World Cup quarterfinal predictions: Who will win semifinal berths in knockout round at Qatar 2022

It's the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the teams left standing will all truly start dreaming about reaching the final with two results separating them from the December 18 title match.

Just four teams will remain after the quarterfinals wrap up on Saturday, and all four will be guaranteed to play a match on the weekend of December 17-18 since the semifinal losers will feature in a third-place game.

There are plenty of heavyweights still vying for the World Cup crown, as you'd expect at this stage of the tournament: Brazil, Argentina, France, England, and Portugal are some of the names who could be expected to reach the final. Our predictions for each match follow below.

Reminder: All moneyline bets in soccer are for 90 minutes of regulation only. If the match requires a winner and goes to extratime or a penalty shootout, the draw is the winning bet and what happens in extratime or penalty kicks does not factor in.

MORE: See all players in danger of a yellow card suspension at the 2022 World Cup

Croatia vs Brazil prediction, odds

The first quarterfinal match will see Neymar take on his former Real Madrid nemesis Luka Modric as Brazil and Croatia match up.

Brazil pummeled South Korea 4-1 with a first-half flurry of goals, putting to bed any worries over their sleepy group stage performances. Croatia, meanwhile, got past Japan on penalties, their latest shaky performance in a World Cup that features three draws and just one victory.

Still, Croatia have advanced to the quarterfinals for the second straight FIFA tournament, following up their 2018 World Cup final appearance with a spot in the quarterfinals in 2022, and will be a tough out given their wealth of experience.

Croatia vs. Brazil odds

Croatia vs. Brazil prediction

• Prediction: Croatia 0-2 Brazil

While Croatia are far more defensively sound than South Korea, they'll find it hard to keep Brazil out of the back of the net. Croatia were pummeled by Belgium in the final match of group stage action, lucky not to concede multiple goals thanks to Romelu Lukaku's miserable finishing, and could face similar waves of pressure here as well.

It will be similarly tough up front, as the Croatian attack has been spotty all World Cup. Aside from Croatia's 4-1 win over leaky Canada, they scored just one goal in their other three games, blanked by Uruguay and Belgium.

With Neymar clearly healthy and Richarlison on fire, this Brazil team should thump a Croatia side that has not looked worthy of a semifinal spot to this point.

Netherlands vs Argentina prediction, odds

The second quarterfinal match pits two teams with World Cup pedigree against one another as Lionel Messi and Argentina face Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands. The game is a rematch of their 2014 semifinal which finished scoreless and saw the South American side advance to the final on penalties.

Still, the Dutch have not lost to non-European opponents at a World Cup since defeat to Brazil back in 1994, a run of 19 straight matches unbeaten. Even more, the Netherlands are currently on a 19-match unbeaten run across all competitions dating back to their defeat to Czech Republic in the Euro 2020 Round of 16.

Netherlands vs. Argentina odds

Netherlands vs. Argentina prediction

• Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 Argentina (Argentina advance via penalties)

This is a terrible matchup for Argentina, who are a team that do not overwhelm in attack and can be thwarted by a team that takes its chances.

That's exactly what Netherlands do: excel at snatching their opportunities. The Netherlands have scored eight goals this World Cup on just 4.05 xG, punishing the United States in their Round of 16 match for three goals on just 1.56 xG.

Argentina were stunned in the group stage by Saudi Arabia, who bagged two goals on just three total shots worth a measly 0.15 xG. Here again, against a team that's vicious in front of net, this could be a trap for Argentina, who could require penalties to advance.

✨ Messi magic against the Aussies
⚡ Dumfries shines for the Dutch

The Round of 16 certainly started with a 💥 #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/1sd5jirnW9

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 3, 2022

Morocco vs Portugal prediction, odds

Portugal appeared to usher in the next generation against Switzerland last time out, and now they'll hope lightning can strike twice when they take on Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos bagged a Round of 16 hat-trick in place of 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal starting lineup, announcing himself to the world while the aging superstar watched from the bench.

That sent Portugal on their way to a 6-1 thrashing and a spot in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Morocco sprung a stunning upset of Spain, managing to hold on for a 0-0 draw and winning on penalties after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made two stops in the shootout and Pablo Sarabia had hit the post. Spain were devoid of ideas on how to break down Morocco, who looked the more likely side to score on multiple occasions.

Morocco vs Portugal odds

Morocco vs Portugal prediction

• Prediction: Morocco 0-3 Portugal

While Morocco managed to hold a toothless Spain side down for the entirety of their Round of 16 match, they expended an exhausting amount of energy doing so.

Portugal have proven they can break down bunkered sides, bagging a pair of goals against Uruguay and beating up on a defensive-minded Switzerland.

Once Portugal get their opener and Morocco have to come out of their shell, this match will turn into a track meet, and that will suit the European side.

England vs France prediction, odds

A heavyweight quarterfinal matchup pits the 2018 World Cup title holders against the Euro 2021 runners-up as England meet France in Qatar.

The Three Lions have visions of the World Cup trophy "coming home" but they'll have to get by the defending champions, having not beaten France in a competitive match since the 1982 World Cup, with two draws and a loss since. These two sides haven't met in any setting since a 2017 friendly when Raphael Varane was sent off just after halftime but France still managed a 3-2 win.

England may have to proceed without Raheem Sterling who returned home to tend to a personal matter.

Since winning the 1966 #FIFAWorldCup, #ENG are 0W-5L-5D vs. major football nations (#GER #ESP #FRA #ARG #BRA) in #FIFAWorldCup knockout games (also incl. 2nd group stg games).

They advanced in one of those 10 matches, beating Germany on penalties in 1990.

Can they beat France?

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) December 5, 2022

England vs. France odds

England vs. France prediction

• Prediction: England 1-3 France

It's been a long time since England have won a signature game at the FIFA World Cup.

It will be difficult here as well. They're not exactly firing on all cylinders, especially striker Harry Kane who got his first goal of the tournament against Senegal, but missed a few other chances and generally failed to make his mark.

France, meanwhile, are flying high, putting to rest talk of injuries holding them back. Les Bleus have compiled the most expected goals of any team left in the World Cup, plus the most dribbles completed and the most shots on target. While the Three Lions haven't conceded a single goal this tournament other than a pair of garbage time strikes by Iran in the group stage opener, this France attack will be on a different level.

Kyle Walker will have his hands full with Kylian Mbappe on the England right side, and it will take a team effort to keep the Les Bleus star under wraps. They'll also have to deal with Antoine Griezmann, who's in stellar creative form for the national team. Jude Bellingham will represent their best hope, but after being shut down by the U.S. and Tyler Adams, it will take another gear to boss the midfield with Aurelien Tchouameni on the other side. 

This France side is just too dangerous, and it's hard to see England having the pieces to take them down. The England squad will be coming home, but the trophy won't be with them.

On the scoresheet and into the next round 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #Budweiser Player of the Match, Harry Kane singled out the performances of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham as @England progressed to set up a huge Quarter-Final clash with France.

🇸🇳 #SENENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #POTM #YoursToTake #BringHomeTheBud pic.twitter.com/4cBbCnpeGo

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2022