Day 3 Knockout Round Predictions

PARAGUAY! YOU RUINED MY PERFECT PREDICTIONS. Granted it was only two picks but still. Hey Germany, now that your players have to go home, can I interest you in seeing a Bethesda Soccer Club game? Worth a shot. Anyway, after two games went to PKs we are onto day three. Hopefully I can go three for three today

Ivory Coast vs Norway

I've spent this entire tournament doubting Norway, and somehow they keep proving me wrong.

So you know what? I'm done fighting it. I'm picking Norway this time, and it's for one simple reason: Erling Haaland is a national treasure. If he's on the field, Norway always has a chance. One cross, one through ball, one half-yard of space is all he needs.

Ivory Coast is a talented team and won't make this easy. They've been physical, organized, and dangerous going forward throughout the tournament. But I think Haaland has another big moment left in him.

Norway 2, Ivory Coast 1

(If Norway loses after I finally pick them... I'm never trusting them again.)

France vs Sweden

France has looked every bit like a World Cup contender. They're deep, experienced, and capable of taking over a match in an instant. Sweden deserves credit for reaching the knockout stage, but this is a brutal matchup for them.

Sweden will stay organized defensively and try to frustrate France,but at the end of the day, I’m picking France because they have Kylian Mbappé and Sweden doesn’t.

 France 2, Sweden 0

Mexico vs Ecuador

So much for being a dark horse. Remember when people thought Ecuador could win the group? (Maybe it was just me.) Good times.

Turns out Ecuador couldn't score goals...until they ran into Germany. They finally found their finishing boots in that match, but I'm not convinced one good performance changes everything.

Mexico has been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament, and you know their fans are going to bring the noise. In what should be a tightly contested match, I think Mexico finds a late winner and books its place in the Round of 16.

Mexico 1, Ecuador 0

Yesterday’s record: 2-1

Overall record: 3-1