All good things must come to an end and the initial run of fifteen consecutive nights of live football action is behind us.
A rest day on Friday was perfect for us all to take time out to reflect on what had gone before. Some who do not understand the game or the fixation that us fans have would say it has been overkill. Many have asked why would you want to watch every game. Well, my answer to them all would be that it’s a habit, an addiction, a fixation. Above all else, we just love the game of football.
We can certainly count ourselves lucky as this World Cup is up there among the best tournaments ever. So far, Brazil have been terrific hosts but it is what happens from here on in that will decide whether it is truly up there amongst the best.
The business end of the tournament begins with the second round knockout phase. The likes of Spain, England and Italy are all safely tucked up at home.
Here we take a look at all of the match ups that we can look forward to taking place over the next four days. As the knockout phase heads in two clear halves, we have shown them as such below. The intriguing thing is that one half of the draw has four former World Cup winners while the other half contains just one.
Brazil v Chile
The hosts have so far flattered to deceive in the tournament so far. Even though their star striker Neymar has been among the goals and their final group game against Cameroon ended up a beating for the Africans, they have had plenty of luck their way. The opener against Croatia had decisions that favoured them which could have been very different. Neymar apart, the rest of their front line struggle for goals from Fed, Hulk and Jo. If Neymar continues as he has started they will be just fine but if they are without him they will struggle.
The Chileans have been a joy to watch. Two opening wins in their group, particularly the one against holders Spain did not raise too many eyebrows as a lot had been said about them before the tournament. They qualified as runners up in the group behind the Dutch to get to the second round and face Brazil. As Mexico did in the group stage, Chile will give Brazil a game and it would not surprise me if it went to extra time.
Prediction – Brazil 2-1 Chile (aet)
Colombia v Uruguay
Another all South American match up and an intriguing one at that. Colombia blitzed their group with three wins from three and they have managed that without their star strike Falcao. They have an abundance of talent and made the second round without a question, scoring nine goals along the way.
As for Uruguay, they will need to take a leaf out of the Colombians book as they also face up to life without their star striker but for completely different reasons. They do have Cavani who they will have to rely heavily on but the forgotten man is Diego Forlan that they have in their ranks. It’s not all doom and gloom that’s for sure.
Prediction – Colombia 3-1 Uruguay
France v Nigeria
Another team that have walked into the second phase is France. Scoring goals throughout until they faced Ecuador in their final game. It was hard to decide if that final game was truly a French side struggling or one that knew it had qualified. They have quality throughout with Benzema, Pogba and Cabaye along with a sold back line to complement the team.
One of two African teams through to the knockout stages and escaped a group that were perhaps expected to do so. Regardless, they managed it and even gave Argentina a scare in their final group game. They are a funny side as you just don’t know what you are going to get from them. They should be a decent match up if they turn up like they did against Argentina but if the team that turns up is the one that drew with Iran it will end up one way traffic.
Prediction – France 2-0 Nigeria
Germany v Algeria
In Spain 1982, Germany played a final group game against Austria. A German win by one or two goals would secure both teams passage through to the next round at the expense of Algeria who had played their final game the day before. The Germans took an early lead and after that neither team made any effort, even passing the ball around at walking pace.
The Desert Foxes of Algeria have had to wait until 2014 to escape the group phase and it is perhaps apt that they get to face Germany.
The Germans did not have it all their own way in the group but took it with a last game win over USA. They never really recaptured the form they showed in the opening thrashing of Portugal but they will look at this game as a good opportunity to progress.
The Algerians escaped their group with a final game draw with Russia and fully deserve their place in the second round. After narrowly losing the opener against Belgium they managed a win over South Korea. They will cause the Germans problems but will they cause enough?
Prediction – Germany 3-2 Algeria
Netherlands v Mexico
The Dutch are another team where you simply do not know what you are going to get. They won their group convincingly, scoring plenty of goals along the way. It was no mean feat in a group that contained the holders Spain and highly rated Chileans. They were only really challenged by Chile in their final group game but both had already qualified and they won the game courtesy of a couple of late goals.
A group that contained the hosts would always be difficult but Mexico were always confident of progressing. A quick side who work hard for each other almost upset Brazil in their second group game. If their back line can cope with van Persie and Robben they will have a chance, and with the excellent Ochoa behind them there is no reason why not. They have only conceded one goal so far.
Prediction – Netherlands 2-1 Chile (aet)
Costa Rica v Greece
The ugly ducking of the second round but perhaps it could end up being the most exciting. Two teams that arguably did not expect to escape their groups have a free shot at the quarter finals.
The Costa Ricans won the group of death at the expense of two former winners and won it well. They are good to watch, exciting going forward with Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz. That is their first line of defence as in truth, their back line has not really been tested. They give the opposition enough to think about.
The Greeks look like they are trying to emulate their European Championship winning side who managed wins by the odd goal here and there. They made the second round courtesy of a do or die last minute penalty against the Ivory Coast. Celtic striker Samaras had to have nerves of steel but he stepped up and finished the spot kick confidently. A much criticised team for lack of flair but they have their place in the second round. More than a lot of teams.
Prediction – Costa Rica 2-2 Greece (aet – Greece to win on penalties)
Argentina v Switzerland
One of the favourites for this World Cup, Argentina, walked their group. At least they did on paper with three wins and nine points to their name. In reality they had to rely on the talent of Lionel Messi to get them out of a pickle against Iran and also had a big hand in their win over Nigeria. Certainly not yet in full flow but teams that go on to the later stages often begin slowly.
The highly ranked Swiss kicked off with a win over Ecuador but they hit a brick wall against France. They found their way again against Honduras so the argument is that they struggle against the top sides. There is enough about them to worry the Argentines especially with Bayern winger Shiqiri scoring a hat-trick in the last group game.
Prediction – Argentina 2-1 Switzerland
Belgium v USA
The Belgians are highly rated but have really not shown an awful lot even though they escape their group on maximum points but only managing to score four goals along the way. With Lukaku struggling up front and Origi looking the only other option they will need the midfield to help them out.
Runners up out of a tough group, the USA are on the crest of a wave right now and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them in the quarter finals. A very hard working side with no real world class players but they are enough as a collective to give any team a game. They narrowly lost their final group game against the Germans but qualify at the expense of both Portugal and Ghana.
Prediction – Belgium 1-2 USA (aet)
Predicted Quarter Final Match Ups
Brazil v Colombia
France v Germany
Netherlands v Greece
Argentina v USA
