by The knockout matches in this year’s World Cup are the most diverse in the competition’s history, with three Asian teams qualifying for the round of 16 for the first time.
The first knockout stage of the World Cup has traditionally been dominated by teams from Europe and South America, but this year there are more representatives from North America, Asia and Africa.
It marks only the second time since 1986, when the round of 16 format was first introduced, that two African nations have topped the group, and the first time that a total of six teams from North America, Asia and Africa they reached the knockout stages.
South America have just two representatives (Argentina and Brazil) in the round of 16 in Qatar, their lowest total since 1986.
And only twice in the past did Europe have fewer than its current eight representatives in the round of 16.
European nations found it more difficult to progress when the tournament was held outside their own continent. Only six European teams have reached the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Asia’s numbers were bolstered by Australia’s surprise progression from a group that included France, Denmark and Tunisia. Australia has been a member of the Asian Football Confederation since 2006.
In this year’s round of 16 they are joined by Asian nations Japan and South Korea, who both came through the group stage in spectacular fashion.
The quarter-final line-up so far consists of the Netherlands, Argentina, England and France.
What is the World Cup knockout schedule?
Saturday 3 December
Game 49 – Netherlands 3 USA 1
Match 50 – Argentina 2 Australia 1
Sunday 4th December
Match 52 – France 3 Poland 1
Match 51 – England 3 Senegal 0
Monday 5th December
Game 53 – Japan-Croatia, 3 pm
Game 54 – Brazil vs South Korea, 7.00pm
Tuesday 6th December
Race 55 – Morocco-Spain, 3 pm
Race 56 – Portugal-Switzerland, 7.00 pm
Quarter finals
Friday 9 December
QF1 – Race 53 Winner vs Race 54 Winner, 3pm
QF2 – Netherlands vs Argentina, 7.00pm
Saturday 10th December
QF3 – Game Winner 55 vs Game Winner 56, 3pm
QF4 – England vs France, 7.00pm
Semifinals
Tuesday 13th December
SF1 – QF1 Winner vs QF2 Winner, 7pm
Wednesday 14th December
SF2 – QF3 Winner vs QF4 Winner, 19:00
Playoff for third place
Saturday 17th December
SF1 Loser vs SF2 Loser, 3pm
Sunday 18th December
Lusail Stadium, 3pm
Who is leading the race for the Golden Boot?
At the end of the group stage, Marcus Rashford was among the top. For a guide to all the latest World Cup stats, check out our at-a-glance guide.
What is the group standings?
How did each team progress to the round of 16?
In group A
Final ranking
Holland topped the group after beating Qatar in their last game. Senegal edgy Ecuador 2-1 to move into second place. Qatar they were the first team eliminated from the World Cup and lost all three games, scoring just one goal.
In group B
Final ranking
England they progressed as group winners after overcoming Wales in their final match. Their 3-0 victory means Wales finished at the bottom, while the United States of America he finished second after passing Iran in their decisive crunch.
In group C
Final ranking
After losing the first game against Saudi Arabia, Argentina they completed their reversal of fortune by beating Poland to top the pack. Poland, despite losing to the South Americans, advanced to the round of 16 in second place on goal difference. That came later Mexico could only beat Saudi Arabia 2-1, thus having to settle for third place, with Saudi Arabia finishing bottom.
In group D
Final ranking
France they qualified and are still top of the group despite a surprise defeat to Tunisia in their last group match. Australia they stunned Denmark 1-0 in their final group match to qualify in second place, level on points with France but second on goal difference. Tunisia finished third with four points while DenmarkDark Horse pre-tournament of many people, he picked up just one point in fourth place.
In group E
Final ranking
Japan win the group after their sensational victory over Spain in the final group, a victory which came following a goal which caused a huge controversy as the ball appeared to be out of play during the build-up. Spain he took second place despite the loss. Germany they are out of the World Cup despite beating Costa Rica in the finals. Costa Rica finished fund.
In group F
Final ranking
Morocco they qualified as surprise group winners with seven points after a 2-1 win Canada. Croatia managed to hold on to second place after a 0-0 draw with Belgium in a match that will be remembered for Romelu Lukaku’s hat-trick of wasted golden opportunities in the final.
In group G
Final ranking
Brazil top of the group despite defeat by Cameroon on the final night of the group stage. Swiss he finished second thanks to their cantankerous victory over Serbia. Cameroon And Serbia they both go out.
In group H
Final ranking
After the last two dramatic games Portugal qualified as group winners despite losing 2-1 against South Korea. The winner in the final for the Koreans moved them into second place for goals scored Uruguaywhose 2-0 win Ghana it proved insufficient to carry them through.
