2014 FIFA World Cup: Knockout Bracket Predictions

In previewing each of the eight groups last month, we broke down each game and offered predictions for which two teams might advance to the knockout stage of the tournament. What might it look like after we plug each of those teams into their bracket slots? Managing editor Zach Bigalke and Sports Unbiased’s resident world football expert Kimani Gregoire offer their respective bracket picks based on our earlier projections…\

NEXT PAGE: Kimani’s Bracket

Kimani’s Bracket

ROUND OF 16

• Brazil v. Spain: So early to have a matchup of this magnitude (would have loved to see this as a final rather than a second round match). Spain has the edge in big-match experience but don’t underestimate home-field advantage here (including the heat). Brazil demolished Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup last year and I again expect their pace to cause the defending champions problems. (Winner: Brazil)
• England v. Ivory Coast: This should be a very close (and a very physical) match. England’s best chance to win might be drag this match out all to way to penalty kicks and take their chances with some of their more experience players. Otherwise, the conditions should favor the African country in this match. England would be better served playing their youngsters but the feeling is that they won’t. (Winner: Ivory Coast)
• Switzerland v. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Bosnia likes to attack while Switzerland are a more defensive-minded team so style-wise should make for a great match. Teams usually tend to be a little more cautious come the knockout stages. Let’s hope Bosnia sticks to their attacking nature. (Winner: Bosnia-Herzegovina)
• Germany v. Algeria: It would be a huge disappointment if Germany were to lose here. They have the deeper and more talented team of the two countries. Should be a relatively easy victory. (Winner: Germany)
• Netherlands v. Croatia: Croatia are one of those countries but for some reason always seem to give the favorites a hard time. But Netherlands will be determined to return to the final as well as to wipe that bad taste of Euro 2012 off their mouths. Besides, the Dutch are the better team. (Winner: Netherlands)
• Uruguay v. Columbia: Will Luis Suarez be healthy? If he is, then Uruguay should most likely win this one. Columbia are a good team but it is going to be tough without Radamel Falcao. A talent like that is just irreplaceable. (Winner: Uruguay)
• Argentina v. Honduras: Argentina had a relatively easy group and their Round of 16 matchup looks to be pretty much the same. Honduras will not be able to match up with the firepower of Argentina on offensive. (Winner: Argentina)
• Belgium v. Portugal: People are going to realize how talented this Belgium team is. It is going to take a superhuman effort from Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal to win this match, and given his fitness struggles right now it may be too much to ask. (Winner: Belgium)

QUARTERFINALS

• Brazil v. Ivory Coast: Brazil will be better able to dictate play in this matchup than their previous one. They may need someone else to step up, because Ivory Coast are going to be very physical with Neymar. Again, going with the home-field advantage. (Winner: Brazil)
• Germany v. Bosnia-Herzegovina: This is where Bosnia’s defensive liabilities will hurt them. Germany will control possession, dictate play, and take advantage of Bosnia’s weaknesses at the back. (Winner: Germany)
• Uruguay v. Netherlands: It would not be a shock if this went to penalty kicks. Uruguay have performed well in these big tournaments recently and have better chemistry than the Dutch. Again, the World Cup being in South American will greatly aid Uruguay. (Winner: Uruguay)
• Argentina v. Belgium: This should be an entertaining match and Belgium should not be overlooked even if they would be underdogs going in. Another match that may come down to penalty kicks. Could Lionel Messi be the difference? (Winner: Argentina)

SEMIFINALS

• Brazil v. Germany: It’s been a tough road to the final for the hosts but they will have earned it here. This Germany squad has a reputation of one that comes close to the finish line but lacks that killer instinct to cross it. Brazil will be energized by the home crowd and mentally it might be too much for the Germans. (Winner: Brazil)
• Uruguay v. Argentina: Matches between these two tend to be very close and this one will very much likely come down to penalty kicks. Uruguay have performed well in these big tournaments that past 4-5 years and that big match experience will be the difference in a very “mild” upset. (Winner: Uruguay)

THIRD-PLACE GAME

• Germany v. Argentina: Will Argentina be motivated to play following a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals? The answer is no. (Winner: Germany)

FINAL

• Brazil v. Uruguay: Uruguay looks to spoil the party but with the home crowd behind them, and having taken out Spain and Germany, it would be tough to see Brazil lose now when they are this close. The host nation gets to celebrate! (Champions: Brazil)

