GOAL looks at which teams are feeling the heat ahead of the quarterfinals of a tournament that has certainly delivered
"We believe we can get through the group," the Palmeiras fans on the train said, "after that, it's in God's hands."
Well, perhaps someone was listening. Palmeiras were truly excellent in the group stage, good value for their round of 16 win, and well-equipped to give Chelsea a good game in the quarterfinals. The good news, though? The pressure is off. They aren't supposed to be here. A loss would be gut-wrenching for their fans, no doubt, but it would also be a culmination of an unforgettable journey.
There's heart to be taken in that.
But for others in this round, there's a bit of tension. Real Madrid are top of the list. They have to win now. They've got through the nerves, cast off their first decent European opponent. Time to grow up. The same can be said for Bayern, PSG and perhaps even Chelsea – who remain a confusing entity due to their affinity for signing pretty much everyone.
GOAL looks at who is feeling the heat heading into the last eight of the CWC.
Getty Images8Fluminense
The cool kids call it "the unction." Basically, it's a nice way of saying that people, specifically athletes, are old and still good. Introducing, then, a 40-year-old Thiago Silva, who remains remarkably effective at this sport despite his age.
No, the Brazilian couldn't cut it in the Premier League anymore. Nowhere else in Europe suited him for his final years. But a soiree in the hard-nosed football he grew up on? You bet. He has led Fluminense magnificently from the back this tournament, and the team that finished 13th in Brazil's top flight last year has taken on this tournament wonderfully.
Anything more seems a bonus.
AdvertisementGetty7Palmeiras
Every year, a hungry European team peers over the Palmeiras system and picks their favorite forward. Real Madrid did it with Endrick. Chelsea did it with Estevao. Allan – or perhaps someone even younger you haven't heard of – could be next. The point is, European clubs spend big on teenagers nowadays, and Palmeiras are a fine breeding ground for them.
The interesting thing with this iteration of Palmeiras is that their jewel, Estevao, has opted to stay with the team through the CWC. He really should be playing for Chelsea by now, or at least sent on loan to some random French club.
Point is, Chelsea don't want him playing against them on Friday night. So much for that. Estevao is playing against his parent club, and it could be a fascinating matchup. Is this the guy who will tear up Premier League defenses for years?
Getty Images Sport6Al Hilal
Saudi Pro League sides and major competitions are always interesting. These are the guys who have been spending money, pinching the players that might have just had a little more to give in Europe. They want your athletes, and they also want to show that they belong here.
The World Cup will be on their shores in 2034. By then, they want to be a global superpower so strong that even European teams fear them.
A win against Man City showed that such an attitude may not be too far removed from the truth. Al Hilal executed their game plan perfectly, and even though they needed extra time to see of Pep Guardiola's side, a massive upset has never felt so easy to manage.
The issue now is how far they can go. Fluminense are a fascinating opponent, if only because they play without ego. But expectations have been set high by the City win. They've beaten one of the favorites – surely the sky is the limit now?
AFP5PSG
The only reason PSG aren't higher up is that they play with such a carefree verve. They are the best team in the world, and they know it. They run like they know it. They press like they know it. They score like they know it. They like they know it.
Even in the Champions League final – just a month ago! – they strolled into a matchup against a vastly more experienced Inter team and tore them apart. It was too easy. And there's a foreboding sense that they just might treat the rest of this competition the same way.
Of course, the games only get trickier from here. Madrid are likely semifinal opponents. But these guys play like it doesn't matter who they're kicking a ball against.