World Cup

World Cup Matches of The Day: Quarter Finals

FRIDAY

10 July 4:00am AWST

France v Morocco

Boston Stadium, Massachusetts

France arrive in the quarter-finals with their perfect record intact, although their 1-0 win over Paraguay was much tighter than many expected. It took a Kylian Mbappé penalty to finally break the deadlock, with France made to work for their place in the last eight.

Morocco represent another difficult test. Their defensive organisation and ability to stay compact should make space hard to find, while Achraf Hakimi gives them a genuine threat when they break forward. France may need to be patient again, but the quality around Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise means they can create something even when a game appears locked down.

Mbappé remains the obvious danger. He has seven goals for the tournament and is right in the Golden Boot race, but Morocco will know France are far from a one-man attack. Dembélé has already produced a hat-trick in the knockout rounds, while Olise has been one of France’s main creative outlets throughout the tournament.

This feels like a game where France will have to suffer. Morocco have the structure and counterattacking quality to push them all the way, but France still have more match-winners when the margins become fine. Don’t be surprised if 90 minutes isn’t enough to separate them.

VERDICT: 2-2 (France win on penalties)

Same Game Multi: Kylian Mbappé Over 1.5 Shots on Target, Over 1.5 Total Goals & Over 6.5 Corners @ $2.00*


SATURDAY

11 July 3:00am AWST

Spain v Belgium

Los Angeles Stadium, California

Spain needed a dramatic injury-time winner from Mikel Merino to edge Portugal 1-0, but that result showed another side to their tournament. They were not at their most fluent, yet still had the patience and control to keep probing until the chance finally came.

Belgium arrive with considerably more momentum after dismantling the USA 4-1 in one of the most emphatic performances of the knockout rounds. Charles De Ketelaere was outstanding with two goals and an assist, giving Belgium another major attacking weapon heading into the quarter-finals. Kevin De Bruyne did not feature against the USA but is expected to return against Spain, while Jérémy Doku could also be used from the start or off the bench to stretch the game.

Spain’s biggest advantage may be the variety in their attack. Lamine Yamal can create from wide areas or drift inside, while Mikel Oyarzabal’s movement gives Belgium a different problem through the middle. After a tight contest against Portugal, Spain may find more space here if Belgium approach the game with the same ambition they showed against the USA.

This has the ingredients for one of the best quarter-finals. Belgium are coming off a statement win and should cause Spain real problems, but Spain’s control in midfield and quality in the final third could just give them the edge.

VERDICT: Spain 2-1 Belgium

Same Game Multi: Spain to Go Through, Mikel Oyarzabal Over 0.5 Shots on Target & Lamine Yamal Over 0.5 Shots on Target @ $1.86*


SUNDAY

12 July 5:00am AWST

Norway v England

Miami Stadium, Florida

England arrive in Miami on the back of arguably the win of the tournament, beating Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca in one of the toughest environments in world football. Mexico had lost there only twice in the previous 60 years, making England’s victory the kind of result that can transform a World Cup campaign.

After some questions over England earlier in the tournament, that performance has put them firmly back in the conversation to win it all. Harry Kane continues to lead the line with six goals, while Jude Bellingham has developed into a genuine goalscoring threat from midfield. His ability to arrive late in the box gives England another dimension and makes them far less reliant on Kane to provide the decisive moment.

Norway still have the individual quality to make this dangerous. Erling Haaland has seven goals and needs very little space to punish a defence, while Martin Ødegaard can create chances from almost nothing if England allow him time between the lines.

There should be chances at both ends, but England suddenly look like a side building serious momentum. The Mexico win was a statement, Bellingham is becoming increasingly influential in the final third and Kane remains one of the tournament’s most reliable finishers. Norway can threaten, but England should have too much across 90 minutes.

VERDICT: England 3-1 Norway

Same Game Multi: England to Go Through, Harry Kane to Score or Assist & Jude Bellingham Over 1.5 Total Shots @ $2.63*

*Odds correct at the time of publication.

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