The “win-and-progress, lost-go-home” phase of the 2014 World Cup will start tomorrow.

Sixteenth final matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup will kick start tomorrow in the different arenas in Brazil. In prelude to these matches, C T takes a look at six of the eight combinations available at press time.

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 ear marking 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 humbled out of the competition.

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 tomorrow’s encounter (Saturday), with some psychological advantage, Columbia’s present form and trend in the current competition is none negligible. Their attackers have found the net nine times and conceded only two goals.

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, 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. On the other hand, after a brilliant group stage performance that saw Mexico grabbing seven points after beating Cameroon, Croatia and drawing with Brazil, the boys of Migual Herrera may still count on their local determination that has so far fetch them victories.

When Costa Rica kick-started her group stage campaign, very few soccer lovers saw her paving 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 June 29, at the Pernambuco Stadium in Recife take on last minute invited guest Greece. Both teams will be meeting for the first time.

All eyes in Africa and beyond will be at Brasilia on Monday, June 30 at 17 local time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria takes 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. Judging from their last group matches, one is tempted to say Brasilia would certainly vibrate to the rhythm African drums.

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. It will be the first time both teams are meeting at the final phase of the competition. They have once met in 2012 for a friendly that saw Argentina carrying the day 3 -1. The encounter to start at 17 local time, will take place at the Sao Paulo Arena,