The first four second round ties certainly delivered! We had defending champions France taken to penalties, but the highest drama came as Germany were bailed out by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who scored a 122nd-minute equaliser to draw with Egypt, before saving two penalties in winning the shootout.
We go through the other four games in the second round today. Other than England, the other seven sides involved today are all fairly evenly-matched, all ranked between 8th-26th coming into the tournament (for context, the previous episode had teams ranked between 1 and 86). What will these games have in store?
England vs Belgium
These two met in the quarter finals of the European Championship this year, with a simple 2-0 win for England. It also evokes the clash at this stage of the 1990 edition of the real World Cup. Belgium could barely lay a glove on France in their group game, and with England of similar calibre, they will need to produce a much better performance.
With Harry Kane only fit enough for the bench, England make no changes from the side that beat Costa Rica. Belgium revert to the XI that beat Tunisia, albeit in the shape that faced France.
England vs Belgium
These two met in the quarter finals of the European Championship this year, with a simple 2-0 win for England. It also evokes the clash at this stage of the 1990 edition of the real World Cup. Belgium could barely lay a glove on France in their group game, and with England of similar calibre, they will need to produce a much better performance.
With Harry Kane only fit enough for the bench, England make no changes from the side that beat Costa Rica. Belgium revert to the XI that beat Tunisia, albeit in the shape that faced France.
It's a quiet start, with Belgium smothering any chances England can fashion, but in the 25th minute a low cross from Kevin de Bruyne is towards Sadio Mané. He's challenged by Clinton Mata, but the ball falls to Sergio Aguero, who has an easy finish to put England ahead!
Aguero has another chance 13 minutes later, thanks to a fine through ball from Mo Salah, but his low shot goes just wide of the far post. They're the only real moments of note from the first half.
Aguero has another chance 13 minutes later, thanks to a fine through ball from Mo Salah, but his low shot goes just wide of the far post. They're the only real moments of note from the first half.
Mané has been England's best performer, so it's a concern when he is forced off injured just after the resumption. Son Heung-Min comes on. Ruud Vormer also picks up a knock, and is eventually replaced by Dieumerci Mbokani, as Belgium use the excuse to change to a 4-4-2 formation.
Belgium really struggle to create anything against England. In the 79th minute they do manage to pin England back, but a sloppy pass back from Adrien Trébel is intercepted by Aguero, who hares away from Brandon Mechele, holds his nerve and slots it past Simon Mignolet to make it 2-0!
With just a few minutes to go Aguero has a chance of a hat trick from N'Golo Kanté pass, but Mechele makes a good tackle. It comes to Salah, who coolly plays it back into the box for Aguero, and he makes no mistake! A fitting end to a great performance from the striker!
Final score: England 3-0 Belgium
Player of the match: Sergio Aguero (ENG)
Belgium really struggle to create anything against England. In the 79th minute they do manage to pin England back, but a sloppy pass back from Adrien Trébel is intercepted by Aguero, who hares away from Brandon Mechele, holds his nerve and slots it past Simon Mignolet to make it 2-0!
With just a few minutes to go Aguero has a chance of a hat trick from N'Golo Kanté pass, but Mechele makes a good tackle. It comes to Salah, who coolly plays it back into the box for Aguero, and he makes no mistake! A fitting end to a great performance from the striker!
Final score: England 3-0 Belgium
Player of the match: Sergio Aguero (ENG)
Like they were against France, Belgium were very poor. They didn't look remotely like scoring, and failed to contain their opponents. Job done for England.
Argentina vs Chile
The two countries with the third-longest border in the world met at this stage in last year's DWC, with Argentina winning 1-0, on their way to the final. This was also the result when they met in that year's South American Championship semi finals. And Argentina will be favourites to win again, after a good group win, whilst Chile had to settle for 2nd place behind USA.
Argentina have to be further favoured considering the team news. With no issues, they have an unchanged side, but Chile are without five players, all of whom are defenders. It necessitates a change in formation, and they go with a 4-4-2.
The two countries with the third-longest border in the world met at this stage in last year's DWC, with Argentina winning 1-0, on their way to the final. This was also the result when they met in that year's South American Championship semi finals. And Argentina will be favourites to win again, after a good group win, whilst Chile had to settle for 2nd place behind USA.
Argentina have to be further favoured considering the team news. With no issues, they have an unchanged side, but Chile are without five players, all of whom are defenders. It necessitates a change in formation, and they go with a 4-4-2.
You will be shocked to know that the early part of this game is characterised by fouls and yellow cards. Unfortunately, it takes half an hour for the first shot.
