SOCCER WORLD CUP ARTICLES

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. ... 

France has already locked up its spot in the knockout rounds. Now, the goal is to finish first in Group C. Les Bleus have been able to pick up wins in their first two matches, but it wasn’t easy. Peru and Australia both tested the favorites to win the group, yet France persevered and grabbed the three points each time. They will be playing Denmark in their last match and will top the group as long as they get a result. Meanwhile, the Danes qualify for the Round of 16 with a result and will do everything in their power to grab at least a draw. ... 

This has been Iran’s most successful World Cup to date. No one expected much out of Team Melli in a group that included powerhouses Spain and Portugal and an upstart in Morocco, and many assumed they would be fortunate to get a point in those three matches. However, Iran’s play has surpassed all expectations and now the team finds itself in position to potentially qualify for the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time ever. ... 

Australia has its work cut out for it if it is going to make the knockout rounds. The Socceroos are sitting on just one point heading into their last match of Group C, and they need a win and some help in order to edge out Denmark for the group’s final spot. They will be looking to run it up on Peru, who are pretty unfortunate to have zero points in their two matches. The Incas were eliminated from World Cup contention after losing to France on Thursday, but they will be looking to go out on a high note with a result. ... 

Although they have played well in Russia, this will be Morocco’s last match at this World Cup. Morocco was in good form against both Iran and Portugal, but lost to both of those teams and are subsequently four points outside of qualification in Group B. Yet they can still play spoiler. If they somehow find a way to beat Spain by multiple goals in their finale, they would keep La Roja out of the knockout rounds if Iran picks up a result against Portugal. It’s very unlikely, but Morocco has been much better than its two losses might indicate. ... 

Unfortunately for both Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the only thing at stake is pride when they meet on Monday morning. Each side has had a disappointing World Cup. Both teams were unable to get a result in matches with Uruguay and Russia, and those two teams will be moving on to the knockout round while the two Middle Eastern nations head home. Each side would love to end their time in Russia on a high note though. Egypt is still in search of its first ever World Cup victory, while Saudi Arabia is looking for its first win since making the Sweet Sixteen in 1994. ... 

No matter what happens now, Russia has to consider the World Cup a success. Russia has already clinched a spot in the knockout rounds prior to its final match against Uruguay. Despite looking shaky in their friendlies leading up to the competition, they have hammered their opponents and are now going to make it out of the Group Stage for the first time since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A win or a draw will lead to them beating out Uruguay for the top spot due to goal differential, while a loss will give Uruguay the group and force Russia to face the winner of Group B. ... 

If you had asked any analyst their predictions for Group H prior to the World Cup, the vast majority of them would have told you that Poland and Colombia would be the two teams to make it out in some order. Few would have said that coming into the second set of matches, both of these teams find themselves in a precarious position. That’s exactly where we are though. Colombia and Poland both lost their openers, and now each team is desperate for a win in order to rise out of the cellar. A win for either team would put it in a decent position to advance, while a loss would virtually eliminate the other. ... 

Before the World Cup started, many expected Japan and Senegal to be the two odd teams out in Group H. Although the group was somewhat wide open, the general consensus was that Poland and Colombia would be the teams to advance. However, that thought was turned on its head after the first day of action. Japan and Senegal each picked up wins, and now the group is wide open. Each team is now in good position to advance, and if one of the teams is able to pick up the victory here, they will almost guarantee themselves a spot in the knockout rounds. ... 

England is in the position it expected to be in after its first match, but it wasn’t easy. Their blushes were spared thanks to a stoppage time goal from superstar Harry Kane. Still, three points are three points and considering what happened with Brazil, Argentina, and Germany, England will take victories any way they can get them. The Three Lions will look to pick up one more when they take on Panama in the first match on Sunday. A win for England would virtually guarantee them a spot in the Round of 16, while anything but a win for Panama would likely crush their scant hopes. ... 

Mexico is on cloud nine at the moment. El Tri pulled off the upset of the tournament thus far when they knocked off defending champions Germany in their opener. A year after they were trounced 4-1 in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup, Juan Carlos Osorio’s side was able to extract a considerable amount of revenge. ... 

Belgium is looking to cement its spot in the knockout rounds with a win over Tunisia in this match. The Belgians are on top of Group G after a strong performance in their opener against Panama and are looking to put themselves in position to win the group. As for Tunisia, they find themselves in a tough spot. The Carthage Eagles nearly picked up a draw in their opener only to be foiled by an injury time goal. Now, Tunisia likely needs to pick up the full three points if they have any hope of getting to the knockout round. ... 

Can Sweden do it again? Sweden made a name for itself as a giant killer during its run to the World Cup. Despite being placed in a group with France and the Netherlands, they made it into the playoff and then qualified from there after holding Italy scoreless over the span of 180 minutes. That left both the Dutch and the Italians out of the World Cup, stunning fans in both countries. A win over Germany here would be their greatest feat yet, as it would likely knock the defending champions out of the World Cup in the Group Stage. ...