So we had reached the Quarter Finals, and eight teams remained, and all still believed they could go all the way in this tournament. Here is how those four ties went:-
Friday 6th July
Uruguay 0 France 2
France are into the World Cup semi final for the first time in twelve years after they saw off Uruguay to set up a last four clash with Belgium. This tie in terms of entertainment did not come close to Les Bleus win over Argentina in the Round of 16, but it will still be rememebered for the contrasting fortunes of both keepers in this one. More about that later on, but the French saw Raphael Varane head them into a first half lead after Antoine Greizmann had swung in a free kick, the Real Madrid defender glancing home a perfect centre, and saw Les Bleus ahead. Uruguay, who were missing Edison Cavani through injury, almost levelled immediately from a free kick of their own, but saw Hugo Lloris produce a wonderful save to deny Martin Caceres, before Diego Godin could only blast over the rebound. France continued to control possession at the start of the second period, and were then gifted a goal to tighten their grip on proceedings when Griezmann let fly from the edge of the box, and there seemed no danger but Fernando Muslera misjudged the flight of the ball, flapped at the shot, and saw it loop slowly over the line to leave the Uruguay keeper rather red faced. And despite the South American side throwing bodies forward in the closing stages, they could not seriously trouble Lloris, and their run of four successive wins came to an end, meaning they go home at the Quarter Final stage.
Brazil 1 Belgium 2
Belgium put in a terrific performance to dispatch five time world cup winners and pre tournament favourites Brazil out of the competition and reach the semi finals for the first time in 32 years. The Brazilians, who had conceded just one goal in their past four world cup games, fell behind early on when a Nacer Chadli corner went in off Fernandinho which was the tenth own goal at this years world cup, although it could of been different had Thiago Silva not missed a gaping goal from a Neymar corner, seeing his effort loop onto the Belgian's post, prior to the European's going in front. It was an open and entertaining contest, however the Samba boys were caught on the counter and saw the Belgians double their lead when Lukaku's powerful run ended up with Kevin de Bruyne, who struck a marvellous arrowed finish into the corner of the net, and the Brazilian boys knew a magic second half was needed if they were to remain in the tournament. And with fifteen minutes remaining they were given hope when substitute Renato Augusto nodded home a delightful pass from Philippe Coutinho, but the Red Devils held firm to stun their opponents and set up a mouthwatering semi final with the French.
Saturday 7th July
Sweden 0 England 2
England are into the last four of a world cup for the first time in 28 years after goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli either side of the break saw them defeat Sweden in Samara. Maguire, who was again outstanding in the heart of the defence for the English, broke the deadlock just past the hour hour mark, when yet another England set play bore fruit as the centre half powered a header beyond keeper Robin Olsen after an Ashley Young corner had found him. England could of doubled their lead when Raheem Stirling saw his effort saved by Olsen after getting in behind the Swedish backline, and then Jordan Pickford denied the Swedes an equaliser with a super stop from Marcus Berg, before England doubled their lead just before the hour mark when Alli headed home a Jesse Lingard centre to give England a cushion. Pickford did deny Sweden twice more late on, firstly denying Viktor Claesson and then Berg again, to secure his first world cup clean sheet, and in the end see the Three Lions confortably through to the Semi Finals and a showdown with Croatia on Wednesday. It is also only the third time England have reached the semi finals after 1966 and 1990, so this is already a terrific achievement from the Three Lions.
Russia 2 Croatia 2 (aet; Croatia won 4-3 on penalties)
The hosts remarkable run at this world cup ended in penalty shoot out heartache as they were edged out by Croatia who set up a semi final tie against England on Wednesday. The Russian's, who had got this far against all the odd's and were contesting their first Quarter Final since 1970 in their Soviet Union days, took a shock lead when Denis Cheryshev curled a wonderful effort into the top corner for one of the finest strikes at this world cup and Russia believed once again that their team could continue this remarkable run. But only eight minutes later Andrej Kramaric headed the Croats level, and then after the break Ivan Perisic saw a low effort come back off the inside of Russia's post and across goal as the hosts lived a charmed life. The game ended up going to extra time and it was the Croats who edged in front when Domagoj Vida's headed through a crowded area and into the corner, however Russia managed to pull something out of the bag when Mario Fernandez headed home six minutes from the end of extra time to force penalties and bring this tie back into the melting pot. Fedor Smolov missed the first penalty for the hosts when his weak effort was saved by Danijel Subasic, whilst Igor Akinfeev gave Russia hope when he stopped Mateo Kovacic's low spot kick, however Fernandez stuck his spot kick wide and it came down to Ivan Rakitic needing to score to send his side through, and he did just that and cued excited team mates mobbing him as Croatia reached the last four for the first time in twenty years. And despite the Russian's exit, their fans broke into heartfelt applause as they cheered their beaten side long and loud after the final whistle in recognition at how good their achievements in this world cup had been.
Here is the semi final line up:-
Tuesday 10th July
France vs Belgium (7pm)
Wednesday 11th July
Croatia vs England (7pm)
So four teams now remain, France, Belgium, Croatia and our very own England. It has been a remarkable world cup and a first has happened in the history of the competition as after Brazil's exit it means this is the first time ever that neither Argentina, Brazil or Germany will appear in the Semi Finals. And for the teams left this isn't a regular appearance either in recent times, with France (12 years), Belgium (32 years), Croatia (20 years) and England (28 years) since they were last in the final four at a world cup. For entertainment the Brazil vs Belgium clash was the best Quarter Final, whilst the Russia vs Croatia gave us the most drama, and it leaves us with the above semi finals. France vs Belgium will be a cracker, and I feel the winners will probably come from this tie, whilst the Croatia vs England contest will probably be a tight tense affair. Both will believe they can still win it, in fact all four teams left will believe they are good enough, proves to be another couple of decent contests as they battle for a place in Sunday's final.
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