney.