THEY FINISHED 7TH: BRAZIL

The Armchair doesn't want to sound arrogant, but he has great difficulty in understanding those who thought Brazil would win this World Cup. Even reaching the final should not have been entertained.

The same with Germany and Argentina. They might be big names from the history of the World Cup, but none of them had shown any kind of form coming into the competition, and all were player for player weaker than at least three other big teams, Spain, France and Belgium.

Neymar did OK but is an habitual faker, and in this tournament all that fakery has caught up with them. Penalties they might have falsely earned in the past have been wiped out by VAR. The culture of diving and faking needs to change if these nations are ever to enjoy success on the world stage again.

Brazil seemed to learn that lesson in the second half against Belgium, where chasing the game meant they couldn't afford to waste time on the fakery. But Belgium outclassed them and gave them a taste of their own medicine, winding down the clock and winding up the Brazilians with a little dose of fakery.

What goes round...

ROUND OF 16: Spain 1-1 Russia (Russia win on pens)

If there’s one thing The Armchair has learned in all his years of tournament blogging, it’s always  expect the hosts to do a little better than their ranking would dictate. And Russia came into their tournament as the lowest ranked team of all the competing nations. Now, having beaten many people’s favourites, Spain, they won’t end the tournament in such a lowly position. Spain were disappointing here, their goal an own goal and their play too lateral to break down a Russian side given such an impetus by the vociferous home crowd. They bought a ticket for the lottery of penalties and hit the jackpot. 

THE ROUND OF 16 PREDICTIONS

And so the field is cut in half. Those that flunked the group stage fly home. Those that excelled stay and do battle in the knock out phase.

Here's how The Armchair predicted things would look at the World Cup 2018 Round of 16 stage

before the start of the tournament :

And here's the actual line up of  Round of 16 ties: with predictions

The Armchair predicted 2 TIES DEAD ON (Fra v Arg, Bra v Mex.) And 11 of the 16 teams to get this far.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: GERMANY

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Denmark / Sweden / Japan

The Armchair's two finalists are still IN and can still both play each other in the final: BELGIUM v SPAIN.

World Cup 2018 GROUP B FINAL GAMES: Iran 1-1 Portugal: Spain 2-2 Morocco

Both dramatic games with late equalisers, but in the end the favourites came out on top thanks to VAR. But both Morocco and Iran should be applauded for the way they played, and perhaps if they weren’t drawn in a group with two of Europe’s most in-form powerhouses, things might have been different.

World Cup 2018: Iran 0-1 Spain

Spain all the way. Spain to win the day.

Spain to overcome, over-run, outclass, out play. 

Well, no way. Actually. 

Iran were impressive. A Portugeezer at the helm. With Man Utd on his CV. 

And Iran were so well drilled. An oil pun here maybe. Not necessary. 

They defended valiantly, would have equalised but for VAR. Wiped it out and Spain scraped through, but Iran have a chance, a great chance. 

Only Portugal and Ronaldo stand in their way of glory. 

Only.

The Armchair Predicted

Iran 0-2 Spain

13 and 7

They Finished 32nd (LAST): MOROCCO

It’s over for the North Africans, but they will be forgiven for wondering how. 

They played well in both games, narrowly losing them both by a goal, entertaining in both games.

And yet 2 games, 2 defeats is the kind of return that sees you returning home early. 

After the small matter of a game against Spain, which, if they win, could see the Spaniards joining them on the trip west and home.

So, still something to play for, if not glory.

World Cup 2018: Portugal 3-3 Spain

The Armchair is old enough and worn enough around the edges to remember World Cup 2010, during which there were next to no great games.

Russia 2018 has already served up a cracker. This goal fest draw benefited from an early goal as most games do. Ronaldo scored his first tournament free kick apparently (at the 45th attempt), and went on to secure a hat-trick. Isco was imperious. 

Costa got a couple. Pepe got stuck in. DeGea fluffed on his line. The Portuguese coach looked like he needed a cigarette. And Iran ended the day top of Group B.

A happy day for the World Cup, and for The Armchair…

The Armchair Predicted:

Portugal 2-2 Spain

Who Will Win The 2018 World Cup Final?

The Armchair couldn’t predict that Spain would sack their manager hours before the start of the tournament.

But The Armchair hopes the nation rallies behind whoever is given the hot seat and does a Denmark ’92 and makes the final.

SPAIN v BELGIUM

An all-European final with two teams packed with talent from front to back.

Never predict a thrilling goal fest of a World Cup final, because they rarely happen.

It will be tense, tight and other emotive words beginning with t, but The Armchair believes we will see a new name on the trophy.

BELGIUM TO WIN THE World Cup

Compare The Armchair's prediction, to a World Cup 2018 winners prediction based on historical FACT! 

Who Will Reach The 2018 World Cup Final?

It's worth bearing in mind that the Armchair correctly predicted 75% of the World Cup 2014 semi-finalists as evidenced if you click on this sentence.

