World Cup Quarter Finals Four Matches, Five Questions

“Could you imagine a New Zealand All Black called Fred?”

For the first time in World Cup history, all eight group winners emerged from the round of 16, although not without a lot of suffering. It means we should be set fair for four blockbuster quarter-finals over the next two days. But will the four matches answer these questions?

How good are France?

None of the eight remaining teams had to suffer so much to qualify for Brazil. But France have come a long way since that 2-0 defeat to Ukraine in the first leg of their play-off last November. From almost not qualifying, they had the best draw of all the European powers in getting the weakest South American country in Ecuador and the worst team of all, Honduras. France’s good results and apparent bonhomie have helped to banish the ghosts of their disastrous campaign of 2010, and they have played some bright, inventive football. Would we be talking about England if the circumstances had been the same? Karim Benzema and Yohan Cabaye have stood out for Les Bleus, but they need a seminal victory over Germany to prove they are true heirs to the class of 1998.

Do the names give the game away for Brazil?

No football team has quite such a romanticised image as Brazil. The bright yellow shirts, the flamboyant football, and players laced with skill. The names trip off the tongue and that is certainly true of their strikers Careca, Romario, Ronaldo. These men were feared by other countries, envious of Brazil’s natural talent pool. Now coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s options are Fred and Jo. Surely the names give it away. They are not names that strike fear into opposition hearts. Could you imagine a New Zealand All Black called Fred? They would have been nowhere near Brazilian squads in the past, but they carry the hopes at their home World Cup. There are now Brazilians playing football in every corner of the planet, but it’s a sad indictment that the cupboard seems bare up front.

Are Colombia ready for their defining moment?

Colombia have been the best team in the World Cup so far. They have played well in winning each match, have the leading goalscorer and game’s newest star in James Rodriguez and another gem in winger Juan Cuadrado. But now they have the ultimate test Brazil – away. This is Colombia’s best ever World Cup showing and their best ever team, but they need a defining victory, one that is talked about for generations. Uruguay achieved that with their 1950 World Cup final win over Brazil at the Maracana. Chile’s ‘Golden Generation’ had the same challenge ahead of the last-16 clash in Belo Horizonte last Saturday, but it still wasn’t quite enough as they lost on penalties. Colombia are certainly good enough on talent alone to beat this Brazilian side. It’s just history, psychology and the weight of a nation they must overcome.

Is Messi the problem and the solution for Argentina?

Argentina remain on course for the final in the Maracana next Sunday, and possess a 100% record so far. But each of those victories has raised more questions. They are yet to convince and only Lionel Messi’s brilliance has stood out. But is Messi the problem? At times, he has tried to take on too much. Team-mates just give him the ball, whether it’s the right or wrong option. At Barcelona, journalists coined a phrase ‘Messidependencia’, an over reliance on Messi, but it’s even more chronic for the national team. No Argentine striker has yet scored in the tournament, so Messi’s goals have carried extra weight. However, the little No.10 is the best player in the world and isn’t he supposed to make the difference when it really matters?

Will Lady Luck continue to favour Holland and Van Gaal?

Winning the World Cup requires a combination of skill and good fortune. No team has benefitted from that quite like Holland in this tournament. The Dutch did well to get out of a tough group containing Spain and Chile, and now just Costa Rica stand between them and a place in the semi-finals, after the draw opened up in their favour. Holland have won four out of four, but every result could have been different. What if David Silva had put Spain 2-0 ahead when he missed a golden chance? Could Mexico have killed them off in the heat of Fortaleza when 1-0 up? Holland have certainly had more talented squads than this group. But with the brilliance of Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie at the top end, and mastermind coach Louis Van Gaal to organise the rest of the side, the Dutch are making the most of their Brazilian adventure.