The pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 are set to kick off tonight.
Group A winner Netherlands will take on Group B runner-up USA at 8:45 pm this evening at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Likewise, Group C winner Argentina and Group D runner-up Australia will be competing for a place in the quarter-finals as they face each other at 12:45 pm.
Undefeated in Group A, the Netherlands became group winner with 7 points. The Netherlands started the World Cup by defeating Senegal 2-0 in the group stage. In the second match, the Netherlands had a 1-1 draw with Ecuador, and in the third match, it defeated the host Qatar 2-0.
Similarly, USA remained undefeated as it became the runner-up of Group B. In the first game, the US had a 1-1 draw with Wales, and in the second game, it played England to a goalless draw. USA defeated Iran 1-0 in the decisive and final match and made it to the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Australia will strive to repeat victory by defeating Argentina later tonight to progress ahead. Both teams have made excellent comebacks from disappointing starts in Qatar.
As Australia lost to France in the first match, its chance of entering the round of 16 were weakened.
But after Australia defeated both Tunisia and Denmark by 1-0, it improved its chances and entered the round of 16.
Former world champions Argentina also shared similar journey in the group stage. In the first match, Argentina lost 2-1 against Saudi Arabia, shattering popular perception that Saudi team was not a strong competitor.
The Argentine team improved its performance in subsequent games that followed. After defeating both Mexico and Poland 2-0, Argentina emerged as the group winner. Exit from the group stage was unimaginable for Argentina.
With the round of 16 starting today, world cup matches are expected to get more exciting.
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