World Cup: Power Rankings after the Round of 16

The quarterfinals are set in Russia as eight teams remain to win the World Cup. Here is where the last 16 rank after the first knockout round.

We got the best Round of 16 in World Cup history. Some of the big teams performed really well while other big nations were very underwhelming. The last eight has some surprises as Russia and Sweden move on to the quarterfinals. Big names are going home and moving down in the power rankings. Here are the newest power rankings that only feature the last 16.

Last Result: Lost on Penalties to Russia

Final World Cup Record (1 Win, 3 Draws, 0 Losses – 7 goals, 6 conceded)

Spain tanks from 5th to 16th with an embarrassing penalty shootout loss to the hosts Russia. Spain completed over 1100 passes in the 120 minutes they played football on Sunday. Not once did they make runs into the box or actually tried to shoot on goal. The game was an arrogant display of the tiki-taka style and it cost them. No real striker (other than Diego Costa a little) and a part-time manager usually spell disaster, and it did.

Last Result: L 0-1 vs. Sweden

Final World Cup Record (1 Win, 2 Draws, 1 Loss – 5 goals, 5 conceded)

The Swiss couldn’t solve the Swedish defense and had no real bite to their chances. Shaqiri and Xhaka were silenced and when they are, Switzerland doesn’t have a chance to win or even score. Like Spain, this team lacked a really good central striker. They depended on the wings to create and set-piece chances to score.

Last Result: L 0-2 vs. Brazil

Final World Cup Record (2 Wins, 0 Draws, 2 Losses – 3 goals, 6 conceded)

Mexico’s counter looked pretty good in the first-half against Brazil. Carlos Vela and Hirving Lozano once again shined and took advantage of Brazil missing Dani Alves and Marcelo. They just couldn’t score a goal and Brazil dominated them in the second-half. A great World Cup start for Mexico that ended the same way it has the last seven times. If it wasn’t for Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico would have lost 5-0.

Last Result: Lost on Penalties vs. Croatia

Final World Cup Record (1 Win, 3 Draws, 0 Losses – 3 goals, 2 conceded)

Denmark’s front-line is just not creative. Christian Eriksen can’t do everything and he had an average World Cup at best. The star that kept them alive was Kasper Schmeichel, whose penalty save at the end of extra-time led to the shootout, where he saved two more penalties. Schmeichel is no doubt in consideration now for being a top five goalkeeper in the world. He made his Dad very proud.

Last Result: Lost on Penalties vs. England

Final World Cup Record (2 Wins, 2 Draws, 0 Losses – 6 goals, 3 conceded)

Missing James Rodriguez was a bigger loss than I had anticipated for Colombia. Juan Quintero and Juan Cuadrado didn’t have space to work their game as England’s midfielders were defensive. Colombia goes out disappointed but had great individual performers. David Ospina made some big saves and Yerry Mina broke out as a defender and dangerous corner threat. The team didn’t do itself justice against England with their play and with their discipline.

Last Result: L 1-2 vs. Uruguay

Final World Cup Record (1 Win, 2 Draws, 1 Loss – 6 goals, 6 conceded)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals at the World Cup and Portugal still couldn’t get to the quarterfinals. Ronaldo couldn’t get the ball in all four games Portugal played and the midfield was subpar. Bernardo Silva had a bad tournament, Andre Silva and Goncalo Guedes were not suitable strike partners for Ronaldo, and the defense showed it’s age when it was caught off guard twice against Uruguay.

Last Result: L 3-4 vs. France

Final World Cup Record (1 Win, 1 Draw, 2 Losses – 6 goals, 9 conceded)

At least Argentina scored three times and had a lead against France. They still didn’t play well in one game at the World Cup. Jorge Sampaoli/Lionel Messi couldn’t form a single good line-up all tournament. Messi playing centrally was foolish and Aguero and Dybala were underutilized. Argentina’s main task before 2022 is to develop central midfielders and wing defenders. A truly underwhelming World Cup for Messi and Argentina.

Last Result: L 2-3 vs. Belgium

Final World Cup Record (1 Win, 1 Draw, 2 Losses – 6 goals, 7 conceded)

Hats off to Japan. I didn’t like the way they ended the group stage, but they gave an incredible effort and really should be in the quarterfinals. The Samurai Blue had the 2-0 lead against Belgium and just couldn’t defend the two headers and got caught off guard on the counter-attack that led to the winning goal by Nacer Chadli. Japan shocked us all with how close they were to making the last eight.