8. Sweden

Sweden aren't pretty, but my word they're hard to beat. In their four games at these finals they've been behind for only the moments following Toni Kroos' stunning freekick winner in the 2-1 loss to Germany.
A team that runs itself into the ground and refuses to quit, they may be limited but they play within their limits, built on a collective work ethic instilled by Janne Andersson.

However, there is only so far that defensive nous and the over-reliance on Emil Forsberg for spark can carry them. Eventually they are bound to come unstuck, it's just a matter of when. That, and because this is not their home tournament, they rank below Russia on our list.
Regardless, Zlatan Ibrahimovic watches on ruefully.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/world-cup-2018-power-rankings-12851556

7. Russia

Labelled the worst Russian side ever by members of the home press, expectations were low pre-tournament.
But Stanislav Cherchesov's side put in excellent performances against Saudi Arabia and Egypt to book a last 16 spot - before being brought back down to earth with a bump by Uruguay..

Hammered 3-0 by the South Americans, the momentum looked to be gone. Then somehow they held Spain out for 120 minutes, conceding only to an own goal, and won on penalties, Igor Akinfeev the hero with two saves. They should have been beaten, but Spain were just so toothless that they were able to cling on and then held their nerve.

They can't possibly see off Croatia too...can they?

6. Belgium

Make no mistake, Belgium got out of jail against Japan.
Having qualified for the last 16 with three wins from three and nine goals scored, Roberto Martinez's men looked to have the dream draw against the Blue Samurai. However, tactical naivety and a lethargic opening 60 minutes meant they found themselves two goals down.
Credit Martinez for the changes and to Marouane Fellaini for wreaking havoc. Credit Kevin de Bruyne for casting aside his shackles with a 94th minute surge and Nacer Chadli for finishing an outstanding counter to give them victory.

But if they play in a similar fashion, with a similar formation, against Brazil, then expect them to be absolutely destroyed in Kazan. This is the biggest test Belgium's 'golden generation' has faced since the Euro 2016 loss to Italy; they don't often play teams who are perceived as better (or at least on a par) with them.
They may (on paper) be the third/fourth best side left at the finals but they are the most fragile side on their half of the draw. They either improve drastically, do things smarter, or they go home.

5. England

The Three Lions secured a World Cup first in the last 16, by winning a penalty shootout.

The win over Colombia showed that Gareth Southgate's side, the youngest left at the finals and very much one learning on the job, are growing in stature. The clash was far from pretty and in terms of technical quality was one of the worst in the second round, as it descended into something of a blood-feud with plenty of sniping, play-acting and late challenges on display.

But John Stones, Harry Maguire and the whole team grew in Moscow, showing the stomach for the fight and going out and winning a game that already looked won after Yerry Mina's 93rd minute equaliser. It was an excellent display of heart.

Now they will again be asked to use their heads, when they face an obdurate Sweden side who will allow England to dominate the ball and ask them to break them down. With six-goal Harry Kane on fire, there's every chance, but there remains the worry that England are very-much set-pieces or bust when it comes to notching at these finals.

Can the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli create or take chances when it's really necessary?

4. Uruguay

La Celeste's reward for winning Group A with a 100 per cent record and without conceding a goal was a nightmare draw; if they want to get to the final, they'll have to go past Portugal, France in the last eight and then likely favourites Brazil.

Part A of that has been achieved, Edinson Cavani's double seeing off the Seleccao. It was an excellent display where they never allowed Portugal to gain a foothold on proceedings and kept Cristiano Ronaldo at arm's length throughout.

When all is said and done, playing more expansive sides plays into the hands of veteran coach Oscar Tabarez and a stubborn, difficult, battle-hardened team, who are still to be behind at these finals.

This is the final hurrah for the likes of Diego Godin, Luis Suarez and Cavani and they look determined to make the most of it. They win matches not necessarily by raising their game, but rather by dragging opponents down to where they want them.

France looks a mouthwatering clash already and one that they will truly believe they can come out the other side of with a victory. Cavani faces a fitness test - losing him would be a major blow.

3. Croatia

Croatia put in the performance of the tournament with their 3-0 decimation of Argentina, a match in which they toyed with the South Americans and were absolutely outstanding during the group stage.

Binning off Ante Cacic and his dour tactics for Zlatko Dalic has already proved well worth it. But in the last 16 against Denmark, we saw signs that the pressure was starting to get to the Vatreni, although they eventually won on penalties.

In the last eight, there is no doubt that they are favourites to beat Russia. Like Spain, they will dominate and control the hosts, and Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic must ensure that, unlike the Spanish, they don't lose focus on the task at hand and retain clarity.

They have a clear pathway to the final, because they are the best team on that side of the draw. Their quarter-final is a battle of mentality and a battle with themselves, as much as anything else.

Can they keep their heads against the hosts?

2. France

They have impressed for probably a grand total of 45 minutes at the World Cup finals.

They laboured to a win over Australia, and continued to play within themselves in the 1-0 win over Peru. That pattern continued in the draw with Denmark, and you simply cannot just turn playing well off and on like a tap.
Didier Deschamps is still yet to find a balance in midfield and attack that really works and Les Bleus are a side that too often look less than the sum of its parts. They dumped out Argentina with an at-times irresistible attacking display - led by the breathtaking pace by Mbappe - but left holes in defence and conceded three times to a side that contained Messi but had been little more than shambolic in Russia.

Now they meet a Uruguay side who won't give them space, who will defend deep and smother them. There have to be questions marks over Deschamps and his ability to affect matches in play, whether with substitutions or tactical changes, while Messrs. Cavani and Suarez can hurt them.

However, with the amount of talent that they possess, with genuine quality right through the side, they are serious contenders. That's why they are our No.2.

1. Brazil

The favourites and, quite frankly, the best side on show in Russia thus far.

Tite's side haven't thrilled completely at the finals, and they don't really dominate opponents. But much like Real Madrid in the Champions League, they rely on their key men being able to make the difference in the most important moments of matches.

Mexico was another case in point. In the opening 20 minutes their rock solid defence - still only one goal conceded - stood firm as El Tri attacked with vigour; Alisson barely had a save to make once more, such was the job of those in front, marshalled by Thiago Silva, playing once more like he's back in his AC Milan pomp. Then they took control of the game and had the brilliance of Neymar to make the difference.

The £200million superstar hasn't been at his free-flowing best just yet - with Tite insisting he's still not 100 per cent - but he's getting closer, while Philippe Coutinho has stepped up to be a genuine Golden Ball contender.
Every opponent, bar Switzerland, have failed to land a glove on them. Ahead of their mouthwatering clash with Belgium, they remain our No.1.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/world-cup-2018-power-rankings-12851556

Can the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli create or take chances when it's really necessary?

For that dele alli,it is spirit of Nigeria that tormenting him, because when they need them most they will fumble

seun, lalasticklala

Belgium will carry dis cup i have full hope on them