The 2018 FIFA World Cup has already attained the status of being one of the best-ever if not the best-ever in the in the history of world football and it is not even over yet. For close to a month, drama, unpredictability, and upsets have been the order of the day with fans being simultaneously treated to spectacles all-round.
On Friday, the history of football once again saw another twist after Belgium sent Brazil crashing home via a 2-1 victory in the quarter-final clash hosted in Kazan. Although the feat meant that the Red Devils were on course to matching or bettering their best-ever finish achieved at Mexico 1986, the other end of the spectrum told a fascinating tale.
Unlike any other World Cup played since the inception of the competition in 1930, none among Germany, Argentina and Brazil will be present at the semi-final stage. In this edition being hosted by Russia. Die Mannschaft, who are four-time champions and the current holders saw Mexico and Sweden progressing ahead of them at the group-stages, a Lionel Messi led Argentina were defeated 4-2 by France at the Round of 16 while the Seleccao of Brazil was sent packing via an own-goal and a Kevin De Bruyne strike.
So then, what can we expect from the remain participants? At the moment, another tasty affair has been etched for the savory eyes of football fans with France and Belgium's star-studded teams set for a toe-to-toe combat. The former, despite a series of unconvincing displays from the beginning, has slowly upped the ante in recent weeks whiles the latter has been had all guns blazing from the word go.
With talent abundant on both ends, a strong display of character, the desire to win and a pinch of fortuity should do the trick for the eventual winner. Similarly, the same should work for the winners of the upcoming quarterfinal clashes between Croatia and Russia as well as Sweden and England.
An all-European final is already signed, sealed and deliver. It is now up to who really wants it the most to harness opportunity and make due of the absence of three nations have a combined total of 11 World Cups between them.