NEXT PAGE: Zach’s Bracket

Zach’s Bracket

ROUND OF 16

• Brazil v. Spain: It almost doesn’t seem fair to have the defending champion and the five-time winner of the World Cup squaring off against one another this early. Alas, somebody will have to go home this time around. Brazil will prove they have turned into a defensive dynamo belying their offensive tradition as they put an end to the tiki-taka repeat dreams. (Winner: Brazil)
• England v. Ivory Coast: 64 years earlier, the English squad that finally made its first appearance at the World Cup didn’t even make it out of group play. This time around, faced up against the Ivorians, they’ll exit the tournament at the same point they did four years ago. (Winner: Ivory Coast)
• Switzerland v. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Switzerland are ostensibly one of the top eight teams in the tournament, having earned a top seed in the group draw. Bosnia-Herzegovina has the offensive creativity to break down the Swiss defenses. Can Switzerland manage to keep pace? (Winner: Bosnia-Herzegovina)
• Germany v. Algeria: Still smarting from the collusion between the Germans and Austrians that prevented them from reaching the knockout stage in 1982, the Algerians would love nothing more than to exact revenge on this edition of Die Adler. Unfortunately for the Desert Foxes, this batch of Germans won’t need any “non-aggression pacts” to squeeze through to the quarterfinals. (Winner: Germany)
• Netherlands v. Croatia: This is the only point of contention I have with Kimani. This Dutch side is nowhere near comparable to the squad that nearly won the World Cup four years ago. This time around they’ll be facing a Croatian team that won’t surprise anyone this time around like they did in 1998. (Winner: Croatia)
• Uruguay v. Columbia: An all-South American clash is another one of those matchups that, like Spain-Brazil, just seems unfair at this stage of the tournament. Without Falcao to finish off the distribution of James Rodriguez and crew, Colombia probably doesn’t have the firepower to hang with the Uruguayans. (Winner: Uruguay)
• Argentina v. Honduras: Honduras will be happy to be here. Argentina won’t be happy with anything less than a World Cup hoisted above their heads. The disparity in talent will be evident from the outset. (Winner: Argentina)
• Belgium v. Portugal: For the first time in decades, Belgium has the more complete roster. Portugal might have the best player on the pitch, but Belgium will combine to have the better overall squad. That cumulative advantage will prove the difference. (Winner: Belgium)

QUARTERFINALS

• Brazil v. Ivory Coast: One can hope for a fun, free-flowing match between two skilled sides. Which means we’re likely going to see a goalless draw in regulation, a couple of tense periods of extra time, and a late winner that prevents penalties and keeps the host nation from self-combusting. (Winner: Brazil)
• Germany v. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Bosnia will give the German defenses fits, though they’ll also leave plenty of space to exploit. The more disciplined team will prove the beneficiary of a questionable call or two, and another perennial powerhouse will book passage into the semifinals. (Winner: Germany)
• Uruguay v. Croatia: If this match were being played on any other continent, I’d give the Croatians a fighting chance. Unfortunately, Los Charruas will be in their element, and there will be little for the checkerboard crew to do but trade jerseys and book flights home after this contest. (Winner: Uruguay)
• Argentina v. Belgium: Look for the contingent from Rosario, led by four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria, to unravel the Belgian dreams and claim the last spot among an elite final four. (Winner: Argentina)

SEMIFINALS

• Brazil v. Germany: 12 years ago, Ronaldo scored a brace to lead the Brazilians to a 2-0 victory over Germany in the finals of the 2002 World Cup. This time, the hero for the home team could be someone like Neymar. (Winner: Brazil)
• Uruguay v. Argentina: A rematch of the inaugural World Cup final, there will be little love between these classic Rioplatense rivals. Kimani likes La Celeste… I’m putting my faith in the Argentinians to pull out their first trip to the World Cup final since 1990. (Winner: Argentina)

THIRD-PLACE GAME

• Germany v. Uruguay: These same two teams met four years ago in South Africa to determine which of the two would claim third place behind Spain and the Netherlands. Germany won the honor in 2010; look for Luis Suarez and crew to make it a clean sweep of the top three for CONMEBOL. (Winner: Uruguay)

FINAL

• Brazil v. Argentina: So it won’t be a rematch of the Maracanazo that Kimani is projecting; instead we’re going to see a pair of South American squads that expect to not just contend quadrennially for the World Cup but to hoist it each time around. Argentina have the combination of offense and defense to make life tough on the hosts, but in the end look for Brazil not to blow their second chance at glory in the Maracana. (Champions: Brazil)