World Cup returns after two-day break as quarter-finals get under way in Qatar

The World Cup returns after a two-day break as the quarter-finals kick-off in Qatar.

After no games on Wednesday or Thursday, the final eight will get under way on Friday starting with Brazil vs Croatia at 3pm.

The South American samba stars have won the famous trophy more than anyone else and they are again one of the favourites this time around.

Neymar and co were tipped to go all the way by many pundits and supporters and they gave a glimpse into why with a superb last-16 showing against South Korea with a 4-1 win.

But 2018 finalists Croatia have shown in the past that they won’t be an easy walkover for the big guns and they will be looking to provide another upset at the highest level.

Celtic and Rangers duo Josip Juranovic and Borna Barisic both started the last-16 win over Japan and could feature again against Brazil.

Following that, Lionel Messi and Argentina return to action as the PSG superstar looks to get his hands on the trophy for the first time in what could be his last real chance.

Standing in his way, however, will be a formidable Netherlands side who dispensed of the USA with ease to reach the last eight.

Netherlands and Argentina have provided some of the World Cup’s most memorable games in the past including the 1978 final won on home soil by the South Americans and 1998 quarter-final won by the Dutch and mostly remembered for Dennis Bergkamp’s sensational winning goal.

Fans will be hoping the pair can recreate one of their classic matches when they meet again at 7pm.

The other two quarter-finals will be played on Saturday when Spain’s conquerors Morocco play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal at 3pm before England play France to decide the last semi-final place at 7pm.

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