⬆️#16 Paraguay, +15 from last week
The biggest surprise team in the Round of 16. Against the Germans, "La Albirroja" showed that their deep block is difficult to penetrate - at least when playing as sluggishly as the DFB team.
What is also clear, however: Offensively, Paraguay, with or without star player Julio Enciso, will not work wonders.
In any case, the South Americans bring a certain toughness and grit that can cause problems for almost any opponent. The problem from Paraguay's perspective: their Round of 16 opponent is France.
Results: 1:4 against USA, 1:0 against Turkey, 0:0 against Australia; 5:4 on penalties against Germany
Round of 16 Opponent: France (Saturday, 11:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#15 Egypt, +9
Already the second team to secure their Round of 16 ticket via a penalty shootout.
Advancing against a hard-defending Australia was deserved in the end; especially in extra time, the Egyptians pushed for the win. This may also be due to past penalty shootout "traumas" at World Cups and Africa Cups.
Mohamed Salah and his men were finally able to break the spell, also thanks to a Panenka from the superstar. A lesser-known colleague of the former Liverpool player was important once again: Emam Ashour. The Al-Ahly player impressed in four games across four different positions and scored two goals.
Anything less than a Round of 16 exit, where they stand for the first time since 1934, would be a sensation. The individual quality is simply lacking for that - as is the form of players like Omar Marmoush. Because world champions Argentina await.
Results: 1:1 Belgium, 3:1 New Zealand, 1:1 Iran; 5:3 on penalties Australia
Round of 16 Opponent: Argentina (Tuesday, 6:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>>)
⬆️#14 Canada, +6
By the skin of their teeth, the co-host avoided extra time against South Africa, arguably the weakest team in the Round of 32.
For the first time in this World Cup, Canada did not play at home - and Jesse Marsch changed his approach accordingly. Canada relied less on classic pressing, instead simply closing down the South Africans high up the pitch. This resulted in many long balls from the goalkeeper on one hand, and a rather unappealing match on the other.
Despite having less possession than in all previous World Cup matches, Canada turned the game in their favor. With the late winning goal, the co-host, who must play in the USA again, could gain momentum.
However, Morocco, the clear favorite, won even later.
Results: 1:1 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6:0 Qatar, 1:2 Switzerland; 1:0 South Africa
Round of 16: Morocco (Saturday, 7:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#13 Belgium, +2
It's hard to make sense of the eternal dark horse.
Was it the strength of the Belgians or an implosion by Senegal that led to the spectacular comeback in the Round of 32? Within three minutes, Garcia's squad equalized in the closing stages, only to score the 3:2 in the 120th+5 minute (!).
What the "Red Devils" certainly showed: morale. And at this stage of the tournament, where matches usually get tighter, that is crucial. Whether that will be enough against the USA remains to be seen.
Results: 1:1 Egypt, 0:0 Iran, 5:1 New Zealand; 3:2 A.E.T. Senegal
Round of 16 Opponent: USA (Tuesday, 2:00 AM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬇️#12 USA, -3
To confidently defeat the tricky Bosnians with 30 minutes of numerical disadvantage - impressive.
The USA made another small statement with their Round of 32 match. Nevertheless, they drop in the ranking. Partly due to the performance of other teams, and partly due to an absence: Folarin Balogun, the US boys' best player so far, is suspended for the upcoming match after his red card foul.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino is now challenged to show one of his greatest strengths in a short amount of time: making offensive players look really good. If he succeeds, the World Cup euphoria can continue in Seattle against Belgium.
Results: 4:1 Paraguay, 2:0 Australia, 2:3 Turkey; 2:0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Round of 16: Belgium (Tuesday, 2:00 AM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬇️#11 Colombia, -1
If only they would score their chances...
13 big chances, almost seven shots on target per game - and yet the "Cafeteros" have only scored five goals; only Paraguay has fewer among all Round of 16 participants.
With their intense pressing, quick transitions, and very offensive full-backs, they cause problems for almost any opponent.
However, Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez, and co. too often lack luck in front of goal. If they find it, they could even go as far as in 2014. Switzerland, however, should not be underestimated.
Results: 3:1 Uzbekistan, 1:0 DR Congo, 0:0 Portugal, 1:0 Ghana
Round of 16 Opponent: Switzerland (Tuesday, 10:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#10 Norway, +7
It's rare for the public to pick a team as a surprise before a World Cup and for that team to actually deliver.
Norway has already achieved this, as reaching the Round of 16 means their first finals appearance since 1998 is a success. And it's not just the big stars, Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, who are delivering. Antonio Nusa scored a dream goal against Ivory Coast, goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland made countless strong saves.
The Round of 16 match against Brazil will be exciting. Because the duel with Ivory Coast was decided primarily on the wings - positions where the "Seleção" currently has weaknesses against the ball.
Results: 4:1 Iraq, 3:2 Senegal, 1:4 France; 2:1 Ivory Coast
Round of 16 Opponent: Brazil (Sunday 10:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#9 Switzerland, +5
The curse is broken. For the first time since 1934, the "Nati" wins a knockout match at a World Cup.
Switzerland can also "suffer" within matches – meaning they can withstand opponent pressure without immediately falling behind.
It is an incredibly balanced squad with players who can create special moments. Coach Murat Yakin even lets these players start now; against Algeria, Johan Manzambi, Ruben Vargas, and Dan Ndoye played from the beginning.
