This winter World Cup in Qatar has had its immense controversies before a ball was even first kicked, but it has certainly seen its fair share of on the pitch shocks with the likes of Saudi Arabia stunning Messi and Co, as well as the Japanese putting Germany to the sword.
The group stages have now been and gone, the route to the final, which takes place 18th of December in the Lusail Stadium, is now a lot more clear. With some of the big hitters still involved as well as a few surprise picks, which is often the case, the round of 16 is poised to give us a bundle of goals, excitement and career-defining moments.
Netherlands vs USA
After miserably failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Dutch returned to the world stage with a bang, winning group A which sets up Louis Van Gaal’s side with a clash against the United States of America, who finished second behind England in group B.
Many people’s ‘dark horse’ pick ahead of the tournament, the Netherlands have PSV’s Cody Gakpo to thank for his three goals making their group stage a breeze. They have kept up their impressive steak of qualifying for the round of 16 in every World Cup they have played in since 1934.
The USA will take pride in the fact they comfortably qualified and even took a point from England, keeping toe to toe with a top European country. They however will be looking to change their fortunes against European opposition since beating Portugal in 2002, drawing six and losing five versus UEFA teams at World Cups since.
Jeremie Frimpong is a major doubt for the Dutch at right-back but is otherwise are all fit to go which is good news for Van Gaal. Less than ideal for him however is the fact that both defenders Nathan Ake and Matthijs De Ligt are both a yellow card away from suspension, missing a potential quarter-final clash, should they get past the US.
Star man Christian Pulisic suffered a pelvic injury when scoring the winner against Iran in the final group game but should be back in time for the Dutch clash, as well as Weston McKennie and Norwich’s Josh Sargent being able to recover from their various niggles.
The quality that the Netherlands have should give them a fairly comfortable victory, even with the USA’s berth of young exciting players and see the Oranje move a step closer to their maiden World Cup victory.
Mo’s Prediction: Netherlands 3 – 1 USA
Argentina vs Australia
Despite the unbelievable shock to Saudi Arabia, Messi’s men qualified top of group C which has set up a tie against the men from the land down under in Australia, who defied all odds to qualify for just their second ever knock-out stage match.
In what is most likely Lionel Messi’s final chance at immortality, their World Cup started in torrid fashion with the 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, but managed to beat Mexico and Poland 1-0 and 2-0 respectively to top their group, with the Copa America winners growing since their opening day defeat, they will be looking to improve on 2014’s final defeat and reclaim the crown that they last won in 1986, when they had another diminutive forward, little known player called Diego Maradona. Ever heard of him?
Australia has stunned the world by qualifying for the knock-out stages by beating Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark in the final group game which sees them face against the mighty Argentina in a David v Goliath match-up. It looks extremely unlikely that the Socceroos could get past the Argentines but if Saudi Arabia have proven anything, the South Americans are by no means impenetrable.
The Argentina camp seem in good spirits with no fresh injuries to report but as always, the shine and spotlight is always on the 7 time Balon D’or winner, who already has 2 goals in the World Cup.
Similarly to Argentina, the Australians have a full squad to pick and Graham Arnold will be looking to pick the eleven that he believes will defy logic and beat the Group C winners.
Despite living in an Aussie wonderland, it is hard to see anything but an Argentina victory but don’t expect the Australians to lie down.
Mo’s Predication: Argentina 2 – 0 Australia
France vs Poland
France has broken a long-standing curse, becoming the first reigning World Champions to not be knocked out of the group stages since 2006, and that is despite the mass injury issues they have had to deal with in losses to Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and others. Poland however limped to the knock-out stages to set up a very lop-sided round of 16 tie.
France despite their final group game loss to Tunisia with their B team has been stellar, with wonder talent Kylian Mbappe picking up where he left off in 2018, scoring three goals already this time around. Their utterly absurd strength in depth gives them a great chance of going all the way, especially when an absolutely lacklustre Polish side stands in their way of the quarter-final.
Poland on the other hand is by far the weakest team left in the tournament, scraping by in the group stage and star striker Robert Lewandowski cutting an isolated figure. It is hard to see how Poland can hold a candle to the strength of France, with Poland scoring just two goals in the entire competition.
France will be looking at full strength for the knockout stages, however, it’s hard to see any of the players who played against Tunisia will force their way into the starting eleven with their flat performances.
Poland has no issues coming into the game, which is great news for them.
France and Mbappe will be looking to make a statement knockout win and there doesn’t seem a way Poland’s negative football can beat the World Champions.
Mo’s prediction: France 4 – 0 Poland
Senegal vs England
No Mane No Party? No Chance. Despite losing their main man Sadio Mane before the start of the World Cup, Senegal impressively has navigated their way to a first-round knockout tie to Euro 2020 finalists England, who topped group B.
