CaughtOffside runs the rule over the 16 teams who’ve made it to the knock-out stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
With the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup now over, just 16 teams remain in with a chance of lifting the coveted trophy in Rio de Janeiro in July. With some having delighted and some having disappointed, we’ve taken a look at the teams that are left in with a chance, ranking them from rank outsiders to tournament favourites.
16) Greece
It is something of a minor miracle that Greece made it out of Group C, such was the mood in the Greek camp after they were blown away by Colombia in an opening 3-0 defeat.
They recovered, grinding out a 0-0 draw against Japan despite playing most of the game with ten men, and then edging a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast to qualify with an injury time Giorgios Samaras penalty sending them through.
They are still a weak team, however, but the prospect of facing Costa Rica in the last sixteen will give them hope of qualification for an unlikely quarter final berth.
15) Nigeria
The Super Eagles can count their lucky stars to be in the second round, having failed to break down a stubborn Iran side in a frustrating 0-0 draw to begin their campaign.
It was a 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina that did it for Stephen Keshi’s men, with Nigeria surviving a number of late scares as Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko’s radar was off target.
Despite defeat against Argentina, their 3-2 defeat was perhaps their most impressive display of the group stage, giving some hope for a last sixteen match-up with France.
14) Uruguay
Despite entering the tournament as one of the fancied South American nations, Uruguay were unimpressive in the group stage, edging qualification over Italy thanks to a late goal off the back of Diego Godin.
The Atletico Madrid centre back is their key player now that Luis Suarez is banned after biting Girgio Chiellini, whilst Edinson Cavani carries their goalscoring hopes almost alone.
With free-scoring Colombia standing in their way, it is hard to see Uruguay making it to the quarter finals.
13) Costa Rica
They may have won their group, but England exposed some flaws in Costa Rica’s game that means that their last sixteen clash with Greece is far from a foregone conclusion.
Los Ticos have already impress many and overachieved at this tournament, but with their group win having given them a winnable tie, it will be a disappointment if Costa Rica don’t make the last eight from this position.
12) Algeria
Algeria have stunned Group H by sneaking through at the expense of Russia and South Korea, sparking wild celebrations by Algerian fans across the globe.
Despite the fine performances of the likes of Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani, however, it is hard to see the Algerians making it past a well-drilled Germany side in the last sixteen.
11) USA
The USA were given little hope by many of emerging from the ‘Group of Death’ ahead of Portugal and Ghana, but in the end their passage was relatively comfortable.
Their group stage has been characterised by Jurgen Klinsmann’s organisation of the defence, but the goals of Clint Dempsey give them another dimension at the other end.
With Belgium a winnable tie in the last sixteen, the Americans could go deep into this tournament.
10) Switzerland
Despite being mauled by France, Switzerland emerged from their group with relative ease after a comfortable victory over Honduras.
That was largely down to a late victory over Ecuador, a result which gives them a hope against South American teams, although Argentina may prove to be too much of a test in the last sixteen.
9) Mexico
Mexico comfortable saw off Croatia to claim a place in the knock-out stages and will be confident of causing trouble for The Netherlands, perhaps the tournament’s most impressive team so far, in the second round.
Miguel Herrera’s side have conceded only one goal in the tournament so far, that a late consolation from Ivan Perisic, and are sure to cause any team plenty of trouble.
8) Chile
Chile have emerged as one of the fans’ favourite teams of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and Jorge Sampaoli’s side can count themselves unlucky to have run into hosts Brazil in the last sixteen.
The Chileans have a poor recent record against Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side, though, and it would be a surprise to see them make it into the quarter finals.
7) Belgium
Belgium’s performances in Group H didn’t quite live up to the pre-tournament hype surrounding Marc Wilmots’ side, but it is testament to their quality that they still emerged from the group with maximum points.
Narrow wins over Algeria, South Korea and Russia were enough to see the Red Devils through, but they may have to raise their game to get past the USA and then a likely quarter final clash with Argentina.
6) Colombia
One of the tournament’s surprise packages have been Colombia, who have emerged from their group with maximum points and having won plenty of hearts with their swashbuckling attacking football.
Two gargantuan South American tussles lie ahead if they are to make it to the semi-final, however, with Uruguay and then either Brazil or Chile standing in the way of Jose Pekerman’s entertaining team.
5) France
France have been incredibly impressive in this World Cup so far, confirming their place in the second round with thumping victories over Switzerland and Honduras.
A disappointing 0-0 draw with Ecuador once Didier Deschamps made changes to his line-up, perhaps pointing towards a lack of depth, but at their finest the French are a team who will give anyone a game.
Nigeria should be a comfortable last sixteen game, but a potentially seismic quarter final against Germany lies ahead for Les Bleus.
4) The Netherlands
Louis van Gaal’s side have scored the most goals of any at the 2014 FIFA World Cup so far and are hoping to use their favourable draw to be in the equation when it comes to the latter stages of the tournament.
Mexico and then Costa Rica or Greece represents a tricky, but manageable, draw for a team who have seen an awful draw for the group stage turn into a possible run to the semi-final.
The Dutch are heavily reliant on Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, however, so will be praying that their destructive duo can keep themselves fit.
3) Germany
Despite showing some defensive deficiencies that go against their ruthlessly efficient reputation, Germany have to be considered as genuine contenders for the trophy.
The only blemish in a comfortable passage through the group was a draw against Ghana and, in Thomas Muller, Joachim Low has one of the tournament’s most in-form goalscorers at his disposal.
A potential quarter final against France already looks like a mouth-watering proposition.
2) Brazil
Hosts and pre-tournament favourites Brazil haven’t been particularly impressive, but still navigated a path through a tricky group with genuine ease, seeing off the challenge of Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon to top Group A.
A second round tie against Chile is a step up in class, however, and Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side will need to be on top of their game to see off Jorge Sampaoli’s men and set up another crunch all-South American battle with either Uruguay or Colombia.
1) Argentina
Argentina are another team who have been far from their fluent best in the group stages, but have still managed to take maximum points from Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria.
In Lionel Messi they also have the ultimate trump card, the finest footballer on the planet who seems to be making the 2014 FIFA World Cup his own.
A potential Brazil vs. Argentina final is still very much a possibility and one that we would absolutely love to see in the crucible of the Maracana.