Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL
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Final 2018-19
It was another all-European final in the Nations League in Rio. World Cup champions France were pitted against the Netherlands, who, funnily enough, didn't even qualify for said cup, but made a good run all the way to the final. And like the World Cup final, things started off with a controversial penalty decision, with the french obtaining a corner, sent right into the box and headed in by Varane, but saved by Cijlessen, who sent the ball right towards his teammate Daley Blind. The defender blocked the ball with his hand, preventing it from getting to Pogba. Referee Andres Cunha ruled it as a handball after VAR review, and gave a penalty, easily transformed by Griezmann who sent Cijlessen the wrong way. Nothing much happened after that, with France trying to protect their advantage while the Dutch couldn't force them out of their half of the pitch.
The second half saw France go back on the offensive, with Matuidi getting a shot from afar that beat Cijlessen to make it 2-0 for the World Champions. Five minutes later, another corner kick saw the ball pushed by the Dutch defense right into Mbappe's waiting right foot, sending it to make it a third. The Dutch did have a few occasions after this, with both Depay and Bergwijn both scoring shots on target, but both pushed away by Lloris. As such, France held their 3-goal advantage and took home their ninth title, equalling Brazil and Germany.
French striker Griezmann in action with the Netherlands' Wijnaldum during the first half
French celebrations after their third goal
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France's Antoine Griezmann holds up the number of Nations League wins he holds after the final whistle is blown
The second half saw France go back on the offensive, with Matuidi getting a shot from afar that beat Cijlessen to make it 2-0 for the World Champions. Five minutes later, another corner kick saw the ball pushed by the Dutch defense right into Mbappe's waiting right foot, sending it to make it a third. The Dutch did have a few occasions after this, with both Depay and Bergwijn both scoring shots on target, but both pushed away by Lloris. As such, France held their 3-goal advantage and took home their ninth title, equalling Brazil and Germany.
French striker Griezmann in action with the Netherlands' Wijnaldum during the first half
French celebrations after their third goal
France's Antoine Griezmann holds up the number of Nations League wins he holds after the final whistle is blown
2018-19 Stats & 19-20 Intro
Winners: France - 9th title
Top Scorer: Lionel Messi (ARG) - 12 goals
Prediction Winner: @Rennsemmel (12, 4-4-2-2) - 3rd title
2019-20 Participants:
Europe: Belgium (26), France (48), England (63), Portugal (36), Croatia (26), Spain (63), Switzerland (16), Denmark (33), Germany (65), Italy (64), Netherlands (46), Sweden (44), Poland (25), Wales (8), Ukraine (12), Austria (20), Romania (30), Northern Ireland (6), Slovakia (10), Ireland (19)
South America: Brazil (65), Uruguay (44), Colombia (26), Argentina (63), Chile (19), Peru (6), Venezuela (3)
North America: Mexico (41), United States (22)
Africa: Senegal (6), Tunisia (9)
Asia: Iran (4)
Final Location: Wembley Stadium, London
Groups & Seeding
Group A: Uruguay, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia
Group B: Portugal, Mexico, Iran, Tunisia
Group C: England, Argentina, Senegal, Venezuela
Group D: Belgium, Germany, Poland, Austria
Group E: Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine
Group F: Croatia, Denmark, Wales, Romania
Group G: Colombia, Spain, United States, Ireland
Group H: France, Chile, Peru, Northern Ireland
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Group A: Uruguay, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia
