Eight teams remain. Eight teams dream of the greatest glory in sport. Sports editor Hayden Meikle breaks down the World Cup quarterfinals.
QF1: France v Germany
Where: Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro.
When: Tomorrow, 4am.
German players to watch: The Germans are loaded with talent, most of it in the midfield - Mario Goetze, Bastian Schweinsteiger and the like. The real keys might be versatile captain Philipp Lahm and the remarkable Miroslav Klose, the striker we see only once every four years, who has equalled the record for World Cup goals. Oh, and if it goes to penalties, Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the man.
French players to watch: France will look to opportunist striker Karim Benzema for goals, and rely on the magnificent Paul Pogba to dominate the middle.
Form: Germany smashed Portugal 4-0 in the opening round but has had a tougher time of it since, drawing with Ghana and only scraping past the United States and Algeria. France scored eight goals in its opening two games and has conceded just two in four games.
How it might unfold: Expect a slow start as the two European powers circle each other for 60-70 minutes. There's every chance it will be 1-1 after normal time, and 2-2 after extra time. Germany to nick it 4-3 on penalties.
QF2: Brazil v Colombia
Where: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza.
When: Tomorrow, 8am.
Brazilian players to watch: Hmm, let's see. Who will be under the spotlight? Fred will do very little, and Oscar will flatter to deceive, and the two hit men in midfield will bustle around, and David Luiz will follow a moment of genius with a moment of madness. But all eyes will be on Neymar, the Barcelona wunderkind who is being asked to carry a nation on his back.
Colombian player to watch: It's all about the new King James, last name Rodriguez. The player of the tournament so far has five goals in four games, and will see his value rocket even higher if he can lead the Colombians to the semifinals.
Form: Brazil rolled through pool play unbeaten, scoring seven goals and conceding just two. But it was no breeze in the second round and Brazil only scraped past Chile in a penalty shootout. Colombia is arguably the form team of the tournament. Four wins from four, 11 goals for, two against. Brilliant.
How it might unfold: There are two big questions in play. Can the Brazilians keep withstanding the overwhelming pressure to win on home turf? And can the dazzling Colombians maintain this sizzling run? I rather fancy a 3-2 result, with Neymar clinching it for Brazil in the 85th minute, though it would be brilliant if that scoreline was reversed.
QF3: Argentina v Belgium
Where: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia.
When: Sunday, 4am.
Argentinian player to watch: It's all about little Lionel, isn't it? Messi has finally sparkled at a World Cup, and Argentina will go as far as the little genius can carry it. Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain need to step up to release some of the pressure on the superstar.
Belgian players to watch: Belgium's golden generation will be pleased to make it this far but a semifinal is not out of the question. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is a man for the big occasion, and Jan Vertonghen has looked good at the back. But what the Belgians need is for Eden Hazard to create opportunities, and for Romelu Lukaku to convert them.
Form: Argentina had three relatively simple one-goal wins in pool play, before a rather messy one-goal win over Switzerland in the second round. Belgium had two one-goal wins and a scoreless draw in pool play, and a rather messy one-goal win over the Americans in the second round.
How it might unfold: An early Belgian goal will give the Argies a serious fright, but Messi will fire two goals in the second half to keep the dream alive.
QF4: Netherlands v Costa Rica
Where: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador.
When: Sunday, 8am.
Dutch player to watch: The pesky, diving, left-footed one. Arjen Robben might be the most predictable elite player in world football - spoiler alert, defenders: He's going LEFT - but his sizzling pace makes him a nightmare to contain.
Costa Rican player to watch: Few had heard of goalkeeper Keylor Navas before the tournament but he has been one of the best shot-stoppers in Brazil.
Form: The Dutch set the World Cup alight with a 5-1 tonking of Spain, and followed up with wins over Australia (3-2) and Chile (2-0). Then they left it late against Mexico, scoring two goals in the last five minutes to win. Costa Rica sizzled early, outrunning Uruguay and beating Italy, before a drab 0-0 draw with England and a penalty shootout win over Greece.
How it might unfold: It is tempting to hope the little Costa Ricans have another magical performance in them. But it is easier to predict the Netherlands winning 2-1.
- All NZ time. All live on Sky Sport 5 and TV1.
