By a Staff Reporter
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 got its quarterfinalists after the completion of the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
Croatia, Brazil, Netherlands, Argentina, Morocco, Portugal, England, and France successfully booked their spot in the Qatar Final of the most prestigious football tournament in the world.
Defeating Senegal 2-0, the Netherlands began its World Cup journey with a victory. It then shared a spoil against Ecuador (1-1) and beat the hosts Qatar 2-0 to qualify for the RO16. Sidelining the USA (3-1), Netherlands booked its spot in the quarter-final.
England, who started the tournament with a sensational victory of 6-2 over Iran, went a goalless draw against the USA in the second group stage outing. Trashing Wales 3-0, England confirmed its RO16 spot. The three lions then defeated Senegal 3-0 to head toward QFs.
Beginning the World Cup with a tragic 1-2 loss over Saudi Arabia, Argentina didn’t look back from then onwards. The title contenders, stunned Mexico 2-0 and Poland 0-2 to march on to the RO16. Knocking out the Asian side Australia, Argentina qualified for the QFs.
Winning the first two group stage matches against Australia and Denmark by 4-1 and 2-1, France went down 1-0 against Tunisia in its third. However, the reigning champions went to the RO16 as the group winners. Shocking Poland 3-1, France comfortably headed to the QFs.
Morocco had to share a spoil against the most recent runners-up of the World Cup, Croatia in its first outing in the tournament. It then won Belgium 0-2 and beat Canada 1-2 to top Group F. Knocking out the Champions of 2010 – Spain from the RO16, Morocco found the way to its maiden QFs of the World Cup. The Moroccan custodian Yassine Bounou blocked Spain’s 3 spot kicks consecutively to knock them out of the WC 2022.
Japan, who topped the group of death, defeating the giants Spain and Germany by 2-1, lost 1-0 to Costa Rica but qualified for the RO16 anyhow. Hardluck, it suffered a defeat against Croatia in the penalties of RO16. Croatia then booked its spot in the QFs.
Two nill win against Serbia and a 1-0 win against Switzerland were enough for Brazil to qualify for the RO16. The 1-0 defeat against Cameroon didn’t bother Brazil much. A relaxing 4-1 victory over South Korea, guided the South American side to the QFs.
Starting the tournament with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ghana, Portugal defeated Uruguay 2-0 and lost 2-1 to South Korea. Even so, the 2 early victories lead Portugal to the RO16, as a table topper. A heroic 6-1 victory over Switzerland took them to the QFs of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Croatia will take on Brazil in the first QF. The fans will witness the heavy-weight clash that kick-offs on 9th December at 8:45 PM NST in Education City Stadium. Moreover, The Netherlands will see Argentina on the same day in Lusail Stadium at 12:45 AM NST.
The Al Thumama Stadium will host the QF match between Morocco and Portugal on 10th December at 8:45 PM NST. Similarly, the defending champions France will fight for its semi-final spot against England in Al Bayt Stadium at 12:45 PM NST on the same day.
