FIFA World Cup Rankings: Breaking down the remaining 16 teams
The discipline for the spherical of 16 on the FIFA World Cup is now full with the final two nations reserving their spots on Friday.
Which nation has momentum going into the subsequent section of the competitors? Who’s fortunate to be there? Who could be a shock bundle?
We rank the 16 groups going into the knockout stage of the event.
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1. ENGLAND
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group B
Results: 6-2 win vs. Iran, 0-0 draw vs. U.S., 3-0 win vs. Wales
Next opponent: Senegal (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Setting apart the sport in opposition to the Americans wherein they had been outplayed, the Three Lions have been good in Qatar. Manchester United ahead Marcus Rashford has bagged three objectives, and has been ably supported by England’s crop of thrilling kids, most notably Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. Going up in opposition to a centre again the standard of Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly will check the true high quality of the English assault.
2. BRAZIL
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group G
Results: 2-0 win vs. Serbia, 1-0 win vs. Switzerland, 1-0 loss vs. Cameroon
Next opponent: South Korea (Monday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
Should we learn something into Brazil’s loss to Cameroon? Not actually, as coach Tite made 9 adjustments and fielded his ‘B team’ with a second-round berth already secured. Neymar sat out the final two video games of the group stage with an ankle harm, and his standing for the remainder of the World Cup is unknown for the time being. But Brazil nonetheless must be thought of among the many high favourites to win all of it.
3. FRANCE
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group D
Results: 4-1 win vs. Australia, 2-1 win vs. Denmark, 1-0 loss to Tunisia
Next opponent: Poland (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
Don’t let France’s loss to Tunisia idiot you. Manager Didier Deschamps fielded an experimental lineup after his crew already booked its spot within the spherical of 16. Les Bleus had been excellent of their first two video games, with Kylian Mbappé main a first-rate assault and Adrien Rabiot masterfully pulling the strings in midfield. It’ll be fascinating to see how their defence will take care of veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.
4. MOROCCO
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group F
Results: 0-0 vs. Croatia, 2-0 win vs. Belgium, 2-1 win vs. Canada
Next opponent: Spain (Tuesday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
The Atlas Lions had been probably the most constant groups over the course of group stage, having conceded only one aim, whereas an assault led by harmful broad gamers Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi has precipitated loads of issues for opponents. Morocco is the primary African nation to win its group since 1998, however a round-of-16 showdown with Spain represents its hardest problem up to now in Qatar.
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5. ARGENTINA
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group C
Results: 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, 2-0 win vs. Mexico, 2-0 win vs. Poland
Next opponent: Australia (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
La Albiceleste overcame a disastrous begin to their World Cup marketing campaign with a pair of fresh sheet wins to high their group. Lionel Messi is in high kind, however he’s not doing it on their lonesome. Argentina can also be benefiting from stellar contributions by veteran Angel Di Maria, and kids Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez. Their again line is considerably suspect, however you need to like their probabilities in opposition to Australia.
6. JAPAN
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group E
Results: 2-1 win vs. Germany, 1-0 loss to Costa Rica, 2-1 win vs. Spain
Next opponent: Croatia (Monday, 10:00 a.m. ET)
Has there been a greater story at this World Cup than Japan? The Asian powerhouse knocked off European giants Germany and Spain to deservedly win their group. All 4 of their objectives have come within the second half after they’ve been trailing, so the Japanese have proven an incredible resolve in Qatar. But taking place in opposition to Croatia, who boast a star-studded midfield led by Luka Modrić, can be in poor health suggested.
7. NETHERLANDS
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group A
Results: 2-0 win vs. Senegal, 1-1 vs. Ecuador, 2-0 win vs. Qatar
Next opponent: United States (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
This isn’t precisely a classic Dutch facet, however they successfully went about their business within the group stage by accumulating seven out of a potential 9 factors. There had been real questions on goalkeeper Andries Noppert forward of this event as he hadn’t but been capped by the Netherlands. But he’s been nice in Qatar. So has winger Cody Gakpo (three objectives), who will look to increase his scoring streak to 4 video games vs. the U.S.
8. SPAIN
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group E
Results: 7-0 win vs. Costa Rica, 1-1 draw vs. Germany, 2-1 loss vs. Japan
Next opponent: Morocco (Tuesday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
While definitely spectacular in its opening recreation in opposition to Costa Rica, Spain wasn’t in a position to end off their opponents of their subsequent two matches, squandering leads in each outings and settling for a single level. Atlético Madrid striker Álvaro Morata has regarded spectacular with three objectives for a well-oiled Spanish assault, however breaking down a Morocco facet that has solely given up one aim (and an own-goal at that) represents its hardest check in Qatar.
