​The quarter-finals are upon us, and after another dramatic round, eight teams remain in the pursuit of World Cup glory. As always, if you’re taking part in Dan’s Just Arsenal Predictions League, please submit your predictions before kick-off in the France vs. Morocco match. Any predictions received after the first whistle will not be counted. Some players have raised concerns that they’re posting their predictions early, only for their opponents to wait until the following day to make tactical picks based on those predictions. That approach isn’t in the spirit of the competition, so any predictions submitted after the first kick-off will not be accepted.
The highest compliment I can give Morocco is that it’s no longer surprising to see them beating heavyweights like Brazil and the Netherlands. They possess a team spirit that makes them undaunted by France. I would go so far as to say that, in four years’ time, because they are co-hosts, it could be the first World Cup where an African nation has a realistic shot at lifting the trophy.
I’m fascinated by how the African champions approach Thursday’s match. This could be another instance where Didier Deschamps’ bench makes the decisive difference. Many Americans have caught “soccer” fever in recent weeks, and it’s a pity, after the electric atmosphere the hosts created, that the USA’s bid should end in a way necessitating intervention from a president to overturn a player’s suspension.
Balogun isn’t the only player in World Cup history to receive what many would call a harsh red card. Regrettably, that’s part of the sport. There have been far more controversial send-offs where players have missed the next game without FIFA stepping in.
Why? Are we now saying bans will be imposed only based on how much influence a nation’s government holds? For those who defend it, imagine if this were the Premier League and, in a title race, Arsenal learned that a Manchester City player was no longer serving his ban because the FA had been asked by the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates to review the matter.
On the pitch, it’s ironic that Rudi Garcia has drawn a response from the last remaining members of Belgium’s Golden Generation by benching them. There’s even a website set up for Belgians to apologize to their manager for the criticism he faced for omitting the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne from the starting XI.
Yet Friday marks a higher rung. I predicted Spain would be world champions before the tournament because, in these conditions, their ability to retain possession is crucial. It can be tedious at times, but tactically, you can’t concede goals if your opponents can’t get the ball. It means the Red Devils must be clinical with the few opportunities they have to improve their chances.