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World Cup Last 16 Predictions Part One – France and Brazil to progress

Hey peeps, there is a quick turnaround from the last 32 to the last 16.
So, like, last weekend I got you the results, and next round is Sunday / Monday. So just carry on sending me your predictions while you wait to see who has qualified.
Canada 0-2 Morocco 
Canada is the first host of a World Cup not to play in their own country.
That was never going to prove too costly last Sunday because South Africa were always going to let the Canadians have the ball.
Morocco, though, could do with as many advantages as you can get, and it just feels like a missed opportunity that they couldn’t win their group to ensure this fixture was in Vancouver.
A hostile environment is the only hope, a little bit of hope I would have given Jesse Marsch. The other is I have never been sure that the African champions are comfortable in the role of favourites. They prefer to throw underdogs under the bus.
Paraguay 0-3 France
When Paraguay has something to protect, boy, can they protect it, especially when they are confident. You could make the argument that Saturday will see one of the best defensive partnerships at this World Cup vs easily the best attack.
France produced against Sweden perhaps the most outstanding 90 minutes of the tournament so far, so this will come down to whether the South Americans can maintain their level after physically and emotionally giving so much against Germany.
If Les Bleus score early, the more straightforward this game becomes. The longer, though, the Paraguayans keep a clean sheet, the more they will grow in confidence.
Brazil 2-1 Norway 
On Monday, Brazil experienced the benefits of having Carlo Ancelotti in charge.
At half-time, trailing Japan, the Italians stayed calm and composed and tactically tweaked things.
Most nations win a World Cup because of their players, but if the Brazilians end up with a 6th star this month, it will be because their manager outthought the opposition.
I think that’s the difference maker this weekend. This isn’t Don Carlo’s first picnic.

Mexico 1-1 England
For years now, it’s been an obsession in Mexico to get to a World Cup quarter final.
It can’t be a coincidence that the only two times they have managed that, they were hosts.
So they might never get a better chance than the early hours of Monday morning (UK time).
Let’s be honest, they have only lost twice in 89 competitive fixtures at the Estadio Azteca, not because they have had great teams but because of the altitude factor.
England has managed so far at this tournament to avoid playing in difficult conditions but now must play at approx. 7,000 feet above sea level. The FA would have employed all kinds of experts to help prepare the squad, but you feel that Thomas Tuchel is still trying to build his team as he goes along.
I admire the manager for being strong in his convictions and willing to die on his sword, but the gaps between defence and midfield, not knowing who your right back should be, players carrying knocks … these are issues that should be resolved by now.
The Three Lions might benefit from playing in a game with some adversity, but based on the evidence in front of me, defensively, they can’t lift the trophy this month.
If Declan Rice is not starting in midfield, that’s a sackable offence.
USA 1-0 Belgium 
Of all the teams to win at this World Cup, how Belgium managed to beat Senegal remains a mystery.
For over 80 minutes, Senegal dominated to the point that maybe it became too easy, and they lost focus. The Belgian scores twice inside 3 mins with KDB and Doku off the pitch.
Like the AFCON final, Pape Thiaw disagreed with the decision to award a penalty against his team, but at least this time didn’t order his squad to leave the pitch (although Pathe Cisse tried delaying the spot kick by lying on the floor).
The Red Devils will be relieved and might take some confidence from the comeback but will know if they play like that against the hosts, they won’t get away with it.
I feel that Poch has built a team where everyone tactically knows their roles, whereas Rudi Garcia is relying on moments from individuals.

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        1. Talking about opponents, I’m up against AL or is it AI? Anyway I’m not aware of what I’m up against as I can’t see their predictions. Is it possible to find out where I can see them?

