Soccer’s familiar faces left standing
Europe, S. America again assert control
MOSCOW — The thunder-clapping Icelanders have gone home, along with the Egyptians and Peruvians. Now comes the business end of the World Cup, a European- and South American-dominated club that rejects most new applicants as unwanted hoi polloi.
The group stage is the crossroads of cultures, a mixture of multitudes filled with happiness and hope.
Then comes the knockout stage, where soccer’s powers pump their pecs and the blue bloods almost always prevail.
Ten European nations reached
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the round of 16, matching 1998 and 2006 for the most since 11 in 1990, the record since the current format began in 1986.
Four South American teams have advanced, plus Mexico and Japan.
For the first time since 1982, no African team made it past the first round.
History is instructive: Europe earned 41 of 64 quarterfinal berths and South America took 16 since 1986. Among the other regions, Africa and CONCACAF got three apiece and Asia one.
Winnowing to the inner sanctum becomes even more pronounced after that : Europe filled 23 of 32 semifinal spots and South America eight, with South Korea in 2002 at home becoming the only outsider to
reach the final four.
Among 20 previous World Cups, Europe has lifted the trophy 11 times and South America nine.
foremost for the bite marks Luis Suarez left in Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini four years ago.
Spain vs. Russia
World Cup hosts outside the soccer powers usually perform better than expected. Russia should have huge support at Luzhniki Stadium, making it closer than the 10th vs. 70th matchup in the rankings. Croatia vs. Denmark
Croatia was among the most impressive group-stage teams, beating Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland by a combined 7-1.
Brazil vs. Mexico
El Tri fans hope for the elusive “quinto partido” — to reach a World Cup quarterfinal for the first time since 1986, which was on home soil. This is their best chance in years, with an attack led by Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela. Brazilian players are trying to atone for
the 7-1 humiliation against Germany in the semifinals at home four years ago.
Belgium vs. Japan
Belgium was among three teams to go 3-0 in group play, joining Croatia and Uruguay, and No. 61 Japan will be a heavy underdog against the third-ranked Red Devils.
Sweden vs. Switzerland
In its first World Cup in the post-zlatan Ibrahimovic era, Sweden is looking to get past the round of 16 for the first time since finishing third in 1994.
Colombia vs. England
Harry Kane, whose five goals lead the World Cup, heads a young England team that finished group play without a shutout for the first time. Colombia was the only team to reach the round of 16 after losing their opener. By losing to Belgium, England faces what appears to be an easier path: Sweden or Switzerland in the quarterfinals, and Spain, Russia, Croatia or Denmark in the semifinals.