Day 7 Knockout Round Predictions

Happy July 4th to all who celebrate. The only thing better would be you showing up to Bethesda Soccer Club's final home game on July 8th at 6:30 pm. The round of 32 is over, and now we are down to the last 16. Hopefully, VAR doesn’t ruin any more games!

Canada vs Morocco

The United States played on Canada Day, and now Canada is playing on Independence Day. I don't know if that's a good omen or just a funny coincidence.

Morocco knocked out the Netherlands on penalties, bringing an end to the Orange Wave. Canada, meanwhile, needed a stoppage-time winner to eliminate South Africa. Both teams took very different paths to get here.

Besides Canada's dismantling of Qatar, its attack hasn't looked quite as dangerous as Morocco's. Morocco has created more quality chances throughout the tournament and has shown it can threaten teams in multiple ways. Then again, you have to wonder how much that emotional 120-minute battle and penalty shootout took out of them.

This is a hard one to predict. I would feel more confident in Canada if they were playing in Canada. But at the same time I just got a feeling. Maybe its because I don’t want my trainer to make my body fall apart  — he is a Canada fan and if they lose he will probably take it out on me. So because of that I’m picking Canada to win. Hopefully I didn’t just jinx them. 

Canada 2, Morocco 1

Paraguay vs France 

I think it's safe to say Paraguay has already used up all of its magic.

After knocking out Germany, they've earned everyone's respect. Their defense has been excellent throughout the tournament, and they've shown they can frustrate even the best teams.

Unfortunately, now they have to deal with France. Unlike Germany, France won’t have players be scared to take penalties. 

Paraguay will make this physical and difficult, but at the end of the day like last round, France has Kylian Mbappé and Paraguay doesn't. 

France 1, Paraguay 0

Yesterday's record: 2-1

Final round of 32 record: 13-3

Overall record: 13-3

WAIT, I WENT 13-3 IN THE ROUND OF 32!?!? Maybe I’m not so bad at predicting after all!