View from Germany: World Cup Shaping Up for Late Round Clashes

Germany, England, Argentina and Netherlands…they are four of the biggest names in international football and they are all already through to the round of 16. While it is exciting watching minnows like Angola and Trinidad and Tobago earn points in the first round, it is equally exciting to me to think of all the possible matches in the next round and beyond.

It is still early, of course, but the way things are shaping up we should be in for some great football ahead. The traditional powers are largely getting the job done in the opening round and there is a very real possibility that we will see all six of the past champions in the round of 16.

Spain and Czech Republic also look solid and might make this the tournament where one of them breaks through to the final.

Throw in a few surprise teams like Ecuador to give us a few David versus Goliath match ups, and I can’t think of a better scenario for a World Cup that is still very much wide open.