Giants fall, England survive – World Cup quarter-finals take shape

SO far, it has been an excellent World Cup.

African teams are making an impact, and a couple of European underdogs are punching above their weight.

The traditional powerhouses are still around and looking good for the quarter-finals, but you will not see iconic football teams like Brazil and Holland going any further.

The nation that gave us “samba” football lost to Norway in the last 16, but the saddest part is the death of the “samba” way.

Any team can suffer defeat in any tournament, but you want a team like that to go out playing the beautiful football they are known for.

Just ask Cape Verde – they may have lost to Argentina in the last 32, but played football the proper way to win the hearts of the neutrals.

The current Brazil squad lack that identity and resemble a typical European team.

Could this be the long-term outcome of Brazilian players leaving their homeland earlier than they should, or is it because the man leading the team is a European, namely Carlo Ancelotti?​

Funny enough, Norway resembled the old Brazil and strung together more passes than their opponents.

In Erling Haaland, Norway have a striker who puts fear into defenders, like Pele, Romario and Ronaldo of old.

A nation that gave us such strikers cannot produce a proper No. 9 this time, as Matheus Cunha started as a false nine and Igor Thiago sat on the bench. This Brazil are unrecognisable.

Not qualifying for the quarter-final could signal the end of Ancelotti, and the Brazilian FA need to rethink their strategy going forward.

Should they go back to a Brazilian-born manager to inject a bit of “samba” DNA back into the squad, or is the European route still the way forward?

A lot to ponder for the most successful team in international football.​

As for the Dutch, are we witnessing the end of total football? Would Johan Cruyff be rolling in his grave if he could witness the state of the Holland team?

Because at the moment, the style of football is unfamiliar. Wout Weghorst led the line, and the wingers fed off the scraps he could win.

Fortunately for the neutrals, this Dutch team could not beat Morocco.

The best part – Morocco played a total football style that the Dutch once made famous. How things have changed, and long may it continue. The Dutch definitely needed a reset. It should start at the grassroots level, and perhaps at the coaching level as well.

A nation that previously produced great managers has suffered in the last 10 years, and it is reflected in their football.

Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot simply do not carry the “total football” DNA that Cruyff made famous.

Hopefully, this will change at the next World Cup.​

England defied the altitude and the hostile home crowd to qualify for the quarter-final,”where Norway await.

The game against Mexico was undoubtedly the game of the tournament, producing five goals, two penalties and a red card.

Both Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham once again showed the English fans that they are big-time players and the real deal.

Thomas Tuchel’s England are still trying to find themselves tactically, producing another lacklustre performance, but getting the victory.

This has Tuchel written all over it, as he knows what it takes to win a tournament. Tuchel has done it before, winning the Champions League with Chelsea, and could do it again for the Three Lions.

Can the fans dare to dream? Could the trophy finally be coming home?

Norway are no easy opponents and appear solid from front to back.

Tuchel will hope that Reece James is fit, as the rightback position has caused England problems throughout this tournament.

He will probably regret leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold behind in Madrid.​

As of now, France remain favourites to reach the final, while in the other bracket, Argentina need to improve if Lionel Messi is to defend the trophy.

If both teams reach the final, could we expect another thrilling final like the one in Qatar?

The neutrals would probably want a repeat, but I would prefer to see a new champion crowned.

It will be good for football and the global game.