The field has been halved and sixteen countries still have the chanced to claim footballs greatest prize.
With eight knockout games over the next four days it will be a feast of high pressure football and in the end, only eight will remain.
The experts have surged over the last few days with some quality tipping and the crowd has continued its good form. Be sure to enter your tips into the space below and have a say in the action. Good luck.
Here is how the panel sees the Round of 16 unfolding.
Stuart Thomas
Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, Croatia, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, England
It would be a stunning upset if the Argentinians were able to knock off the French after showing little in the group stage. Although neither did the French. Argentina in a shock win.
Uruguay have been my smokey throughout the tournament and I truly believe they can knock out Ronaldo and co.
Spain will be far too good for Russia. The home side were blessed with a good draw and inconsistent opposition. This should be a convincing victory.
Croatia and Denmark is a tough game to line up yet the attacking weapons of Croatia could prove the difference.
Apart from the Brazilian population, the rest of the planet might be well and truly behind Mexico. Can they do it? Probably not, Brazil to win.
It is great to have Asian representation in the knockout phase but the Japanese will be no match for the Belgians at the Rostov Arena.
Sweden versus Switzerland has a nice ring to it and after their stunning effort to qualify, Sweden will have momentum coming into the game. Sadly for them, Switzerland will be too good on the day.
Colombia and England is an intriguing match-up and the Three Lions will earn their spot in the quarter-finals that I predicted prior to the tournament.
Mike Tuckerman
Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia
I suspect Argentina might just cause a boilover in this one. They’ve looked ordinary so far, but having qualified for the Round of 16 by the skin of their teeth, Lionel Messi and co will want to make it count.
Neither Uruguay or Portugal have been terribly impressive to date, but there’s no telling how they’ll handle the pressure of knock-out football. I’m tipping Portugal’s recent big-match experience will get them over the line here.
There looks like only one winner at the Luzhniki. Even so, Spain will need to silence a partisan home crowd to get the better of the host nation.
Croatia and their twinkle-toed maestro Luke Modric should have far too much firepower for the pedestrian Danes, who might find their defensive brand football no match for the attack-minded Croatians.
Brazil have flattered to deceive to date, but Mexico’s shocking loss to Sweden won’t exactly fill them with confidence either. The Brazilians could squeak through in a tight one here.
Belgium have got the players, but have they got the temperament? They’ll find Japan a tricky opponent, with the Samurai Blue showing little regard for reputations so far. But the Red Devils might just have enough quality to win this one.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka dodged a bullet by avoiding suspensions for their goal celebrations against Serbia, and the dynamic duo could prove the difference in what is likely to be a hard-fought contest.
Will England regret taking it easy against Belgium to finish second in their group? I’m tipping they will. In James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, Colombia boast enough firepower to trouble any defence.
Daniel Jeffrey
France, Uruguay, Spain, Croatia, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia
I’m not seeing too many upsets in the Round of 16. While I want to tip Argentina – one can never count out a side containing Lionel Messi and Les Blues haven’t been particularly convincing – France are by far the stronger team.
Uruguay have a poor midfield, but their defence and attack are both very strong. They’ll be too good for Portugal – barring a Ronaldo-inspired upset – and I also can’t see Russia having any chance against Spain.
Croatia have suddenly found themselves with an excellent draw, and a real chance of making the semi-finals, or even the decider. Their golden generation have the class to dispose of the thus-far unconvincing Danes and set up what should be a deep run to the business end of the tournament.
Brazil and Mexico should be a belter but, as excellent as their first two performances were, I can’t see El Tri getting past a Selecao outfit which is making me feel pretty comfortable about tipping them to win it all. I’d say we’re about to see Mexico notch their seventh-straight round of 16 loss.
Belgium look one of the few sure things this round (although I’ve no doubt put the mocker on them there). Expect them to dispose of Japan and set up a mouth-watering quarter-final against Brazil.
Can’t say I expected a Sweden-Switzerland knockout match this tournament. While Sweden have put in one convincing and brave performance so far, Switzerland have been quite consistent and should get the job done.
And then we come to England. All it took was a 6-1 demolition of Panama to bring the crushing weight of expectation onto Gareth Southgate’s side, and I fear that, as usual, they’ll crash out of the World Cup.
