By: Browntown B.
We’ve finally made it to the round of 16, where things really start getting interesting. There have been amazing moments in the group stages like Argentina’s Marcos Rojo scoring in the 86th minute to clinch a spot in the round of 16. Now it’s win or go home. So, how do the teams match up?
How they got here:
Brazil might have been the most exciting attacking team in the tournament coming into this World Cup. They haven’t been racking up goals, but they have shown growth throughout the group stages. They opened up play with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Not a bad first match, but most expected them to come out with guns blazing. This was Neymar’s first competitive match with Brazil since fracturing his foot, and Switzerland did not hold back. The Swiss committed 19 fouls in this game, 10 of which were on Neymar. It wasn’t all negative for Brazil though as Coutinho scored a world class goal in the 20th minute from just outside the box. Brazil followed that game up with a 2-0 win over Costa Rica in which Neymar finally converted one of several chances in the 97th minute. Brazil finished it’s group stage with a pretty convincing 2-0 win over Siberia. They moved the ball well and looked very dangerous on the attack. They did lose back-end anchor Marcelo Vieira in this one, and it’s a huge blow if he can’t go against Mexico. Vieira said after the game it was just a “knock,” but we don’t have an official update as of yet. Brazil may not need him in this match against Mexico, but he’s essential for any hopes at a deep run.
I believe Mexico is one more lackluster teams in this round of 16; they simply didn’t offer much in the group stages. Their first match was a shocking 1-0 win against the defending champions Germany, but we quickly learned this wasn’t the same Germany we knew from 2014. Mexico took care of business in their second match against South Korea (the team that knocked out Germany), winning 2-1. The last match is the one that leaves huge question marks about this team. It was a game they could have tied and still gotten through, but they looked absolutely over-matched by a Sweden team that had just been beaten by Germany 2-0. They took 20 shots on goal, and only put three on target. If Mexico was going to make a statement in this World Cup, this seemed like the game. Their uninspiring group play leads me to believe they will be vastly over-matched in this game.
Players to Watch
I think there are a couple of players for Mexico that will be vital to their success. First of course is Javier Hernandez. The ex-Manchester United striker will need the game of his life for Mexico to win this match. The other player for Mexico that should be watched is Hirving Lozano. He’s done a good job on the left flank of getting the ball into key areas to support the attack. He’ll be key in helping Mexico get into the danger areas.
As for Brazil, how do you pick just one or two players to watch? There is just so much talent on this team. All eyes will be on Neymar -- whether for flopping or taking on 3 defenders and still keeping the ball -- but I think Coutinho has also been really, really good through the first 3 games. He’s netted 2 goals, and has looked like a threat to score even more. Look for him to have a huge day from the center. He likes to go to the left between Neymar and Jesus and make darting runs in the middle. He has amazing skill from beyond the box, and has no problem taking a shot from distance and putting it on target. He has managed to stand out in a squad that is filled with stars.
Prediction
Brazil hasn’t played to their potentiall yet, but I believe this will be the game we start to see that from them. They haven’t forgotten the 5-0 beatdown they took from Germany in the 2014 knockout rounds. Mexico offers little to stand in their way. If Brazil plays their game, there may not be much that El Tri can do. The best option they have is to play deep and hope they can slow Brazil down, then attack on the counter. Brazil is going to posess the ball, and if they don’t, they will be pressuring to get it right back. Mexico can’t play an open game and hope to win. They also can’t play possession football and hope to win -- Brazil will kill them on the counter-attack. I don’t believe they will be able to stop Brazil, and this might be the most lopsided round of 16 game.
Brazil, 4-1
I think this matchup gives us the best team in this World Cup in Belgium. They play so well as a unit, and move the ball extremely well. They haven’t been tested all that much, but they took care of their business in all of their group stage matches. Match one for them saw them win 3-0 over a very poor Panama team (that filled the spot most Americans hoped the USMN was going to take). Romelu Lukaku (a name you will need to remember) scored 2 of the 3 goals, just missing a hat trick. Game two for Belgium was another win over Tunisia 5-2. Lukaku netted 2 more goals and was subbed near then end of the game after having some trouble with his ankle. Eden Hazard joined the scoring with 2 goals as well, and a total team effort guaranteed them a spot in the round of 16 before the 3rd game even started. The game that decided their group was the match-up most football fans were waiting for -- England vs Belgium. We didn’t get the marquee fight fans hope for though. With both teams already clinching a spot in the round of 16, we saw their “B” squads, with Belgium’s back-ups edging England’s 1-0.
Japan had a much more stressful road to the round of 16. Their first match was against a dangerous Colombia side that was missing star James Rodriguez. Japan played well in a 2-1 victory, and went on to earn a 2-2 draw against Senegal. It was a very back-and-forth game, with Senegal taking an early lead, conceding it, regaining, it and finally watching Japan roar back to get the equalizer. Japan’s final game was against a hopeless Poland team that ended up pulling a 1-0 upset. These are the types of match-ups that remind us just how hard the World Cup can be; every single team fights no matter what their fate is.
Players to Watch
It’s difficult to single out players for Japan because they might play the most cohesive team ball of any other club in this World Cup. There is no single player that outshines the others. They do have a few talents from the European Premiere League in Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okasaki, but neither of them have been favored by manager Akira Nishino. The other big name is Keisuke Honda, who’s already gotten on the scorers sheet; look for him to work on standing out.