In the 34th minute Chile attack, and a Felipe Gutiérrez cross is missed by Paulo Díaz, and it allows Fernando Zampedri to bring it down, right in front of goal. He's facing away from goal, and can't get it out of his feet quickly enough and Gonzalo Montiel is able to make the block. A big let-off for Argentina! A minute later there are pot shots from Luciano Aued and Ángel Romero that go close.
Gutiérrez has a shot saved by Armani from a tight angle. Argentina fail to clear their lines, and José Pedro Fuenzalida is able to put a cross in. Joaquín Larrivey loses his man and guides a header into the near post! It's a deserved goal for Chile!
A few minutes later and Argentina are on the attack. Lucas Romero goes down under the challenge of Aued... and it's a straight red! It's a two-footed lunge and suddenly Chile go from favourites to underdogs in the blink of an eye. It's soon half time, can Argentina turn their man advantage into goals?
In the 34th minute Chile attack, and a Felipe Gutiérrez cross is missed by Paulo Díaz, and it allows Fernando Zampedri to bring it down, right in front of goal. He's facing away from goal, and can't get it out of his feet quickly enough and Gonzalo Montiel is able to make the block. A big let-off for Argentina! A minute later there are pot shots from Luciano Aued and Ángel Romero that go close.
Gutiérrez has a shot saved by Armani from a tight angle. Argentina fail to clear their lines, and José Pedro Fuenzalida is able to put a cross in. Joaquín Larrivey loses his man and guides a header into the near post! It's a deserved goal for Chile!
A few minutes later and Argentina are on the attack. Lucas Romero goes down under the challenge of Aued... and it's a straight red! It's a two-footed lunge and suddenly Chile go from favourites to underdogs in the blink of an eye. It's soon half time, can Argentina turn their man advantage into goals?
Five minutes into the second half and Chile try and play it out from the back, but Fuenzalida is dispossessed by Nicolás de la Cruz, who then skips past Gutiérrez. He cuts it back to Agustín Palavecino, and he blasts a shot that hits the bar, down onto the goal line and... into the roof of the net! It's the quick equaliser Argentina were after!
Argentina keep up the pressure, and just after the hour mark a throw in leads to Lucas Romero playing it into Cristian Pavón, and he bends a shot into the far bottom corner! Turnaround complete, do Chile have anything left to offer?
Well, the challenge becomes much more formidable two minutes later when de la Cruz's pinpoint pass allows Pavón to score a simple finish! Chile are in disarray now, and Palavecino picks them off with a nice pass through to Pavón, who completes his hat trick - it's three goals in five minutes to make it 4-1! He's not done there though, as three minutes later he races through onto another de la Cruz pass and puts it away again!
Chile's woes continue as Fuenzalida picks up an injury - if they miraculously got through they would be fielding the staff at this rate. At least Argentina take their foot off the pedal a bit, and allow the game to drift to its conclusion.
Final score: Argentina 5-1 Chile
Player of the match: Cristian Pavón (ARG)
Argentina keep up the pressure, and just after the hour mark a throw in leads to Lucas Romero playing it into Cristian Pavón, and he bends a shot into the far bottom corner! Turnaround complete, do Chile have anything left to offer?
Well, the challenge becomes much more formidable two minutes later when de la Cruz's pinpoint pass allows Pavón to score a simple finish! Chile are in disarray now, and Palavecino picks them off with a nice pass through to Pavón, who completes his hat trick - it's three goals in five minutes to make it 4-1! He's not done there though, as three minutes later he races through onto another de la Cruz pass and puts it away again!
Chile's woes continue as Fuenzalida picks up an injury - if they miraculously got through they would be fielding the staff at this rate. At least Argentina take their foot off the pedal a bit, and allow the game to drift to its conclusion.
Final score: Argentina 5-1 Chile
Player of the match: Cristian Pavón (ARG)
The xG story is pretty clear. A quiet start, but once Argentina got level they eventually accelerated away, before happily playing out the win. That red card really turned things, and Chile's game plan was completely unsuitable to the disadvantage.
Japan vs Croatia
This quarter of the draw looks very tantalising for all four teams, in with a great chance of making the semi finals. Japan, on their debut, managed to top a group containing Spain, and as a result they take on Croatia, who for their part beat Italy en route to qualification. Their other results were less convincing though, whereas Japan have been consistent all season.
Japan have Shogo Taniguchi and Ryota Oshima available after suspension, and they replace Hayao Kawabe and Ezequiel. However, Gotoku Sakai is suspended so Emil Salomonsson comes in. Croatia also have suspension issues, as they are without their two full backs Kévin Théophile-Catherine and Ivan Strinic, plus Lovro Majer. In come Igor Silva, Josko Gvardiol and Josip Misic.
This quarter of the draw looks very tantalising for all four teams, in with a great chance of making the semi finals. Japan, on their debut, managed to top a group containing Spain, and as a result they take on Croatia, who for their part beat Italy en route to qualification. Their other results were less convincing though, whereas Japan have been consistent all season.
