1/8 final of the World Cup, taking place on the fields of the USA, Canada and Mexico, has given us three matches that can rightfully be called highlights of the tournament. We are in for a classic of South American football against Scandinavian power, a battle of the host nation with a pragmatic top rival, and, of course, a Pyrenean derby, which has fallen at such an early stage of the playoffs. Here is a detailed analysis of these matches and our predictions for their outcomes.
Prediction Brazil — Norway
Date: July 5
Stadium: «MetLife», East Rutherford, USA
Favourite: Brazil
This match — a clash of experience and class of the «pentacampeons» against the talent and system of the Norwegian team. Brazil, as usual, is considered an unconditional favourite. Experts are in agreement that the Brazilian team has a overwhelming advantage in skill.
Key factors:
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Star-studded Brazil. The Brazilian team has an incredible depth of squad. The presence of Alisson in goal, solid defense with Marcelo and attacking power of Vinicius Jr. and Matheus Cunha makes the team one of the main contenders for the trophy. Separately, it is worth mentioning the play of Bruno Guimaraes, who is currently one of the best assisters of the tournament.
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Erling Haaland — Norway's main weapon. Without their superstar, Norway would not be here. Erling Haaland has already scored 5 goals in 5 matches, and the entire Scandinavian play is built around him. Together with the captain Martin Ødegaard, they represent a serious threat to any defense.
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Brazil's uncertainty. Despite the status of a favourite, the Brazilians are not always convincing. Their exit to the 1/8 final they won on the last minutes of the match against Japan (2:1), which speaks of some problems in their game. If they continue in the same spirit, Norway can punish them for any negligence.
The Norwegian team is unlikely to surprise with class, but they will definitely fight. They have Haaland, who is capable of scoring against any team. Brazil should progress further, but the Scandinavians will make it difficult. Expected victory for Brazil in a tense match, but both teams can score. A goal from Haaland looks almost inevitable.
Prediction Mexico — England
Date: July 6
Stadium: «Azteca», Mexico City, Mexico
Favourite: England (with a slight advantage)
This match — a real test for the England team. They are playing not just against a strong team, but against the hosts on the legendary «Azteca» stadium, which is located at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level. The home factor for Mexico is hard to overestimate: they have won all four matches with a total goal difference of 8:0 and, more importantly, have not conceded a single goal.
Key factors:
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Mexico in perfect form. The team looks incredibly confident. A win over Ecuador and a clean defensive series make them one of the main surprises of the tournament. The attack of Raúl Jiménez and Hulk is in excellent form.
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England's problems and the «12th player». The England team, on the contrary, looks unconvincing. They barely beat DR Congo and drew 0-0 with Ghana. Their main hope is the captain Harry Kane, who has already scored 5 goals and literally carries the team on his back. However, on «Azteca» England faces not only a motivated opponent but also a difficult adaptation to the thin air. Acclimatization takes at least 1.5 weeks, but the English players have only two days in reserve. This factor could radically change the game, affecting ball control and shooting accuracy.
This match is considered extremely balanced — practically 50-50. Despite Kane's class, the home factor and Mexico's incredible form make them the favorite in the eyes of many analysts. Expected victory for Mexico with a minimal score. A goal-scoring match is also likely, as the hosts' attack on their home ground is capable of breaking the English defense.
Prediction Portugal — Spain
Date: July 6
Stadium: Arlington, Dallas, USA
Favourite: Spain
This is, without a doubt, the central match of the 1/8 final, which in terms of intensity and level could have been a final. The Iberian derby — this is a meeting of two super-teams that met too early.
Key factors:
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Spain's flawless reliability. «La Furia Roja» look like a machine on this tournament. They have not conceded a single goal in four matches (including a «clean sheet» from goalkeeper Unai Simón), and in the 1/16 final they crushed Austria 3:0. The team of Luis de la Fuente is pragmatic and deadly.
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Portugal's winding path. Portugal reached this stage through a dramatic match against Croatia (2:1), where 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive penalty. Their attack is struggling against organized defense, which could become a problem against the Spanish defense.
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Statistics and form. In head-to-head matches, Portugal has an interesting statistic: they have not lost to Spain in 12 of the last 13 encounters, but they have not been able to beat them in regular time in 6 matches in a row. On the other hand, Spain has not suffered a defeat in regular time in 35 official games — this is an incredible indicator of stability.
Despite all Portugal's achievements, Spain is slightly favored, but the chances of the teams are considered equal. In such a match, everything will be decided by one moment. The most probable outcome is a draw in regular time. In such a battle, both teams should score, considering the history of head-to-head matches, where this option has occurred in most of the last matches. A possible exit for Portugal to the next stage could be through extra time or a penalty shootout.
Disclaimer
All predictions presented in this material are purely informational and analytical in nature. They reflect the subjective opinion of our editorial team, based on available statistical data (including materials from Opta) and the current form of the teams. Football remains an unpredictable sport, and any match may bring a surprise. We do not guarantee that the predictions will coincide with the actual results and urge you to approach any betting decisions responsibly, keeping in mind the possible risks. The final choice always remains with you.