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The World Cup Group stage games are over, and the knockout stages are upon us. The last 16 fixtures will be played from 30th June to 3rd July. The World Cup tournament is entering an important phase where there is no second chance for the teams, glory beckons.
The 16 teams that have reached the knockout stages are Uruguay, Portugal, Russia, Spain, France, Denmark, Croatia, Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, Belgium, England, Colombia, and Japan.
Top teams like Germany, Nigeria, Serbia, Costa Rica and Senegal have failed to qualify for the round of 16. With 16 good teams remaining in the tournament, no game is going to be easy and teams will have to fight their way out to the subsequent knock stages.
Without much ado, let's take a look at the three round of 16 games that cannot be missed in the 2018 World Cup.
#3 Uruguay vs Portugal
Two time Champions - Uruguay, finished unbeaten in Group A. With 3 wins from 3 games, Uruguay finished on top of their group. They started the tournament with a 1-0 win over Egypt and then beat Saudi Arabia 1-0.
They defeated the hosts Russia 3-0 in their final World Cup group game. Uruguay has some of the top European footballers like Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, and Diego Godin in their ranks. Suarez has already struck twice, while Edinson Cavani has added one to his name.
On the other hand, a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal finished behind Spain in Group B. They also have a formidable lineup with the likes of Bernardo Silva, Joao Moutinho, William Carvalho, Pepe, and Andre Silva.
The Portuguese are the 2016 European Champions and it is going to truly be a hard-fought contest.
#2 Colombia vs England
2014 quarter-finalist Columbia take on the 1966 Champions England on 3rd July in the last game of the round of 16 stage. The English team is playing some sublime football in the tournament and finished the Group stage with six points and in second place.
Colombia on the other hand finished on top of Group H. They lost to Japan in their first game but came back well to beat Poland and Senegal. With 5 goals in the group stage, Harry Kane has been in scintillating form for England and is leading the race for the Golden Boot.
James Rodriguez is an unlikely starter against England as he left the game against Senegal in the 31st minute because of an injury. Radamel Falcao, Juan Cuadrado, and David Ospina are expected to start the game. Expect the game to produce some fireworks.
#1 France vs Argentina
Easily the pick of the round of 16 fixtures. 1998 Champions France take on the two-time Champions Argentina in a mouthwatering fixture on Saturday. Argentina struggled in the group stage and needed a last gasp Rojo strike to qualify for the last 16.
They were not at their best throughout the tournament and finished behind Croatia in Group D. They have a star studded lineup with the likes of Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Angel di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, and Marcos Rojo.
Their opponents France finished on top of Group C with 2 wins and a draw. Though they are unbeaten in the group stage, they are yet to reach top gear.
Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Raphaël Varane, and Samuel Umtiti form a formidable France lineup.
