The 2014 World Cup now comes down to 16 teams, and the games are guaranteed to provide even more intensity in a single-elimination format. The diverse group of remaining teams consists of established nations that have a track record of success in previous World Cups, along with some surprise inclusions that are playing with a lot of confidence coming out of the group stage.
Spain, Italy and England are all out, but surging sleepers such as Costa Rica and Mexico are carrying a lot of momentum into the knockout round. Based on group-play performance and individual talent, here is my ranking of the top 16 teams remaining in the tournament.
1. Brazil
The host nation entered the tournament as the favorite, and so far it has done nothing to make the general population worried about that title. Brazil is also playing the attacking brand of soccer many expected and is as capable of creating dangerous chances from a slow, patient buildup as it is an aggressive, counterattacking situation. Most importantly, Neymar has lived up to expectations so far and not only is tied for the tournament lead with four goals but also has put eight of his team-high 11 shot attempts on target. Neymar's central positioning in Brazil's midfield means he has total control over Brazil's attack, and his ability to lead the team in the later rounds could put him on another level in his placement among the world's best players.
2. Argentina
Similar to Brazil, Argentina has a game-changing player in Lionel Messi, and his timely goals for Argentina in this tournament compared with his previous World Cup appearances could be a sign of his impact in the later rounds (see heat maps below).
The Barcelona star is tied for the tournament scoring lead with four goals from 14 shots, after scoring just once in 31 shot attempts in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments combined. With attacking threats such as Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain by Messi's side, there is certainly enough in the attack for Argentina to make a World Cup run.
3. Germany
Germany has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in 15 consecutive World Cups, so there was little surprise in the team winning its difficult group. The surplus of talent that manager Joachim Low has in the attack has overwhelmed opponents so far, and his squad ranks second in the tournament in attacking-third touches. Meanwhile, Germany has conceded only two goals defensively, and the attacking core is especially good at pressing to win the ball back right away if it ever loses possession. This mentality helps to make the team more cohesive in its defending and its attack, and its talent level in all areas of the field will be tough for opponents to handle going forward.
4. Netherlands
The Netherlands lead the tournament with 10 goals so far, and the 5-1 dismantling of Spain in its opening game put everyone on notice about this team's potential. The team came into the tournament with lowered expectations because of injuries to Kevin Strootman and Rafael van der Vaart, but more unheralded players have stepped up in their place. The most impressive has been Daley Blind, who has served as a defender and a midfielder on the left side and has gotten forward to provide a team-high three assists in the attack.
5. France
France has been excellent in the tournament so far and has already wiped away the memory of a disappointing 2010 tournament in which the team scored just one goal in its quick exit after the group stage.
France has scored eight goals (one own goal) so far in this tournament, and Karim Benzema leads the tournament with 11 shots on target. Meanwhile, younger players such as midfielder Paul Pogba and central defender Raphael Varane (both 21 years old) have risen to prominent roles on the club. France is a team with the talent to win playing either a direct, long-ball style or keeping possession with short-passing combinations.
6. Colombia
Many thought that Colombia would struggle without striker Radamel Falcao in its attack, but the team has been able to thrive thanks to the breakout play of his Monaco teammate James Rodriguez. Colombia has particularly thrived on the counterattack -- scoring half of its goals in the group stage in that fashion -- and Fiorentina winger Juan Guillermo Cuadrado has caused a lot of problems for opposing teams with his speed and decision-making in the attack.
7. Belgium
Belgium advanced through the group stage with a perfect record, and the fact that it won a weak Group H doesn't diminish how much individual talent exists on this team. Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard remains the most important figure, and he was particularly impressive in leading the attack in the last 30 minutes of a 1-0 victory over Russia. An unheralded performer in Belgium's attack has been Napoli midfielder Dries Mertens, who leads the team in take-ons and shot attempts.