Group B: Portugal, Mexico, Iran, Tunisia
Group C: England, Argentina, Senegal, Venezuela
Group D: Belgium, Germany, Poland, Austria
Group E: Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine
Group F: Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Romania
Group G: Colombia, Spain, United States, Ireland
Group H: France, Chile, Peru, Northern Ireland
Group B: Portugal, Mexico, Iran, Tunisia
Group C: England, Argentina, Senegal, Venezuela
Group D: Belgium, Germany, Poland, Austria
Group E: Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine
Group F: Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Romania
Group G: Colombia, Spain, United States, Ireland
Group H: France, Chile, Peru, Northern Ireland
Uruguay, Sweden
Portugal, Mexico
England, Senegal
Belgium, Germany
Brasil and Dutch
Italia and Croatia
USA and Spain
France and Chile
Portugal, Mexico
England, Senegal
Belgium, Germany
Brasil and Dutch
Italia and Croatia
USA and Spain
France and Chile
World League 2018-19
Group A: 1. Greece 2. Albania 3. Luxembourg 4. Cameroon
Group B: 1. Scotland 2. Ecuador 3. Jamaica 4. Syria
Group C: 1. Ukraine 2. Norway 3. Zambia 4. Finland
Group D: 1. Serbia 2. Curaçao 3. Honduras 4. Slovenia
Group E: 1. Guinea 2. Turkey 3. Hungary 4. Saudi Arabia
Group F: 1. Nigeria 2. Iceland 3. South Korea 4. North Macedonia
Group G: 1. Czech Republic 2. Russia 3. Lebanon 4. Mali
Group H: 1. DR Congo 2. El Salvador 3. Egypt 4. Burkina Faso
Group I: 1. Bosnia and Herzegovina 2. Bulgaria 3. South Africa 4. Bolivia
Group J: 1. Iran 2. United Arab Emirates 3. Ivory Coast 4. Morocco
Group K: 1. Montenegro 2. Ghana 3. Cape Verde 4. PR China
Group L: 1. Australia 2. Japan 3. Algeria 4. Panama
Brazil v Serbia 2-0 / 0-1
Northern Ireland v Scotland 2-1 / 2-3 aet
Russia v Mexico 1-1 / 0-0
Norway v Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-2 / 1-1
United Arab Emirates v Greece 0-0 / 1-0
Albania v Romania 2-0 / 0-1
Bulgaria v Australia 1-4 / 1-0
Austria v DR Congo 4-1 / 1-0
Ecuador v Croatia 0-3 / 0-3
Ghana v Nigeria 0-1 / 3-0
Iceland v Montenegro 0-0 / 1-1
El Salvador v Iran 1-1 / 0-0
Curaçao v Ukraine 1-2 / 3-2
Turkey v Czech Republic 1-1 / 1-2
Japan v Guinea 2-1 / 1-0
Peru v Poland 1-2 / 0-2
Brazil v Northern Ireland 1-1 / 2-1
Mexico v Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 / 0-2 aet
United Arab Emirates v Albania 2-1 / 1-2 aet 2-3 pen
Australia v Austria 3-0 / 2-1
Croatia v Ghana 3-4 / 2-2
Iceland v Iran 0-0 / 1-4
Curaçao v Czech Republic 3-1 / 1-1
Japan v Poland 1-2 / 3-1 aet
Brazil v Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 / 2-1
Albania v Australia 3-2 / 0-3
Ghana v Iran 1-3 / 0-2
Curaçao v Japan 0-1 / 0-2
Brazil v Australia 4-1 / 0-2
Iran v Japan 3-1 / 1-0
Brazil v Iran 2-1
Winners: Brazil - 1st title
2019-20 Participants:
Europe: Serbia (9), Iceland (12), Turkey (26), Bosnia and Herzegovina (8), Czech Republic (11), Hungary (32), Russia (14), Scotland (32), Norway (24), Greece (43), Montenegro (7), Finland (24), Bulgaria (43), Slovenia (17), Albania (12), North Macedonia (8)
South America: Paraguay (35), Ecuador (21), Bolivia (16)
North America: Costa Rica (19), Jamaica (18), Honduras (28), El Salvador (5), Panama (11), Canada (13), Curacao (2)
Africa: Nigeria (30), Algeria (29), Morocco (38), Egypt (43), Ghana (35), Cameroon (36), DR Congo (22), Ivory Coast (33), Mali (19), Burkina Faso (12), South Africa (17), Guinea (19), Cape Verde (9), Uganda (7)
Asia: Japan (20), South Korea (42), Qatar (6), United Arab Emirates (6), Saudi Arabia (24), PR China (19), Iraq (20)
Oceania: Australia (36)
Final Location: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Groups & Seeding
Group A: South Korea, Hungary, Burkina Faso, PR China
Group B: Nigeria, Ghana, Honduras, Cape Verde
Group C: Serbia, Russia, Ecuador, Bolivia
Group D: Japan, Cameroon, Bulgaria, Guinea
