It is one other large day for the World Cup, as 4 groups go on the pitch to determine who will advance into the quarter-finals. Just one European workforce is taking part in right this moment: Croatia, who’ll be going through their first Asian workforce of the World Cup, Japan.
Here is our at-a-glance take a look at the day forward.
Japan vs Croatia (16:00)
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Croatia is going through Japan after qualifying second of their group behind Morocco with two attracts and a 4-1 victory towards Canada.
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The European workforce, the smallest nation within the remaining 16 with a inhabitants of solely 4 million, was the runner-up 4 years in the past towards France and completed third in 1998.
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Japan certified as group winners after two sudden victories towards former world champions Germany and Spain.
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They’re showing within the knockout stage for the fourth time and nonetheless looking for their first win.
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The winner of the match will face both five-time champion Brazil or South Korea within the quarterfinals, who’re taking part in a later match right this moment.
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It is the primary time Croatia will play an Asian workforce in a World Cup knockout match after eight earlier video games towards European groups.
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If Croatia loses towards Japan, this could possibly be the final World Cup sport for
Actual Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, the world participant of the 12 months in 2018.
Brazil vs South Korea (20:00)
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Brazil’s star Neymar was seen coaching together with his workforce earlier than the sport towards South Korea within the spherical of 16, suggesting that he has totally recovered from the ankle damage that had threatened to maintain him out of the remainder of the World Cup.
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With or with out Neymar on the pitch, South Korea head coach Paulo Bento warned Brazil that his workforce will battle “to the utmost of our efforts” to beat the 5-time world champions.
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The 2 groups have by no means performed one another in a aggressive match however did meet in a pleasant worldwide in Seoul again in June.
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South Korea is attempting to advance previous the spherical of 16 for the primary time for the reason that historic run as a co-host in 2002, when it reached the semifinals and completed fourth.
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The Asian workforce was eradicated within the group stage in 2014 and 2018.