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          2. here you go
            South Africa 1- Canada
            Brazil 2-1 Japan
            Germany 3-0 Paraguay
            Netherlands 1-2 Morocco
            Ivory Coast 2-2 Norway
            France 2-0 Sweden
            Mexico 1-1 Ecuador
            England 3-1 DR Congo
            Belgium 2-1 Senegal
            USA 2-0 Bosnia
            Spain 2-0 Austria
            Portugal 2-1 Croatia
            Switzerland 2-1 Algeria
            Australia 2-1 Egypt
            Argentina 4-0 CV
            Colombia 1-0 Ghana

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  3. Canada 1-2 Morocco
    Paraguay 0-3 France
    Brazil 3-2 Norway
    Mexico 2-1 England
    USA 2-1 Belgium

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  4. The success story of Mexico at Azteca stadium not only due to the altitude factor but also the deafening noise of their passionate crowd. The Mexico media after seeing England yesterday are optimistic of beating England. If the news is correct the stad holds 80K people and the England fans may not be over 5K.

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      1. Yeah definitely England have quality players. We told the Senegal delegation your stance toward them. That was why the comeuppance believe it or not. Not again

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  5. Canada 0 – 1 Morocco
    Paraguay 0 – 2 France
    Brazil 1 – 0 Norway
    Mexico 1 – 0 England
    USA 1 – 0 Belgium

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  7. Canada 0 – 1 Morocco
    Paraguay 0 – 3 France
    Brazil 2 – 1 Norway
    Mexico 1 – 1 England
    USA 1 – 1 Belgium

    Reply

  9. Canada 1 – 2 Morocco
    Paraguay 0 – 3 France
    Brazil 2 – 1 Norway
    Mexico 1 – 2 England
    USA 1 – 1 Belgium

    Reply

  15. Canadá 0 – 2 Marrocos;
    Paraguai 0 – 3 França;
    Brasil 3 – 1 Noruega;
    México 1–2 Inglaterra;
    EUA 3 – 1 Bélgica

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  17. African teams departing host nations everyday one after the other. Maybe this evening Egypt can beat the Asian representative Australia to become the 2nd African team in the 16s after Morocco. Both Ghana and Cape Verde play but their draws are unfair to them. David v Goliath!!

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    1. Well it looks like I’m out bc of the tiebreaker rule. I will put my 2 cents in and say that finishing 1st in the group stage should come w an advantage (especially against a 3rd place team), but the rules are the rules. Good luck, everyone! Thank you, Dan.

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      1. I will also add that perhaps picking more correct results (win or draw) should hold more weight than the number of correct scores. Correct scores already hold a lot of weight w 3 points rather than 1. I had 4 more correct results. But I’ll digress…just my feedback for consideration in future contests. Thanks.

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        1. disagree
          you already had the advantage of winning the group by being seeded
          one of tie breakers would have been your correct scores In the group so that is considered but the reality is it’s harder to get a correct score line then a result
          also you are only questioning the rules when you have lost

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          1. I didn’t see the tiebreaker rules until after the final game when I saw we tied. Don’t be petty because you don’t like my feedback. I understand picking a correct score is difficult, but getting 8/16 games wrong is also a bit difficult. Shouldn’t advance when one person picks 12/16 games right and the other person gets 8 right (gets half of the games wrong). Like I said, I was just giving feedback. It’s your predictions game.

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            1. Not being petty at all as it doesn’t impact me lol
              Simply telling you the rules were clear
              You can’t wait till after you lose to say your not happy with the rules
              You play the Arsenal predictions league so getting one correct score is worth the same as getting 3 results
              So why have you never pointed it out before

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              1. I don’t know how else to say it, man. It’s feedback (or more accurately, constructive criticism). Feedback happens AFTER the fact, to be considered in the future. I don’t care that I lost and I’m not complaining about the rules. I’m just offering feedback (and reasons for it) in the form of what I see as better options for tiebreakers (such as more games picked correctly or higher seeding). Getting one correct score is the same as getting 3 results, yes, but I’m only talking about a tiebreaker. I don’t know what the tiebreaker is in the league predictions, so I’m not sure how that’s relevant here. But I’m not trying to argue. Take my constructive criticism for what it’s worth to you. Good luck in the round of 16.

