Tim Cahill and Samuel Eto’o have offered up some rather bold predictions for how the World Cup will play out, with the Australian legend boldly backing the Socceroos to go as deep as the quarter-finals.
Cahill, who represented Australia at four World Cups and provided plenty of memorable moments throughout, believes the Socceroos will knock out heavy favourites Argentina in the Round of 16.
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It’s not the only surprise in his draw, though.
The former Everton star has tipped Senegal to make it all the way to the semi-finals, where they will eventually be bundled out by Brazil, the nation Cahill has predicted to take home the spoils.
Brazil will get the win over Belgium in the final, with France getting the better of Senegal in the third place playoff.
There’s no love for England, either.
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Cahill has Gareth Southgate’s side crashing out in the Round of 16 to — yep, you guessed it — host nation Qatar.
In Cahill’s draw, Qatar makes it to the quarter-finals where they are beaten by France.
Other notable predictions by the Socceroos great include Saudi Arabia making it to the Round of 16 and Cameroon, who have one win from their last five World Cup appearances, making the quarter-finals.
Eto’o’s predictions were a little more far-fetched, as the former Cameroon star picked his home nation to win it all.
According to Eto’o’s predictions, Cameroon raise the trophy after beating fellow African side Morocco in the final while Senegal beats France in the third place playoff.
In fact, Eto’o has backed all five African nations competing — Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana and Morocco — to make it to the knockout stages at a minimum.
Despite Cahill giving Cameroon a chance in his tipping, Eto’o has not reciprocated the love.
Similarly to the Australian great, Eto’o has Qatar beating England in the Round of 16.
Brazilian legend Cafu offered up some more realistic predictions, with Brazil to beat France in the final and Argentina getting the better of Portugal in the third place playoff.
But remarkably, even the AC Milan great has Qatar knocking out England in the Round of 16.
Safe to say, all would certainly not be well over in England should they be dumped out by the host nation.
Time will tell as to how right or wrong the trio’s predictions will be.
Let’s just say you might be better off with your own judgment than following Cahill, Eto’o and Cafu.