It’s time for the remaining two quarter-finalists to be truffled out at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday, as the final Round of 16 fixtures are played out.
A Mediterranean derby kicks off the action as 2010 champions Spain go up against underdogs Morocco.
Then it’s the turn of Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal side, who target the quarters in their tie against fellow Europeans Switzerland.
World Cup predictions and fixtures for 6 December
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Round of 16: Morocco vs Spain – 17.00
The penultimate quarter-finalist at the 2022 Fifa World Cup is set to be decided in Qatar, as Spain go up against Morocco in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
It’s a surprise meeting of Mediterranean neighbours at this stage, thanks to a topsy-turvy end to the pool phase in the Gulf.
Luis Enrique’s men were firmly on course to top Group E, with four points already pocketed and a one-goal lead over Japan last Thursday.
But a two-goal sucker-punch left the 2010 World Cup winners staring second place in the face.
At least they retained the pleasure of helping to knock out Germany on goal difference, with their opening 7-0 destruction of Costa Rica still giving them plenty to work with going into the knockouts.
Their African opposition will be full of confidence too, not least because they topped Group F against another pair of European powerhouses.
It was a 2-1 success over winless Canada that sealed the deal, as well as a place at the pool summit.
But scooping up a largely unexpected four points from ties with 2018 runners-up Croatia and third-placed finishers Belgium was what really did the damage, allowing the Croats to squeak through after an edgy stalemate between the pair.
Round of 16: Portugal vs Switzerland – 21.00
Enter Cristiano Ronaldo in the knockout phase of a Fifa World Cup for almost certainly the last time, as Portugal take their place in the Round of 16 against Switzerland.
It’s the final fixture of the last 16 in Qatar, with the sole remaining quarter-final berth at stake.
This one is arguably the trickiest to predict between the European pair as well, with both having eased through the pool phase with a pair of wins and six points apiece.
Ronaldo and Co made it through after their opening two matches, thanks to a barmy, 3-2 victory over gallant Ghana, before easing past Uruguay.
It meant upset in the final game at the hands of South Korea didn’t cost them in the final game, as they even clung on to top spot ahead of their Asian opponents.
The Swiss also came through an awkward pool with plenty of optimism, not to mention breathing space.
Victory over Cameroon in their first Group G match put them well on the way, with a one-goal loss to five-time champions Brazil never then going to prove fatal.
It left them with work to do on Friday, mind you, as they came from behind to knock out Uruguay thanks to a 3-2 win that also broke Cameroonian hearts.