The “win-and-progress, lost-go-home” phase of the 2014 World Cup will start on June 28, 2014, with Argentina being one of the favourites for the trophy.

Sixteen final matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup will kick start tomorrow June 28 in the different arenas in Brazil. In prelude to the matches, the first combination pits host nation Brazil to Chile. The encounter to take place at Belo Horizonte promises to be a high-risk one. After majestically moving to the round of sixteen, the Selecao of Brazil and their supporters have a hard nut to crack. 

Playing against their South American brothers has never been easy. Though during their last five outings, Brazil won four and drew one, the Chileans know quite well that the Selecao are not unbeatable. To render their attack sterile, they are earmarking strategies to put Neymar under lock and key. Special measures have been put in place by the government and other stakeholders to thwart any excesses in case host country, Brazil is eliminated.

The second fixture will see group C champion, Columbia clashing against group D vice champion, Uruguay in another South American derby. Though during their last meetings Uruguay registered three wins, a draw and a defeat and might be going in for tomorrow’s encounter (Saturday) with some psychological advantage, Columbia’s present form and trend in the current competition is non-negligible.

The World vice champion, Netherlands and Mexico will both travel to Forteleza to exhibit their soccer prowess at the Casteleo stadium. The Dutch after demolishing out-going champion Spain 5-1, wiring Australia 3-2 and bashing Chile 2-0 in the group stage, will need to be very careful and charismatic against the Mexicans. To keep them at bay, soccer tactician Luiz Van Gaal, needs to map out a viable strategy.

When Costa Rica kick-started her group stage campaign, very few soccer lovers saw her sailing to the knock-out stage in grand style. First in group D considered the “Group of Death”, after seeing off Uruguay, Italy and a tie against England, the Costa Ricans squad will on Sunday at the Pernambuco Stadium in Recife take on last minute invited guest Greece.

All eyes in Africa and beyond will be at Brasilia on Monday, June 30 at 17 local time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria take on Les Bleus of France at the Nacional Stadium. Though both teams have met once in a friendly with Nigeria scoring a 1-0 win in 2009, the stakes are different now.

With Lionel Messi in sparkling form, Argentina will on Tuesday, July I, play against Switzerland. With a clean sheet of nine points in three matches and Lionel Messi visibly eager to lift the highest goal scorer trophy, the match promises to be a trilling one. On the other hand, group E vice champion Switzerland knows just what they need to pin the Argentinians down and have been telling anyone who listens, to be ready for a major upset in the tournament.