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The business end of the FIFA World Cup begins on Saturday with the last 16 teams remaining in the tournament battling it out for the quarterfinals.
In the next four days (July 4-7), there are several big matches between the biggest teams in the world.
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Here’s Al Jazeera’s guide to the best matches to watch in the Round of 16.
Canada vs Morocco
July 4, Saturday, Houston Stadium – 17:00 GMT
Canada’s best chance against Morocco it would have been written by Yassine Bounou. Former coach Benito Floro tried, but was rejected by Bounou, who spent the first three years of his life in Montreal.
The last time the Canadians tried to get past Bounou, they lost 2-1 and were eliminated from the group in Qatar. Now, Canada should have more confidence after their first World Cup win.
The Maple Leafs will attack through Tajon Buchanan on the right, and Alphonso Davies, moving from the left. Davies (hamstring) returned for the group stage against South Africa, his first since playing for Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals.
Jesse Marsch, the US-born Canadian coach, has played in the middle, Nathan-Dylan Saliba in place of Ismael Kone, who broke his leg against Qatar.
Morocco’s comeback has yet to begin, but they know Bounou is there to save them – all the Atlas Lions have to do is shoot. The winner will likely face France in the quarterfinals.
France vs Paraguay
July 4, Saturday, Philadelphia Stadium – 21:00 GMT
The Guaranies were surprised, but if Les Bleus know their history, it won’t be the game.
In 1958, France faced Paraguay in the second half, before winning 7-3. In 1998, it took an extra goal from Laurent Blanc to go ahead against La Albirroja.
Now, however, France is running faster than anyone. Of course, Paraguay thwarted the German invasion. But Gustavo Gomez and company will struggle to follow Kylian Mbappe.
The French will destroy the defense in the middle, through the play of Michael Olise and Adrien Rabiot. Wingers will provide width. Olise, Rabiot and, possibly, Theo Hernandez will shoot from distance.
Brazil vs Norway
July 5, Sunday, New York / New Jersey Stadium – 20:00 GMT
To be a team with a record of head-to-head wins against Brazil is rare. Only three teams have this status – the Netherlands, Hungary and Norway. The finalists have the most bragging rights, having never lost to Brazil (W2, D2).
The Brazilians, however, have been waiting for a long time to repeat their World Cup group defeat in 1998, when the Norwegians received a late shot.
US referee Esse Baharmast recognized the error, which led to Kjetil Rekdal giving the decision 2-1. Brazil took the group stage, while Landslaget’s win meant they finished ahead of Morocco to move up to second.
This was Norway’s last appearance in the finals – they were defeated by Italy in the first knockout round – and only once more did they progress.
Brazil have been looking for a spark, and they got one with Endrick coming off the bench against Japan. Endrick will be limited by the Norwegians but he can play a big role.
Mexico vs England
July 5, Sunday, Mexico City Stadium – 00:00 GMT Monday
Altitude versus attitude, according to former Mexican coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Mexico City is at an altitude of 2,240 meters (7,350 feet), including the rapid attack of El Tri, can leave the enemy gasping for air.
Meanwhile, Mexico has compiled a 4-0-0 record (8-0 goal difference) playing in Guadalajara and Mexico City.
The tactics with El Tri set the tone, and the combination of Raul Jimenez and Colombian-born Julian Quinones is clicking.
Against Mexico, England have compiled a record of 6W-2L-1D (including a 2-0 victory at Wembley in the 1966 World Cup).
The Three Lions did not win in Mexico City (0-2-1), but, then, they did not have Harry Kane – and their one defeat on the pitch required a Hand of God moment from Diego Maradona to advance Argentina on their way.
Thomas Tuchel hopes to minimize the effects of the surge by arriving closer to kickoff, with FIFA considering moving the kick-off time to avoid the storm. Either way, the winner will face either Brazil or Norway.
USA vs Belgium
July 6, Monday, Seattle Stadium – 00:00 GMT Tuesday
Maybe, the USA is real, after all.
It should be smart, after losing Folarin Balogun to suspension and eliminating Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2-0, the US’s first World Cup win against a UEFA opponent since 2002.
Striker depth is limited, and Mauricio Pochettino has only two to choose from – Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright.
The Belgians showed they can do well to overcome a two-goal deficit against Senegal, as manager Rudi Garcia produced one of the bravest performances of the World Cup.
Garcia replaced Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku with Dodi Lukibakyo and midfielder Nicolas Raskin, and the offense did not change, even until the 86th minute.
Belgium, a country as small as Massachusetts, has won six times against the USA since the World Cup teams began in 1930. The USA is eager to end the competition. The winner faces either Portugal or Spain.
Portugal vs Spain
Portugal vs Spain: July 6, Monday, Dallas Stadium – 19:00 GMT
One of the reasons why Portugal hired Roberto Martinez was during this period.
Martinez seems to be getting the better of Cristiano Ronaldo. But when it came time to move on, Martinez replaced Ronaldo – having already replaced Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha – as Portugal produced a late winner against Croatia.
La Roja’s attack is starting to impress, with Dani Olmo driving through the middle, Lamine Yamal finding his way and Mikel Oyarzabal’s finishing touch.
Spain beat Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, 1-0, en route to winning the 2010 World Cup. Ronaldo returned the favor with a hat trick in a 3-3 draw in 2018.