As for Belgium, I could pick at least players from this squad to watch, but it starts with Lukaku. He has been unstoppable. If Japan can’t contain him, it’s going to be long day. He plays the very traditional “9,” and doesn’t roam much. He does like to take the ball a little early, or run in space and get the ball in front of him. If he has the slightest opening, he can make teams pay. The thing I like about him and most of his teammates is how unselfish they are. Lukaka has no issues sharing the ball with open teammate, sometimes to a fault. I see him having another huge game.
Prediction
The difference in talent really makes the game feel like a run-away win for Belgium. They amount of depth they put on the pitch is absolutely incredible. You can’t just pick one player to stop because four more can make you pay. Belgium are going to try and keep the ball and dominate possession. The only hope for Japan is waiting Belgium out, trying to force bad pass, then hitting with quick counters. Japan is arguably the second weakest team in this round of 16, and if they get down early this game could go sideways quickly. I think Belgium will pass Japan to death, and by the second half this match will be long over.
Belgium, 3-0
How they got here:
This might the be hardest match to predict because of how similar these teams are in style of play. Neither team has huge weaknesses, but neither team has a stand out superstar either. Sweden began the tournament with a hard fought game against South Korea 1-0. They were able to keep possession and find a goal off a penalty in what was honestly a rather lackluster game. Their second match was a 2-1 loss to defending champion Germany on late goals. They held their own for the first 60 minutes and even looked like scoring in the first half. They just couldn’t stop the late attack by Germany. The third and final game was against Mexico, and they won 3-0 in a dominating performance that got them to the round of 16.
Switzerland opened play with a bang giving Brazil everything they had in 1-1 draw. They frustrated Brazil with their physical play, especially on Neymar. The second game was a rather ho-hum 2-1 win over Serbia. While not very exciting, the Swiss again looked solid in the game. Xherdan Shaqiri got on the board in the 90th minute to give Switzerland the win. The game that left many scratching their heads was the 2-2 draw to Costa Rica. This was far and away the worst team in the group, and it didn’t look like the Swiss were up for it. Teams with nothing to lose are always hard in this tournament.
Players to Watch
As with Japan, Sweden is a team that’s greater than the sum of its parts. They don’t have a bonafide superstar, but they do have a good striker in Ola Toivonen. They will need to move the ball around to free him up if they hope to win. As for Switzerland, Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri is the big name. He can pass and can finish well, and will need to be at the top of his game in this one.
Prediction
I think this will be a hard-fought physical, low scoring game. Neither team will be rushing the ball up the pitch on a consistent basis. This match will be more about who gets the first real chance at goal and I think one goal will do it here.
Switzerland, 1-0
What a different English team we have seen this tournament -- winning the games they should, and scoring in bunches. I haven’t seen an English team like this in my lifetime. They’ve shown great ball movement and fantastic plays off set pieces. They opened this World Cup campaign a bit slow with 2-1 over Tunisia on the strength two goals from captain Harry Kane. What a tournament he’s had. They played a bit tight for the first part of the game, but the substitution of Ruben Loftus-Cheek midway through the second half was the spark the English needed to get off and going. This performance earned him starts the rest of the way through the group games. Their second game was a blowout win over a completely overmatched Panama 6-1 team. Panama resorted to questionable challenges and hard fouls to try to slow England down, but to no avail. With the Panama win putting them through to the round of 16, manager Gareth Southgate decided to sit most of his starting 11 for the final game against Belgium. England able to play a “B” team in their final match? This is a much, much different English squad than we’ve seen before.
Colombia doesn’t look like the same team they were in 2014. They opened play against Japan with a loss and a red card -- in game star midfielder James sat out. It was close, but the red card penalty ended up being the difference in a 2-1 loss. James returned in game two to aid a 3-0 win over Poland, make some incredible passes to contribute to the big win. It was a game that showed just how dangerous Colombia can be. Colombia simply wasn’t able to find that same juice in their last game, a narrow 1-0 win over Senegal. Again, James left the game really early, and the team struggled to move the ball without him. If he can’t go in the England game, I think it will be tournament over for Colombia.
Players to Watch
Well if you haven’t heard of the name Harry Kane by now, you probably been under a rock during this World Cup. He leads all scoring in the tournament, and is a huge leader for the English team. If Colombia can’t slow him down, it will be “game over” very quickly. He plays in the “9” spot, but moves deep to get the ball early. He does a really good job of moving the ball around, so he’s much more than just a typical scoring 9. Look for him to be very involved in this one.
For Colombia, it has to be James; he is without a doubt the most important player on this team. If he can’t go, I don’t see think Colombia stands a chance. There exciting brand of play dies when he is not on the pitch. If he plays, it’s game on.
Prediction
England haven’t really been tested yet, so it’s difficult to know just how good they are. If James can go, we’ll see England truly get tested. The back three of England are going to be the most important part of this game. England wants to have possession and move the ball around, leaving them exposed to the counter, and if James is leading the way that back three have to be on their game. If not, it will be a very hard game for England to win. I am assuming a healthy James is playing, so my prediction will be based on that.
England, 3-2
My knockout round Power Rankings:
Belgium
England
Brazil
Spain
I think the Belgians have what it takes to lift the gold trophy in a couple of weeks. Right now, I think Spain is on the outside looking in, but with a strong performance against Russia, things could get really interesting. Let’s all enjoy these round of 16 games, and hope they can match the level of entertainment the tournament has already given us.
Comments