World Cup 2018: What’s still to savor from the last 16

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Round of 16 to be played June 30 - July 3

France, Uruguay, Russia & Croatia through to last eight

England, Belgium, Brazil in action Monday & Tuesday

CNN  — 

The heavyweights continue to be knocked over like bowling pins and the two greatest players of their generation will play no further role at the World Cup – but there is plenty still to savor at Russia 2018.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation ended with Argentina and Portugal’s last-16 defeats on Saturday, while Russia stunned the world by knocking out former champions Spain on Sunday.

But what can we expect from the rest of the last-16 ties? Who are the favorites and what have we learned from the last fortnight?

Will Coutinho continue to outshine Neymar?

Neymar has scored one goal and provided one assist so far in this tournament

Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, was ruled out of the World Cup four years ago after breaking a bone in his back in the quarterfinals and injury has also somewhat hampered his tournament in Russia.

His first competitive outing since breaking a bone in his right foot in February was against Switzerland in Brazil’s opening match and so a bit of rustiness from the 26-year-old should perhaps be expected.

Though he has not been outstanding, the Paris Saint-Germain star has nevertheless played his part in Brazil’s progress to the last 16, scoring in the 2-0 win over Costa Rica and providing an assist in victory over Serbia.

SAITAMA, JAPAN:  Brazil's forward Ronaldo kicks the ball to scores the first  goal against Turkey during the semi-final match of the FIFA 2002 World Cup Korea Japan 26 June, 2002, in Saitama, Japan.
Ronaldo: 'Neymar is our biggest hope'
02:31 - Source: CNN

Monday, July 2: Brazil vs. Mexico (15:00 BST); Belgium vs. Japan (19:00 BST)

Tuesday, July 3: Sweden vs. Switzerland (15:00); Colombia vs. England (19:00 BST)

But it is Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, the third most expensive player in history, who has caught the eye for the five-time champions.

He scored a stunning goal from distance in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland and, thanks to wonderful balance, skill and control, has emerged from Neymar’s shadow in his country’s opening three games.

Fifth in FIFA’s fantasy football rankings with 20 points, Coutinho has been directly involved in three of Brazil’s four goals and the South Americans will need the former Liverpool playmaker to continue to shine if the Selecao are to see off Mexico at the Samara Arena on Monday, July 2.

READ: What is VAR?

INTERACTIVE: World Cup in numbers

Will England rue not winning the match ‘nobody wanted to win’?

Both Belgium and England had secured qualification before their final Group G encounter on Thursday, courtesy of victories against Panama and Tunisia.

Much talk before the group finale focused on whether winning the match, and therefore topping the group, would be detrimental to either side’s hopes of progressing to the latter stages, being that one half of the draw seems to offer kinder hypothetical fixtures.

That was before Japan progressed as Group H runners up – eliminating Senegal on the fair play rule in the process – and Colombia topped the group after a 1-0 win over the Senegalese.

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 13:  John Stones of England reacts during a training session as part of the England media access at Spartak Zelenogorsk Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018 on June 13, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.  (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
COPA90: John Stones on England & the World Cup
05:16 - Source: COPA90

READ: Belgium beat England thanks to Janusaj stunner

READ: Senegal exits on fair play rule

Belgium’s 1-0 win over England means the Red Devils top the group and will face Japan, currently 61st in FIFA’s world rankings, while England now prepare to face Colombia, ranked 26th in the world, and quarter finalists four years ago.

Should Gareth Southgate’s men beat Colombia, they will admittedly have an easier quarterfinal than the victors of Belgium versus Japan – Sweden or Switzerland, as opposed to Brazil or Mexico.

But being that England has only won six knockout matches at major tournaments since 1966 – the last knockout win at a major tournament coming at the 2006 World Cup – perhaps, on reflection, going full throttle against Belgium for the chance to play Japan would have been wiser. But we will find out on Tuesday, July 3, when the Three Lions take on Colombia in Moscow.

The potential route to the World Cup final for England & Belgium

Group H winners

  • Last 16 - Japan
  • Quarterfinals - Brazil/Mexico
  • Semifinals - France/Argentina/Portugal/Uruguay
  • Group H runners-up
  • Last 16 - Colombia
  • Quarterfinals - Sweden/Switzerland
  • Semifinals - Spain/Russia/Croatia/Denmark

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    Saying a sad farewell…

    Argentina succumbed to an impressive France, inspired by 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe who became the first teenager since Pele in 1958 to score twice at a World Cup. Portugal and Spain followed over the weekend, as did Denmark too but the World Cup is still coming to terms with the departure of everyone’s favorites Senegal.

    Senegal’s departure means there will be no more fist pump celebrations from their coach Aliou Cisse, which went viral on social media, tales of Senegal’s fans cleaning up at stadiums and pictures of the team joyously warming up.

    The Senegelese created a piece of unwanted history in Russia, becoming the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup on the fair play rule.

    Level with Japan on points, goal difference and head-to-head after three games, Senegal left the competition after having accumulated two more yellow cards than Japan.

    It was a cruel way to depart the tournament, though Cisse, the youngest and only black coach at the tournament, said his team must “respect” FIFA’s rules.

    The end of the group stages also means we have seen the last of Egypt’s Mo Salah, a man who much was expected of but whose shoulder injury sustained in the Champions League final had a major impact on his team’s fortunes.

    And, of course, the German squad has already flown home after failing to progress from a group which included Sweden, Mexico and South Korea.

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    “I don’t know if is the darkest moment for German football but it is definitely a very black one,” midfielder Toni Kroos told reporters.

    Germany’s departure means a new champion will be crowned and, even without the Germans, the Spaniards, the Argentines and the Portuguese there is still much to look forward to.