Group E: Algeria, Norway, Ivory Coast, El Salvador
Group F: Czech Republic, DR Congo, United Arab Emirates, Curacao
Group G: Morocco, Jamaica, Mali, Uganda
Group H: Paraguay, Australia, Qatar, South Africa
Group I: Costa Rica, Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Canada
Group J: Iceland, Egypt, Albania, Panama
Group K: Turkey, Montenegro, Finland, Iraq
Group L: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Slovenia, North Macedonia
Group B: 1. Scotland 2. Ecuador 3. Jamaica 4. Syria
Group C: 1. Ukraine 2. Norway 3. Zambia 4. Finland
Group D: 1. Serbia 2. Curaçao 3. Honduras 4. Slovenia
Group E: 1. Guinea 2. Turkey 3. Hungary 4. Saudi Arabia
Group F: 1. Nigeria 2. Iceland 3. South Korea 4. North Macedonia
Group G: 1. Czech Republic 2. Russia 3. Lebanon 4. Mali
Group H: 1. DR Congo 2. El Salvador 3. Egypt 4. Burkina Faso
Group I: 1. Bosnia and Herzegovina 2. Bulgaria 3. South Africa 4. Bolivia
Group J: 1. Iran 2. United Arab Emirates 3. Ivory Coast 4. Morocco
Group K: 1. Montenegro 2. Ghana 3. Cape Verde 4. PR China
Group L: 1. Australia 2. Japan 3. Algeria 4. Panama
Brazil v Serbia 2-0 / 0-1
Northern Ireland v Scotland 2-1 / 2-3 aet
Russia v Mexico 1-1 / 0-0
Norway v Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-2 / 1-1
United Arab Emirates v Greece 0-0 / 1-0
Albania v Romania 2-0 / 0-1
Bulgaria v Australia 1-4 / 1-0
Austria v DR Congo 4-1 / 1-0
Ecuador v Croatia 0-3 / 0-3
Ghana v Nigeria 0-1 / 3-0
Iceland v Montenegro 0-0 / 1-1
El Salvador v Iran 1-1 / 0-0
Curaçao v Ukraine 1-2 / 3-2
Turkey v Czech Republic 1-1 / 1-2
Japan v Guinea 2-1 / 1-0
Peru v Poland 1-2 / 0-2
Brazil v Northern Ireland 1-1 / 2-1
Mexico v Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 / 0-2 aet
United Arab Emirates v Albania 2-1 / 1-2 aet 2-3 pen
Australia v Austria 3-0 / 2-1
Croatia v Ghana 3-4 / 2-2
Iceland v Iran 0-0 / 1-4
Curaçao v Czech Republic 3-1 / 1-1
Japan v Poland 1-2 / 3-1 aet
Brazil v Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 / 2-1
Albania v Australia 3-2 / 0-3
Ghana v Iran 1-3 / 0-2
Curaçao v Japan 0-1 / 0-2
Brazil v Australia 4-1 / 0-2
Iran v Japan 3-1 / 1-0
Brazil v Iran 2-1
Winners: Brazil - 1st title
2019-20 Participants:
Europe: Serbia (9), Iceland (12), Turkey (26), Bosnia and Herzegovina (8), Czech Republic (11), Hungary (32), Russia (14), Scotland (32), Norway (24), Greece (43), Montenegro (7), Finland (24), Bulgaria (43), Slovenia (17), Albania (12), North Macedonia (8)
South America: Paraguay (35), Ecuador (21), Bolivia (16)
North America: Costa Rica (19), Jamaica (18), Honduras (28), El Salvador (5), Panama (11), Canada (13), Curacao (2)
Africa: Nigeria (30), Algeria (29), Morocco (38), Egypt (43), Ghana (35), Cameroon (36), DR Congo (22), Ivory Coast (33), Mali (19), Burkina Faso (12), South Africa (17), Guinea (19), Cape Verde (9), Uganda (7)
Asia: Japan (20), South Korea (42), Qatar (6), United Arab Emirates (6), Saudi Arabia (24), PR China (19), Iraq (20)
Oceania: Australia (36)
Final Location: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Groups & Seeding
Group A: South Korea, Hungary, Burkina Faso, PR China
Group B: Nigeria, Ghana, Honduras, Cape Verde
Group C: Serbia, Russia, Ecuador, Bolivia
Group D: Japan, Cameroon, Bulgaria, Guinea
Group E: Algeria, Norway, Ivory Coast, El Salvador
Group F: Czech Republic, DR Congo, United Arab Emirates, Curacao
Group G: Morocco, Jamaica, Mali, Uganda
Group H: Paraguay, Australia, Qatar, South Africa
Group I: Costa Rica, Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Canada
Group J: Iceland, Egypt, Albania, Panama
Group K: Turkey, Montenegro, Finland, Iraq
Group L: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Slovenia, North Macedonia
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That might be moved...or at least have no fans, regardless of where it's held...