Colombia’s only loss came when their best player didn’t start and they played most of the match with ten men. They’ll get the better of England, although it’ll be a close game.
Tim Palmer
Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Brazil, Belgium, Sweden, England
Although both teams have been unimpressive in the group stage, Argentina have looked far more like a rabble compared to France’s underwhelming, but ‘getting the job’ done performances. However, I still think Messi has one more rabbit to pull out of his remarkable bag of tricks to give Argentina a completely undeserved win.
Uruguay versus Portugal is potentially the worst game of the round – I expect very few goals, Pepe and Suarez histrionics and Ronaldo sulking as well as an anticlimactic penalty shoot-out win for Portugal.
Spain has not been that great so far, and Russia could cause problems on the counter-attack, but I think now the knockout stage is here we will see a more complete, professional performance.
Croatia have been really good so far in this tournament, and Denmark less so – they rode their luck against both Peru and Australia and benefitted from the nature of the group in the 0-0 draw with France. Therefore, I expect Modric and Rakitic to take control of this match and send Denmark home.
Like many of the other big teams, Brazil are yet to click into gear but have not really needed to. Neymar seems to be growing more and more into this tournament and I think he might seal a win here.
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Belgium will have their raft of Premier League stars back for this match, and against an old Japan side playing their fourth game in ten days, I think the well-rested attacking players will overwhelm the Asian side.
Sweden play very old-fashioned, direct 4-4-2 football, which I find strangely endearing. Although Switzerland have been the better team in the tournament so far, I’d like to see a shock result here, complete with a big hoof to a big man upfront for the winning goal.
This could be a really enjoyable match, although I do think the seeming loss of James Rodriguez will be a big blow for Colombia. This will be very tight, but I think England will just shade it, potentially on penalties.
Paul Nicholls
France, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Brazil, Belgium, Switzerland, England
France has done just enough to qualify, whereas Argentina have given their fans apoplexy. Look for Les Bleus’ teamwork to be too much for Lionel Messi’s individual brilliance.
Uruguay and Portugal look to be evenly matched. This could be a Wild West shoot-out between Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo. In a game that could go to penalties, I think Portugal should do enough to advance.
Russia’s impressive World Cup surely will end at the hands of a technically gifted Spain. I can’t see the host nation getting enough possession against a team that will believe they can go all the way. Spain to win 2-0.
Croatia finished the group stages in style, winning all three games including a superb 3-0 thrashing of Argentina. Denmark limped into the knockout stages after an underwhelming draw against Australia and a tame and mutually beneficial draw with France. Croatia should win this easily.
Brazil showed against Serbia that they are on the improve. Mexico looked second rate in their loss to Sweden, and although they should make a fist of it, Brazil should get the win.
The unsung hero for Belgium is goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, who almost single-handedly nullified England’s set pieces and crossing game. Combine that with the attacking flair of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelo Lukaku, and Japan will come off second best.
Sweden take on Switzerland in an all-European slugfest. The Swedes, led by their granite-like skipper, Andreas Granqvist, will be tough to beat, but the Swiss with their variety in attack should get the job done.
Look for England to improve from their lethargic showing against Belgium. With Harry Kane up front and Jesse Lingard calling the shots, the Three Lions should prove too strong for a Colombian side who will struggle if talismanic midfielder, James Rodriguez, does not play due to injury.
| Round of 16 | Stuart | Mike | Daniel | Tim | Paul | The Crowd |
| FRA vs ARG | ARG | ARG | FRA | ARG | FRA | ? |
| URU vs POR | URU | POR | URU | POR | POR | ? |
| ESP vs RUS | ESP | ESP | ESP | ESP | ESP | ? |
| CRO vs DEN | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | CRO | ? |
| BRA vs MEX | BRA | BRA | BRA | BRA | BRA | ? |
| BEL vs JPN | BEL | BEL | BEL | BEL | BEL | ? |
| SWE vs SUI | SUI | SUI | SUI | SWE | SUI | ? |
| COL vs ENG | ENG | COL | COL | ENG | ENG | ? |
| Total | 20 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
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