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  20. Canada 1-2 Morocco
    Paraguay 0-3 France
    Brazil 2-1 Norway
    Mexico 1-1 England
    Portugal 1-2 Spain
    USA 1-1 Belgium
    Argentina 2-0 Egypt
    Switzerland 1-0 Colombia

    Reply

  21. Canada 1-2 Morocco
    Paraguay 1-3 France
    Brazil 2-1 Norway
    Mexico 1-2 England
    USA 1-2 Belgium
    Portugal 1-2 Spain
    Argentina 2-0 Egypt
    Switzerland 1-0 Colombia

    Reply

  22. Canada 1-2 Morocco
    Paraguay 1-4 France
    Brazil 2-2 Norway
    Mexico 2-2 England
    USA 1-3 Belgium
    Portugal 1-2 Spain
    Argentina 3-1 Egypt
    Switzerland 1-1 Colombia

    Reply

  26. Canada 0-2 Morocco
    Paraguay 0-3 France
    Brazil 3-1 Norway
    Mexico 1-1 England
    USA 1-0 Belgium

    Reply

  28. De jure African ‘Champions’ Morocco will be the first team to beat a host nation and progress to the QF. Anything?

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  30. if the ongoing game goes to pen shootout, rest assured the goalie Bono will deliver Morocco as he proved on numerous occasions.

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  31. Paraguay 1-3 France
    Brazil 4-3 Norway
    Mexico 1-2 England
    Spain 2-1 Portugal
    United States 2-2 Belgium
    Egypt 0-2 Argentina
    Switzerland 1-1 Colombia

    Predicting just in case I should qualify through the back door because it seems Belgium and Senegal connived to knock me out

    Reply

  32. Love how Mbappe carried himself against Paraguay.
    What a World Cup
    Remember some gooners have said they wouldn’t have him at Arsenal

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    1. I’d say the dynamics surrounding a World Cup and club football are very different and some players respond differently and are received differently with national pride and the short term nature of a tournament versus a longer commitment to a club and those egos being a factor on a weekly basis.

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  33. Agree SueP! WC maximum 15 games Arsenal play more than 60 in a season. Since Russia 2018 WC Mbappe plays best for France. How many important trophies he won for his clubs since that time leaving aside the most predictable Ligue 1 title?
    Joe Hart admired how Mbappe responded on the pitch to the agricultural fouls and dark arts pursued by the ugly Paraguay. Class Mbappe, Brave France!

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  34. Having watched the France versus Paraguay game, WOW!. What an absolute disgrace the referee and Paraguay are to football.

    I take it that FIFA assess the referee after each game, should that be the case then this Referee should get know where near any more World Cup games. At least twice he saw the Paraguay player take out a French player and didn’t do a thing about it.

    And as for the Paraguay players, WOW!. How their number 15 stayed on the pitch in completely beyond me, a right nasty piece of work.

    Now I know that Paraguay would have been foolhardy to have gone toe to toe with France. But to stoop to the level’s they did was an absolute embarrassment to their country.

    I normally like to see the underdog win, but thankfully on this occasion these thugs got their just deserts. Good riddance to bad rubbish is what I say.

    I assume that I’m not the only one who is thinking this way?.

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    2. It was quite disgusting Derek. Makes me feel even better about the pasting the US gave them. Unbelievably NO yellow cards issued to Paraguay during the game. Coming on the heels of the officiating having a hand in them getting past Germany to be there at all, I wonder if some intensive investigation of the betting money flows isn’t in order.

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      1. Morning Bruised Banana,

        Regards you’re betting question, I make it a valid one to ask.

        The thing that really makes me laugh is the hand shaking that goes on before the game starts. Apparently this is a FIFA rule brought in to encourage fair play😂, you can’t make this stuff up. 🤦‍♂️

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