FIFA World Cup 2018 is in its pre-quarter final phase. Four teams have been selected from previous matches, while two more teams will be decided from today’s matches.
Two matches of pre-quarter final round are scheduled today.
First match tonight will be played tonight between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena. It is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm PST.Brazil and Mexico have played each other 40 times, with Brazil winning on 23 occasions and Mexico 10. They have met four times in the World Cup with Brazil winning the first three encounters. They drew 0-0 in the group stage of the 2014 tournament.
Second encounter of today will be between Belgium and Japan at Rostov Arena. It is scheduled to start at 11:00 pm PST.Belgium were the highest-scoring team in the group stage and also had more shots on goal, 22, than any other team. Japan, who progressed to the last 16 on fair play rules, have only committed 28 fouls during the group stage, fewer than any other team.
Japan have progressed to last 16 on three occasions but have never reached the quarter finals of the World Cup. The two sides have met once before at a World Cup, in 2002. The most recent meeting between the sides came in a friendly in November that Belgium won 1-0.