9. PORTUGAL
Path to the spherical of 16: First place in Group H
Results: 3-2 win vs. Ghana, 2-0 win vs. Uruguay, 2-1 loss to South Korea
Next opponent: Switzerland (Tuesday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
All the main focus earlier than the event was on Cristiano Ronaldo, however Bruno Fernandes has been Portugal’s greatest participant and among the many greatest midfielders at this World Cup with a pair of objectives. The Portuguese are considerably weak in defence, however you need to just like the huge array of attacking choices that supervisor Fernando Santos has at his disposal. Should be a fairly open recreation between Portugal and Switzerland within the subsequent spherical.
10. SWITZERLAND
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group G
Results: 1-0 win vs. Cameroon, 1-0 loss vs. Brazil, 3-2 win vs. Serbia
Next opponent: Portugal (Tuesday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
The Swiss aren’t precisely flashy, however they discover methods to grind out outcomes, they usually’re off to the spherical of 16 for the fourth time of their final 5 World Cup appearances. Xherdan Shaqiri got here up huge within the 3-2 win over Serbia by scoring on aim and organising one other to safe second place in Group G. A scintillating matchup with Portugal looms, as the 2 nations have had some nice battles through the years.
11. CROATIA
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group F
Results: 0-0 vs. Morocco, 4-1 win vs. Canada, 0-0 vs. Belgium
Next opponent: Japan (Monday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
Defensively sound and well-organized, Croatia hasn’t despatched hearts aflutter with its attacking play— apart from the massive win over Canada — because it was blanked in its different two group video games. Luka Modrić, Marcelo Brozović and Mateo Kovačić kind among the finest midfield trios at this World Cup, however will they be capable to maintain onto the ball and decelerate the speedy Japanese, who’re driving excessive after upsetting Germany and Spain?
12. UNITED STATES
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group B
Results: 1-1 vs. Wales, 0-0 vs. England, 1-0 vs. Iran
Next opponent: Netherlands (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
The Americans have confirmed to be robust to interrupt down because of their defensive group, led by 23-year-old captain Tyler Adams, who has been one of many standout midfielders in Qatar. But their lack of offensive manufacturing (simply two objectives) is trigger for concern, particularly with Christian Pulisic coping with a pelvic harm. Trying to include Dutch winger Cody Gakpo (three objectives) can be a stiff check for the American defence.
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13. SENEGAL
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group A
Results: 2-0 loss to Netherlands, 3-1 win vs. Qatar, 2-1 win vs. Ecuador
Next opponent: England (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
What a enjoyable crew to look at. Senegal has offered loads of leisure in Qatar with its fearless and open fashion of attacking play, which has helped it attain the knockout stage of a World Cup for less than the second time. The lack of veteran striker Sadio Mané because of harm hasn’t slowed down the Lions of Teranga, as 5 completely different gamers scored for Senegal within the group stage. But England is on one other degree than its earlier three opponents.
14. SOUTH KOREA
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group H
Results: 0-0 draw vs. Uruguay, 3-2 loss vs. Ghana, 2-1 win vs. Portugal
Next opponent: Brazil (Monday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
A aim in harm time noticed South Korea defeat Portugal, which allowed the Asian powerhouse to edge Uruguay for second place in Group H by the slimmest of margins. It’s solely the third time the South Koreans have made it to the knockout spherical in 11 World Cup appearances. It’s an incredible accomplishment. Now, they face the tall activity of taking over mighty Brazil.
15. AUSTRALIA
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group D
Results: 4-1 loss to France, 1-0 win vs. Tunisia, 1-0 win vs. Denmark
Next opponent: Argentina (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT)
You have at hand it to the Socceroos for the best way they rebounded after being outclassed of their opening match in opposition to France. They’ve stored issues tight defensively and made essentially the most of their restricted scoring probabilities to guide a spot within the knockout spherical for the second time in six World Cup appearances. Their reward? A showdown with highly effective Argentina, led by Messi, who seems to be on a mission in Qatar.
16. POLAND
Path to the spherical of 16: Second place in Group C
Results: 0-0 vs. Mexico, 2-0 win vs Saudi Arabia, 2-0 loss to Argentina
Next opponent: France (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT)
Honestly, Poland is lucky to be right here after edging Mexico for second place in its group primarily based on aim distinction. While goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has been sensational and stored his nation on this event, the assault has regarded limp and lacked inspiration – Robert Lewandowski has missed a penalty and solely has one aim for Poland. It’s troublesome to ascertain this crew having the ability to go toe-to-toe with France.
