Cup wide open for the final 16

ONLY six countries have won the World Cup in the past 50 years, but a thrilling group stage in Russia has greatly increased the possibility of a fresh name at least making it to the final.

The group stage, featuring just one goalless draw and already a record number of penalties, has been marked by Germany’s stunning exit, its earliest in 80 years.

So after the drama of the past fortnight, which teams are best set to go far in the knockout rounds?

Of the half-dozen winners of the trophy since 1970, Germany has gone home, while Italy, of course, never even qualified.

Meanwhile, France and Argentina play each other next, so only one will make the quarter-finals.

That leaves Spain and Brazil, with the latter fresh from topping its group at a 10th consecutive World Cup, even if the team has been a slow burner so far.

Neymar has certainly not yet captured his best form, but the five-time champion has plenty of other matchwinners and has looked strong at the back.

The standout last-16 tie pits France against Lionel Messi and Argentina, two teams that laboured through the group stage — in Argentina’s case it was lucky to advance at all.

“We got ourselves into a real mess,” admitted Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Argentinians might be happier than anyone at Germany’s elimination, having been knocked out by it at each of the past three World Cups.

But they could find themselves on a collision course with Brazil in the semi-finals, as they lie on a side of the draw that features countries totalling 10 World Cup wins between them.

European champion Portugal is there too, and if Cristiano Ronaldo’s side beats Uruguay in what could be a real battle of attrition in Sochi, he might find himself up against Messi’s Argentina in the last eight.

Uruguay, though, is the only team not to have conceded a goal in this tournament, and recent World Cups have tended to be won by the side with the best defence.

Along with England, Spain is the only past winner in the other side of the draw and it faces Russia in Moscow, with question marks surrounding its back line and the form of goalkeeper David De Gea.

Croatia is a possible quarter-final opponent for Spain.

It won all three group games, and a run to the semis like in 1998 is not beyond it.

Meanwhile, England might feel a route to the last four is opening up nicely, thanks to yesterday’s loss to Belgium.

But Colombia is not to be taken lightly.

And beyond that could lie Sweden which, it should not be forgotten, has been responsible for knocking out the Netherlands, Italy and Germany from this World Cup.