Results: 1:1 Qatar, 4:1 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2:1 Canada; 2:0 Algeria
Round of 16 Opponent: Colombia (Tuesday, 10:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#8 Mexico, +4
Three out of three World Cup hosts in the Round of 16, but the Mexicans have been the most convincing so far.
They haven't truly been tested yet in the tournament: four games, eight goals, and no goals conceded. Besides Spain, Mexico is the only team with a clean sheet.
This statistic is no coincidence, although one or two goals conceded would have been possible: Only Spain and Argentina have allowed fewer xG than "El Tri" so far.
The advantage of being hosts should not be underestimated, as England will be welcomed in the Estadio Azteca.
Results: 2:0 South Africa, 1:0 South Korea, 3:0 Czech Republic; 3:0 Ecuador
Round of 16 Opponent: England (Monday, 2:00 AM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬇️#7 England, -3
After four games, it's fair to say: the spectacle against Croatia was the exception, not the rule.
The "Three Lions" are still struggling in this tournament and have particular problems breaking down deep defensive lines. Without superstar Harry Kane, they might even have been eliminated already.
However, head coach Thomas Tuchel vehemently insists that his team will get better the further they progress in the tournament. The team must prove this in Mexico.
Results: 4:2 Croatia, 0:0 Ghana, 2:0 Panama; 2:1 DR Congo
Round of 16 Opponent: Mexico (Monday, 2:00 AM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#6 Brazil, +1
As in the last two World Cups, the "Seleção" are in the quarter-finals.
However, they haven't advanced further since the 2014 home tournament. It's not a given that they will succeed against the hyped Norwegians.
Because although Brazil almost entirely dominated the Round of 32 match against Japan, they only scored the winning goal in stoppage time. Is that a weakness or a quality? Only time will tell. Good moments in counter-pressing and an in-form Vini Jr. speak for Brazil, but they sometimes appear uninspired against deep-lying opponents.
Betting against an Ancelotti-managed team in a knockout round has often been a big mistake.
Results: 1:1 Morocco, 3:0 Haiti, 3:0 Scotland; 2:1 Japan
Round of 16 Opponent: Norway (Sunday 10:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#5 Portugal, +10
Barely advanced in a spectacular match against Croatia - and were also lucky.
Croatia's late 3:3 equalizer probably should have counted, but Portugal will surely take a lot of momentum from the last-minute win.
This also applies to Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored for the first time in a World Cup knockout match. But he is not the only one: Rafael Leao was the outstanding player for the "Selecao", goalkeeper Diogo Costa once again showed that he can also decide games.
Even if Portugal were to improve further, their journey might end in the Round of 16.
Results: 1:1 DR Congo, 5:0 Uzbekistan, 0:0 Colombia; 2:1 Croatia
Round of 16 Opponent: Spain (Monday, 9:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#4 Morocco, +2
After a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands, the "Atlas Lions" advanced to the Round of 16.
On paper, one of the easiest opponents now awaits: Canada.
So far, the 2022 semi-finalist has shown few weaknesses: above all, they possess quality with the ball, are among the strongest playing teams in the tournament, and offer a dangerous, varied offensive game.
In addition, there's a quality that's been known not just since the match against the Netherlands: with goalkeeper Bono, Morocco has a true penalty killer in its ranks.
Results: 1:1 Brazil, 1:0 Scotland, 4:2 Haiti; 4:3 on penalties Netherlands
Round of 16 Opponent: Canada (Saturday, 7:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬇️#3 Argentina🥉, -1
The reigning world champions do have weaknesses after all!
For the first time in these finals, the "Albiceleste" made mistakes, appeared passive after taking the lead against surprise team Cape Verde, and even had to go to extra time twice.
Argentina gave up a lead twice, but in the end, two goals from corners led to their Round of 16 qualification. It might have just been a slip-up – Lionel Messi and co. probably don't expect a completely different game against Egypt.
Results: 3:0 Algeria, 2:0 Austria, 3:1 Jordan; 3:2 A.E.T. Cape Verde
Round of 16 Opponent: Egypt (Tuesday, 6:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
⬆️#2 Spain🥈, +3
Perhaps "La Roja" was ranked too low last week.
The ease with which Spain dispatched a – admittedly not high-flying – Austrian team was impressive. They shine less through individual players and more through incredible team strength.
Alongside Mexico, they are the only team with a clean sheet – and that's even statistically sound. In four games, the Spaniards allowed an incredible 0.9 expected goals. However, Portugal awaits as their toughest opponent so far.
Results: 0:0 Cape Verde, 4:0 Saudi Arabia, 1:0 Uruguay, 3:0 Austria
Round of 16 Opponent: Portugal (Monday, 9:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
🟰#1 France🥇
Who can stop this team?
Not only are France's results outstanding so far, but so is their style of play. Their offensive line keeps delivering goals as if they have a 'Prime subscription' for scoring.
Kylian Mbappe (6 goals) and Ousmane Dembele (4) are scoring at will. On top of that, Michael Olise has already equaled the World Cup assist record (5) after just four games. The frightening thing: Sweden actually played a really good game in the Round of 32, but the Scandinavians had no chance against France's class.
So it remains: France can only beat themselves.
Results: 3:1 Senegal, 3:0 Iraq, 4:1 Norway; 3:0 Sweden
Round of 16 Opponent: Paraguay (Saturday, 11:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>)
