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After a fortnight of suspense and drama, we are down to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2018. It has been unpredictable in the group stage, which saw a German disaster and an Argentine scare.
Many teams that came with high expectations had to struggle hard to find a way through, while some outsiders conquered the scene with a spirited performance. Forget all the pre-tournament favourites. All that matters is how they perform now.
Let us check out how the 16 teams rank according to their strength:
16. Japan
Japan qualified to the knock out stages from a very tough group, overcoming Senegal and Poland. They were tied with Senegal on points and goal difference and edged out on the fair play rule. However, they deserved to feature in the last 16 with the spirited performance they showcased.
They began their campaign with a surprise win over Columbia by two goals to one. It was the first time that Japan defeated a Latin American team in a world cup match. They carried their good form to the second match against Senegal where they fought for a 2-2 draw.
They lost to Poland by a goal to nil in their final group stage match to finish second on the table with 4 points. They have scored and conceded 4 goals in their three group stage matches. Collective work and energy shown on the pitch are the strengths of Japan.
This is an amazing result for the Samurai Blues considering they are ranked 61 in the world. They will face Belgium in their next encounter on Monday. Although it will not be an easy match for the Asians, they will be hoping for some heroics from their star players Kagawa and Honda.
#15 Denmark
Christan Erikson and company booked their tickets to the last 16 after playing out a goalless draw against France in their final fixture of the group stage. They finished second behind France in the group with two draws and one win. Although they will feel confident about their defensive strengths, their concerns are up front, in finishing the chances.
They have conceded only one goal in their three group stage matches, with their goalkeeper Schmeichel claiming the show with 14 goals. He is currently second on the list of most saves at this tournament. They will try to keep the impressive defensive record to make a deep run into the tournament.
Denmark began their world cup campaign with a 1-0 win against Peru. They had to make 2 blocks and 6 saves in that game to keep the clean sheet. They were held to a 1-1 draw in their second match with Australia. They will face a spirited Croatia in their next encounter on the first of July.
#14 Russia
Despite having the advantages of the hosts, they were not among the favourites to qualify for the round of 16. Understandably, with their tag of the lowest ranked team of the Fifa world cup 2018. But all the doubts were scattered in a rain of goals in the opening match of the world cup, where they thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0.
They booked their tickets to the round of 16 by defeating Egypt 3-1 in their second group stage match. They are among the top 3 teams with the most number of goals in the group stages. They will be counting on this great goalscoring form to go ahead in the tournament.
However, they conceded 3 goals in their final group match against Uruguay. It will be interesting to see how they will approach their match against Spain. Defending against a quality opponent will be a real test for the hosts. But the poor defensive record of Spain in the tournament leaves them a narrow chance to come out on top.
#13 Sweden
Sweden surprised everyone by coming out the top of the Group F with 2 wins and one defeat. Their only defeat came against Germany in the second match, where they suffered a heartbreaking last-minute winner from Toni Kroos.
They had to show a lot of character to come back and dominate the game against Mexico. They certainly have the momentum on their side, and will be hoping to make a deep run into the tournament.
Swedes have managed to score in all of their group stage matches and kept a clean sheet in 2 out of their 3 first round outings. With such an impressive start, they will be looking to replicate their past glories. They face Switzerland in the round of 16 on July 3. With the form they are in, they will consider it a disappointment if they fail to progress to the quarterfinals.
#12 Mexico
Mexico began their world cup campaign with a stunner, defeating the reigning champions Germany by a goal to nil. But despite their heroics, they qualified to the knockout stages as the runners-up of the group behind Sweden. They defeated South Korea in their second match with a similar scoreline.
However, they were humbled by Sweden with a scoreline of 3-0 in their final group stage match. Their strength lies in their fast-paced counter attacks, that could trouble any defenders in the world. Their goalkeeper Ochoa leads the list of most saves with 17 from three matches. He holds an impressive 81% save rate which will be needed in their encounter with Brazil in the round of 16.
They face Brazil in their next match on Monday. Having seen how Brazil struggled against Navas and Costa Rica, Mexico will be high on hopes with Ochoa keeping their goal. If Chicharito and company can make an impression with their counter attacks, they will pose a big threat to the Brazilians.
