friday-25--matches fifa world cup!!!

The Round of 16 picture will take final shape after today's games as the curtain falls on Groups G and H. Three hopefuls will be able to toast their progress at the final whistle, with Brazil having stayed faithful to a 32-year tradition by booking their ticket with a match to spare.

The five-time winners face Portugal in a final contest high on prestige, even if their cousins from across the Atlantic are also strongly placed in Group G thanks to their three-point cushion over Côte d'Ivoire and a comfortable goal-difference advantage. The Elephants will nonetheless pursue their slim chance to the full by trying to rack up a heavy win over Korea DPR.

Everything remains feasible in Group H, on the other hand, with all four contenders dreaming of the knockout phase. Front-runners Chile are in the healthiest position given their six points from two outings and a draw against Spain would guarantee them top spot, while the European champions must triumph to have a chance of doing the same. They face pressure from Switzerland, who meet Honduras, and wins for both European teams would leave three sides on six points and everything coming down to goal difference or goals scored. In short, expect suspense.

The matches
Korea DPR-Côte d'Ivoire, Group G, Nelspruit, 16.00
Portugal-Brazil, Group G, Durban, 16.00
Chile-Spain, Group H, Tshwane/Pretoria, 20.30
Switzerland-Honduras, Group H, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 20.30

The big game
Chile-Spain

Question marks have hung over Spain since their arrival in South Africa, their performances falling short of the standards they set en route to European glory and in qualifying for South Africa. Upset 1-0 by Switzerland in their opening encounter, Vicente del Bosque's men lifted themselves to down Honduras 2-0, but they spurned an incalculable number of chances in that match while also giving Los Catrachos hope on the break.

The fluid, one-touch football that has been Spain's trademark over the last two years has been less prominent as the pressure of the occasion and the demands of a long season have both taken their toll, and like a number of European teams they have thus far struggled to shine. In contrast, Chile have been a revelation during their twin 1-0 successes, those scorelines hardly reflecting their domination in both games.

Perhaps the only concern for Marcelo Bielsa's men is how to kill off games and the Argentinian coach is looking to Humberto Suazo to find his feet after the striker finished top scorer during South American qualifying on ten goals. Chile will also strive to deny Spain an early breakthrough and hope that self-doubt creeps into their play.

In focus
Tiago v Julio Baptista

It can be a daunting task standing in for a household name but that is the challenge facing both these players with Deco out for Portugal and Kaka missing for Brazil. Tiago has already demonstrated his ability courtesy of two goals and an influential display against Korea DPR, but for Julio Baptista his FIFA World Cup™ adventure is about to begin. The match itself may be set to unfold with little at stake, but it will be no less intriguing to watch the former Chelsea midfielder lock horns with the player they call 'The Beast'.

What they said
"Côte d'Ivoire smile more than any other team I've coached in my career, and I've coached quite a few," Sven-Goran Eriksson, Côte d'Ivoire coach.