World Cup: Power Rankings after the group stage

Last Result: L 0-1 vs. Poland

Group Placement: 2nd place (4 pts, 4 goals, 4 conceded, 4 yellow cards)

Next Match: MON vs. Belgium (Rostov)

Japan is only ahead of Senegal because they made the knockout stage. Fours across the board for the Samurai Blue put them into the Round of 16 and a date with Belgium in Rostov. They are the only team in the Round of 16 that I believe has no chance of making the quarterfinals.

https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1012365450804711425

Last Result: L 0-3 vs. Uruguay

Group Placement: 2nd place (6 pts, 8 goals, 4 conceded)

Next Match: SUN vs. Spain (Luzhniki – Moscow)

The hosts got smacked by Uruguay and might have shown their true selves to end Group A. They will have a tough matchup against Spain on Sunday. In the 32 team format of the World Cup, almost every host to make it past the group stage also won in the Round of 16. An upset is unlikely but not impossible. Golovin and Cheryshev will need to be much better on Sunday.

Last Result: T 0-0 vs. France

Group Placement: 2nd place (5 pts, 2 goals, 1 conceded)

Next Match: SUN vs. Croatia (Novgorod)

Denmark was unconvincing in the group stage. This team showed that they aren’t much when Christian Eriksen isn’t getting involved in the game. They were lucky to beat Peru and France wasn’t trying against them. Croatia could be a cause for concern for the Danes.

Last Result: W 2-1 vs. Nigeria

Group Placement: 2nd place (4 pts, 3 goals, 5 conceded)

Next Match: SAT vs. France (Kazan)

Rojo saved them and Argentina are one of the least deserving teams to advance. Messi and Rojo had their moments of magic to take Argentina to the next round somehow. Their next opponent is France and they have a chance to hit the reset button. Argentina needs more Messi and everyone else to knock out the biggest favorite left at the World Cup.

Last Result: T 2-2 vs. Costa Rica

Group Placement: 2nd place (5 pts, 5 goals, 4 conceded)

Next Match: TUE vs. Sweden (Saint Petersburg)

Switzerland was down the middle of the group stage in terms of performances. They were okay against Brazil, great against Serbia, and not great against Costa Rica. The Swiss finish undefeated and are back to the Round of 16. This will be the best chance they have to be a quarterfinalist when they play Sweden on Tuesday.

https://twitter.com/swiss_football_/status/1012350137069391872

Last Result: L 0-3 vs. Sweden

Group Placement: 2nd place (6 pts, 5 goals, 2 conceded)

Next Match: MON vs. Brazil (Samara)

Mexico got super lucky to stay alive. South Korea’s win over Germany is the big reason they are still here as Mexico was close to being the first team to be eliminated despite winning their first two matches. Brazil is who we expected Mexico to play if they got out of the group. Ochoa was a hero against Brazil in 2014. Can he do it again in Samara?

Last Result: W 3-0 vs. Mexico

Group Placement: 1st place (6 pts, 5 goals, 2 conceded)

Next Match: TUE vs. Switzerland (Saint Petersburg)

Sweden jumps to the top ten as they crushed Mexico 3-0 in their last group game to win Group F. They are the most organized and disciplined team in the tournament and can make the semifinals. My reasoning is they are the only team in the knockout stage that don’t need to go through one or two players on offense. Some teams need to have good performances from one player everytime they want to win. Sweden has the luxury that they aren’t relying on one or two players.

Last Result: W 3-0 vs. Russia

Group Placement: 1st place (9 pts, 5 goals, 0 conceded)

Next Match: SAT vs. Portugal (Sochi)

Uruguay is the only team to not concede yet and they might go the whole tournament without conceding. They seem like the classic World Cup team that can win extra time contests and shootouts to get far in this tournament. Portugal will be their first true test and they can succeed in that match.