The group stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup are now consigned to the history books as the tournament nears the business end with the Round of 16 kicking off in Brazil on Day 16.
After 48 games and 136 goals across two weeks, the opening phase of the tournament delivered up to its billing, producing many memorable matches and iconic World Cup moments, in what has been regarded by many as the best World Cup group phase of recent times.
Now it is hoped the knockout stages will again deliver more drama, stunning goals and breathtaking matches as the tournament reaches the sharp end for the eight remaining sides.
Fittingly for this South American World Cup, the opening two matches from the last 16 features four sides from this football-obsessed continent.
It begins in Belo Horizonte on Saturday afternoon as the host nation comes to a standstill once more as Brazil face a tough challenge against continental rivals Chile.
Brazil clinched top spot in Group A with a 4-1 victory over Cameroon in their final round of group games, but their performances have not been as eye-catching so far as many would have anticipated.
They had to come from behind in a tight opening match of the tournament to beat Croatia 3-1, when Fred was controversially awarded a penalty for a foul by Dejan Lovren, and then drew 0-0 with Mexico.
One shining light for the Selecao has been Neymar, who has lived up to the hype with a series of dazzling displays and is currently level with Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller on four goals at the top of the World Cup scoring charts.
Brazil will need to improve against Chile, however, with head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitting after the Cameroon game that they will be tricky opponents, though the hosts have won all three previous World Cup fixtures against Chile, all of which have been in the knockout stages of the tournament, including four years ago in South Africa at the same stage.
In the second last 16 encounter, Uruguay take on Colombia without banned star Luis Suarez, with FIFA having handed down a four-month ban from all football activity after the Liverpool striker bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win on Tuesday.
That result saw them progress at Italy’s expense, but the absence of Suarez will surely be felt when they take on Colombia at the Maracana on Saturday.
The Colombians scored more goals than the three other teams in Group C combined, but they face a real step-up in class against the streetwise and experienced Uruguayans.
The only previous World Cup match between the sides was won by Uruguay in 1962, when the victors were coached by Juan Carlos Corazzo, the grandfather of current striker Diego Forlan.
Uruguay have also enjoyed the better of recent encounters, winning six of the last eight meetings. That includes Colombia’s most recent defeat, a 2-0 loss in a qualifier in Montevideo in September 2013.
You can watch all 64 matches from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil live across the BBC and ITV, with live streaming available online across multiple platforms.
Visit our dedicated World Cup page – sport-onthebox.com/worldcup – for a full rundown of both channel’s comprehensive coverage of the tournament.
SOTB’s TV viewing guide to Day 16 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup:
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DAY 16: SATURDAY 28th JUNE
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| ROUND OF 16 LIVE: 4.30pm-7.10pm Venue: Belo Horizonte |
WATCH LIVE ONLINE via BBC iPLAYER
The knockout stage gets under way with this highly anticipated clash between the host nation and a Chilean side that has attracted plaudits for their attacking brand of high-energy football, which has seen them develop into one of the leading outfits in the world.
Brazil topped Group A, but only on goal difference from Mexico, and have relied heavily on Neymar for goals, with their star man so far living up to his billing with two goals each against Croatia and Cameroon.
There were signs in their final group match against the Africans that Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men were starting to find some form, but they have still been a long way short of the quality shown by some of the other fancied sides in the tournament.
Despite Chile’s recent improvement, they could not break down the Netherlands in their last match, losing 2-0 to finish second in Group B, and their record against Brazil is dismal, winning just seven times in 68 meetings, including a 3-0 defeat at this stage of the last World Cup in South Africa.
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| ROUND OF 16 LIVE: 8.30pm-11.15pm Venue: Rio de Janiero |
WATCH LIVE ONLINE via ITV PLAYER
Attention turns to the iconic national stadium – Estadio do Maracana – for the second match in the last 16 as South American rivals Colombia take on Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro.
Colombia were in fine form in Group B, recording wins against Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan to top the table, with playmaker James Rodriguez in particularly impressive form.
Uruguay’s progress was considerably less straightforward, as 2010’s fourth-placed side bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Costa Rica with hard-fought victories against England and Italy, though their triumph in the second of those matches was marred by controversy surrounding Luis Suarez.
A place in the quarter-finals against either Brazil or Chile, who play in the first match of the knockout stages, awaits the winner next week in Fortaleza.
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SPORT ON THE BOX’S COMPLETE WORLD CUP TV GUIDE
Saturday 28th June BRAZIL v CHILE Round of 16 – Belo Horizonte | Kick-off: 17:00 LIVE: 4.30pm-7.10pm BBC One COLOMBIA v URUGUAY Round of 16 – Rio de Janeiro | Kick-off: 21:00 LIVE: 8.30pm-11.15pm ITV Match of the Day: World Cup Highlights – Day 16 11.40pm-12.25am BBC One Match Replay: 3.10am-4.55am (Sun) BBC Two In the event of extra-time and penalties, TV times are subject to change.
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