Day 8 Knockout Round Predictions

Maybe I should have gone with my head instead of my gut feeling. Canada has been the first host nation eliminated, and I have my first loss in the Round of 16. At least Jesse Marsch is happy! As he said he'd rather be Canada than Morocco (personally I’d rather be the team that won, but you do you I guess). France beat Paraguay, which I predicted and I even got the score right. The only thing better would be everyone showing up to Bethesda Soccer Club's last home game on July 8th at 6:30 pm.

Onto today's matchups

Brazil vs Norway

Both teams survived their Round of 32 matchups, each winning 2-1. Were their performances perfect? No! But they both found a way to advance, and that's all that matters this time of year.

Brazil is finally starting to look like Brazil. After a slow start to the tournament, they've settled in and are playing the style of soccer everyone expected. Even without Neymar (and even if he isn't quite the player he once was), they've continued to find ways to win. I should pick them to win. Keyword being "should."

Unfortunately for Brazil, they're playing Norway.

I doubted Norway for some stupid reason (still my worst prediction in this blog's history), and I'm not making that mistake again. Erling Haaland is the best player on the field and I just can’t overlook that. Is it possible that I’m over compensating for the horrible prediction? Yes. But still I think Norway finds a way to win.

Norway 3, Brazil 2

Mexico vs England

Did you know England doesn't want to play in Mexico because of the altitude? Neither did I...even after the thousands of complaints they made.

Yes, the altitude gives England a disadvantage. Yes, they're facing a team that hasn't allowed a goal all tournament. Yes, they're walking into a hostile environment because those Mexican fans are going to be loud.

But remember, this is still England.

They have the better team on paper. They have Harry Kane, who just will not let England lose. They have a nation desperately hoping that it's coming home.

Then you remember this is England and they are just gonna throw it away (see what I did there). I DON’T WANT TO PICK MEXICO. But in this case, I feel like I have to, given all the advantages they have.

Mexico 2, England 1

Yesterday's record:1-1

Round of 16 record: 1-1

Overall record: 14-4