Fifa World Cup 2022: Louis van Gaal plots to stop Lionel Messi while Luka Modric makes Brazil favourites
- Brazil and Argentina have the chance to set up an all-South American semi-final by beating Croatia and Netherlands respectively
- Messi ‘doesn’t participate much’ when opponents have the ball, Van Gaal says
Brazil seek to become the first team through to the World Cup semi-finals on Friday, while Argentina could set up a blockbuster all-South American clash if they get past the Netherlands.
After three weeks of pulsating action, just eight teams are left standing as the 32-nation tournament heads into the final rounds of the knockout competition after a two-day break.
Five-time champions Brazil kick off the quarter-finals against surprise 2018 runners-up Croatia, with Neymar fit and firing again after an ankle injury he suffered in the opening game.
“I’ll be doing everything that I can to win with the Brazilian national team. That’s our mission and our dream,” said Neymar. “We’re getting ever closer, we’ve got another step to go now.”
Croatia are a much-changed team from the one that reached the final four years ago, but 37-year-old Luka Modric remains the player that makes them tick.