#11 Switzerland
Switzerland has been known for their hard to break defence over the years. But there is a shift in the pattern this year around. They have scored in all of their group stage matches, including the one against Brazil.
However, they also conceded in all of their matches. They qualified for the knockout stages with 2 draws and 1 win from their Group E outings. They have scored 5 goals and conceded 4 in the group stage. They will be hoping to match their performance with their status in the Fifa rankings. They are currently ranked 6 in the world.
Switzerland began their world cup campaign by holding the Latin American giants Brazil to a 1-1 draw. But they will be disappointed by the fact that they conceded more goals against Costa Rica than they did against Brazil. If they can replicate the defensive shape that they are known for, they could be in for a deep run into the tournament.
#10 Columbia
Columbia reached the quarterfinals of the world cup 4 years back with an impressive show from the finding of that tournament, James Rodriguez. Their start to the 2018 campaign was not ideal, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Japan. They showed great character and fought their way through with a 3-0 victory over Poland.
Columbia booked their ticket to the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Senegal in their final group stage match. They did not concede in their last two matches, which will be a confidence booster for them when they face a team that has scored the most goals in the group stages.
Their star-studded lineup is good enough to upset any teams on their day. They will hope that the likes of Rodriguez and Falcao will rise to the top form at the right time.
#9 Portugal
The reigning European champions Portugal qualified to the round of 16 without a defeat. Led by their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, who has already netted four times in the tournament, Portugal has managed to score in all of their three group stage matches. Ronaldo, who was the top scorer at the Champions League, is carrying his good form to the international stage. This could be the last world cup for the Real Madrid star, and he will be looking to leave a mark that will establish him as the greatest player of all time.
Portugal began their world cup campaign with a thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain. They edged out an inspired Morocco side 1-0 in their second match. Despite missing a spot-kick in their final outing with Iran, the Portugeese managed a 1-1 draw and booked their ticket to the knock out stages. They will face a strong Uruguay team in their next encounter. Uruguay has not conceded a goal in the tournament so far, but the whole world knows that Portugal has a player who can score goals against any opponents in the world.
#8 Argentina
Argentina survived a major scare to reach the knock out stages of yet another Fifa world cup. After a poor start to the campaign with only one point from two games, they found their destiny out of their hands when they faced Nigeria in their final group stage match. They had to wait till the 86'th minute to score a winner and eventually progress as the runners-up of Group D behind Croatia.
There were reports of a rift inside the camp following their poor performance. However, it all turned out well for Argentina as Messi found his form back just at the right moment. Ever Banega taking up the role of the playmaker also made them strong in the midfield.
Argentina began their world cup campaign with a 1-1 draw with debutant Iceland. They suffered a 3-0 defeat against a Modric inspired Croatia in their second match. They will face France in their next encounter on Saturday. Argentina will be hoping to go past France on the wings of Messi.
#7 Uruguay
Although they are better known for their attacking stars like Suarez and Cavani, Uruguay has displayed the best defensive performance at this world cup so far. They are yet to concede a goal after their three group stage matches. They have also managed to score in all of their group stage matches. With Gimenez and Godin carrying out the defensive duties, they will hope to continue the good run without conceding a goal.
They commenced their world cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Egypt. Their second match also saw the same scoreline when they defeated Saudi Arabia. They put forward a brilliant display in their final group stage outing when they humbled the hosts by 3-0. They will face Portugal in the round of 16 on Saturday. Considering the records of both the teams so far, Uruguay will feel to be the favourites to win this tie.
#6 France
With the youngest squad among the remaining teams at the Fifa world cup 2018, France is one of the hot favourites to win the tournament. They booked their tickets to the round of 16 with 2 wins and a draw in their group stage matches. They have scored 3 goals and conceded only one in the first round.
They are a formidable attacking side with the likes of Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann leading up front and Pogba controlling the middle. They are yet to showcase what they are really capable of and will be hoping to bring it out just at the right moment. They face an unpredictable Argentina in their next encounter on Saturday.
