The Senegalese are the only remaining African team after Nigeria got eliminated at the hands of Argentina, so they are carrying the hopes of millions of Africans as they head into this match. They started their campaign on a bright note after beating group favourites Poland 2-1, they would have qualified easily with a win their second game, but they let themselves down by allowing the Japanese to come back and score them each time they went ahead to end the game 2-2. They now have their work cut out as they try to reach the next round, however, a draw is all they need to progress. Colombia were expected to still perform their heroics of Brazil 2014 in this competition, but their group stage games started on a poor note. They lost 2-1 to Japan in their opening game, thanks in part to them going a man and a goal down in the first five minutes. They battled hard and almost got a draw in that game before the Koreans took advantage of being a man up to win 2-1. They turned on the style in their next game to beat Poland 3-0, they need to win this game to stand any chance of making it to the next round where they would face England or Belgium.

Poland were considered favourites alongside Colombia as teams who should qualify from this group after they qualified for the World Cup without much stress, however, the Poles head into this game already eliminated after suffering two losses in as many games. Japan were not given much of a chance in the pre-tournament predictions, but they started on a bright note when they beat ten-man favourites Colombia 2-1 in their first game. They followed out up with a resilient 2-2 draw against Senegal after going a goal down each time. They need just one point from this game to qualify, they should get it. Poland started their campaign with a shock 2-1 loss to Senegal and that seemed to have affected their confidence as they went on to lose their very next game 3-0 against Colombia. Their biggest problem seems to be their defence that cannot seem to stop their opposing strikers from scoring. Robert Lewandoski has also not received enough support upfront making him isolated up front for most of their last two games. it would be a surprise if they are not beaten in this match again.

Nigeria are only the second team to beat Iceland in a competitive fixture when the Super Eagles defeated the Islanders 2-0 in their last game. Iceland’s qualification for the World Cup was as surprising as their run-up to the quarterfinals of  Euro 2016 where they beat England along the way. They drew 1-1 against Argentina in their very first game of Russia 2018, a match that they even saved a Lionel Messi penalty. Their 2-0 loss to Nigeria would have affected their confidence a little, but they beat Croatia on their way to the World Cup and with the Croatians looking to rest players for the next round they could win here and hope that Argentina draws against Nigeria. Croatia have qualified for the next round as Group leaders already except Nigeria beats Argentina by 4 goals and they lose to Iceland, which is very unlikely. The Croatians started their campaign with a fortunate 2-0 win over an inexperienced Nigeria side. Their game against Argentina was where they turned on the style, beating the South Americans 3-0. They can now afford to rest players ahead of the Round of 16. This game, however, would be a tough one for them as they have already lost to Iceland in the World Cup qualifiers, would they allow themselves to be beaten twice by the same team?

Nigeria started their campaign so poorly they were expected to be packing their bags home before this game even kicked off. However, credit to the Super Eagles who showed more hunger in their very next game against Iceland to record a 2-0 win. The Super Eagles had been beaten 2-0 by Croatia in their opening match. Most of their attacking players were off duty that day and they conceded an own goal as well as a penalty. But against Iceland, they put up a fight that stunned the tiny island nation, and they would look to get at least a point in this game so they can progress. Argentina have been plunged into crisis after their poor start to the World Cup. They drew 1-1 against Iceland in their first game before being thumped 3-0 by Croatia in their next match. Nigeria’s win over Iceland has given them hope of making the next round, however, they have not always found it easy to beat the Super Eagles. They have met each other in the last four consecutive World Cups, with the Argentines winning each of those matches, but Nigeria won 4-2 the last time they met in a friendly game.

Australia were expected to have exited the World Cup by now when the draws were made, but the Socceroos have surprised us all, can they make it to the next round with a win here? They lost their first game 2-1 to France thanks in part to an unfortunate own goal in the 80th minute having battled back from going a goal down. Their second game against Denmark was an improvement from the first as they came from an early goal down again to draw 1-1. Both of their goals have been penalties, but what they lack is scoring goals from the open, they more than make up for it is their character. Peru’s first World Cup in over 30 years has been an unlucky one. In their first game they outplayed Denmark, missed a penalty and had 17 attempts at goal, but could not score a single goal only to lose the game 1-0. Their very next game saw them come up against France and they still lost the game rather harshly, 1-0. They would have packed their bags by the time they step on to the field for this game, however, ending this competition with a goal and a win would be a fitting way to bow out.

