World Cup 2014 enters knock out stage

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.

Robson out for 19 in second England knock

LONDON: Australia-born Sam Robson fell for 19 in the second innings of his England debut in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord´s on Sunday.

The opener, on his Middlesex home ground, had been in for over an hour when he was late pushing forward uncertainly to Sri Lanka seamer Shaminda Eranga and was bowled off the inside edge by a delivery that nipped back after he´d left a significant gap between bat and pad.Robson faced 50 balls and struck two fours.

His exit meant Robson´s first Test had seen him score just 20 runs in total after he was caught behind for one off Nuwan Pradeep in England´s first innings 575 for nine declared.

Robson´s dismissal on Sunday left England 51 for two, an overall lead of 173 in the first of a two-match series.

Previously, Eranga also had England captain Alastair Cook caught behind for 28 as he removed both openers in a burst of two wickets for one run in 10 balls.

The 24-year-old Sydney-born Robson, the son of an English mother, was selected for a Test debut after England dropped Michael Carberry following their 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia.

Although there was some controversy regarding his decision to opt for England, Robson said last week when the squad was announced that he felt no conflict of loyalties.

"I grew up in Australia until I left school but moved here when I was 18 and have lived here for my whole adult life really," Robson told BBC Radio. "This is my home; this is where my cricket has taken me.

"I love living in London; I love England, and this is where my life is," he insisted. (AFP)