BTW, here are my picks:
Group A: Uruguay and Switzerland
Group B: Portugal and Mexico
Group C: England and Argentina
Group D: Belgium and Germany
Group E: Brazil and the Netherlands
Group F: Croatia and Italy
Group G: Colombia and Spain
Group H: France and Peru
BTW, I half-expect that replays of previous Nations League championships will be on ESPN, CBS Sports, and NBC Sports during the no-sports hiatus due to Covid-19 (which I don't see being butterflied away ITTL)...
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Group A: Uruguay, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia
Group B: Portugal, Mexico, Iran, Tunisia
Group C: England, Argentina, Senegal, Venezuela
Group D: Belgium, Germany, Poland, Austria
Group E: Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine
Group F: Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Romania
Group G: Colombia, Spain, United States, Ireland
Group H: France, Chile, Peru, Northern Ireland
Group B: Portugal, Mexico, Iran, Tunisia
Group C: England, Argentina, Senegal, Venezuela
Group D: Belgium, Germany, Poland, Austria
Group E: Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine
Group F: Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Romania
Group G: Colombia, Spain, United States, Ireland
Group H: France, Chile, Peru, Northern Ireland
Underdogs: Luxembourg at the 2018-19 World League
Luxembourgian fans had reason to be happy. Indeed, their nation would participate in their first-ever World League in 2018-19, leaving only Gibraltar, Kosovo, Malta, Kazakhstan, San Marino, Andorra and Liechstenstein as UEFA members not having participated in the competition, with the two first squads only having recently become UEFA members. After a good WC qualifying campaign, where they managed, notably, to draw future WC winners France 0-0, meaning fans were hopeful. However, the first game would bring back grim reality for them, as facing third-seeds Albania at home, they were defeated 2-0 in a one-way game. At the same time, Cameroon were defeated by Greece 3-2, starting the slow greek recovery.
The Greeks would do the same to Luxembourg two weeks later in front of a Tripoli stadium only halfway full, with Greece doing the bare minimum to secure three points. While Cameroon also sunk 1-0 in Albania, Luxembourg and the african squad would be backs against the wall as they faced each other.
Luxembourg played at home, and unlike their previous games, this time they managed to hold their own. However, they soon dropped one goal behind with a luck shot from Yaya in the first half. The luxembourgians spent the entirety of the second half chasing after a goal, and finally, at the 93rd minute, a corner kick gave a handball to Luxembourg as a cameroonian defender made a misstep, with Joachim transforming it and giving each team a point. This wouldn't be great for both, as Greece dropped to Albania 3-2 in Tirana.
The return leg didn't do much either. Indeed, both Cameroon and Luxembourg were hanging by a wire, and neither played to win. Playing rather not to lose, the scoreline stayed goaless throughout the full 90 minutes. With Greece defeating Albania 1-0, this draw effectively sealed the fate of both teams.
The 5th day would send everything crumbling down to the ground, though. Luxembourg's away leg in Albania turned into a complete upset, with Da Mota giving Luxembourg the lead after only six minutes. Both teams tried to score a goal from there, but neither could find a way into the opposite goal. Albania managed to score after sevrnty minutes, but Luxembourg bit back a few minutes later, with Joachim giving Luxembourg the advantage, and their first ever win in the World League. With Cameroon drawing Greece 1-1, everything was up in the air for the last day, with Cameroon and Luxembourg already having been knocked out in Day 4.
