SOCCER WORLD CUP ARTICLES

It’s safe to say that both Belgium and England were hoping to be playing a day later. However, neither country can be upset about making it to this point considering their lack of deep World Cup runs in recent history. A third-place finish would be the best result ever for Belgium, and it would be the second-best finish for England. ... 

England is looking to get to its second World Cup Final, and potentially claim its second victory, against Croatia on Wednesday. The Three Lions boast the player that is the favorite to win the Golden Boot in Harry Kane, and they have a bevy of other talented players that have made their mark in Russia. However, Croatia will be no pushover. The Croatians were a sneaky pick to win it all before the start of the tournament, and they are a side with nothing to lose at this point. ... 

Belgium is looking to make it to the World Cup Final for the first time ever. The Red Devils were seen as one of the most talented teams in the world heading into this year’s World Cup, but the question was whether or not they could put it all together. They have certainly looked the part to this point, and now the small country believes that anything is possible after upsetting Brazil in the Quarterfinals to make it to just their second World Cup Semifinal ever. The only thing left between the Belgians and the World Cup Final now is France. ... 

Croatia is looking to recreate its magical run at the 1998 World Cup. That team is still heralded as national heroes in Croatia, and this version is trying to follow in their footsteps. With this draw, they even have a decent chance of getting to the World Cup Final, which would send the country into euphoria. ... 

England is beginning to feel like this might be their World Cup. It had been 12 years since England last won a game in the knockout rounds, and emotions are high after the Three Lions knocked off Colombia. The English have been handed a dream draw and our favored to win their side of the bracket in order to make it to the final game. ... 

It’s easy to wonder whether or not Belgium is second-guessing itself right now. Coming into their final match of the Group Stage with England, the two countries were tied and both were incentivized to lose. Each nation had already qualified for the knockout rounds, and the loser would likely get a much easier bracket to the World Cup Final. Belgium ended up getting the win, but if they had lost they would have been favored to make it out of that side of the bracket following Spain’s stunning loss to Russia. Instead, they must face Brazil in the Quarterfinals and likely France in the Semifinals (if they make it past Brazil) in order to get there. ... 

For a country of just 3.5 million people, Uruguay has had some outsized success at the World Cup. Uruguay won the first World Cup back in 1930 and became the first country to win two World Cups with its second title in 1950. They have continued to impress over the years, grabbing fourth place in 2010, and are looking to make their sixth trip to the semifinals this year. However, France is standing in their way. Les Bleus are considered one of the favorites to win it all after an impressive win over Argentina and are odds-on favorites ahead of this match. ... 

The last match of the Round of 16 has the potential to provide the spiciest drama. Colombia and England have some of the most passionate fans at the World Cup and both teams have their sights set on the Semifinals given their draw. Whichever team advances between these two will be a heavy favorite when they take on the winner of Sweden and Switzerland in the Quarterfinals. Each side has their sights set on a deep run and national glory, but only one can emerge out of this tilt. ... 

Sweden is on cloud nine heading into their Round of 16 match-up with Switzerland. The Swedes have continued to upset the apple cart, with their performance leading to both the Netherlands and Italy missing out on the World Cup, and their win over Mexico knocking defending champions Germany out in the Group Stage. Now, the Swiss are looking to slay the giant killers and grab a spot in the World Cup Quarterfinals. This match has the lowest total of any of the Round of 16 games. ... 

If you only followed the pattern, you would have known that Japan was going to find a way to sneak into the knockout rounds. Japan has made it to each of the last six World Cups, and they have alternated Group Stage crash-outs without a win to their credit with appearances in the Round of 16. They had the longest odds in Group H, but they were able to make it out and now they are Asia’s only representative in the elimination rounds. If the pattern holds true to form, they will get ousted by Belgium in this match, but Japan will aim to change that little bit of history. ... 

Mexico will have a tough time in their bid to halt the curse of the fifth game. El Tri has been remarkably successful at making it out of the Group Stage. They have made it to the knockout rounds for seven straight World Cups, with only a couple countries having longer streaks in that regard. However, they have not been able to advance past the Round of 16, getting ousted in the first elimination match in each of the last six World Cups. They are heavy favorites not to advance this time either, taking on overall favorite Brazil. ... 

Spain has gotten a fantastic draw. If the chalk had held up, they would have played Argentina and Germany on their march to the final, but Argentina finished in second place in the group and Germany was unable to make it out of the Group Stage. That has set the bracket up nicely for La Roja who would play the winner of Denmark and Croatia in the Quarterfinals if they do advance over Russia here. You can’t count the Russians out here since they are playing on their home turf though. ... 

