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2022 FIFA World Cup predictions, picking every game: Brazil conquer all, USMNT reach knockouts in Qatar
Here's what we're expecting in Qatar later this year
The biggest tournament in football is in sight. There are still two more spots at the World Cup to be decided, but with scarcely more than five months to go until Senegal and the Netherlands get the tournament underway in Doha, it's time to unleash the wall charts (full schedule here https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ne...aily-group-matches-start-time-for-games-more/) and pencil in what we're expecting to happen in Qatar.
Will France become the first back-to-back champions in 60 years? Can England continue their hot run at tournaments? Or will it all come crashing down against the USMNT as Gregg Berhalter's side begin a remarkable march to glory? Let's find out:
Group B predictions
1. England
2. United States
3. Wales
4. Iran
Matchday 1 picks
England 2, Iran 0
United States 1, Wales 1
Matchday 2 picks
Wales 0, Iran 0
England 3, United States 0
Matchday 3 picks
Wales 1, England 1
Iran 0, United States 1
England coast to top spot in their opening two games, a convincing win over the United States on Black Friday bringing buoyancy to the streets of London. Even a repeat of the underwhelming display against a Home Nation -- John Stones striking late to save them from defeat to Wales -- can't quite quell the national mood in that part of the United Kingdom. It is, however, a hammer blow to Welsh hopes. In truth it was their inability to break down Iran that costs them as a Christian Pulisic goal in the final round of games takes the USMNT into the last 16.
Round of 16 picks
Senegal 2, United States 0
Argentina 1, France 2
Spain 2, Canada 0
Brazil 1, Portugal 1 (Brazil win on penalties)
England 2, Netherlands 1
Denmark 1, Poland 0
Belgium 1, Germany 3
Uruguay 0, Cameroon 1 (a.e.t.)
The USMNT's round of 16 tie had been primed to bring with it an unwelcome reminder that what Berhalter needs to discover by 2026 is a forward of Sadio Mane's quality and a goalkeeper of Edouard Mendy's. Concacaf's involvement in the World Cup ends soon after, Canada simply lacking the quality to quell a Pedri-inspired Spain, who look to be making commanding progress through the field.
There were, however, two African representatives in the last eight as Vincent Aboubakar struck in injury time to send Uruguay crashing out of one of the tenser round of 16 ties. The same could be said of Denmark's win over Poland where Kasper Hjullmand's side just about held their opponents at bay after Christian Eriksen's early free kick.
Then came the four matchups of big hitters. Belgium were swatted aside by a Germany team who were first to every loose ball while the Dutch were undone out wide by the incisive Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden. At Stadium 974, Brazil ceaselessly hammer at the Portuguese door but can only find a way through once before Ronaldo strikes late on to fire the tie towards a penalty shootout. The Seleção extend their unbeaten run from 12 yards out at World Cups, with Richarlison netting the winner.
Quarterfinal picks
Spain 0, Brazil 1 (a.e.t.)
Senegal 1, France 3
Germany 1, Cameroon 0
England 2, Denmark 0
Semifinal picks
France 2, Brazil 2 (Brazil win on penalties)
England 1, Germany 0
Third-place playoff pick
France 2, Germany 4
Final pick
Brazil 2, England 0
As is so often the way at major tournaments, the games on the way to the final act prove to be more compelling than the conclusion. With a day's less rest, England look drained from their rearguard action against Germany. This time they cannot hold out, with Richarlison netting either side of halftime as Brazil are crowned world champions for the sixth time.
And so ended the era of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the international stage. The sheer luck of the draw had sent Argentina to the toughest of ties, one that would have been worthy of the final. Lautaro Martinez struck first for the Albiceleste, but the weight of French talent was too much for the Argentine rearguard to deny as Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe struck in the second half to keep Les Bleus' underwhelming title defense alive.
Entire article: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...e-delivers-a-finals-performance-for-the-ages/
Here's what we're expecting in Qatar later this year
The biggest tournament in football is in sight. There are still two more spots at the World Cup to be decided, but with scarcely more than five months to go until Senegal and the Netherlands get the tournament underway in Doha, it's time to unleash the wall charts (full schedule here https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ne...aily-group-matches-start-time-for-games-more/) and pencil in what we're expecting to happen in Qatar.
Will France become the first back-to-back champions in 60 years? Can England continue their hot run at tournaments? Or will it all come crashing down against the USMNT as Gregg Berhalter's side begin a remarkable march to glory? Let's find out:
Group B predictions
1. England
2. United States
3. Wales
4. Iran
Matchday 1 picks
England 2, Iran 0
United States 1, Wales 1
Matchday 2 picks
Wales 0, Iran 0
England 3, United States 0
Matchday 3 picks
Wales 1, England 1
Iran 0, United States 1
England coast to top spot in their opening two games, a convincing win over the United States on Black Friday bringing buoyancy to the streets of London. Even a repeat of the underwhelming display against a Home Nation -- John Stones striking late to save them from defeat to Wales -- can't quite quell the national mood in that part of the United Kingdom. It is, however, a hammer blow to Welsh hopes. In truth it was their inability to break down Iran that costs them as a Christian Pulisic goal in the final round of games takes the USMNT into the last 16.
Round of 16 picks
Senegal 2, United States 0
Argentina 1, France 2
Spain 2, Canada 0
Brazil 1, Portugal 1 (Brazil win on penalties)
England 2, Netherlands 1
Denmark 1, Poland 0
Belgium 1, Germany 3
Uruguay 0, Cameroon 1 (a.e.t.)
The USMNT's round of 16 tie had been primed to bring with it an unwelcome reminder that what Berhalter needs to discover by 2026 is a forward of Sadio Mane's quality and a goalkeeper of Edouard Mendy's. Concacaf's involvement in the World Cup ends soon after, Canada simply lacking the quality to quell a Pedri-inspired Spain, who look to be making commanding progress through the field.
There were, however, two African representatives in the last eight as Vincent Aboubakar struck in injury time to send Uruguay crashing out of one of the tenser round of 16 ties. The same could be said of Denmark's win over Poland where Kasper Hjullmand's side just about held their opponents at bay after Christian Eriksen's early free kick.
Then came the four matchups of big hitters. Belgium were swatted aside by a Germany team who were first to every loose ball while the Dutch were undone out wide by the incisive Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden. At Stadium 974, Brazil ceaselessly hammer at the Portuguese door but can only find a way through once before Ronaldo strikes late on to fire the tie towards a penalty shootout. The Seleção extend their unbeaten run from 12 yards out at World Cups, with Richarlison netting the winner.
Quarterfinal picks
Spain 0, Brazil 1 (a.e.t.)
Senegal 1, France 3
Germany 1, Cameroon 0
England 2, Denmark 0
Semifinal picks
France 2, Brazil 2 (Brazil win on penalties)
England 1, Germany 0
Third-place playoff pick
France 2, Germany 4
Final pick
Brazil 2, England 0
As is so often the way at major tournaments, the games on the way to the final act prove to be more compelling than the conclusion. With a day's less rest, England look drained from their rearguard action against Germany. This time they cannot hold out, with Richarlison netting either side of halftime as Brazil are crowned world champions for the sixth time.
And so ended the era of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the international stage. The sheer luck of the draw had sent Argentina to the toughest of ties, one that would have been worthy of the final. Lautaro Martinez struck first for the Albiceleste, but the weight of French talent was too much for the Argentine rearguard to deny as Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe struck in the second half to keep Les Bleus' underwhelming title defense alive.
Entire article: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...e-delivers-a-finals-performance-for-the-ages/