Despite an opening match defeat to the Dutch, Senegal beat both Qatar and Ecuador, with captain Kalidou Koulibaly scoring the winner in their final group game to send them through.
England on the other hand secured their qualification without a single defeat and with an emphatic 3-0 win over fellow home nation Wales, beating Iran 6-2 and a 1-1 draw with the USA in games previous. England will be hoping it is the third time lucky for them, having reached the semi-final and final in their last two tournament showings.
Senegal does have some selection issues coming into the game, with Everton’s Idrissa Gueye serving a match suspension and of course, Sadio Mane’s absence is still felt massively.
England has no injuries to report however defender Ben White has been relieved from the squad due to personal reasons. Southgate does have selection dilemmas in the form of Marcus Rashford, whose stunning brace surely puts him in line for a start.
This will be one of the tightest contests in the round, but England will be looking to make quick work of the ACFON Champions as they will only just grow as the game goes on.
Mo’s prediction: England 3 – 2 Senegal
Japan vs Croatia
Beat two former World Cup winners. Lose to team that ended up bottom of the group. Football eh? Japan stunned football by beating Spain in their final group game to finish top of group E, setting up a clash with 2018’s finalists Croatia.
The Japanese shocked the world not once, but twice by coming back from behind to beat both Germany and Japan to finish top and qualify for consecutive first rounds knockout stages at World Cups.
Croatia had a 4-1 victory sandwiched between 0-0 draws in the group stage which saw them finish runners up in group F and haven’t overly impressed in their three games.
Japan don’t have any injuries to report and goal scorer against both Germany and Japan Ritsu Doan looks raring to get more goals. They will however be without defender Ko Itakura due to suspension after picking up two yellow cards in the group stage phase.
Croatia also boast a full bill of health going into the game which will be great news for Zlato Dalic.
Even with Croatia’s pedigree, the Japanese dream seems to be soaring and shows no sign of stopping.
Mo’s prediction – Japan 2 – 1 Croatia
Morocco vs Spain
The surprise winners of Group F ahead of Croatia and even the knocked out Belgium, Morocco booked their date with the 2010 winners Spain.
Unbeaten in the group, the Moroccans beat both Canada and Belgium whilst a draw against Croatia gave them a top berth they surely did not expect, but absolutely have earned. 
Spain tremendously started the World Cup with their emphatic 7-0 win over Costa Rica, however, ended it with a whimper with a 2-1 loss to the Japanese to give up their all-but-guaranteed top spot.
Morocco has no selection concerns coming into the game.
Similar to their opponents, Spain has no serious issues but does have slight knocks on both Dani Olmo and Cesar Azpilicueta but both should be available for selection.
The grit and heart of Morocco are something to be admired but the sheer amount of quality of Spain’s squad should see them comfortably through to the quarter-finals.
Mo’s prediction – Spain 3 – 0 Morocco
South Korea vs Brazil
Yet another Asian Football Federation member alongside Japan and Australia, South Korea qualified ahead of Uruguay on goal difference to face the competition’s record winners in Brazil.
South Korea sealed their qualification via a 90th winner against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the final group game to finish second, their full-time celebrations being a joy for everyone to see.
Despite falling to a late winner against Cameroon in the final game, wins against Serbia and the Swiss gave them the top spot, despite losing talisman Neymar in the opening game of the group.
South Korea does not have any issues with personnel, with key man Heung-min Son ready to captain his country to further glory.
Brazil is still awaiting confirmation on whether Neymar will take any further part in the World Cup, although Alex Telles will be ruled out due to a leg injury sustained against Cameroon.
South Korea fight themselves in a tough spot and whilst Brazil hasn’t been blowing teams out of the water, the Samba Boys only need to turn up the heat to easily find themselves in the quarter-finals.
Mo’s prediction: Brazil 3 – 1 South Korea
Switzerland vs Portugal
Switzerland faces a stern test after qualifying second to Brazil in Group G, finding themselves up against Portugal and the mighty Cristiano Ronaldo who is still without a club after leaving Manchester United.
The Swiss qualified ahead of Serbia and Cameroon to get into the knock stages following wins against the aforementioned teams, despite a loss to Brazil in between their two wins. Xherdan Shaqiri’s goal against Serbia has made him only the third player to score in the last three World Cups, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo being the others.
Despite the last-minute loss to South Korea, Portugal had a fairly simple group stage with wins over Ghana and Uruguay to secure qualification before the third game. Bruno Fernandes is in early Golden Ball contention with his brace of goals and assists, despite Ronaldo’s best efforts to claim otherwise.
Switzerland does not have any suspensions or major injuries to report heading into the game.
Portugal does have some selection issues, however, with PSG defender Nuno Mendes ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after suffering a thigh injury.
Portugal has looked pretty impressive thus far and with Fernandes’ form the way it is, it’s hard to see anything but a Portugal win.
Mo’s prediction: Portugal 3 – 0 Switzerland
