The World Cup is all about the drama, of which there was no shortage in the Round of 16.
From the first match — France’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Lionel Messi and Argentina — to the final match — England’s curse-breaking shootout victory against Colombia — the last 16 in Russia had football fans across the planet on the edge of their seats.
We can only hope the quarterfinals live up to the unpredictability of first knockout stage.
But before we get to the next round, here’s how the remaining eight World Cup countries rank based on their play in the first two stages.
1) Brazil
Round of 16 result: 2-0 vs. Mexico
Group stage record: 2-1-0
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 2
Brazil’s dominant win over Mexico solidifies the Seleção as tournament favourites. Neymar’s theatrics aside, the Brazilian attack displayed magical spells against El Tri, but it’s the defence that should scare the rest of the World Cup field: Brazil hasn’t conceded since the first group-stage match and goalkeeper Alisson has rarely been tested since.
2) France
Round of 16 result: 4-3 vs. Argentina
Group stage record: 2-1-0
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 7
Round of 16 France was the France we’ve all been waiting for. Led by the dominant trio of Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and the unsung-but-incomparable N’Golo Kante, Didier Deschamps’s side looked to have found another gear in the first round of the knockout stage.
3) Uruguay
Round of 16 result: 2-1 vs. Portugal
Group stage record: 3-0-0
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 14
Uruguay’s vaunted defence was tested against Portugal, which dominated possession (67 per cent) and total attempts (20 to 5) but was stifled by La Celeste. However, the possible loss of Edinson Cavani to a calf injury is a devastating blow for Uruguay’s hopes, as the PSG forward was the key to the Round of 16 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s side.
4) Belgium
Round of 16 result: 3-2 vs. Japan
Group stage record: 3-0-0
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 3
Will we look back on Belgium’s rousing comeback against Japan as the moment that solidified this “Golden Generation”? The Red Devils were stunned with two quick goals from the Samurai Blue before three in 25 minutes pushed Belgium into the quarterfinals. Friday’s clash with Brazil will be about which Roberto Martinez side shows up: the wasteful team that failed to capitalize through 70 minutes, or the ruthlessly direct Red Devils that broke Japanese hearts.
5) Croatia
Round of 16 result: 1-1 (3-2) vs. Denmark
Group stage record: 3-0-0
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 20
Croatia’s dominance in the group stage quickly faded from memory with a fairly uninspired outing against Denmark and, if not for some really poor penalty kicks from the Danes, Zlatko Dalic’s side could be watching the quarterfinals from home. Croatia should return to its group-stage form against Russia, but the formula to beat Luka Modric & Co. has been laid bare.
6) England
Round of 16 result: 1-1 (4-3) vs. Colombia
Group stage record: 2-0-1
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 12
As random as a penalty shootout can seem, England deserves credit for Tuesday’s win: with or without James Rodríguez, Colombia was never going to be easy. José Pékerman’s side did everything it could to throw the Three Lions off their game, but they (mostly) kept their cool. And don’t underestimate overcoming the penalty shootout hurdle: it’s a moment that could galvanize this team as it embarks on the quarterfinals.
7) Sweden
Round of 16 result: 1-0 vs. Switzerland
Group stage record: 2-0-1
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 24
Sweden’s unlikely World Cup journey began back in November, when Janne Andersson’s side knocked off Italy in a qualifying playoff, and rolls on into the quarterfinals. The Swedes continue to surprise with a smothering blend of physicality and defensive organization that has proven tough for opponents to overcome.
8) Russia
Round of 16 result: 1-1 (4-3) vs. Spain
Group stage record: 2-0-1
Pre-tournament FIFA ranking: 70
Nothing about Russia’s run to the quarterfinals makes sense: the lowest-ranked World Cup host ever scores eight goals in its first two games, disappears in the final group match and then stymies a world-renowned Spain side in the Round of 16. Against Croatia in the quarterfinals? Your guess is as good as mine.
