And then there were four.
The 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup field will shed two more nations this week, and there is no shortage of storylines to dive in on.
Tuesday’s Argentina – Croatia tie is set to garner most of the attention, as it feels the majority of the world is hoping to see Lionel Messi sign off from his international career, or at least his prime, as a World Cup champion. The Argentines will need to be a little bit better than their chaotic weekend win over the Netherlands, where a blown 2-0 lead set the stage for a sweaty shootout that was entirely avoidable.
What’s been a bit overlooked is this is likely Luka Modric’s swan song as well. Modric is unquestionably the greatest Croatian soccer player of all time and is vying to lead his small and mighty nation to its second straight World Cup final, and possible revenge match with France.
Speaking of the French, their path to the final is a wild one. Even with a long list of injuries, Les Bleus have thrived in the tournament but run into Morocco on Wednesday. France will obviously be the favorite, but there is no way they are having as much fun as Morocco at the moment, as they’re representing the most successful campaign in history by an African side. They’ve been good enough to best Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds already, and just might have enough heart to overcome another steep talent deficit.
It’s championship time in NCAA men’s soccer on Monday, where two storied programs are set to duke it out for the 64th-ever national title. Indiana is going for its ninth-ever title, which would put it one step closer to the all-time record, but will have to fend off an ever-credible foe in Syracuse.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League also rages on this week, where historical powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais, for now, has avoided the disaster of getting knocked out in the group stage. The job isn’t done though, and a head-to-head matchup with group leader Arsenal is the perfect springboard to reclaim some power in the penultimate stage match.
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Here is a look at This Week’s Top 5 Matches to Watch, as well as a full rundown of This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online:
This Week’s Top 5 Matches to Watch
- Argentina vs Croatia – The closer matchup, where one native legend will likely represent his nation one last time.
- France vs Morocco – The defending champions going up against the Cinderella story.
- Syracuse vs Indiana – NCAA championship games are always fun and memorable.
- Arsenal vs Olympique Lyonnais – The group of death is too close and another Lyon slip could pave the way for Juventus to take their spot in the knockout rounds.
- Rangers vs Hibernian – Malik Tillman hit his stride with Rangers on Saturday by scoring a brace and will now look to do the same in the resumption of the SPFL schedule.
This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online
Monday
Copa por Mexico
8 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, Univision – Cruz Azul vs Necaxa
10 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, Univision – Atlas vs Santos Laguna
English Championship
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Sunderland vs West Bromwich Albion
Italian Serie B
2:30 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV – Brescia vs Parma
Spanish Segunda
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Deportivo Alavés vs Levante
NCAA Men’s Soccer
6 p.m. – ESPNU, ESPN+, fuboTV – Syracuse vs Indiana
Tuesday
FIFA World Cup
2 p.m. – FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo – Argentina vs Croatia
Copa por Mexico
8 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Pumas UNAM vs Toluca
10 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA – Tigres UANL vs Mazatlán
Wednesday
FIFA World Cup
2 p.m. – FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo – France vs Morocco
Thursday
UEFA Women’s Champions League
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Rosengård vs Bayern München
12:45 p.m. – YouTube – Juventus vs Zürich
3 p.m. – YouTube – Arsenal vs Olympique Lyonnais
3 p.m. – YouTube – SL Benfica vs Barcelona
Copa por Mexico
8 p.m. – fuboTV, TUDN USA, UniMás – América vs Necaxa
Scottish Premiership
3 p.m. – Paramount+ – Rangers vs Hibernian