2022 World Cup Daily Watch Guide: Dec. 9, Croatia vs. Brazil, Netherlands vs Argentina

It starts to get serious at the World Cup on Friday.

The first day of quarterfinals gives us 2018 finalist Croatia looking to make another run, but facing oddsmakers' favorites Brazil. Then later, Argentina and the Netherlands meet in the knockout phase for the third time since 1998..

The Two games 

• Croatia vs. Brazil, 7 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. CT / 10 a.m. ET (Education City Stadium, Doha)
• Netherlands vs. Argentina, 11 a.m PT / 1 p.m CT / 2 p.m. ET (Lusail Stadium, Doha)

How to watch

• Croatia vs. Brazil and Netherlands vs. Argentina will be on FOX and Telemundo
• Both matches will be streamed on Peacock, Fox Sports app, and Telemundo Deportes app
• 4K replays of the games are available on Tubi 

What the oddsmakers say

• Croatia +725, Brazil -250, Tie through 90 minutes +380
• Netherlands +250, Argentina +120, Tie through 90 minutes +220

(odds courtesy of BetMGM)

Narratives we’ll be watching for

Croatia recovered from conceding first to play Japan to a 1-1 draw and ultimately advance on penalties, with goalkeeper Dominik Livaković saving three spot kicks.

Croatia have only conceded two goals this tournament. Center back Joško Gvardiol is having an excellent tournament and showing why he’s one of the most promising young players in the world. The 20-year-old's duel against Brazil's current scoring leader Richarlison will be fascinating to watch.

Brazil cruised past Korea Republic 4-1, scoring all four of their goals before halftime. Neymar returned from an ankle injury that forced him out of the final group games, converted a penalty kick and assisted another goal. Even coach Titi had to get involved in a joyous first half.

The midfield of Brazil has not gotten the attention it deserves. Manchester United’s Casemiro has been a rock defensively with his prowess to find himself in good spots to intercept the opponents and disrupt their momentum. Lucas Paqueta is a solid box-to-box midfielder and contributes to the attack with Neymar who plays a No. 10 on the team. Croatia's strength is also in midfield, with Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic set to offer that Brazilian group their sternest test yet.

The last team to eliminate the Netherlands in the World Cup play was Argentina at the 2014 semifinals. This time around, the Dutch beat the U.S. 3-1 in the Round of 16 to advance on goals from Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, and Denzel Dumfries.

Depay was the Netherlands' top scorer in qualifying, but was limited in the group stage as he regained fitness from an injury. His playmaking ability is makes him a true dual threat up top. Dutch tournament scoring leader Cody Gakpo did not score against the U.S., but can affect the game with his runs against the back line and his ability to play centrally or out wide.

Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert is having a strong tournament, and had arguably his best game against the U.S., which began with a 1-on-1 denial of Christian Pulisic. The 6-foot-8 goalkeeper is getting his first starts with his country at this World Cup, a move that is paying off for Van Gaal. 

Argentina beat Australia 2-1 but had some nervy moments toward the end of the match, relying on some late heroics by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to set up this match against the Netherlands. 

Lionel Messi scored his first knockout round goal at a World Cup in the victory. Messi struggled to be a factor during Argentina's 2014 run to the final. He'll be facing one of the best defenders on the planet in Dutch center back Virgil Van Dijk.

What happened Tuesday

We got out first upset of the knockout rounds as Morocco defeated Spain in a penalty shootout in front of a heavily pro-Moroccan crowd.

As is expected, Spain held the majority of possession with 77% and had 926 accurate passes compared to Morocco’s 216, but neither team created many chances. Spain came closest to scoring in extra time saw when substitute Pablo Sarabia was left unmarked at the far post, but hammered a first-time shot from a cross that glanced off the far post.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two penalties (and another of Spain's struck the post). Achraf Hakimi’s panenka put the African side in the quarterfinals. 

Morocco is having an impressive World Cup run, winning a group with Croatia and Belgium before advancing past a Spain team that scored seven goals in its first match. What’s been most impressive is that coach Walid Regragui has spent less than half a year in charge of the squad after replacing former coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who had a conflict with star player Hakim Ziyech.

The buzz coming into Portugal and Switzerland's contest on Tuesday swirled around Cristiano Ronaldo being sent to the subs bench while coach Fernando Santos opted for with 21-year-old Gonçalo Ramos. Stunningly, Ramos scored a hat trick to help Portugal to a 6-1 romp.

Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro, and Rafael Leao also scored, and Ronaldo came on late and had his own apparent goal disallowed for being offside. Manuel Akanji scored a consolation goal for the Swiss. 

Morocco and Portugal meet in their quarterfinal on Saturday.