With Cameroon drawing once again against Albania, they locked in last place, leaving no pressure on Luxembourg. However, Greece needed a win or a draw to advance as first seed of the group, and easily dominated Luxembourg, who finished with a 2-0 loss. Greece would end up being eliminated by the U.A.E in the Round of 16, while Albania would knock out Romania and the U.A.E before being knocked out by Australia in the Quarter-Finals. Despite a third-place finish, Luxembourg did scrape a win, earning their stripes in the World League, and getting a good run in, despite not managing to qualify for the competition since then, as of 2020-21.
Luxembourg goalkeeper Enes Mahmutovic saves a last-minute shot during their away game against Cameroon
Luxembourgian celebrations after their win over Albania
The Greeks would do the same to Luxembourg two weeks later in front of a Tripoli stadium only halfway full, with Greece doing the bare minimum to secure three points. While Cameroon also sunk 1-0 in Albania, Luxembourg and the african squad would be backs against the wall as they faced each other.
Luxembourg played at home, and unlike their previous games, this time they managed to hold their own. However, they soon dropped one goal behind with a luck shot from Yaya in the first half. The luxembourgians spent the entirety of the second half chasing after a goal, and finally, at the 93rd minute, a corner kick gave a handball to Luxembourg as a cameroonian defender made a misstep, with Joachim transforming it and giving each team a point. This wouldn't be great for both, as Greece dropped to Albania 3-2 in Tirana.
The return leg didn't do much either. Indeed, both Cameroon and Luxembourg were hanging by a wire, and neither played to win. Playing rather not to lose, the scoreline stayed goaless throughout the full 90 minutes. With Greece defeating Albania 1-0, this draw effectively sealed the fate of both teams.
The 5th day would send everything crumbling down to the ground, though. Luxembourg's away leg in Albania turned into a complete upset, with Da Mota giving Luxembourg the lead after only six minutes. Both teams tried to score a goal from there, but neither could find a way into the opposite goal. Albania managed to score after sevrnty minutes, but Luxembourg bit back a few minutes later, with Joachim giving Luxembourg the advantage, and their first ever win in the World League. With Cameroon drawing Greece 1-1, everything was up in the air for the last day, with Cameroon and Luxembourg already having been knocked out in Day 4.
With Cameroon drawing once again against Albania, they locked in last place, leaving no pressure on Luxembourg. However, Greece needed a win or a draw to advance as first seed of the group, and easily dominated Luxembourg, who finished with a 2-0 loss. Greece would end up being eliminated by the U.A.E in the Round of 16, while Albania would knock out Romania and the U.A.E before being knocked out by Australia in the Quarter-Finals. Despite a third-place finish, Luxembourg did scrape a win, earning their stripes in the World League, and getting a good run in, despite not managing to qualify for the competition since then, as of 2020-21.
Luxembourg goalkeeper Enes Mahmutovic saves a last-minute shot during their away game against Cameroon
Luxembourgian celebrations after their win over Albania
Groups A-D 2019-20
Group A saw the resurgence of Uruguay, as the Celeste made their way to the top of the group without much opposition. For Switzerland, the story wasn't as good, as the usually well-off Nati instead fell last, leaving Sweden to finally qualify for the Round of 16, with Slovakia clinching a World League spot.
No problem this time for Portugal who ended first in Group B, quite handily. However, Mexico disappointed as they finished third, leaving Tunisia to make the Round of 16 for the second time in a row, with Iran dropping last.
No problems for either England and Argentina, with the Three Lions ending up first in their group while the Albiceleste had a little more trouble. Venezuela ended third, with Senegal dropping out of both competitions once more.
Belgium didn't live to the high standards they set themselves, but still clinched a qualifying slot. On the opposite side, Poland exceeded expectations and made it all the way to the top of the group and into the knockout stage. For Germany though, the nightmare continued as they were placed into the World League, with Austria being knocked out altogether.
Swedish celebrations after defeating Uruguay on the last day and making their way to the Round of 16
Transfer to World League:
Slovakia (17), vs Australia
Mexico (26), vs 3rd Group F
Venezuela (15), vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Germany (7), vs Czech Republic
No problem this time for Portugal who ended first in Group B, quite handily. However, Mexico disappointed as they finished third, leaving Tunisia to make the Round of 16 for the second time in a row, with Iran dropping last.
