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The Group stages came to an end with many severe knockout blows to the seeded teams. Spain, Italy, England & Portugal being the highest ranked victims who were knocked out, which has sounded the alarm for the seeded teams to not take anyopposition lightly. More so now, as the business end of the tournament is set to begin. A loss means the end of the Road (alsobeginning of the Journey to the next World Cup)and it would be simply nave to take any risks at this part of the tournament.
#1 Brazil vs Chile, 28 June 2014
Brazil
The biggest threat that Brazil posseses with them is their Forward Neymar. Brazil would want to continue their perfect record over their SOuth American Rivals at the World Cup, winning the previous three encounters including the round of 16 match at South Africa in the previous edition. Brazil comfortably beat Cameroon in their last group stage fixture and got their scoring rythm back.
Chile
Chile could not continue their fine run of form as they lost to Netherlands in their final encounter at the group stages. They have been good especially when they scored first and early. Chile have not had any particular stand-out player in the group stages, but have had contributors from the midfield rather than heavy dependence on forwards.
Eliminating the World Champions might act as a psychological advantage to Chile going into the game. The battle between the match would certainly be between Vidal & Neymar. They will be key to their respective teams performances. Although Vidal has not been much impressive in the Group Stages, he will need to be if Chile is to beat Brazil. While Neymar on the other end is highly decorated, also he is one of the joint contenders for the Golden Boot at the moment.
Brazil vs Chile at World Cups currently stand at 3-0, will Brazil make it 4-0 at their backyard or will Chile cause an upset making it 3-1.
Prediction: Brazil 1-0 Chile
#2 Colombia vs Uruguay, 28 June 2014
Colombia
The loss of Falcao was a big set back for the team but they seem to have taken it well after their perfect record in the Group Stages. They have been one of the most exciting teams in the group stages. James Rodriguez has scored and assisted a handful times which imply he is in an amazing form and the expectations from him will continue to increase as the tournament progresses.
Uruguay
The loss of Suarez will be a major blow to the Uruguayans as he was the man in form, 30 plus goals in the Premier League and the two goals against England in the group stages. Under the circumstances, Uruguay might want to rely on the experience of Diego Forlan combined with the talent of Edinson Cavani to lead the attack in Suarez’s absence. Also the Midfielder Diego Godin could pack a surprise the way he packed the Azzuri’s on flight back home.
On one corner of this match is the Prolific performing Colombians winning 3 out of 3 in the Groups and on the other end is Uruguay who eliminated two European Giants to qualify. James Rodriguez & Edinson Cavani would be the key players in this match up.
Prediction: Colombia 1-2 Uruguay
#3 Netherlands vs Mexico, 29 June 2014
Netherlands
Netherlands landed three wins quite comfortably in the group stages scoring 10 goals in the process which makes them the leaders in terms of Goals. Robben & Van Persie have been in great form, Van Persie had to miss their last group match against Chile due to Suspension means he would be completely fresh and ready to strike.
Mexico
The Mexicans have had interesting displays as they did not lose a single match in the group stages either. Holding Brazil to an intense draw in their second fixture in the group stage. Mexico will be hopeful that History should not be on their side as they bowed out of the previous five World Cup tournaments in the first Knockout Stage.
The match will be intense between the high scoring Dutch and the Defensive prowess of Mexico. Mexico have let in only one goal in the tournament which accounts to the best performance along with a couple of other Nations. The battle within the match would be between the Dutch Forwards and the Mexican Keeper Ochoa.
Prediction: Netherlands 2-0 Mexico
#4 Costa Rica vs Greece, 29 June 2014
Costa Rica
Costa Rica emerged group leaders in a group consisting of England, Italy & Uruguay, not losing a single game. Costa Rica boasts one the best defences in the tournament having conceded just one goal throughout their group stages that too a penalty against Uruguay.