Japan have Shogo Taniguchi and Ryota Oshima available after suspension, and they replace Hayao Kawabe and Ezequiel. However, Gotoku Sakai is suspended so Emil Salomonsson comes in. Croatia also have suspension issues, as they are without their two full backs Kévin Théophile-Catherine and Ivan Strinic, plus Lovro Majer. In come Igor Silva, Josko Gvardiol and Josip Misic.
Japan start well, starving Croatia of the ball. 12 minutes in, and Salomonsson exchanges passes with Luan, before playing it back to Oshima to play it through for Marcos Júnior, who sweeps his shot into the bottom corner! A beautifully-worked goal for Japan!
Thiago Martins nearly adds a second after a smart corner routine, and we get to half time with Japan having total dominance in this game.
Thiago Martins nearly adds a second after a smart corner routine, and we get to half time with Japan having total dominance in this game.
Eight minutes into the second half, and Croatia get a free kick 25 yards from goal. Josip Misic curls it at goal, and it finds the top corner! A great effort and it brings Croatia level!
In the 72nd minute Japan play out from a goal kick, but a poor pass from Taniguchi is intercepted by Misic. He plays it to Bruno Petkovic, who holds it up and plays in the overlapping Stjepan Loncar, who is one-on-one. Neto Volpi gets a hand to his shot, but it's not enough to stop it dribbling over the line! Croatia turn it around!
Japan have stagnated a lot since half time, and they look dead and buried 10 minutes later when a simple ball forward from Gvardiol puts Petkovic through, and he slots it into the bottom corner to make it 3-1!
However, in the 88th minute Salomonsson's overlap creates space, he plays it to Oshima who plays it to substitute Léo Silva and he places his shot in the bottom corner! Can Japan salvage this match?
The short answer: no. Croatia hold on, and make it through to the DWC quarter finals!
In the 72nd minute Japan play out from a goal kick, but a poor pass from Taniguchi is intercepted by Misic. He plays it to Bruno Petkovic, who holds it up and plays in the overlapping Stjepan Loncar, who is one-on-one. Neto Volpi gets a hand to his shot, but it's not enough to stop it dribbling over the line! Croatia turn it around!
Japan have stagnated a lot since half time, and they look dead and buried 10 minutes later when a simple ball forward from Gvardiol puts Petkovic through, and he slots it into the bottom corner to make it 3-1!
However, in the 88th minute Salomonsson's overlap creates space, he plays it to Oshima who plays it to substitute Léo Silva and he places his shot in the bottom corner! Can Japan salvage this match?
The short answer: no. Croatia hold on, and make it through to the DWC quarter finals!
Japan lost it when they failed to have a shot between the 50th and 88th minutes. In that time Croatia clinically took their chances. Japan paid the price for not having the game put to bed in the first half.
Ukraine vs Austria
Austria, like Iraq and Japan, have reached the knockout rounds at the first time of asking. But can Austria go a step further and make the next round? Ukraine will be on a high after being Germany to win their group, although it was a weakened German side.
Ukraine revert to the side that won their opening two games, after resting players against Germany. Austria are without the suspended Andreas Ulmer, who is replaced by Bernardo, whilst Maximilian Wober and Thomas Goiginger come in for Gernot Trauner and Noah Okafor.
Austria, like Iraq and Japan, have reached the knockout rounds at the first time of asking. But can Austria go a step further and make the next round? Ukraine will be on a high after being Germany to win their group, although it was a weakened German side.
Ukraine revert to the side that won their opening two games, after resting players against Germany. Austria are without the suspended Andreas Ulmer, who is replaced by Bernardo, whilst Maximilian Wober and Thomas Goiginger come in for Gernot Trauner and Noah Okafor.
It's an enjoyably open beginning to the game, with a few chances to each side and plenty of misplaced passes as well. And the breakthrough comes in the 20th minute. Ismaily's corner is met with a thumping header from Mykyta Burda, which hits the underside of the bar and goes in! It could easily have gone either way, but the opening goal goes to Ukraine!
A few minutes later and Austria build from the back. Ukraine try to press, but Enock Mwepu manages to glide past Marcos Antonio, and surges into a gap in Ukraine's defence. He gets a shot away, but Mykyta Shevchenko is able to push it over - denying us a goal of the tournament contender! Ukraine clear the corner, but not very far and Austria get it back to Mwepu. As Ukraine go to close him down he plays a through ball into the path of Taxiarchis Fountas and he finishes it to bring us level!
Austria have a free kick on the half hour mark. Zlatko Junuzovic crosses it in, it's met by Patson Daka and it goes in! But Austrian celebrations are cut short, as Daka was marginally offside when the cross came in.
