So after Spain got somewhat fortunate last night to move themselves out of Brazil's quarter and into Portugal's quarter, Brazil almost joined them after all. That would have been some quarter! (And equally it would have meant that one of Korea, Switzerland, Croatia and Japan would have made the SFs.)
Yeah I was looking forward to that Brazil/Spain a couple of days ago lol. Hard to see beyond a Brazil/Argentina semi now though. Possibly a mad thing to say given how this tournament has gone so far but I really can't see either of them losing to any of the 3 teams in their way in a knockout match. USA, Switzerland and Japan are my picks for upsets in the next round.
This WC is the first since the 32 team, 8 group format was adopted in 1998, where not a single country has finished on maximum points.
So making it through to the last 16: 8 European countries (one from each group) 2 South American 2 African 2 Asian Plus USA and Australia
Tbh, I wouldn't call Japan beating Croatia as an upset. I see that one as quite difficult to call; certainly, the tightest of the eight ties. Very much agree with you that USA and Switzerland could cause an upset. And I wouldn't rule out Morocco either. Albeit I would still make Spain, Holland and Portugal the favourites in those ties. Brazil, Argentina, France and England, I would say are overwhelming favourties to the make the QFs.
