WORLD Cup last-16 ties are now well underway and teams are already making plans to play in the quarter-finals.
There’s no holding back in the last eight as it is when the competition really starts to get serious.
And as we get through the last-16, we can start to understand who could play who in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
The last-16 spans four days, with two games a day and then we have a two-day break and head into the next round.
Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands have become the first country to qualify for the last eight after beating the United States 3-1.
Which teams have qualified for the quarter-finals?
Netherlandswere the first team to qualify after beating USA 3-1.
Argentinahave also made it into the last eight after beating Australia 2-1.
Which teams qualified for the last-16?
Group A
Netherlandssecured their place in the last-16 with a 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar, seeing Louis Van Gaal’s side finish top of the group.
Senegal also confirmed their place in the knock-out rounds after beating Ecuador.
Group B
England qualified for the last-16, coming out 3-0 victors over Wales to send their fellow Brits home.
USAare joining the Three Lions in the knockout rounds, beating Iran 1-0 to set up a clash with the Netherlands.
Group C
Argentinafinished top of Group C despite losing their first match of the group stage.
Victory over Mexico and Poland saw them progress into the last-16, while they are joined by the Europeans.
Polandfinished above Mexico by the skin of their teeth, having a superior goal difference to the Central Americans.
Group D
Francehad already qualified before facing Tunisia – and then the reigning world champions LOST.
Needless to say Les Bleus still finished top of the group on goal difference.
They are joined in the last 16 by Australia, who pulled another 1-0 victory out of their pockets with a win over disappointing Denmark.
Group E
Japanshocked the world by finishing top of Group E, registering wins against both Germany and Spain.
The shock twist in what was deemed the group of death saw Germany fall out of the competition despite ending level on points with Spain, who went through in second place.
Group F
Moroccosurprised everyone as they topped the group, with a 2-1 victory over Canada sealing their place in the last-16.
This meant that Croatiaand Belgium had it all to play for, but following a 0-0 draw, the Red Devils have gone crashing out at the group stages.
Group G
Brazilare through after winning both their matches, picking up six points.
Switzerlandjoined the South Americans in the next round after beating Serbia on the final day of Group G.
Group H
Bruno Fernandes’ brace saw Portugal seal their place in the next round, sitting top of Group H with six points.
Ghana, South Korea, and Uruguay still had a chance of making the last-16 but it was the Asian side that went through after beating Portugal 2-1 on the final day of the group.
What are the last-16 fixture dates and where can you watch?
Last 16
Saturday, December 3
- Match 49: Netherlands 3-1 USA (3pm) – BBC One
- Match 50:Argentina 2-1 Australia (7pm) – BBC One
Sunday, December 4
- Match 52: France vs Poland (3pm) – BBC One
- Match 51: England vs Senegal (7pm) – ITV 1
Monday, December 5
- Match 53: Japan vs Croatia (3pm) – TBC
- Match 54: Brazil vs South Korea (7pm) – TBC
Tuesday, December 6
- Match 55:Morocco vs Spain (3pm) – TBC
- Match 56: Portugal vs Switzerland (7pm) – TBC
Quarter-finals
Friday, December 9
- Match 58:Netherlands vs Winners of Match 54 (3pm)
- Match 57:Winners of Match 49 vs Winners of Match 50 (7pm)
Saturday, December 10
- Match 60:Winners of Match 55 vs Winners of Match 56 (3pm)
- Match 59:Winners of Match 51 vs Winners of Match 52 (7pm)
Semi-finals
Tuesday, December 13
- Match 61: Winners of Match 57 vs Winners of Match 58 (7pm)
Wednesday, December 14
- Match 62: Winners of Match 59 vs Winners of Match 60 (7pm)
- Third/Fourth place play-off
Saturday, December 17
- Losers of Match 61 vs Losers of Match 62 (3pm)
Final
Sunday, December 18
- Winners of Match 61 vs Winners of Match 62 (3pm)
Based on UK time zone
What are the most important dates for the World Cup?
- The group stages got underway on Sunday, November 20.
- Round of 16 will be on December 3 – December 6.
- Quarter-final stages begin on December 9 – December 10.
- Semi-finals are taking place on December 13 – December 14.
- The World Cup final will be participated on Sunday, December 18.
