After practically two wild and dramatic weeks on the World Cup, we have now the reached the win-or-go-home portion of the tourney. Sixteen groups stay, 16 others have been eradicated and the enjoyable continues Saturday.
Be sure you test in with ESPN all through the match as we deliver you the most recent from Qatar. Here is what you may need missed from Friday’s World Cup happenings, and a sit up for what’s subsequent Saturday.
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Spherical of 16: Brazil, Portugal, South Korea in; Uruguay out
Right here we go! The bracket for the knockout levels of the World Cup is about. Two every day video games over the following 4 days, with the winners then establishing the quarterfinal matches.
1:25
Luis Miguel Echegaray picks a daring World Cup bracket on ESPN FC Day by day.
Here is the total schedule:
Saturday, Dec. 3 (winners play one another in quarterfinal)
Netherlands vs. United States
Argentina vs. Australia
Sunday, Dec. 4 (winners play one another in quarterfinal)
France vs. Poland
England vs. Senegal
Monday, Dec. 5 (winners play one another in quarterfinal)
Japan vs. Croatia
Brazil vs. South Korea
Tuesday, Dec. 6 (winners play one another in quarterfinal)
Morocco vs. Spain
Portugal vs. Switzerland
Wild group stage end: Suarez’s tears, Son’s pleasure
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Luis Miguel Echegaray reacts to Uruguay’s heartbreaking exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In step with the drama we have seen the final couple of days, Friday’s slate introduced loads of massive moments as effectively.
Simply because it appeared as if Uruguay would advance by beating Ghana, a last-gasp purpose by South Korea in opposition to Portugal gave them a 2-1 win within the different Group H sport — and extra importantly, a spot within the knockouts.
Twelve years after Uruguay eradicated Ghana within the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals thanks largely to Luis Suarez’s well-known handball, Friday’s sport was billed as a grudge match for the Black Stars. Up by two targets Friday, Uruguay appeared poised to damage Ghana’s social gathering as soon as extra. However when the screens flashed the scoreline of the South Korea-Portugal sport, cameras rapidly minimize to Suarez sitting on the bench, wanting shell-shocked.
Uruguay wanted one other purpose to flip the tiebreaker of their favor, however it by no means got here. So Ghana’s schadenfreude will come from lasting photos of crying Suarez burying his head in his jersey, possible the final time the 35-year-old wears it at a World Cup.
And whereas Uruguayan followers have been within the midst of distress, it was the exact opposite for South Korean supporters throughout city. With the sport in opposition to group winners Portugal stage 1-1 because it approached harm time, Hwang Hee-chan’s purpose within the 91st minute ensured South Korea would end forward of Uruguay within the standings.
It was an particularly poignant second for captain Son Heung-min, who has generally been accused of attempting to do an excessive amount of himself when he performs for the nationwide crew. However Son’s intelligent play arrange Hwang’s winner, and he delivered when his teammates wanted him probably the most.
1:49
Julien Laurens recaps South Korea’s dramatic 2-1 win over Portugal that sends Son Heung-min’s crew into the final 16 of the FIFA World Cup.
Over at Group G, Brazil had already clinched a spot within the spherical of 16 however have been aiming to complete the one crew in all the match to win all three group stage video games. Nonetheless taking part in with out injured Neymar, the Brazilians could not muster a lot in opposition to a Cameroon facet seeking to preserve their hopes alive.
A 92nd-minute purpose by Vincent Aboubakar (who was then despatched off for taking his shirt off in celebration) gave the African facet a small probability, however Switzerland’s 3-2 win over Serbia within the concurrent match ensured the Swiss would advance.
Brazil misplaced their first group stage match since 1998, and with no groups profitable the utmost 9 factors for the primary time since 1994, it is a becoming solution to finish what’s been a wild begin to the World Cup.
USA vs. Netherlands: Get your popcorn (and occasional) prepared
1:18
Christian Pulisic talks Sam Borden by his profitable purpose for USA vs. Iran and appears forward to the last-16 conflict with the Netherlands.
USA followers, get your magnificence sleep as you may have an early date in opposition to the vaunted Netherlands, with the winner of Saturday morning’s matchup occurring to face both Argentina or Australia.
Excellent news for US followers as Christian Pulisic is now cleared to play in opposition to the Dutch. As you recall, Pulisic taught us what a “pelvic contusion” is after he collided with the Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand as he scored Tuesday’s game-winning purpose that despatched the USMNT into the spherical of 16.