Right now, the most evenly matched game in the Round of 16 looks to be the match between Portugal and Uruguay. These two teams are similar in that they are led from the front by world class strikers, but the oddsmakers seem to be a little more taken with Uruguay. With Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani paired up top, it’s easy to fall in love with La Celeste. However, you can never count out a Portuguese team with Cristiano Ronaldo at the forefront. ... 

Argentina ended up qualifying for the knockout round of the World Cup in one of the most dramatic ways possible. The Argentines were certainly not at their best in the Group Stage. They drew Iceland in their first match and lost by two goals to Croatia in their second match, putting their World Cup hopes on life support. However, they were given a lifeline when Nigeria beat Iceland, and eventually they took advantage. At that point, they only needed a win to finish in second place in Group D and did just that. Now that there is nothing to lose, they will look to pull off the upset when they face France with a spot in the Quarterfinals on the line. ... 

One of the more unlikely pairings in the Round of 16 is Denmark and Croatia. Denmark was expected to be in this position. They were widely considered to be the second-best team in Group C, and many expected them to finish behind France while edging out Peru for the last qualifying spot. However, Croatia emerging as the winner of Group D was a pretty big surprise. Croatia was expected to finish second, but now they have a favorable match-up in order to make it to the Quarterfinals. ... 

Colombia was a popular dark horse pick to make some noise at the World Cup before the competition got underway. Los Cafeteros boast three world class players and were in a manageable group, so it wasn’t hard to see the potential there. After a rough start, they are looking like the most dangerous team in Group H. However, they must beat Senegal in their final match in order to ensure that they move on to the knockout rounds. A draw would take things out of their hands, while a loss would eliminate them entirely. ... 

True to form, Japan looks like it might qualify for the knockout round at this World Cup. Japan has alternated crashing out winless in the Group Stage with making it to the Round of 16 in its previous five appearances, and this time around they were due to make it out of the Group Stage. They are in great position to do so, only needing a result in their last match with Poland. However, the Poles aren’t a pushover and would love to get a win before exiting the World Cup. ... 

Tunisia and Panama will be saying farewell to the World Cup this Thursday. Both teams knew that their odds of making the knockout rounds were slim in a group that included favorites Belgium and England, and neither side has been able to get a result against either team. However, at least one of these two teams will pick up a result in their finale. Tunisia will be looking for their first World Cup win since 1978, while Panama will be aiming to get a win in their World Cup debut. ... 

There is the possibility for some shenanigans when England and Belgium meet in one of the last matches of the Group Stage on Thursday afternoon. By the time these two teams meet, the rest of the field for the knockout rounds will be set. Right now, there is the possibility that one side of the bracket is really strong, with the other side being incredibly difficult to get through. Since both England and Belgium have already qualified, this may end up being a game that neither team wants to win. ... 

The defending champions showed that they have the heart of a champion on Saturday. With their chances to defend their title slowing fading away, Germany erased a halftime deficit to pick up the three points they needed. Now, Germany is in a good position to make it to the knockout rounds. They simply need to win by two goals or more against South Korea on Wednesday. Winning by multiple goals is never easy, but if there’s one country that can do it, it’s Germany. ... 

Sweden is kicking itself after just missing out on an opportunity to put itself in a great position to qualify for the knockout rounds, while leaving Germany’s hopes on life support. However, it wasn’t meant to be, as Sweden allowed a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. That leaves Sweden needing a win in their final Group Stage match. It will be a tough task as they must face a Mexico team that has been lights out through two games at the World Cup. ... 

In order to make it out of Group E, Serbia knows what it must do. They must win their last game. Serbia has yet to qualify for the knockout round since Montenegro split to form their own country over a decade ago, so they know it’s going to be an uphill battle. Especially since their final opponent will be Brazil. ... 

Costa Rica will not be doubling down as the Cinderella of the World Cup. The Ticos were eliminated from the competition after allowing a pair of 90-minute goals in their match with Brazil on Friday. It was a tough way to go down, especially since they had held the Brazilians at bay for so long. ... 

After making history at the 2016 European Championships, Iceland are looking to do it again in their first trip to the World Cup. The small island nation has proven to be just as pesky now as they were back then, and they are in a decent position to make the knockout round. Their opponent on Tuesday, Croatia, has already locked up a spot in the Round of 16 and Iceland would love to join them. However, they may need a little help. ... 

Argentina enter their last match of the Group Stage trying to avoid disaster. The favorites to win Group D at the beginning of the World Cup find themselves with their backs against the wall. They are sitting on just one point after their first two matches and will need a win over Nigeria and some help in order to make it out of the group. Croatia have already punched their ticket to the knockout rounds, so there is just one spot left. ...