No problems for either England and Argentina, with the Three Lions ending up first in their group while the Albiceleste had a little more trouble. Venezuela ended third, with Senegal dropping out of both competitions once more.
Belgium didn't live to the high standards they set themselves, but still clinched a qualifying slot. On the opposite side, Poland exceeded expectations and made it all the way to the top of the group and into the knockout stage. For Germany though, the nightmare continued as they were placed into the World League, with Austria being knocked out altogether.
Swedish celebrations after defeating Uruguay on the last day and making their way to the Round of 16
Transfer to World League:
Slovakia (17), vs Australia
Mexico (26), vs 3rd Group F
Venezuela (15), vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Germany (7), vs Czech Republic
Groups E-H 2019-20
Group E was widely considered to be the group of death, with Brazil, the Netherlands and Italy all competing for slots in the knockout stage. In the end, things came down to the wire. The Dutch took first place, while Italy ended up above Brazil on goal average...but were knocked down to the World League regardless, due to the new rule stating particular difference primes over goal difference, leaving the Selecao to take second. Ukraine weren't completely ridiculed, but were knocked out anyways.
Group F saw the all-European group end up with expected results. Wales disappointed yet again, dropping out of the group with a single point, while WC finalists Croatia finally dominated their group and ended first. Denmark followed as close second, right above Romania who would have a second chance in the World League.
Colombia disappointed many as they dropped out of the competition, without even getting a shot in the World League. Spain did advance, but having been defeated several times, only advanced as second seed with Ireland advancing over them. The United States would take third, due to a poor differential compared to Spain.
Favorites France also struggled somewhat, also ending second in their group after poor results against an overperforming Chile, who went straight into the knockout round as first seed. Peru and Northern Ireland were left fighting for scraps with Peru coming up on top for third.
French celebrations after securing their spot in the Round of 16 thanks to a 0-0 draw in Peru
Transfer to World League:
Italy (4), vs Ecuador
Romania (27), vs Mexico
United States (14), vs Morocco
Peru (34), vs DR Congo
Round of 16
Tunisia v Republic of Ireland (Tunis/Dublin)
Belgium v Netherlands (Brugge/Rotterdam)
Argentina v Chile (Buenos Aires (Bombonera)/Santiago do Chile (Nacional))
Denmark v Uruguay (Copenhagen/Montevideo (Parque Central))
Sweden v England (Solna/London (Stamford Bridge))
Spain v Poland (Madrid (Santiago Bernabeu)/Warsaw)
Brazil v Croatia (Porto Alegre/Zagreb)
France v Portugal (Lille/Lisbon (Jose Alvalade))
Group F saw the all-European group end up with expected results. Wales disappointed yet again, dropping out of the group with a single point, while WC finalists Croatia finally dominated their group and ended first. Denmark followed as close second, right above Romania who would have a second chance in the World League.
Colombia disappointed many as they dropped out of the competition, without even getting a shot in the World League. Spain did advance, but having been defeated several times, only advanced as second seed with Ireland advancing over them. The United States would take third, due to a poor differential compared to Spain.
Favorites France also struggled somewhat, also ending second in their group after poor results against an overperforming Chile, who went straight into the knockout round as first seed. Peru and Northern Ireland were left fighting for scraps with Peru coming up on top for third.