France began their world cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Australia. They defeated Peru by a goal to nil in their second match of the tournament, before playing out the first goalless draw of the tournament with Denmark. They will be confident to overcome an out of shape Argentina to progress to the quarterfinals.
#5 England
England has been one of the best-attacking units of this world cup, scoring 8 goals in three matches. Their talisman Harry Kane is top on the top scorers' list with 5 goals to his name. While many teams that carried the tags of the favourites failed to deliver, England has delivered a performance that justifies their name.
They are undoubtedly a formidable attacking force and it will be a tough task to keep them away from scoring. However, all those goals came against comparatively weaker opponents, so it will be interesting to see how they turn up against better matchups.
They began their world cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tunisia, before thrashing the debutants Panama 6-1 in their second match. They ended their group stage with a 1-0 loss to Belgium, which resting many players of their starting 11. England will face Columbia in their next encounter on Tuesday. They will be looking to repeat their goal scoring feat when Kane and company return to the team after a well-deserved rest.
#4 Croatia
Not many would have thought that Croatia will top the tables of Group D. They not only have done that, but they have done that in style. The eastern European nation has emerged as an outsider to win the world cup after their famous 3-0 thrashing of Argentina.
Their strength lies in a strong midfield. They have the world's best midfielder in their squad, Real Madrid's Luka Modric. When Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic joins him, they become an impossible midfield to get the ball from. This strong midfield gives them a defensive shield, and their visionary gives their attack unbelievable dimensions.
Croatia began their world cup campaign by defeating Nigeria two goals to nil. It was their second match against Argentina that made them a sensation, where they defeated the Latin Americans 3-0. They also managed to defeat Iceland in their final group stage match despite making 9 changes to their starting 11. They will be looking to replicate the heroics of 1998. Croatia will face Denmark in their next encounter on Sunday.
#3 Spain
Spain has been great offensively but seems to have problems at the back. They have scored 6 goals in their three group stage matches but conceded 5, which is very uncharacteristic of the Spanish side. However, their midfield will be able to dominate more in the knock out matches, where the opponents will be a little more cautious in going forward.
They have a great blend of experience and youth in every area of the game. In defence, they have the combination of experience and youth in Ramos and Nacho. It is Iniesta and Isco in the midfield, where Costa and Aspas keep the combination up front as well. They will surely be a team to beat in the later stages of the tournament.
Spain began their world cup campaign with one of the matches of the tournament, a 3-3 draw with Portugal. They defeated Iran 1-0 in their second match and played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Morocco. They will meet the hosts in their next encounter on Sunday.
#2 Belgium
Belgium has scored more goals than any other teams in this world cup so far. Netting 9 times in their three group stage matches, they really look like a team to beat. The golden generation of Belgium has so far lived up to the expectations, and they are within a great chance of making a deep run into the tournament after finishing ahead of England on the group tables.
Manchester United star Lukaku is leading their attack with 4 goals to his name. They also have a strong midfield featuring De Bruyne and Hazard. They will face Japan on Monday in their next encounter.
Belgium began their world cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Panama. They defeated Tunisia 5-2 in their second match to book the tickets to the round of 16. A victory over by a goal to nil ensured them the top spot in the group. Belgium, who is currently ranked 3 in the world, will be looking to justify their rankings with a memorable performance.
#1 Brazil
After the early exit of the reigning champions Germany, Brazil is currently the favourite to lift the trophy. Determined to repay for the humiliation they suffered on home soil, Brazil is doing very well so far. They finished the top of a group with challenging opponents. Even though they did not score as many goals as Belgium, they had to break through a few strong defences to score goals.
They are a group of world-class players that could cause a headache to any defences in the world. While Neymar is yet to show the full calibre, Coutinho proved that they don't rely on a single player like many other teams. They have scored 5 goals so far and conceded only one.
Brazil started their world cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. They were really tested in their second match with a Keylor Navas inspired Costa Rica, but they found a way through very late to win by two goals to nil. They finished their group stage on a high note with a convincing 2-0 victory over Serbia. They will face Mexico in their next encounter on Monday.
So here we have seen all the remaining teams ranked, where did your team fall?