8. Mexico
Mexico has been one of the surprises of the tournament, and, after a disastrous qualifying road, El Tri has regrouped to play well as a team that can press in the attack but is also sound defensively. Although the Soccer Power Index (SPI) odds give the team just a 31 percent chance of advancing past the Netherlands, the leadership of defender Rafa Marquez and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in defense, combined with the attacking prowess of strikers Oribe Peralta and Giovani Dos Santos in the attack, make this a dangerous team heading into the knockout rounds.
9. Chile
Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez has been pivotal to Chile's attack, leading the team in every offensive category so far. But perhaps more impressive is that the team is still able to win midfield battles with opponents without getting the best out of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, who is battling lingering knee and Achilles issues.
10. Costa Rica
Costa Rica advanced from the group stage for the first time since 1990 and deserves high praise for winning a very difficult Group D. Victories over Uruguay and Italy demanded strong defensive effort, and Costa Rica leads the tournament with an average of just seven shots conceded per game. Meanwhile, winger Christian Bolanos and striker Joel Campbell in the attack have provided enough individual talent for Costa Rica to become a contender. SPI gives the Ticos a 56 percent chance of advancing past Greece to get to the quarterfinals, and I agree that Costa Rica's run isn't over yet.
11. Uruguay
The team's success is obviously marred by the ugly biting incident from Luis Suarez, and its attacking success now rests with Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani. Striker Diego Forlan was an active replacement for Suarez in the first game, and it will be interesting to see how Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez tries to replace the attacking presence Suarez brings. Meanwhile, Uruguay is led on the defensive side by Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin, who not only leads the team in interceptions and clearances but also added the winning goal against Italy to send the team to the round of 16.
12. United States
The U.S. ultimately needed some help to advance into the round of 16, but it also played well enough in its first two games to come within seconds of avoiding any need for a competitive result in its third and final group game against Germany. The attack is led by Clint Dempsey, whose two goals and eight shots have been critical, given the hamstring injury to starting striker Jozy Altidore. Defensively, the U.S. relies on its ability to break up plays, and the team's 49 total interceptions rank fourth among remaining teams. Although I have the U.S. ahead of Switzerland (No. 13 below) based on the Swiss' defensive weaknesses, I can't put it above Uruguay based on collective talent and play thus far in the tournament.
13. Switzerland
Switzerland was deemed an overrated team coming into the tournament but has proved to be very talented and creative in the attack. The team ranks second in the tournament with 46 chances created and is led by Bayern Munich midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri and his three goals. However, the Swiss have issues on defense (having given up six goals, including two on errors), which likely will prevent them from going any further.
14. Nigeria
Nigeria is a fast team that loves to dribble at defenders and has proved dangerous in the attack after navigating its way past Bosnia and Iran to finish second in Group F. The standout player has been box-to-box midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who has not only been exceptional at providing timely tackles and interceptions in the midfield but also has been able to get forward and lead the team with 11 shot attempts. But as the level of competition increases, it's unlikely Nigeria will be able to keep up on the scoreboard.
15. Greece
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Greece holds the lowest offensive SPI rating of the remaining teams in the tournament; however, the team has shown more of a willingness to get forward than in years past. Led by Celtic striker Georgios Samaras, Greece has nearly doubled its take-ons in the attacking third from the 2010 tournament. Against the Ivory Coast, the team showed it can get forward and create chances in counterattacking situations. Ultimately, though, it won't be able to manufacture enough goals to survive much longer.
16. Algeria
Algeria has reached the knockout stage for the first time in its history and has the lowest SPI of any team remaining in the tournament. The team has been solid on both sides of the ball and has a promising talent in 19-year-old Tottenham product Nabil Bentaleb patrolling the team's central midfield. But its magical run will soon end.
Adrian Melville joined ESPN in 2013 as a soccer Insider. He previously held roles at NBC, Major League Soccer and Opta. After college, Melville played with the New England Revolution for a season, followed by a season with Santo Andre, a second-division club in Brazil. Follow him on Twitter @adrianmelville.