There were fears that Germany would become the next defending champion to exit the World Cup at the group stage when they were struggling in their warm-up games, but their 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia seems to have made everyone think they are back to form. However, their first game against Mexico ended in the defending champions losing 1-0 to the North Americans. Germany’s defence was surprisingly vulnerable and every time their full-backs ventured forward, Mexico hit them on the break until they eventually breached the Germans. The Germans face another stubborn team in Sweden and it would be interesting to see if they can improve their current run of one win in seven games. Sweden beat Italy in the playoffs to reach Russia 2018, and they have started on a bright note by beating South Korea 1-0. They would be facing a tougher opponent in Germany, but the Swedes are a very strong side to break down and if Germany’s defence does not improve, the Scandinavians may kill them off on the counter in this game. Sweden has just lost twice in their last nine games, and with Germany struggling for form, the Swedes could hold their own and get a point from this match.

South Korea were the talk of the world 16 years ago when the co-hosted the 2002 World Cup. They reached the semifinal stage of that competition as the surprise package, but their football has never reached that height again. They lost their first game against Sweden 1-0, but to be honest the Swedes could have scored more goals if they were an attacking team because the Koreans never came to the party and had just 2 shots at goal. Son Heung-Min who has starred for Tottenham over the past few seasons was ineffectual in that game and they have lost three of their last four games ahead of this match. Mexico faced defending World champions Germany in their first game, while many expected that game to be a tight affair no one thought the German defence would be that terrible. The North Americans took the game to Germany from the get-go and forced the German defence to crack. When Havier Hernandez laid on an assist for Hirving Lozano, it was time for them to take the lead and they did. Germany did try to get in the game, but they couldn’t and Mexico would be looking to build on that win here.

Belgium’s golden generation has another chance to win a trophy for their nation, and this may be the very last chance for most of the players in this squad. The Belgians are among the favourites to lift this trophy, but very often their lack of teamwork has robbed them of a team success. In their first game against Panama that almost cost them the game as they headed into the halftime break with a goalless draw. The second half was much better and it was Dries Mertens who opened the scoring before Romelu Lukaku scored a brace to help them to a 3-0 win. The Belgians have now lost just one game under Roberto Martinez and have won 15 of their last 20. Tunisia were very poor in their opening game against England as they were beaten 2-1. The scoreline may suggest that the game was close, but that is not the true story. The Tunisians only escaped a heavier scoreline because England missed clear-cut chances and the referee refused to give the Three Lions any of two obvious penalties. If Tunisia plays as poorly as they did in the England game, they would be heading home after this game, but if they step up like they did in their warm-up games, they stand a chance of upsetting the Red Devils.

Most of us thought Argentina had the simplest match when they faced Iceland in their opening group game. Indeed a team led by Lionel Messi coming up against an Iceland side who qualified for their first competition just two years ago shoulda be certain win for the South Americans. However, it proved to be a very tough game for Messi and Argentina with the Barcelona man missing a penalty it ended 1-1 and Iceland’s fairytale run at competitions continue. Argentina would now consider this game a must win for them if they want to reach the knockout stage. Croatia started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Nigeria. In all honesty, the Nigerians were so poor, you’d wonder how the managed to qualify for this competition. They now face their first real test in this match, however, with only Mario Mandzukic as their out-and-out striker it would be interesting to see how they fair in this game. Argentina have four wins from their last ten games, while Croatia have only two losses from their last nine matches. Messi should recover from his poor showing in the last match to prove himself in this game.

Despite having a star-studded lineup France struggled in their first game against Australia before an unfortunate own goal helped them claim all three points with a 2-1 win. Their struggle in their first match was not because they are a poor side, rather it was because of the determination of their opponents who pressed them all over the pitch. The French team would now look to build on that win and get into the next round with another win over Peru here. France always starts slowly at Tournaments and five times out of their last seven opening games at major competitions have ended without wins for them. Peru were unlucky to lose their last match against Denmark. The Peruvians were by far the best team on the night with 17 shots on goal, they outplayed the Europeans and were very unpredictable just as they were inventive on the attack. France defence was shaky in their first game against Australia and Peru should have a better afternoon in front of goal in this game and that should make this an exciting game to watch. The Peruvians have scored in five of their last seven games while France have failed to keep a clean sheet in all but one of their last seven games.