Brazil's Neymar celebrates after scoring against Mexico. Photo / AP
Brazil's Neymar celebrates after scoring against Mexico. Photo / AP
Ahead of the quarter-finals, Michael Burgess looks at who could emerge as World Champions.
It feels like there has never been a better chance for a new, or surprise, winner of the World Cup. This tournament has already produced some remarkable storylines, and maybe there are more to come overthe next 10 days.
In the past 40 years, there have only been two new engravings on the Jules Rimet trophy (France in 1998 and Spain in 2010) but maybe, just maybe, there could be another new champion on July 15. Croatia and Belgium both have the attacking weaponry to go far, while England (winners in 1966) and Uruguay (winners in 1930 and 1950) would be akin to new victors, since it has been so long since they lifted the trophy.
Coach Tite has successfully brought back the flair for the men in yellow, without sacrficing any of the pragmaticism necessary in modern football. At their best they play with a speed and skill that no one else can match, with the samba rythmn in full swing.
They also look defensively sound, with a decent keeper and Thiago Silva and Miranda impressing in central defence. The Seleção have looked imperious at times, though have yet to face a truly tough, 90-minute test.
They can still be vulnerable, especially with the space they leave behind the raiding fullbacks and Neymar's temperament when things go against him is a worry.
Verdict: Favourites, but toughest possible run to the final.
After grinding their way through the group stages, France sprung to life against Argentina. They produced some superb counter-attacking play, though Argentina's defending was chaotic.
Didier Deschamps' team is superbly balanced, with probably the best defensive core, always the vital component at the business end of the tournament. They are a well drilled squad, but seem to lack genuine leaders, which may count against them when the pressure goes on.
Verdict: Should shade Uruguay, setting up another World Cup semifinal classic for Les Bleus, in the vein of 1982, 1986 and 2006.
France celebrate after scoring against Argentina. Photo / AP
3. England
Are the Three Lions about to roar? After all the misfortune, bad luck and regrettable incidents over the years – from West Germany's fortunate equaliser in 1990 to Wayne Rooney's red card in 2006 – something different is in the wind in Russia. They are injury free, in form, and have the best possible draw. It feels like their time has come, though their naivety at the back may ultimately cost them, with Jon Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker all showing a tendency towards over playing.
Verdict: They'll get past Sweden, and are a great chance to reach the final.
England players celebrate after defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout. Photo / AP
4. Croatia
Croatia used up a couple of lives against Denmark, as the Scandinavians raised their game above the stodgy levels exhibited in group play. But Croatia survived, and the pressure comes off a bit now, as they have reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 1998. They've also got a good draw, with Russia surely unable to raise their levels again.
Verdict: Will repeat their unforgettable run to last four in France 98, and may even go one better.
Croatia's Luka Modric celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Argentina. Photo /AP
5. Belgium
Their golden generation should be back in Brussels right now, facing another inquistion about a failure at a major tournament. But after their great escape against Japan, their title quest is back on. Roberto Martinez's men will also take a lot of confidence and belief from that match, and have goalscorers across the park. But like Brazil, they have the toughest possible run to glory.
Verdict: If they can get pass Brazil anything's possible, but they still have a touch of fragility about them.
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring against Tunisia. Photo / AP
6. Uruguay
Uruguay should be the gold standard for all small nations looking for a template of how to perform with limited resources. El Celeste have done it again, finding a way to the last eight while bigger nations have fallen by the wayside. This team look even better than the side that went to the last four in 2010, with the Luis Suarez/Edison Cavani combination on fire and a typically resolute defence.
Verdict: They may have peaked against Portugal, and could find it a step to far against Les Bleus.
Uruguay's Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal against Portugal. Photo / AP
7. Sweden
Sweden have been one of most compelling stories in world football over the past 12 months. First they edged Holland in their qualifying group, then eliminated Italy in a playoff shock.
They should have got a point against Germany, then stunned Mexico to turn Group F upside down. And all this without their best player of the modern era, as the coaching staff turned down Zlatan Ibrahimović's offer to return from retirement.
Verdict: Nothing seems impossible for this Swedish team, but they would be the most unlikely semi-finalists since Turkey in 2002. Their dreams will die in Samara against England.
Sweden's Emil Forsberg, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning goal against Switzerland. Photo / AP
8. Russia
Russia have overachieved, and surely used up all of their luck. Their good fortune started with them being made top seed in their group, a generous gesture from Fifa given their low world ranking. They also got to play Saudi Arabia first up. Russia have played well, and showed great tenacity and courage against a misfiring Spanish side. That victory prompted unprecedented celebrations across Russia, and was just reward for a nation that has put on a magnificent World Cup.
Verdict: It's been a great ride, but the party will end on Saturday (NZT).
