World Cup knockout round of 32 matches ranked from best to worst

Ivory Coast has a slew of attacking options with Yan Diomande being joined by Nicholas Pepe and Amad Diallo. It pushed Germany in the group stages and should provide a stern test for Norway, which rested starters for its final group stage match against France after a strong start against Iraq and Senegal. That means Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard should be full of energy and ready for what should be a shootout with goals and drama throughout.

Brazil is blessed with loads of attacking talent with Vinicius Junior and Marcus Cunha leading the way. Concerns about the midfield could be exploited by the frenetic Japanese pressure that is persists throughout their match. Japan won’t be overawed in the matchup. It beat Brazil in a friendly last fall and has been a tough out in the knockout rounds in the last two World Cups.

It was a slow start for the Belgians with just one own goal through two matches. The final match in the group stage against New Zealand saw stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard and Romalu Lukaku score, providing some promise entering the knockout round. Unfortunately, Senegal is probably the best third-place team after playing well against France and Norway before thrashing Iraq. With Sadio Mane and Ismaïla Sarr leading the frontline, there should be goals available against a weak Belgium defense. This is a potential surprise result.

A dramatic win against Germany sent Ecuador to the knockout round. The challenge doesn’t get any easier with a road game at Mexico’s famed Estadio Azteca. Still, there’s enough talent to push the hosts. Moises Caicedo will hold things down in the midfield, and Willian Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain and Piero Hincapié of Arsenal are standout defenders. This shapes up to be a close, tight match that could be swayed by one moment. Mexico will try to ride the wave of the home crowd and could use some scoring touch from striker Raul Jimenez.

This will be a clash of styles with Colombia playing on the front foot and looking to score early and often with Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez leading the line and Daniel Munoz being an option from his fullback position. An impressive display in a draw against Portugal tells you this team is capable of a deep run. However, Ghana will cause some issues with its defensive structure and ability to play on the counter with Antoine Semeyno. The biggest concern is if the Manchester City winger will have enough support to help put the ball in the net.

England finished first in its group. That’s the good news. The bad news is that a lack of creativity was glaring against low blocks employed by Ghana and Panama. Expect a similar formula to be used by DR Congo, which was able to stymie Portugal in a similar fashion. Thomas Tuchel must find solutions to his problems at right back and discover additional scoring options besides Harry Kane and set pieces to truly be a contender in this World Cup.

After a slow start in its first half against Senegal, France has looked like one of the favorites it was projected to be. Kylian Mbappe and strike partner Ousmane Dembele have been firing on all cylinders and should be talented enough to overwhelm Sweden. There will be some threat from Arsenal striker Viktor Gyorkeres and Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga if the French defense isn’t fully focused. But don’t expect this one to be close.

An early bump against Cape Verde raised some eyebrows before two solid performances from Spain against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Nothing has really changed its outlook. Spain is still one of the favorites with Lamine Yamal rounding into full fitness and Rodri anchoring the midfield ahead of a defense that has yet to be scored on this tournament. Austria was seconds from missing the knockouts before a dramatic goal. Its reward is this match, but perhaps the dramatic finish gives them a feeling of playing with house money and will take the pressure off.

Germany cruised through its first two matches before an inconsequential stumble to Ecuador in its final match of the group stage that shouldn’t have much impact on this contest. Deniz Undav has been a key player off the bench with three goals. Look for him to play a pivotal role alongside midfielders Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Paraguay overcame a slow start against the United States and a red card against Turkey to earn four points and reach this round. But it doesn’t have the quality to compete with one of the tournament’s traditional powers.

The Swiss were another team that had an early bobble before appearing to round into form with a win against Canada to take Group B. Johan Manzambi has been the key player with three goals. Algeria has some strong technical players in Ibrahim Maza and Rayan Ait-Nouri along with veteran scorer Riyad Mahrez. That could be enough to spring an upset if its defense and goalkeeping can avoid miscues.

The first trip to the knockout round for the Egyptians starts with a manageable clash against Australia. But Mo Salah and Omar Marmouch need to provide more scoring for Egypt to go deeper than reaching the round of 16. What Australia lacks in quality going forward it tries to make up it for with size and physicality. A set piece or a counter opportunity might be the best route to an upset.

One of the traditional world powers playing against the smallest country to ever reach the knockout rounds. It’s a great storyline. The question is whether the match can equal the intrigue. Lionel Messi should have an opportunity to build toward winning the Golden Boot and spoil a great run by Cape Verde that surprised with its quality and effort to finish second in Group H after three draws.

Two inspired performances against Paraguay and Australia should be the focus for American fans, rather than the reserve-led loss to Turkey. If the U.S. comes with the same intensity it showed in the opener, there should be no problems. Bosnia and Herzegovina could make things tricky with their mix of experience and youth should it take an early lead. But look for the home team to advance.

Much has been made about the Canadians being unable to play at home because it finished second in its group. However, the bright side is Jesse Marsch’s team gets to face the easiest opponent in the knockout rounds. The expected return of Alphonso Davies should liven the Canada attack that has been hit or miss through three matches. South Africa managed just one open-play goal in the group stages and will be looking to keep things close and play for a smash and grab.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup knockout round of 32 matches ranked from best to worst