French celebrations after securing their spot in the Round of 16 thanks to a 0-0 draw in Peru
Transfer to World League:
Italy (4), vs Ecuador
Romania (27), vs Mexico
United States (14), vs Morocco
Peru (34), vs DR Congo
Round of 16
Tunisia v Republic of Ireland (Tunis/Dublin)
Belgium v Netherlands (Brugge/Rotterdam)
Argentina v Chile (Buenos Aires (Bombonera)/Santiago do Chile (Nacional))
Denmark v Uruguay (Copenhagen/Montevideo (Parque Central))
Sweden v England (Solna/London (Stamford Bridge))
Spain v Poland (Madrid (Santiago Bernabeu)/Warsaw)
Brazil v Croatia (Porto Alegre/Zagreb)
France v Portugal (Lille/Lisbon (Jose Alvalade))
I predict:
Republic of Ireland
Belgium
Argentina
Denmark
Sweden
Poland
Croatia
France
Republic of Ireland
Belgium
Argentina
Denmark
Sweden
Poland
Croatia
France
Tunisia v Republic of Ireland (Tunis/Dublin)
Belgium v Netherlands (Brugge/Rotterdam)
Argentina v Chile (Buenos Aires (Bombonera)/Santiago do Chile (Nacional))
Denmark v Uruguay (Copenhagen/Montevideo (Parque Central))
Sweden v England (Solna/London (Stamford Bridge))
Spain v Poland (Madrid (Santiago Bernabeu)/Warsaw)
Brazil v Croatia (Porto Alegre/Zagreb)
France v Portugal (Lille/Lisbon (Jose Alvalade))
Belgium v Netherlands (Brugge/Rotterdam)
Argentina v Chile (Buenos Aires (Bombonera)/Santiago do Chile (Nacional))
Denmark v Uruguay (Copenhagen/Montevideo (Parque Central))
Sweden v England (Solna/London (Stamford Bridge))
Spain v Poland (Madrid (Santiago Bernabeu)/Warsaw)
Brazil v Croatia (Porto Alegre/Zagreb)
France v Portugal (Lille/Lisbon (Jose Alvalade))
Round of 16 2019-20
This edition of the Round of 16 was marked by the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. All home games were organized with no problems, but some of the return legs did offer some problems. Indeed, Croatia v Brazil was postponed along with Netherlands v Belgium, and eventually played under closed doors due to the fear of the pandemic spreading. All of the other games were maintained, though.
For Tunisia, their luck still wouldn't turn. After placing second, they would be knocked out by the Republic of Ireland, who would go on to face Belgium, victorious after extra time over neighbours the Netherlands. The South American nations also fared well, with Brazil eliminating Croatia and Argentina advancing over Chile. Uruguay on the other hand were upset by Denmark, while England and Spain easily qualified for the next round, with France inching past Portugal to get a spot in the Quarter-Finals. All in all, only two first-seeded teams would make it out.
These Quarter-Finals wouldn't be organized in April as they usually were though, and instead postponed to August, along with the Quarters of the World League. All games were to be played behind closed doors, in a single-leg game to be played in London. While the Semis and the Final would be played at Wembley, the Quarters would be spread between Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. Similarly, the World League quarters would be spread between Tokyo's Olympic Stadium and Saitama's 2002 Stadium, with the Semis and Final occuring at the International Stadium Yokohama.
Delle Alli celebrates scoring against Sweden during the complete 5-0 decimation of the Swedish squad at the Friends Arena
Choc 5
Red 5
Unknown 6
NotAPotato 0
Matthew 4
Quarter-Finals:
Republic of Ireland v Belgium (London (Stamford Bridge))
Argentina v Denmark (London (Emirates))
England v Spain (London (Stamford Bridge))
Brazil v France (London (Emirates))
For Tunisia, their luck still wouldn't turn. After placing second, they would be knocked out by the Republic of Ireland, who would go on to face Belgium, victorious after extra time over neighbours the Netherlands. The South American nations also fared well, with Brazil eliminating Croatia and Argentina advancing over Chile. Uruguay on the other hand were upset by Denmark, while England and Spain easily qualified for the next round, with France inching past Portugal to get a spot in the Quarter-Finals. All in all, only two first-seeded teams would make it out.
These Quarter-Finals wouldn't be organized in April as they usually were though, and instead postponed to August, along with the Quarters of the World League. All games were to be played behind closed doors, in a single-leg game to be played in London. While the Semis and the Final would be played at Wembley, the Quarters would be spread between Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. Similarly, the World League quarters would be spread between Tokyo's Olympic Stadium and Saitama's 2002 Stadium, with the Semis and Final occuring at the International Stadium Yokohama.
Delle Alli celebrates scoring against Sweden during the complete 5-0 decimation of the Swedish squad at the Friends Arena
Choc 5
Red 5
Unknown 6
NotAPotato 0
Matthew 4
Quarter-Finals:
Republic of Ireland v Belgium (London (Stamford Bridge))
Argentina v Denmark (London (Emirates))
England v Spain (London (Stamford Bridge))
Brazil v France (London (Emirates))