SAO PAULO: The last 16 teams at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil have been decided, and the knockout rounds get underway on Saturday when Brazil take on Chile.
Notable casualties from the group stages include reigning champions Spain as well as Italy, England and Portugal.
Costa Rica were the surprise package in the first round, coming through on top of a group including the Three Lions, the Azzurri and South America's Uruguay.
Here is the full schedule for the last 16, the first stage where a loss categorically means returning home:
World Cup 2014: Last 16 Schedule
June 28 9pm PST Brazil vs. Chile
June 28 1am PST(Sunday) Colombia vs. Uruguay
June 29 9pm PST Netherlands vs. Mexico
June 29 1am PST(Sunday) Costa Rica vs. Greece
June 30 9pm PST France vs. Nigeria
June 30 1am PST(Sunday). Germany vs. Algeria
July 1 9pm PST Argentina vs. Switzerland
July 1 1am PST(Sunday). Belgium vs. USA
The Netherlands have so far looked one of the best sides in the tournament, winning all three of their games including a 5-1 demolition of Spain.
They take on a strong Mexico side—who held Brazil to a draw in Group A—in one of the last 16's best matchups, which could well go to extra time or penalties.
Colombia will be buoyed by the suspension of Uruguay's Luis Suarez, per FIFA World Cup, and should see themselves through to the quarter-finals as a result. They have been one of the tournament's standout teams so far, impressing with their attacking flair.
One of Costa Rica or Greece will also make the last eight, having both upset the odds to make it out of the group stages to the surprise of many.
Many people's favourites for the competition, Argentina, face a Switzerland side who have bucked their previous trends in the tournament so far, conceding plenty but also scoring more goals than many had expected.
Lionel Messi should have enough to inspire his side to victory but the Swiss have shown their quality and will present a stiff test.
The last 16 is where the World Cup really gets interesting. The games do not come quite as thick and fast, but they are of even greater importance as survival is on the line.
Apart from Spain, most of the pre-tournament favourites still remain and the quality of football is likely to only get better as the competition moves forward and last-eight places are on the line.
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