July 1 – The final day of the last 16 matches pits Argentina against Switzerland and Belgium against the USA. The winners will meet in the quarter final on Saturday in Brasilia.
Argentina are unbeaten and though not looking entirely convincing are marching to the tune of a brilliant Lionel Messi who has scored four of the team’s six goals in three close wins. It was an injury-time winner from Messi that ensured the three points against Iran.
Argentina will be without injured forward Sergio Aguero. Ezequiel Lavezzi will take his place in a three-man attack alongside Messi and Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli.
Switzerland have their own version of Messi in the similarly sized Xherdan Shaqiri who announced his arrival with a hat-trick against Honduras in the team’s last group game.
Head to Head games
19/06/66 Argentina v Switzerland 2-0 (World Cup)
16/12/80 Argentina v Switzerland 5-0 (International)
01/09/84 Switzerland v Argentina 0-2 (International)
08/05/90 Switzerland v Argentina 1-1 (International)
02/06/07 Switzerland v Argentina 1-1 (International)
29/02/12 Switzerland v Argentina 1-3 (International)
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Argentina: Rank: 5 Points: 1175
Switzerland: Rank: 6 Points: 1149
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Argentina
First in CONMEBOL Group with 32 points (P16 W9 D5 L2 GF35 GA15)
Switzerland
First in UEFA Group E with 24 points (P10 W7 D3 L0 GF17 GA6)
Argentina v Switzerland stats
Argentina have avoided losing in 16 of their last 17 World Cup matches.
Switzerland have won 5 of their last 6 and have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 World Cup matches
Argentina have won their last three Round of 16 ties; (v England in 1998 and v Mexico in 2006 and 2010.)
Switzerland have lost their only two Round of 16 ties (v Spain in 1994 and v Ukraine in 2006).
The Swiss have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 10 World Cup finals matches.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s hat-trick v Honduras was the 50th hat-trick in World Cup history.
Belgium vs USA
Belgium has not reached the quarterfinals since 1986 while the US unexpectedly survived the Group of Death. Both teams have momentum but Belgium now look to be coming into some for. The US have not won against Belgium in five matches since 1930.
Belgium have conceded just one goal to date, built around the rock in defence of Vincent Kompany, though he has been suffering from a groin strain. In Thibaut Courtois, the team has arguably the most exciting young goalkeeper in the world.
Thomas Vermaelen is a doubtful starter while Anthony Vanden Borre is definitely out. Laurent Ciman is a further doubt.
The US is very much built around the talismanic properties of Clint Dempsey up front. Jozy Altdiore is still likely to be out, leaving Dempsey to be supported by five-man midfield.
A Michael Bradley stat was that so far in the three games in the World Cup he had run more than 25 miles – which pretty much sums up the US approach which is built on high energy and the ability to keep going.
Tim Howard in goal may be crucial in a match that looks unlikely to serve up too many goals.
Head to Head games
13/06/30 USA v Belgium 3-0 (World Cup)
22/04/95 Belgium v USA 1-0 (International)
25/02/98 Belgium v USA 2-0 (International)
06/09/11 Belgium v USA 1-0 (International)
29/05/13 USA v Belgium 2-4 (International)
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Belgium: Rank: 11 Points: 1074
USA: Rank: 13 Points: 1035
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Belgium
First in UEFA Group A with 26 points (P10 W8 D2 L0 GF18 GA4)
USA
First in CONCACAF Group with 22 points (P10 W7 D1 L2 GF15 GA8)
Belgium v USA stats
The US have qualified for the knockout stage in three of their previous four World Cups and are aiming to reach the Quarter Final for the first time since 2002.
The USA beat Belgium 3-0 in the World Cup in 1930 – in a game which was the first game in the World Cup for both nations.
USA have failed to keep a clean sheet in every one of their last 16 World Cup games against European opposition.
Belgium have won 10 of their last 11 matches in the World Cup.
Belgium won all their group games – and all by a one goal margin.