The World Cup knockout stages get under way this weekend with the round-of-16, as England attempt to take another step towards the final.
They will take on Senegal on Sunday, while the likes of France, Argentina and the Netherlands are also in action.
The group stages sprang several surprises, with Japan and Morocco topping their groups, Australia qualifying over Denmark, and Germany and Belgium both going home.
Here’s everything you need to know about the weekend’s games, and how to watch them.
Which World Cup games are on this weekend?
The weekend’s action kicks off with the Netherlands against the USA. They play at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday 3 December at 3pm. This game will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 2.30pm.
Argentina vs Australia kicks off at 7pm from the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
That game will also be shown on BBC One, with covering beginning at 6.20pm.
France vs Poland is on Sunday 4 December at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Kick off is at 3pm, with coverage starting on BBC One at 2.30pm.
Then at 7pm the weekend’s action concludes with England vs Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. This will be shown live on ITV1, starting from 6pm.
The entire 2022 World Cup is being broadcast on free-to-air television in the UK, with the BBC and ITV sharing the rights.
All matches are therefore also available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer or the new ITVX streaming platform.
What should we expect from the weekend’s games?
The Netherlands will not underestimate the United States when they meet in the World Cup last 16 this weekend, manager Louis van Gaal told a media conference on Friday.
“The USA has demonstrated that it has an excellent team, I would even say one of the best teams, a team that is fine-tuned. It’s nothing we can’t overcome,” van Gaal said.
“The USA, that is a very energetic squad, they have physically strong players and that is tough for any opponent, and you can tell from their results, but we will do everything we can to win and to beat USA, that’s it.”
The Dutch made it through by winning Group A, with Senegal joining them in the last 16 as runners-up, but van Gaal’s side have failed to impress so far, with the exception of forward Cody Gakpo, who netted three goals in their three group games.
US forward Christian Pulisic said he is recovering from an injury sustained scoring a crucial goal against Iran and is hoping to be fit to face the Netherlands.
Pulisic described his confusion after being hurt as he bundled the ball in against Iran in the United States’ final group game, and then his tension as he followed the second half via a trainer’s telephone while receiving treatment.
“I realise the ball went in but I was a bit confused. It didn’t really feel like a celebration,” he said.
“To score a goal and help the team in any way I can is what I’m here to do. I’m here to make big plays and do what I can to help the team. There’s still a lot ahead.”
For Argentina, Lionel Messi is attempting to win the World Cup at what his likely his last crack at the tournament, and his team enter as heavy favourites against Australia.
Given only one player in Australia’s 26-man group plays in Europe’s top five leagues, it appears to be a mismatch at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. For spells of its win over Poland, Argentina played like a team that arrived in Qatar riding a 36-match unbeaten record and as one of the tournament favorites.
Defender Milos Degenek said: “I think they’re obviously driven by the motivation that it could be Messi’s last World Cup, and he wants to win the World Cup and end it on a high.
“For us, it’s about stopping that. Unfortunately, I’m a big fan of his, but I’d love to win the World Cup probably more than him.”
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France will also start their World Cup last-16 clash as overwhelming favourites on Sunday, but opponents Poland are well equipped to derail Les Bleus’ title defence at the Al Thumama stadium.
France qualified for the knockout phase with a game to spare after two stylish performances against Australia and Denmark, and were quick to move on from a 1-0 defeat by Tunisia in the last Group D match after playing with a reserve side.
Poland went through despite a 2-0 loss to Argentina in their last Group C game, carried through the opening phase by their sturdy defence and the touch of striker Robert Lewandowski.
France will enter the contest with most of their top players having recharged their batteries, but patience, more than energy, might be key against Poland.
“They have experienced players. Obviously, Lewandowski is the stand-out player, one of the best strikers in the world,” said coach Didier Deschamps. “We should not underestimate them.”
The winner will face either England or Senegal in the quarter-finals.
England are unbeaten against African opposition in all 21 meetings. At the World Cup, they have won three and drawn three times against teams from Africa.
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But that does not mean they can afford to underestimate Senegal, who are the Africa Cup of Nations champions and who defeated Ecuador to secure their spot in the last-16.
The prospect of Harry Kane not scoring in any of England’s group games at the World Cup might have left fans fearing the worst, but instead there is a growing sense of optimism around Gareth Southgate’s side.
Kane, whose 51 goals for his country puts him only two behind record holder Wayne Rooney, has yet to fully hit his straps in Qatar, barely having a shot on target.
A foot knock sustained in the opening win against Iran has not helped the England skipper, who top-scored in the 2018 World Cup with six, but his lack of goals has certainly not impeded England’s smooth progress to the knockout rounds.
England have still managed to score a tournament co-leading nine goals, with their other forwards stepping up to the mark, none more so than Manchester United’s rejuvenated Marcus Rashford, who has three goals already.
Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka have also been among the goals, leaving Southgate a pleasant selection dilemma ahead of Senegal, although it is inconceivable he would not start with Kane in his forward three.
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