FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter-final teams

The FIFA World Cup 2022 has produced some stunning results. Not a single team in the tournament won all three matches in the group stages and plenty of fates were sealed in the final minutes.

The Round of 16 clashes of Qatar 2022 kick-started on November 3. The knockout stages begin from here and if there is nothing separating two teams in 90 minutes, extra time of 30 minutes will be allotted followed by a penalty shootout, if needed.

Teams like Uruguay and Belgium, who featured in the quarter-finals last edition, failed to move past the group stage this time. For the first time in tournament history, three teams from the Asian Football Federation (AFC) made it to the Round of 16.

Argentina’s dream to lift the FIFA World Cup in Qatar is alive courtesy of an inspiring performance from Lionel Messi in the pre-quarterfinal against Australia, sealing a 2-1 victory.

Meanwhile, Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, returned to the big stage in Qatar with purpose. They produced some terrific performances in the group stages and defeated USA 3-1 in their Round of 16 clash.

Reigning world champions France cruised into the quarter-finals after beating Poland 3-1 in the Round of 16. Kylian Mbappe scored twice to top the goal-scoring charts for the 2022 edition. They will face 2018 semi-finalists England, who triumphed 3-0 over Senegal on Sunday.

Croatia, the FIFA World Cup 2018 finalists, paved their way into the quarter-finals after an enthralling pre-quarterfinal against Japan. While the match ended 1-1 after extra time, Dominik Livakovic was Croatia's hero with a hat-trick of saves in the penalty shootout, which they won 3-1.

Favourites Brazil eased past their Round of 16 opponents South Korea by 4-1. Tite's men were no match for the Asian outfit as they scored all four goals in the first half itself to stamp their authority in the contest. Substitute midfielder Seung-Ho Paik got the consolation goal for the Heung-Min Son-led side.

On the other hand, Morocco provided one of the upsets of the edition, beating Spain 3-0 on penalties after a goalless draw. Luis Enrique's team were unable to find the decisive goal in extra time. Two Spanish penalties were saved by Morocco's Bono, while Achraf Hakimi sealed the win with a paneka.

Portugal secured the last quarter-final berth, thrashing Switzerland 6-1 on Wednesday. Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos, who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup, bagged the first hat-trick of the 2022 edition.