A Final World Cup Prediction

I’ve changed my mind about my World Cup prediction that I made the other day. Some questions have crept in. 

And when in doubt about who will win the World Cup you always have to fall back on Brazil. They’re always the safe option to go far in the tournament.

But they’re actually not the safe option this time around so I like them even more to win it.

I think Portugal’s time to lift the trophy will come after Ronaldo finally retires. And as for the Netherlands, I just can’t trust a team that lacks a true striker. 

I really want to believe in Portugal and the Netherlands because they’re two football powerhouses that deserve to claim the world’s greatest prize. They have the midfield and defense to compete with the best teams, and their attacking players are good enough to finish their chances in tight games during the knockout rounds. They also have good goalkeepers who can save them if their games go to penalties. So, as far as weaknesses go, there isn’t that many to speak of. 

But, as always, there will be a few shocks that will turn brackets upside down and create new possibilities for teams to advance.

In my new tournament bracket I have Brazil knocking out the Netherlands on penalties in the round of 32 after finishing second in their group behind Morocco. 

That would open up the path for both teams to meet again in the final where Brazil will have learned its lesson and get the better of Morocco the second time around.

If it all goes according to my prediction they each will have to beat a couple of giants in the later stages of the tournament, with Brazil coming up against France and Spain in successive matches, and Morocco likely to face England and Portugal on their side of the bracket. So, the odds are stacked against them. Their paths will be difficult. 

But I like the thought of Brazil winning the World Cup right after Argentina won it to reclaim its natural position in the footballing hierarchy. 

And Morocco has a lot of positive momentum. Teams that have made semi-final and final appearances in recent tournaments carry belief with them into the next one. It’s a natural progression. So they’re not a sleeper pick by any means. They can compete with the best.

This will be my last World Cup post. This is my final prediction. I hope Haiti or Scotland don’t go and screw it up and somehow send Brazil home early.