The Armchair has predicted the following World Cup Semi-Finals and sees them panning out a bit like this:

FRANCE v SPAIN

A match up fit to be a final. Both teams have been in great form throughout the tournament, and pundits are split 50/50 on who will emerge victorious. Griezmann is on for tournament top scorer, Spain have played well as a team. This one’s going to penalties, where the tears will be les bleus. SPAIN TO WIN.

BELGIUM v SENEGAL

Billed as a festival of flair, the game is actually tight, nerves taking hold among two teams who know they are one step away from the biggest game of their lives. It is decided in favour of the team that packs the most international experience and expectation. BELGIUM TO WIN.

World Cup 2018 Predictions: Who Will Win The World Cup 2018 Quarter Finals?

The Armchair has predicted the following quarter finals in World Cup 2018. And without use of tarot cards or crystal balls, sees the following happening…

World Cup 2018 Quarter Final Predictions

RUSSIA v FRANCE

Home nation nerves will be jangling. Expectation as high as a Russian cosmonaut orbiting the world. Cup fever gripping everyone from the Kremlin to the Crimea. For France, they are where they expect to be. Mixing it in the latter stages of a tournament quite a few fancy them to win. And win this game they shall. FRANCE TO WIN

SPAIN v PERU

There are always tales of the unexpected in every tournament (Iceland in Euro 2016, Brazil’s thrashing in 2014) and Peru are shaping up to be 2018’s instalment. Although people in the know know they are good enough to get here. But good enough to beat a still strong Spain? Not quite, for me. SPAIN TO WIN.

BRAZIL v BELGIUM

What a final this would have made. Two teams packed with big names and both getting into the groove in this tournament, winning their groups and their first knockout. But the draw machine has brought them together in this pick of the quarter finals. And, although it will be tighter than neutrals might hope for, it goes to extra time, and once again, Brazilian dreams are shattered by a European team. Narrowly this time.

BELGIUM TO WIN.

GERMANY v SENEGAL

Let’s remember, Germany weren’t in great form coming into the tournament, and they haven’t been brilliant during it. And by now, Senegal have been battling with Peru to become everyone’s second favourite team. There are no neutrals in the stadium. All non-Germans want to see Senegal win this. And although head has an inkling for Germany, I’m going with the heart. SENEGAL TO WIN.

World Cup 2018 Predictions: Which teams will make the quarter finals?

The Armchair World Cup 2018 predicts these will be the last 8 teams left standing in the tournament:

RUSSIA v FRANCE

SPAIN v PERU

BRAZIL v BELGIUM

GERMANY v SENEGAL

Who Will Win In The World Cup Round of 16? Top half of draw predictions

Based on my group finishing predictions, the top half of the World Cup 2018 Round of 16 shapes up like this:

RUSSIA v PORTUGAL

Ronaldo won’t be 100%. Russia will be driven by a passionate home crowd. Portugal peaked in 2016. Russia want this really bad. RUSSIA TO WIN

FRANCE v ARGENTINA

Such a big game so early on. But to win the World Cup you’ve got to beat the biggies some time. France are angry at losing the Euro 2016 final in their own back yard. Argentina aren’t amazing. This will go to extra time though. Possibly penalties. FRANCE TO WIN

SPAIN v URUGUAY

Another classic match-up. Hard to call. Big names clashing all over the park. But Spain still has the edge. The quality. A new generation hungry to follow in the footsteps of the 2010 legends. Here’s where they start to write their own history. SPAIN TO WIN

CROATIA v PERU

Intriguing. Peru perhaps the biggest unknowns of my Predicted Round of 16 teams. The pressure will be on Croatia. Close to home. Closer to glory. They can see the lights of the quarter finals from here. But Peru are ultra relaxed. In glory land and loving it. Winning fans in Russia. And they take this to penalties. A pure lottery and pure is an anagram of the team that will come out on top. PERU TO WIN

Who Will Qualify From Group B in World Cup 2018?

The World Cup Group B teams

SPAIN 

MOROCCO

IRAN 

PORTUGAL

This one is going to be close. Really close. Seriously.

Why? Because I can't think of another time when so few miles have ever separated the 4 teams in the same World Cup group.

This is how close things are:

Iran’s a little way away admittedly, but the other three are virtually neighbours. Spain and Portugal actually are. That's how close Group Be is going to B

When it comes to matters on the pitch, this is unlikely to be a close group, with a clear top two and bottom two.

Even with Ronaldo missing the tournament, which he might, you’d still fancy the Euro 2016 winners to accompany their next door neighbours Spain into the Round of 16.

Of course, both have to play each other, first up, in the first week’s biggest game, serving up a big derby early on. The winner wins the group but odds have to be sky high that this ends a draw.

Despite the winners of the last three European Championships residing in this group, I don’t see the World Cup winners coming from here. Portugaldo peaked 2 years ago, a few years after this generation of Spanish players.

BETTING:

MY PREDICTED World Cup 2018 GROUP B Finishing Positions

1:  SPAIN

2:  PORTUGAL

3:  Iran

4:  Morocco

And even if that's totally wrong, well, you've just had a free geography lesson!