The knockout stages have got off to an explosive start in Brazil and two more Round of 16 ties follow on Sunday as the 2014 FIFA World Cup reaches Day 17.
Both of Sunday’s games will be broadcast live on ITV, starting off the Netherlands as they take on Mexico with star Dutch Robin van Persie back from a ban as his team bid to reach the quarter-finals.
The Dutch made it all the way to the final in South Africa in 2010, only to fall at the final hurdle as Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal secured Spain a 1-0 win.
They managed to exact some revenge for the defeat in Johannesburg by thrashing the reigning champions 5-1 in the their first match of Group B, which they went on to win at a canter thanks to victories over Australia and Chile.
Manchester United striker van Persie served a one-match suspension as his Oranje team-mates saw off Chile 2-0 in their final Group B clash on Monday.
Louis van Gaal’s side will be looking to extend their winning run in this tournament when they take on the Mexicans, who have lost three and drawn one of their last four encounters with the Dutch, conceding at least two goals on each of these occasions.
The fourth match of the round of 16 sees Costa Rica and Greece meet for the first time ever in international football.
When Costa Rica were placed in Group D at the World Cup draw in the opulent holiday resort of Costa do Sauipe last December, there seemed little hope of the Central American nation making it through to the second round.
But six months later, Los Ticos took everyone by surprise, out-smarting three former world champions to progress to the last 16, with Jorge Luis Pinto’s men stunned Uruguay 3-1 and then beat Italy 1-0 to send England out of the tournament with one match to spare.
Their progression to the last 16 has been one of the good news stories of the tournament so far and it has also made Greece wary of what awaits them on Sunday night.
Surprise Euro 2004 winners Greece qualified for the knockout stages for the first time in their history in dramatic style, thanks to a controversial last-minute penalty against Ivory Coast in their final group match.
The winner of this match will take on either Mexico or the Dutch, who play earlier in the day, in the quarter-finals.
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 17 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup:
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DAY 17: SUNDAY 29th JUNE
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| ROUND OF 16 LIVE: 4.00pm-7.10pm Venue: Fortaleza |
WATCH LIVE ONLINE via ITV PLAYER
The third contest of the knockout phase takes place at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza as the highly fancied Dutch side take on Mexico.
For the second World Cup in succession the Dutch have won all three of their group matches, beginning with their stunning 5-1 demolition of reigning champions Spain, and followed by stern challenges against Australia and Chile.
Louis van Gaal has developed a squad blending youth and experience, with the likes of Memphis Depay and Daley Blind impressing, and Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben clinical in front of goal.
Robben has undoubtedly been one of the stars of the tournament so far, and his skill and pace will be required this evening against the Mexicans, who have one of the most organised defences of the nations left in Brazil.
Miguel Herrera’s men have conceded just one goal so far and only missed out on top spot in the group to the hosts on goal difference, and are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 1986.
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| ROUND OF 16 LIVE: 8.30pm-11.15pm Venue: Recife |
WATCH LIVE ONLINE via ITV PLAYER
The fourth match in the last 16 sees two of the competition’s surprise packages battle it out at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil.
The Costa Ricans were widely expected to finish bottom of Group D before the tournament got under way, but victories over Italy and Uruguay remarkably meant they had secured a place in this round with a game to spare, and a goalless draw with England ensured they finished top of the table.
Despite winning Euro 2004, the Greeks had never previously reached this stage in a World Cup, and they did not get off to the best of starts this time around in Group C with a defeat against Colombia and a 0-0 draw against Japan.
However, an injury time penalty from Georgios Samaras saw them record a dramatic 2-1 win against Ivory Coast and qualify at the expense of the African outfit.
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SPORT ON THE BOX’S COMPLETE WORLD CUP TV GUIDE
Sunday 29th June Match of the Day: World Cup Highlights – Day 16 (rpt) 9.45am-10.30am BBC Two NETHERLANDS v MEXICO Round of 16 – Fortaleza | Kick-off: 17:00 LIVE: 4.00pm-7.10pm ITV COSTA RICA v GREECE Round of 16 – Recife | Kick-off: 21:00 LIVE: 8.30pm-11.15pm ITV Match of the Day: World Cup Highlights – Day 17 1.05am-1.50am (Mon) BBC One Match Replay: 2.45am-4.30am (Mon) BBC Two In the event of extra-time and penalties, TV times are subject to change.
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