Talking points for today

The third pair of last-16 World Cup matches will be played today when Brazil tackle Mexico and Belgium face Japan.

Here, Courier Sport flags up what to look out for.

Will Neymar follow Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the airport? Two of the world’s three most celebrated players – Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo – made their exits on Saturday just hours apart. The third member of football’s most acclaimed triumvirate – Brazil striker Neymar – will hope to avoid the same fate when his team tackle Mexico. Neymar and Brazil should march on, but Russia 2018 has been crammed with tales of the unexpected.

Brazil thrive at the World Cup business end: The group stage is done and dusted for another World Cup, and Brazil’s record in the high-octane knock-out phase shows how consistently well they cope with the pressure and expectation. Since bowing out at the last-16 stage at Italia 90, their record in the next six World Cups shows two titles, one runners-up spot, one fourth place and two quarter-final exits.

Mexico have shown they are not daunted by the brilliance of Brazil: Brazil have never lost to Mexico in a World Cup tournament, scoring 11 goals during that run of wins, but when it comes to recent headto-heads in all competitions, Mexico have proved largely unfazed. Although Mexico have not reached the World Cup quarter-finals since 1986, their last 15 games against Brazil have produced seven wins, two draws and just five defeats.

Belgium unlikely to see goals dry up: Roberto Martinez’s team have been in free-scoring form iso far, hitting nine goals during the pool phase. They are set to welcome back Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku after injury, and with Eden Hazard pulling the strings it would be a surprise if their three goals a game average is not maintained.

Japan will be history-makers if they win: head coach Akira Nashino has taken his team to the verge of a best World Cup showing. The last time Japan reached the last 16, they lost to Paraguay in South Africa eight years ago, with a quarter-final place having never previously been accomplished.