Compiled by Alex Flum, Lorenzo Siemann and guest writer Jonathan Orbach
With the conclusion of the group stage today, the quadrennial contest of the FIFA World Cup progresses to its next phase: the knockout stage. 16 squads and 16 fanbases now maintain one goal: to be the last one standing in a loser-go-home tournament. Before we take a moment to predict the next eight matches, which will be played over the course of the next four days, let’s take a gaze at the biggest moments and storylines thus far.
- 12 matches took place before we witnessed a draw, the furthest a World Cup has gone without one to date.
- Neymar has made his country proud on home turf, scoring four goals through three contests and helping Brazil advance to the knockout stages.
- Playing with the respect of soccer fans near and wide, Lionel Messi has scored four goals of his own. He and his squad now have a date with the Swiss, with a spot in the final eight on the line.
- Hopes were shattered as defending champion Spain was eliminated. La Furia Roja’s end came as they were conquered 2-0 by Chile at Estádio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.
- Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben have dazzled us with their headers and finishes, proving Holland to be a legitimate threat to win the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
- Luis Suárez dug his teeth into Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, ending his tournament and breaking the hearts of the Uruguayan fanbase.
- Costa Rica has captured the eyes of the world with statement victories over Uruguay and Italy. La Sele hopes to continue its cinderella story in the knockout stage.
- The United States survived the group of death and continues to believe that they will win.
Brazil (winner of group A) vs. Chile (runner-up of group B) – 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, June 28 on ABC
Led by the 22 year old sensation, Neymar, Brazil is attempting to be the first team since France in 1998 to win the World Cup on home soil. Standing in the way is Chile, hoping to make it past the round of 16 for the first time since 1962.
Jon: All the pressure is on the hosts and I feel as though they will live up to it. With in-form Neymar leading the charge, Brazil should have no struggles going forward; playing against a team that just lost 2-0 to a Robin Van Persie-less Netherlands, it should not have any problems dispatching the Chilean defense. Brazil wins 2-1. (Sanchez to strike for Chile.)
Lorenzo: A round of sixteen exit might just set Brazil’s streets on fire. The hosts will respond to increased pressure with a victory in a high scoring 3-2 affair. There will be loads of attacking talent led by Neymar for Brazil and Alexis Sanchez for Chile, and it should be a fun game to watch.
Alex: I see Brazil jumping out to an early lead on two Neymar goals. Chile should give Brazil a run for its money late in the second half but the Brazilians will be too much for the Chileans resulting in a 3-2 victory.
Colombia (winner of group C) vs. Uruguay (runner-up of group D) – 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, June 28 on ABC
The South American battle between the cruising Colombians and the Suárez-less Uruguayans takes place this saturday. With a win, Colombia would make it past the round of 16 for the first time ever. If Uruguay can come out on top they will prove critics wrong and advance despite setbacks.
Jon: With the lovable James Rodriguez (my player of the tournament so far, along with Messi), the clinical Jackson Martínez and the crafty Juan Cuadrado, among others, Colombia’s attacking prowess looks quite potent, even without talisman Falcao. And with Suárez banned, Uruguay does not have too much going forward; Cavani + Lodeiro doesn’t quite cut it for me. I’ll go for an emphatic 3-1 victory for the Colombianas. I think this team could go very, very far.
Lorenzo: The young James Rodriguez and Colombia seem to be one of the most dangerous team in the tournament. Uruguay will be reeling from what one could say was a lucky win against Italy to seal their ticket to the knockout stages. With Suarez suspended, Colombia simply seem too strong for Uruguay. Colombia takes the 2-0 win.
Alex: It’s been mostly a one man (or should I say one tooth) show with Luis Suárez leading the way for the Uruguayans. No Suárez plus inspired play from Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina and James Rodriguez equals easy Colombian win. 4-0.
Netherlands (winner of group B) vs. Mexico (runner-up of group A) – 12:00 PM ET, Sunday, June 29 on ESPN
This game features a compelling matchup, Netherlands and the dynamic Dutch duo of Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben will face off against Mexico and their ecstatic manager Miguel Herrera. Holland is trying to build on its 2010 second place finish in South Africa, while Mexico is trying to avoid exiting exiting in the Round of 16 for the sixth consecutive world cup.
Jon: The Robben – Robin connection up top for the Dutch has proven lucrative as ever, as they’re scoring for fun at the moment. Mexico, on the other hand, only recently revealed that its defense is fallible, conceding its first goal of the tournament in a 3-1 victory against Croatia. While CONCACAF has been stellar to this point, Netherlands’ll nick this one for me 2-1. (I hope I’m proven wrong come Sunday.)
Lorenzo: Arjen Robben has been arguably the best player in the tournament so far, and the Netherlands look very good all around to begin the World Cup. But so does Mexico. The Mexican defense has been solid but the in-form Dutchmen will be able to score enough to win the game. Netherlands take the game 2-1.
Alex: Look for Guillermo Ochoa to continue his stellar play in net up until but the offensive explosion of the Dutch to come alive in the second half. Netherlands wins 3-1.
Costa Rica (winner of group D) vs. Greece (runner-up of group C) – 4:00 PM ET, Sunday, June 29 on ESPN
Nobody saw this coming. Greece, entering Tuesday last place in Group C edged out The Elephants of Ivory Coast, scoring its first two goals and quietly sneaking their way into the round of 16. Meanwhile, over in Group D, Costa Rica burst on to the scene winning Group D thanks to wins against Uruguay and Italy. Sunday they will face off to see whose cinderella run continues.