Greece
Greece owe their qualification to a Spot kick in the final moments of their last group fixture to send Drogba’s men packing home. This is the very first time that Greece have made it to the Knockout stages. Greece like Costa Rica have a solid defense as can be seen by the record that they conceded only one goal in the remaining two fixtures after their loss to Colombia.
This may not be the most exciting fixture in the World Cup, as two defences would battle it out. But whichever team wins and qualifies will make history as that would be their best ever performance at the World Cup tournaments. That is something both these teams would fight out for till the final blow of the whistle.
Prediction: Costa Rica 1-0 Greece
#5 France vs Nigeria, 30 June 2014
France
France have been scoring freely and at will but that was only for the first two games of the tournament, they had to sit out a 0-0 draw in their final group encounter against Ecuador. Obviously France are the favourites to win. Les Bleus boast a formidable attack with Benzema leading from the forefront and a host of other Midfielders who love to attack.
Nigeria
Nigeria has made their opposition work hard for the points as only Argentina succeeded in defeating them in the group stages in a 5 goal thriller ending in a 3-2 loss for the Nigerians. Nigeria does not have enough big names in their squad but they are capable of causing an Upset and a shock one. Peter Odemwinghie & Ahmed Musa will be key for their attack.
It would be difficult one for both the teams, but you never know this might just turn out to be a tournament for the Under-Dogs as the French Defense has not been rock solid in the group stages. France will need their Defenders to buckle up, while the Forwards will need to do what they do best and that is to score.
Prediction: France 3-1 Nigeria
#6 Germany vs Algeria, 30 June 2014
Germany
Finishing top in the group of Death, Golden Boot contender Thomas Muller, and all time goal World Cup goal scoring joint Leader Miroslav Klose, one of the best Keepers in the World Manuel Neuer and the ability to find the net under pressure all are signs to a squad that is capable of winning against any opposition.
Algeria
Algeria are a bunch of Flexible and exciting players. Their Central Defensive pair of Rafik Halliche and Madjid Bougherra has been impressive throughout the group stages. Algeria had an impressive display against South Korea and sealed their Round of 16 spot with a 1-1 draw against Capello’s Russia to qualify for the Knockouts for the first time in World Cup tournaments.
The match should not be too difficult for the Strong German side with their all round displays in the group stages but a shocker cannot be ruled out, as the Algerians would be fully armoured to avenge their exit from the 1982 World Cup.
Prediction: Germany 1-0 Algeria
#7 Argentina vs Switzerland, 1 July 2014
Argentina
By the group table it would appear that Argentina eased through but that is not all reality, Argentina had a hard fought 3 points against all their opponents pushing the gears match by match. Argentina have also been heavily depended on Messi for Goals and now more so, due to Aguero being ruled out of the match with injury.
Switzerland
They are playing a risky game, giving it their all in the attack and somehow managing to stop the counter-attacks, it did work against Honduras as they managed to avoid conceding twice but the attacking play absolutely failed against France suffering a 5-2 loss.
Both the teams have impressive players who on their day could easily win them the match, but it wont be so easy for either of the teams as for the Argentine’s Messi seems to be the only one scoring having scored 4 of the 6 goals that Argentina struck. So if, Switzerland manage to find a way to keep Messi from scoring then they might have a good chance at winning provided the Swiss score. The Swiss will need a lot of defensive work as Argentina is capable of brilliant displays of counter-attacking Football.
Prediction: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
#8 Belgium vs USA, 1 July 2014
Belgium
Belgium eased its way with perfection in the group stages but their star players have been lack lustre. Belgians had their scorers in the first two games come on as Substitutes to score and win them the match, that might not be enough to take them through to the Quarters.
USA
They finished 2nd in the group of death behind Germany, that deserves some credit. But the American team has managed slip ups in the end moments of the game. Which will be needed to improve on as a slip up now could send them packing home.
The Goal Keepers of both the teams, Thibaut Courtois & Tim Howard will be key to the performances of both the squads.
Prediction: Belgium 0-0 USA (USA win on Penalties)
