For some football fans, the real World Cup only start after the completion of the group stage when the draw for the last sixteen was completed. Prior to the tournament began, many have thought the usual suspects would be there.
However, they would not have thought the line-up would not have the names such as Spain, Italy and to a certain extent England missing from the match-ups.
The Spaniards followed the precedence by the Italians in South Africa when they became the third defending champions failing to make it out from the group stage. France also suffered the same fate in Japan/Korea in 2002.
Host Brazil will be facing Chile, which performed admirably with wins over Australia and the most notable one, against Spain that sent Vincente Bosque's men out.
It would not be easy for Jorge Sampaoli against the host but from their display in their group matches, Chile would not be any pushover and Brazilians should brace themselves for a possible early elimination, though it would be quite remote on paper.
Colombia finished at the top of their group with a perfect record are looking forward to their encounter against fellow Latin side, Uruguay.
The 1930 and 1950 winners are still smarting after losing their talisman, Luis Suarez when the striker was suspended from all football related activities for four months.
Oscar Tabarez's side lost their opening match against Costa Rica without Suarez who had not recovered sufficiently then from a minor operation. They won the remaining two matches with the Liverpool man playing a vital role.
Thus, Jose Pekerman hopes that his side can take full advantage of Suarez absence to qualify for the quarter-finals where the winner between Brazil and Chile will be waiting for them.
Holland built on their 5-1 demolition of Spain in their opening match to win their group with a perfect record. Their opponent, Mexico managed to hold their own against the host Brazil and defeated a good Croatian side to qualify to the round.
It will be an interesting meeting between the two sides in Fortaleza though Luis Van Gaal would be seen as the favourites though geographically it could be a Mexican advantage.
The winner of the clash between Costa Rica and Greece will be a new name in the World Cup history as both sides have never qualify for the stage before. Thus it will be everything to play for in this meeting in Recife.
As a Gooner, I hope it will be the Central Americans that go through with Joel Campbell playing a significant role in it.
Group E winners, France will fancy their chance against Nigeria in Brasilia after a strong showing during their group matches. However it will depend on which Nigeria will turn up for the match.
If based on the performance against the Argentinians then Didier Deschamps could have his work cut out for him. Otherwise it will be there for the French to get their hands on a place in the last eight.
On the same day, a repeat of one of the significant upset in the World Cup will take place in Porto Alegre when Germany take on Algeria.
The African side handed The Germans a humiliation in Espana 1982 when they won their match 2-1. However Algeria failed to progress when Austria lost to West Germany in their last match in what many saw as a conspiracy between the two European neighbours.
This time around it will be more or less the same with Germany are the favourites again but Algeria have proved they are capable of competing against good sides, pushing Belgium all the way before losing and holding Russia to a draw that booked their place in this round.
But it will take a brave man to bet against Joachim Low progressing to the last eight.
The last day of the round will see Argentina taking on Switzerland and it will be hard to see the winner of this match other than the two time world champions.
However it will be a different story between Belgium and the USA with both should fancy their chance of progressing to the next round.
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