With Japan almost snatching it away from Brazil and both Germany and The Netherlands out of contention with Paraguay and Morocco moving to the round of 16, the World Cup 2026 just got more tantalising.
Brazil needs to thank their stars because they managed the winner at the dying minute of the game against a never say die Japanese side.
Anyway, if all predictions come true and only the big names go forward, the tournament becomes banal.
By the time this piece comes out, another mouthwatering match between France and Sweden will be over with one side progressing.
What a match that will be!
Swashbuckling Musketeers take on the Viking warriors!
For more reason than one, France has begun the tournament as a favourite.
They were also billed to reach the finals in 2022, which they did in style but lost to eventual winners Argentina.
In the last World Cup final, when the match ended 3-3 in stipulated time, a back to back French trophy did not seem impossible.
But then, as this writer has always maintained – Argentina won due to the overwhelming prayers of millions of Bangladeshi fans.
Coming to the match on 1 July early morning, Bangladesh time, the French Musketeers may look stronger on paper, but in reality, they should never take Sweden lightly.
In fact, at this stage, complacency will only bring a downfall.
Didier Deschamps, the French coach, has reportedly exhorted his side to “stay humble” ahead of their World Cup knockout match against Sweden.
This will be France’s (12 wins) and Sweden’s (six wins) 24th meeting in all competitions, but only the third at a major tournament (World Cup/EUROs), and first at the World Cup.
Their previous two major tournament encounters were a 1-1 draw at EURO 1992 and a 2-0 Sweden win at EURO 2012.
This Sweden side is certainly not a team that will fade away under the glitter of other teams.
For the Sweden team, one will rarely use the line: were they in the 2026 World Cup?
This takes us back to 1994, when the Swedes, buoyed by their famous talisman, Thomas Brolin, took third spot at the World Cup in which Brazil won in the end.
Sweden was in the same group as Brazil and drew the match with the Romario led Selecao 1-1.
As for the French, the expectation of the third cup has always been their driving force, and they will be devising all kinds of strategies to overcome the Viking onslaught.
Like I said earlier, at the knock-out stage games, predicting an outcome is not advisable.
A high scoring, clinical Germany had to bow out in front of a Maverick Paraguay.
As past history reminds us, teams that are not in the pundits’ radar often pull off the ultimate magic, upending all calculations.
That is the beauty of World Cup although whether this “What!!” reaction remains till the end, is something we need to wait and see.
Spain was the surprise pack in 2010 World Cup finals after which, the finals were between established footballing nations.
French Musketeers will be adhering to their code: one for all, all for one while the Swedes will be invoking Odin – the Norse God of War.
Who wins?
Again, will not make a fool of myself and only hope the best side comes out with a ticket for the round of 16.
