The football globe has been so enthralled by one of the most exciting World Cup’s in recent memory that it almost seems like a shock to the system when the first rest day came around in Brazil.
136 goals were scored throughout the group stages – the most ever in that phase of the tournament. Now, only 36 more goals are required from the last 16 matches to overtake the record of most goals in a single World Cup, which was set in France in 1998.
It seems like a record that is set to be smashed, with some of the tournament’s biggest and most high-profile nations yet to really get going.
Among them is Brazil. The hosts have done what they needed to in order to qualify for the round of 16, however they are yet to play the type of free-flowing football that was offered as an entree at the Confederations Cup in 2013.
Instead, they’ve teased their football-loving public, scraping over the line against Croatia, playing out a goalless draw with Mexico and surviving a gigantic scare at the hands of Cameroon.
This evening, they take on fellow South Americans Chile, whose expansive football has been far easier on the eye throughout the group stages.
Jorge Sampaoli’s side was unlucky not to avoid Brazil by qualifying on top of Group B, but the intense nature of the way they play their football could overwhelm a Brazil team even slightly hampered by nerves.
There was an air of concern in Brazil when a round of 16 clash against Chile was confirmed. The way Sampaoli’s team sets up is to capitalise on every marginal error from their opposition, hunting in packs before breaking with pace and incisiveness.
If Brazil make the same stifling errors that were seen in matches throughout the group stages, there’s every chances a Chilean side, who have midfielder Arturo Vidal rested and ready to go, will take their opportunity to strike.
Neymar: There is no pressure when you are living your dream. http://t.co/bATeVbngHD pic.twitter.com/MWuXh2eYwq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 25, 2014
In tonight’s other match, two other South American heavyweights get ready to resume hostilities.
A Luis Suarez-less Uruguay face up against Colombia, who have mesmerised at the World Cup with their passionate and exciting brand of football.
The Colombians, whose lethal transition from defence to attack left Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan stunned in the group stages, will fancy their chances against a Uruguayan side reeling from a controversial week.
Suarez’s four-month ban from football for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini means an often unattractive Uruguay team could be forced to once again revert to the more direct style that they attempted to implement against Costa Rica. On that occasion, their plans didn’t pay off and Colombia will be hoping for a similar outcome this evening.
James Rodriguez has been one of the most outstanding young talents at this World Cup and Colombia are beginning to look like one of the most exciting prospects on this side of the draw.
Similarly to Brazil, Argentina is another South American nation who seems under the burden of expectation – barring their superstar that is Lionel Messi.
In all three matches, despite slightly disjointed performances, Argentina has got over the line thanks to Messi’s brilliance. He’s beginning to drag this side through the dirt, just as Diego Maradona did in 1986.
For the second-most supported side at the World Cup, the Argentinean fans will be hoping for a similar outcome to 28 years ago.
There are plenty of other high-profile teams that are showing ominous signs, but are yet to hit their straps.
Germany and France offered a hint of things to come with convincing first-up victories, but slowly their form tailed off towards the end of the group stages.
But, with front men such as Thomas Muller and Karim Benzema firing on all cylinders, it’s this stage of the tournament that the time comes to make a name for yourself.
Germany and France play underdog African nations Algeria and Nigeria respectively and are expected to progress through to the quarter finals.
Fellow minnows Costa Rica and Greece also meet in the round of 16, with a place in the quarters up for grabs for the winner – who thought we’d be seeing that pre-tournament?
An impressive Netherlands side are also expected to progress when they face Chile, while Belgium plays the USA in the final round of 16 clash.
With so much served up already – and with so much still to offer – there’s every reason why this World Cup is deservedly being mentioned alongside the classics as one of the greatest of all time.
Tonight, the knockout stages commence and more chapters will be written into the history book.
- Tweet of the Day
No European side has won World Cup in South America. Easy to see why. 5 of the old world powers didn’t make it out of their group in Brazil
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) June 27, 2014
- Quote of the Day
“I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies, but at the same time I believe the proposed formula is excessive… Such a ban is really alienating for a player.”
– Giorgio Chiellini, the man bitten by Luis Suarez, slams FIFA’s four-month suspension dished out to the player.
- Tomorrow’s Schedule
The round of 16 kicks off with two fantastic fixtures featuring four South American sides.
In Belo Horizonte, Brazil matches up against Chile in what is a highly-anticipated encounter.
Later in the day, Colombia faces Uruguay in Rio.
Riley Beveridge is a third-year Bachelor of Sport Journalism student at La Trobe University and is the editor of upstart’s Sport and World Cup department. You can follow him on Twitter: @RileyBev.