Coming up to half time and Ukraine have an attack going. Marlos attacks the space between Wober and Bernardo, but the latter makes a good tackle. The ball goes loose across the box, and Taison reaches it first to slot it in and restore the Ukrainian lead! At half time it doesn't feel like that will be the end of the goals.
A few minutes later and Austria build from the back. Ukraine try to press, but Enock Mwepu manages to glide past Marcos Antonio, and surges into a gap in Ukraine's defence. He gets a shot away, but Mykyta Shevchenko is able to push it over - denying us a goal of the tournament contender! Ukraine clear the corner, but not very far and Austria get it back to Mwepu. As Ukraine go to close him down he plays a through ball into the path of Taxiarchis Fountas and he finishes it to bring us level!
Austria have a free kick on the half hour mark. Zlatko Junuzovic crosses it in, it's met by Patson Daka and it goes in! But Austrian celebrations are cut short, as Daka was marginally offside when the cross came in.
Coming up to half time and Ukraine have an attack going. Marlos attacks the space between Wober and Bernardo, but the latter makes a good tackle. The ball goes loose across the box, and Taison reaches it first to slot it in and restore the Ukrainian lead! At half time it doesn't feel like that will be the end of the goals.
Austria start the second half on the front foot, and it's only a last-ditch challenge from Burda that denies Fountas a similar chance to that which he scored earlier. Austria are then forced into a change when Goiginger is forced off injured, with Okafor returning to the side. He is on the pitch barely a minute when he intercepts a pass from Antonio, allowing him to charge unopposed all the way into the box, but he can't get his shot past Shevchenko - that was a big chance!
Ukraine manage to calm the game down, after a chaotic first five minutes of the half. In the 69th minute Taison elegantly dribbles past both Rasmus Nissen Kristensen and André Ramalho, but he drags his shot wide when a goal looked most likely!
The fun part of this game is that each team looks dangerous and vulnerable when they counter. And it's demonstrated in the 78th minute when Ukraine's break is ended by Ramalho's interception. Bernardo plays it up to Fountas, who holds it before playing it to Daka. He is able to race into space and shoots from 20 yards out. It beats Shevchenko, hits the post and goes in! We are level once again!
Four minutes later and Shevchenko is forced into an awkward punch at a corner. Okafor meets it with a volley on the edge of the box, he connects well but it hits the outside of the post!
We end up in the fourth of five minutes of added time, as Ukraine work the ball through midfield well. Marlos comes inside to receive the ball, and plays it first time into the path of Junior Moraes, he gets there before Cican Stankovic and puts it away to surely win it for Ukraine!!!
There is time for one last Austria attack, but Nissen Kristensen's cross hits off the back of sub Sékou Koita and allows Taison to run upfield. His shot is blocked into the path of Antonio, and he hits a delightful shot into the top corner to seal the win!
Final score: Ukraine 4-2 Austria
Player of the match: Marcos Antonio (UKR)
Ukraine manage to calm the game down, after a chaotic first five minutes of the half. In the 69th minute Taison elegantly dribbles past both Rasmus Nissen Kristensen and André Ramalho, but he drags his shot wide when a goal looked most likely!
The fun part of this game is that each team looks dangerous and vulnerable when they counter. And it's demonstrated in the 78th minute when Ukraine's break is ended by Ramalho's interception. Bernardo plays it up to Fountas, who holds it before playing it to Daka. He is able to race into space and shoots from 20 yards out. It beats Shevchenko, hits the post and goes in! We are level once again!
Four minutes later and Shevchenko is forced into an awkward punch at a corner. Okafor meets it with a volley on the edge of the box, he connects well but it hits the outside of the post!
We end up in the fourth of five minutes of added time, as Ukraine work the ball through midfield well. Marlos comes inside to receive the ball, and plays it first time into the path of Junior Moraes, he gets there before Cican Stankovic and puts it away to surely win it for Ukraine!!!
There is time for one last Austria attack, but Nissen Kristensen's cross hits off the back of sub Sékou Koita and allows Taison to run upfield. His shot is blocked into the path of Antonio, and he hits a delightful shot into the top corner to seal the win!
Final score: Ukraine 4-2 Austria
Player of the match: Marcos Antonio (UKR)
That was a really good match. Ukraine strike late to take it, but it could easily have gone Austria's way, especially if that Daka header had counted in the first half when the score was 1-1. Additionally, had Daka scored that goal, he would have gone clear as the tournament top scorer. As it is, he is tied with Chanathip Songkrasin of Japan - both of whom are now out of the tournament.
Today's four matches complete our quarter final line-up:
With no major upsets in the second round, we have a really strong field remaining. We will see who makes the semi finals next time as we cover all four quarter finals.