Jon: Don’t think luck will be enough for Greece to repeat its 2004 success. Unlike Greece, Costa Rica actually scored goals before its final group match, including three against Uruguay and one in a shock win against 2006 winners Italy. Hopefully for the Central Americans, Bryan Ruiz and (mah boi) Joel Campbell can down the boring Greeks (sorry, but it’s true). Costa Rica to win 2-0.
Lorenzo: Greece always seems to find a way, but Costa Rica is the better team. Costa Rica has played very well recently but Greece, with a bit of luck, will take Costa Rica all the way to penalty kicks. That’s where Greece will come out on top, 0-0 (5-4).
Alex: Jorge Luis Pinto has his men believing in themselves and I believe in them too. Costa Rica wins 2-0.
France (winner of group E) vs. Nigeria (runner-up of group F) – 12:00 PM ET, Monday, June 30 on ESPN
Led by Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema and his three goals, France is taking it one game at a time hoping to edge out Nigeria and advance to the quarterfinals. Nigeria has its eyes set on becoming the first African team to make it to past the quarterfinals. First they will need to beat the French.
Jon: Nigeria’s defense has been hard to break down (Hell, not even Iran could score against it) until its 3-2 loss to the best player in the world, Leo Messi, and his Argentinian minions. The free-scoring French have momentum, along with top attackers, including Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Antoinne Griezmann, on their side. I see a hard-fought victory for the French. 3-2, with Emenike and Musa causing some problems.
Lorenzo: France has looked very strong thus far in Brazil. Nigeria’s defense has too many holes to hold off the high-octane French attack. Nigeria’s Emineke will be able to put one in the back of the net, but France cruises to a 4-1 win.
Alex: The matchup between Ahmed Musa and Benzema will be crucial in this one. I expect Nigeria to give the French a scare, however France will prevail in penalty kicks 2-2 (3-2).
Germany (winner of group G) vs. Algeria (runner-up of group H) – 4:00 PM ET, Monday, June 30 on ESPN
The winner of the group of death battles with the team nobody expected to still be alive. Will Germany breeze to an easy win? Will Algeria surprise everyone and continue its unlikely path in this year’s world cup? We will know on Monday.
Jon: Mueller, Goetze, Oezil, Kroos, Podolski. Too much quality in the German front-line for Algeria to handle. Even if Islam Slimani is in form, Algeria won’t be able to pull off a shock win against the Germans. It hasn’t exactly been a dream tournament for Europe, but it’s been even worse for Africa. Germany to win 3-0.
Lorenzo: It’s been a great run for Algeria, but it will come to an end against Germany. Germany is the better team and will find holes in Algeria’s defense to score. Miroslav Klose will break Ronaldo’s World Cup goal record in a 3-1 win.
Alex: This one isn’t even going to be close, Germany wins 4-0.
Argentina (winner of group F) vs. Switzerland (runner-up of group E) – 12:00 PM ET, Tuesday, July 1 on ESPN
This match pits the star power of Lionel Messi up against Xherdan Shaqiri and the soaring Swiss. Both teams will have a long time to prepare but only one will prevail.
Jon: Shaqiri may have scored three against the worst team in the tournament, but his team also conceded FIVE against France. This current Argentina team reminds me of 2010’s Spain in the way in which it’s grinding out its results. Argentina may be narrowly winning its games, but I think the players will sort themselves out and potentially win this tournament, with Messi as Golden Boot winner. As it is currently 11:53pm, I’m going for a six goal thriller (awful, I know and apologize), split 4-2.
Lorenzo: With the exception of Lionel Messi, Argentina has looked weak in all aspects of the game thus far. Switzerland will be able to control the midfield with Gokhan Inler, Granit Xhaka, and Valon Behrami, while Xherdan Shaqiri is finally stepping into form. In a tightly contested game, the Swiss shock Argentina 2-1.
Alex: It’s been the Lionel Messi show for Argentina thus far. This just in: the show has been renewed for another match. Messi will provide a go-ahead goal early in the second half en route to a hat trick and Argentina will cruise to a 3-1 victory.
Belgium (winner of group H) vs. U.S.A. (runner-up of group G) – 4:00 PM ET, Tuesday, July 1 on ESPN
The Americans have defied all odds, they have survived the impossible draw, the group of death. A win over Ghana, a draw with Portugal and a 1-0 loss to Germany have set them up to face Belgium with hopes of finally establishing themselves as a world power in soccer with a deep run in the tournament. Belgium has an easy road thus far and hopes to continue their success against the Yanks.
Jon: Ooh, Belgium– everyone’s dark horses. Blessed with the easiest group, Belgium hasn’t exactly tickled my fancy to a point of overwhelment. Mertens has been nice, and Fellaini had a sick header, but Kevin ‘Belgian Ronaldo’ Mirallas and Chelsea sensation Eden Hazard have been rather anonymous. USA has been playing with a lot of heart, and had to work its way out of a tough group, while Belgium has been boringly beating lowly teams. That heart will shine through (not literally, hopefully). With Altidore’s potential return from injury and Dempsey’s shiny form, USA can beat this high-hype little-return mini-superpower. CONCACAF > UEFA. 2-1 USA.
(Sidenote: Love you, Klinsmann, but you should’ve brought Donovan instead of unnecessarily establishing your dominance.)
Lorenzo: This game is winnable for the United States, but Belgium has tons of talent and firepower in attack, while sporting what might be the most solid defense in the World Cup. Winger Eden Hazard will play a key role in a 1-0 Belgium win.
Alex: I think that Jozy Altidore will return with a 2 goal performance and the US will prevail in extra time 2-1.
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