Power Rankings - Round of 16

THE CONTENDERS

1. Argentina – Unquestionably the class of the tournament thus far. Even more intriguing considering their coach leaves them susceptible to a world-class meltdown at any moment, but that’s not been the case in South Africa.

2. Brazil – It’s not the visually intoxicating style and flair that we’ve been accustomed to, but Dunga’s defensive-minded squad gets results.

3. Spain – A wretched start defined by missed chances, but the favorites rebounded to take back two wins in impressive fashion.

ALSO LURKING

4. Netherlands – The scoring isn’t there, but the results are. Major test will come with Brazil lurking in the quarterfinals, but can’t afford to look past Slovakia just yet.

5. Germany – Their road is not the easiest, but their solid play could provide the winning counter to England and Argentina’s inconsistencies. We’ll need to see more of the squad that routed Australia if they’re going to make another deep run.

6. Uruguay – One of two teams to not allow a goal in their first three games. They have a great path to the semifinals, and with a defense capable of stalling any offense until penalty kicks if necessary, anything can happen from there.

DARK HORSES

7. United States – With an ideal path to the semis, this could be uncharted territory for the Americans. Something about this squad seems special, though, and a top-four finish isn’t out of the question at this point.

8. Portugal – I’m not sold on them, despite that walloping they handed to North Korea. Too much of the awful soccer they played in the matches that sandwiched their win.

9. England – Didn’t look too good in their first three games, but managed to get a result that averted the apocalypse. Their matchup against the Germans could be an all-time classic if both sides play to their potential.

10. Mexico – Extremely unfortunate to draw Argentina in this round for the second straight World Cup. However, it took the goal of the tournament in 2006 to get rid of the Mexicans, and they could very well be up to the task Sunday.

11. Paraguay – Winners of the shoddiest group in the tourney, but they did what they had to do to advance. Hard to count out any of the South Americans after the way they dominated the group stage.

PACK YOUR BAGS

12. South Korea – Impressive play to finish off Nigeria, but I can’t see them beating an extremely strong South American side in Uruguay.

13. Chile – Might have played their way out of the tournament with a dreadful result against Spain. The loss relegated them to a faceoff against Brazil and a discipline meltdown means that they’ll be playing without three starters.

14. Japan – Keisuke Honda has been one of the better stories of the tournament, and Japan takes set pieces as well as anyone. Could end up in the quarterfinals, but that’s a best-case scenario.

15. Ghana – The Great African Hope will need an offensive spark to beat the United States. Two goals in three games, both coming from penalty kicks.

16. Slovakia – Their one contribution to the knockout stage will be the absence of those diving Italians. Thanks for playing, boys.