FIFA World Cup 2014: Who Will Win It?

Will Messi finally crack the world stage?

By K.J. Stewart /

Jon Super/AP/Press Association ImagesAs the group stage comes to a close and Friday sees a break in play for the first time since the tournament started just over a fortnight ago, speculation really starts to begin about who might be lifting that famous World Cup trophy on July the 13th. The round of 16 matches are now confirmed and look like this:
Brazil Vs Chile Netherlands Vs Mexico Colombia Vs Uruguay Costa Rica Vs Greece France Vs Nigeria Argentina Vs Switzerland Germany Vs Algeria Belgium Vs USA
With a number of high profile teams eliminated in the first round - Spain, Italy, Portugal and England, for example - a surprisingly small number of those teams who were considered pre-tournament favourites remain. Brazil, Netherlands, France, Argentina and Germany are surely the only teams left who people thought had any kind of realistic chance of winning the World Cup, pre-tournament, but a number of teams have surprised us. Costa Rica, Colombia and Chile, in particular, have surprised everyone with their performances, while pre-tournament dark horses Belgium managed three out three wins in the group stage without ever looking particularly impressive and the United States won over a lot of people with their quality in round one. Greece made it through to the knockout stages for the first time - albeit by the skin of their teeth - and the likes of Nigeria, Switzerland and Algeria will be considered fodder by most as the tournament now starts to get serious. So which team will prevail? The undoubted quality of the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller shone through in the group stage and their mouth-watering form will need to continue in order for their teams to continue to progress. Choose your winners in our poll and let us know your thoughts in detail in the comments area.