The Top Flight
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World Cup: Power Rankings after quarterfinals

By Orri Benatar

SOCHI, RUSSIA - JULY 07: Domagoj Vida of Croatia celebrates with team mates Dejan Lovren and Vedran Corluka after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Russia and Croatia at Fisht Stadium on July 7, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - JULY 07: Domagoj Vida of Croatia celebrates with team mates Dejan Lovren and Vedran Corluka after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Russia and Croatia at Fisht Stadium on July 7, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Last Result: Won on Pens vs. Russia

Next Match: Wed vs. England (Luzhniki – Moscow)

Last World Cup Final: Never appeared

Croatia has two sides to them in this World Cup. The group stage side and the knockout side. The group stage side was excellent and unstoppable while the knockout side of them has been struggling to win games. Two penalty shootouts leave this team exhausted for their semifinal against England on Wednesday. Their midfield will be the best unit on the field once again and they must use that to their advantage. Croatia does lose a key man in defense for the semifinal.

Last Result: W 2-0 vs. Sweden

Next Match: Wed vs. Croatia (Luzhniki – Moscow)

Last World Cup Final: 1966 (W 4-2 vs. West Germany)

England must win two more games for football to come home. The Three Lions played their best game of the tournament in the quarterfinals. Harry Maguire once again dominated in defense and added his first career England goal off a corner. Sterling and Alli looked better against Sweden with the latter scoring a goal in open play. This team is deadly on crosses and becoming the fan-favorites to win it all in Russia.

Last Result: W 2-0 vs. Uruguay

Next Match: TUE vs. Belgium (Saint Petersburg)

Last World Cup Final: 2006 (L on Pens to Italy)

France stays at number two in the power rankings. The favorites were slightly stopped by Uruguay. France’s only goals in the quarterfinals were thanks to a free kick play and a howler from Fernando Muslera. Uruguay showed that a strong defense can stop the speed and grit of France’s attack. The only unstoppable force in the French team is the midfield duo of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. What a match that will be against the Belgian midfield.

Last Result: W 2-1 vs. Brazil

Next Match: TUE vs. France (Saint Petersburg)

Last World Cup Final: Never appeared

Next: Chelsea became a force under Abramovich

Belgium returns to the number one spot. They had the most impressive quarterfinal win and were the best-looking team. Lukaku, Hazard, and De Bruyne could not be stopped and the midfield afro brothers Witsel and Fellaini helped to stop the Brazilian’s. The golden generation has finally made a semifinal and can win their country’s first World Cup a little earlier than most expected.

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