Meanwhile, England must face Germany, while Argentina and Mexico play each other in the pick of the last 16 so far…

Football is about form – and knowing who is hot or not can go a long way to improving your betting experience.

Throughout the World Cup, Footbet will be taking the temperature of the tournament to make sure you always have your finger on the pulse…

ON FIRE

Portugal dispelled any doubts about their ability to score goals by smashing seven against North Korea. Six of those goals came in the second half as the North Koreans tired in the closing stages. Of course, there is a long, distinguished list of teams that have shined in the group stages only to come unstuck later on, but the Portuguese can rightfully enjoy this one for now (June 21st)

Mexico‘s 2-0 defeat against France put them at the forefront of people’s thinking for this World Cup. Their price has been halved into the 40s-1, which will be annoying to anyone who ignored my advice for the last month about the Mexicans. This looks just like the start of it for the ‘Golden Generation’ of Mexico, although playing Argentina next will be no picnic (Jun 24th)

Argentina have made everyone sit up and listen to what they have to say after two very accomplished wins against South Korea and Nigeria. They beat Greece (just), and now face a tough game against Mexico, which will provide the opposition for England or Germany. Tough draw (June 24th)

Quietly garnering the points they need to progress, getting on with the job in hand, no dramas – doesn’t sound much like The Netherlands, but they you are. The Dutch are in tune with each other and aiming quietly for glory. Remind me very much of the Spanish two years ago.

HOT

Group A’s, Uruguay have also equipped themselves superbly, thanks mainly to a shockingly inept performance by the host nation. However, they have one foot in the second round on merit (June 20th)

We are once again being superlatived to death by commentators blinded by the light of a Brazil side in the World Cup. They stumbled slightly against North Korea, and will be nervous about facing the Ivory Coast. But I’m sure it will be alright because they are the greatest team this Universe has ever seen (June 20th)

In Group F, Paraguay have manouvred themselves into the box seat after an impressive defensive display against Italy and a solid win over Slovakia. They only need a draw against New Zealand, who will have to win for any hope of qualifying, which will play into the South Americans hands (June 21st)

Spain looked back to their best in defeating Honduras, but now must beat the Chileans to ensure qualification. Nobody expects them not to, if they play like they did against the Hondurans (June 24th)

WARM

What an incredibly gutsy performance by Slovakia to knock the world champions out of the World Cup. Their reward for such endeavour though is likely to be a last 16 match against The Netherlands on Monday afternoon (June 24th)

Chile have done everything they possibly can to qualify for the second stage by winning their first two matches, but they may still come unstuck. Spain losing their first game to Switzerland has meant that they still need to get something out of Spain to qualify for the second stage because Switzerland can still go through with a win over Honduras (June 21st)

South Korea have looked the part in this World Cup and progressed to play Uruguay in the last 16, which will be a fascinating match-up (June 24th)

Nobody expected them to do so well, but Switzerland can still go through to the second round. The big question is, can they get the goals they need against Honduras – after defending so well, but showing little up front? (June 21st)

A very good win by Denmark has put qualification in their own hands. Japan have been better than anybody expected, but the Danes should get the win they need to progress (June 20th)

England were better, but failed to capitalise on their dominance and now play Germany in the last 16. They seem to have got their mojo back, which will be a blessed relief for the country – and the tournament organisers who crave the guaranteed rush for tickets for Sunday’s huge encounter (June 24th)

TEPID

The hopes of Africa are quickly coming down to two teams as both the Ivory Coast and Ghana look like the flag bearers for the host continent. Ghana have progressed and now face an intriguing contest against USA (June 24th)

Tepid pretty much sums up Ivory Coast so far this tournament. Their two negative performance against Brazil and Portugal look like some master plan by Sven Goran Eriksson to sneak into the second phase. But losing by two goals to Brazil may have scuppered that plan. They are going to have to annihilate North Korea to make it into the last 16. And the way they are playing, can anyone see that happening? (June 21st)

NEUTRAL

USA fought back impressively against Slovenia, but that leaky defence will continue to be a worry right up until the point they get knocked out (June 20th)

They were the best team in the World Cup seven days ago, and now Germany made it through, but they must rue the fact that England finished second and gave them what is perhaps the harder draw in the last 16 (June 24th)

COOL

 

 

It is difficult to see Honduras getting the goals they need to qualify against the Swiss and are most likely to go as bottom of a group they have so far been outclassed in (June 24th)

COLD (eliminated)

New Zealand go home with their heads held high after finishing third in Group F – ahead of Italy – and unbeaten. Now their goal is to build on such a successful advert for the game in a rugby-playing nation (June 24th)

Slovenia can go home with their heads held high after failing to qualify for the last 16 by just three minutes (USA’s late winner). Their first effort in the finals, and a good one at that (June 24th)

Although eliminated, the hosts South Africa still have a major part to play in this tournament thanks to the crowds they must supply. This is not the time to turn off the enthusiasm tap and, nobody expects that they will. At least they beat France (June 24th)

FREEZING (eliminated)

 

 

Just when they thought it could not get any worse, it did for France . After their 2-1 defeat by the hosts South Africa, they now face a huge enquiry into their performance, which is likely to take up the rest of their summer holidays. Sacre bleu (June 24th)

Italy may have had a fair shout for a perfectly fair goal being ruled out, but they showed little enterprise against Slovakia – and paid the price (June 24th)

Nigeria gave it a decent shot, but the 2-2 draw against South Korea summed up their tournament – seemingly cruising for the most part, they self destructed not once, but twice. At home they are being held up as a beacon to the country’s pursuit of mediocrity through graft. Heady stuff (June 24th)

And so it came to pass: Australia kept 11 players on the pitch and won a game – 2-1 against Serbia – a decent, if frustrating end to their campaign (June 24th)

Serbia only have themselves to blame for an early exit after losing to Australia in the final game. How they managed to beat Germany and go out is a mystery (June 24th)

After fiscally devastating Europe, Greece attempted to bore Africa to death with their negative play. Will not be missed (June 24th)

Cameroon looked better against Denmark in their second game, but they are now out of the World Cup – the first team to go (June 20th)

Bottom of Group C, Algeria eventually got their comeuppance for negative tactics thanks to an 87th minute winner from USA (June 24th)

What a difference 40 minutes of football has made for North Korea . After impressing everyone with their performance against Brazil, they ran out of steam in spectacular style in the second half against Portugal to end their chances of getting into the second stage. (June 21st)