With only just over a week left until the July 13 final in Rio de Janeiro, the World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage.
Judging on the manner the remaining nations have reached this advanced stage of the competition, there are no obvious favourites.
Friday sees an all-European clash between France and Germany at 5pm involving two supposed ‘heavyweights’ who both struggled to find a way past Nigeria and Algeria respectively in the last round.
That match is followed at 9pm by the South American face-off involving hosts Brazil, lucky penalty-shoot-out winners over Chile, and the conquerers of Suarez-less Uruguay, Colombia.
On Saturday, at the same times, Argentina meet Belgium, both sides having been taken into extra time by Switzerland and the USA respectively before scraping home. The semi-final line-ups – to be played Tuesday and Wednesday – will then be completed by the winners between Holland, who just managed to edge out Mexico, and surprise spot kick lottery victors over Greece, Costa Rica.
By SKIP BANDELE