Whether or not Pulisic can go the total 90 minutes Saturday is unclear. Talking to ESPN’s Sam Borden on Thursday, Pulisic hinted that he could also be restricted in how lengthy he can play.
“I’ll do every part in my energy, with this workers and medical crew, to be sure that nevertheless lengthy I might be out on that area, I will be on the market giving my 110% it doesn’t matter what,” Pulisic stated.
As for the Netherlands, supervisor Louis van Gaal revealed a number of members of his squad are battling flu signs, although he did not reveal who.
Want some studying materials forward of the sport? We acquired you lined, and make sure to tag together with ESPN tomorrow throughout and after the sport.
Tactical preview: Can USA’s midfield preserve the momentum going? Cody Gakpo, Frenkie de Jong finish the People’ run? READ
Captain America: How USA’s Tyler Adams confirmed the world his worth on the pitch, inspirational management off it READ
Dutch date with future: Born within the Netherlands, Saturday’s sport for USA’s Sergino Dest will likely be further particular READ
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Taylor Twellman believes there is not any stress on america forward of their sport vs. the Netherlands, and says they thrive as underdogs.
Right this moment’s prime reads
World Cup vibes rankings: USA, Japan feeling finest going into spherical of 16
Making an attempt to rank all 32 groups each by how they performed and what their outcomes have been. Welcome to the Energy Rankings of simply feeling it.
Germany’s second straight early World Cup exit will sting, however they will be effective
It certainly hurts that the four-time winners have been eradicated within the group stage once more, however this one is not a catastrophe.
What World Cup group stage penalties inform us about shootouts and goalkeepers
You understand they’re coming: The dreaded penalty shootouts. Here is which goalkeepers may shine, their patterns and extra.
Your finest bets (odds through Caesars Sportsbook)
For those who’re seeking to wager on the World Cup, ESPN contributors Paul Carr, Dan Thomas and Dalen Cuff are right here to offer you key recommendations on odds, choices and futures. Here is what we have now for the Saturday’s matches.
Spherical of 16: Netherlands (-110) vs. USA (+325), Draw (+235)
Paul Carr: I hope I am not being an excessive amount of of a homer right here, however I just like the USA double probability at -125. The Dutch weren’t spectacular regardless of seven factors within the group stage, getting outshot by 10 and accumulating solely 2.4 anticipated targets. Having Memphis Depay again within the lineup helps, however the US outplayed a greater England facet, so I am going to take the US to not less than get this to further time.
Daniel Thomas: I believe this might be a carbon copy of the England sport — a decent, uneventful affair. I would take 0-0 after 90 minutes.
Dalen Cuff: Not like Paul, I’m being a homer right here, however I believe I am justified. This Dutch crew is just not a dominant squad. This US crew has expertise and have bossed video games this match, most notably in opposition to England. I just like the US to advance at +180. Nonetheless, I do assume that is going to be a decent affair particularly within the first half. I like 0-0 within the 1st half (+145).
Spherical of 16: Argentina (-540) vs. Australia (+1600), Draw (+525)
Carr: Australia superior to the knockout stage, however that does not imply they are a notably good crew. Argentina had the third-most anticipated targets (6.3) and anticipated purpose distinction (+5.5) within the group stage, and Australia was thirtieth with 1.7 anticipated targets and thirty first with a -4.1 purpose distinction. Additionally, Argentina have Lionel Messi. I am going to gladly lay the 1.5 targets at -160, and I am tempted by Argentina -2.5 at +170.
Thomas: This must be an Argentina win. So, the place can we discover some worth on this sport? I am going to take an Angel Di Maria help at +125.
Cuff: There isn’t any worth right here. I am not prepared to put the two.5 so as to get into plus cash, so I’ll move.
Information and notes
What else caught our eye
A heartwarming scene throughout Brazil’s nationwide anthem forward of the crew’s sport Friday in opposition to Cameroon. Followers unveiled a tifo for Brazil legend Pele, who has been at a Sao Paulo hospital with a respiratory an infection since Tuesday.
Brazil followers maintain up ‘Pelé get effectively quickly’ throughout the nationwide anthem ❤️🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/xlRC7XqiaL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 2, 2022
The 82-year-old and three-time World Cup winner thanked followers in an Instagram submit late Thursday for the effectively needs he is acquired in a combat in opposition to most cancers. He had a colon tumor eliminated in September 2021 and has since gone by chemotherapy.
