Soccer
DAZN Panel: Who will be the World Cup's final four?
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The stage is now set for the World Cup quarter-finals after Argentina and Switzerland became the final teams to complete the last eight line-up.
We now get to enjoy four titanic games over the next few days as the field gets whittled down yet further ahead of the World Cup final in just over ten days' time.
But which of the nations left in the competition will make the final four? The DAZN News panel has had its say.
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Ash Rose
The semi-finals could have a very 2010s Wimbledon feel about them if the top four names all make it through to the semi-finals, so the question is, do any of the others have a chance?
Spain are yet to concede a goal in this tournament and despite their win over tournament bad guys USA, Belgium haven't been particularly impressive, so it's unlikely they'll have enough to overcome the Spanish.
Equally, although Argentina seem to be doing things the hard way, I'd expect them to find a way to break down the stubborn Swiss and take their place in the final four.
The closer game is England vs. Norway. Norway have lived up to the dark horse tag during the competition and with Erling Haaland in the kind of form he's in, anything is possible. However, given England's momentum following the epic win over Mexico, I think they'll just shade it and not go all Graham Taylor on us.
That leaves France and Morocco, and I'm going out on a limb. We're yet to see a real upset in this World Cup, and I think Morocco could just provide it and crash the semi-final party.
Andrew Steel
Pre-tournament plans to keep the top four sides in the FIFA World Rankings apart have ultimately paid dividends - and now, Spain, Argentina, France and England are all just a win away from the semi-finals.
But their progression, though favoured, is less clear-cut than neutrals may expect. Les Bleus must face a Qatar 2022 semi-finalist in Morocco, while La Roja could find it tough against the last hurrah of Belgium's Golden Generation.
Theoretically, Lionel Messi's world champions have it easy. But they have made it tough for themselves against Cape Verde and Egypt. Their luck could be running out - or divine intervention may be in play once again for them.
The Three Lions, meanwhile, face one of their own in Erling Haaland. The Norway superstar was famously born in Leeds - but he will have no split loyalties when it comes to putting the country of his birth out to pasture too.
But it's hard to look past the favourites. Roll on Spain-France, and Argentina-England next week.
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Matt Astbury
For the first World Cup semi-final, I think it will be an all-European clash between France and Spain. Les Bleus have shown why they are tournament favourites and have looked unstoppable, and should beat Morocco.
Spain, meanwhile, have shown that they can win matches in a manner of ways, with their last-gasp victory against Portugal being one where they can strike when least expected. Against Belgium, I think Spain will tire the Red Devils with long spells of possession before going on the front foot in the second half.
When it comes to the second semi-final, I believe it will be England and Argentina, and the latest chapter in a heated rivalry.
England have a tough task ahead of them in Norway, but if they can keep the striking Viking Erling Haaland quiet, then they should get through a big night in Miami.
Argentina seem to have a knack for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, but I don’t see their quarter-final clash with Switzerland being stressful. The Swiss have done little to make me think they can beat the top sides, and I have a feeling they will succumb to another serving of Lionel Messi magic.
Gareth Jones
It would be very England to put in an epic performance that makes the nation believe again, only to fall at the next hurdle. Norway are an excellent side regardless of boasting one of the world’s greatest strikers. But England are a better team and if they hit those high levels, they should progress.
France versus Morocco looks like the other 50/50 game. But for all their quality and threats, I don’t think Morocco have hit the heights they can. They should have kicked on to beat Brazil in their opener and didn’t and shouldn’t have been taken to penalties against a solid but average Netherlands.
Argentina had their scare and the required step up in opponent they needed to go up the gears, so I expect them to kick on and progress. Spain is also a class above their quarter-final opponent.
Rudi Schuller
I think the first semi-final will be France vs. Spain. As good as Morocco can be, they struggled for the first 45 minutes of their round of 16 match against Canada and were lucky to go into the half-time break at 0-0. The French will not be so kind as the co-host Canadians and will jump on Morocco from the opening whistle in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Spain have shown themselves to be extremely adaptable and should easily handle a flawed Belgium side in the quarters.
On the other side of the bracket, I think Norway's run ends as they run into a battle-hardened England side who have just come out of a dogfight against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca. The Three Lions will likely face Argentina, who seem to be able to flip a switch and do what's needed in each match.
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