The dreaded knockout stage has arrived, and the first teams are already facing each other to stay in the competition.

If you want to know the path of these football giants until this second stage of the World Cup, check out our article below and find out everything that happened in the group stage games.

With the end of the initial phase, only the best teams remained. We've already had great teams saying goodbye, and others showing themselves increasingly closer to winning the biggest title in the history of football.

At the end of this stage there will only be eight teams left, check the scores and details of each game to find out who is in the quarter-finals.

With the end of the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, only the best are left, who will do everything they can to win the quarter-finals.

The first knockout game was the confrontation between the first place in group A, against the second place in group B.

The Netherlands, despite not playing very consistent games, managed to advance, as they faced teams with less tactical power.

The United States managed to show good football, passing the first phase with some ease, however, when facing the great Mechanical Orange in a knockout, the psychological factor weighed.

The Dutch scored the first two goals with Depay and Blind, the USA managed to reduce it with Wright, but didn't have the calmness to equalize and conceded another goal from Dumfries.

Argentina arrived as one of the favorites for the title, with 35 games unbeaten. They stumbled in the first game against Saudi Arabia, but still managed to recover and qualify in time.

Australia had an impressive campaign, in their group, they only lost to current champions France.

But in the knockout duel experience counted a lot, Argentina started better, and when the Australians had the opportunity to equalize they didn't take advantage.

The first goal of the game came from Messi. Then the Australian goalkeeper made a big mistake and passed the ball to Argentina's Julian Alvarez to widen.

With two goals difference it was difficult to recover, but Australia tried. With an own goal at 77 and a very clear chance missed at the end of the game.

England, after finishing comfortably at the top of their group, faced the brave Senegal team.

The Senegalese tried a lot in the first half, having several chances to score, but all of them were ineffective.

On the other hand, England started the game slower, having opportunities at the end of the first half, but with better use.

When the English machine fell into place, Senegal had no more chances. Henderson opened the scoring in the 39th minute and Kane doubled the score in stoppage time and, finally, Saka, in the second half, scored the rout.

Current champions France qualified first in their group and caught the defensive Poland team.

The first half was marked by several chances from both sides, Poland arrived in danger with a strong shot from Cornelius.

Suffering a lot of pressure from the Poles, Le Bleus only managed to score at the end of the first half with Giroud, staying in front and taking the weight off their shoulders.

In the second half, Poland tried to tie the game, having several opportunities, all of which were wasted.

However, in two quick counterattacks, Mbappé killed the match, with two great goals, becoming the World Cup's top scorer with five goals. Lewandowski still scored from the penalty spot, but it was too late.

One of the surprises of this World Cup, where Japan qualified in a group with Germany and Spain and now played a great game against the semifinalists of the last World Cup.

Croatia had not been playing well in the first phase and found a very strong team defensively in these round of 16 of the World Cup.

Japan, after the opening 10 minutes, dominated the first half, managing to score at the end, with Maeda, boosting the morale of the team that had been playing very well.

However, in the second half, Perišić left everything the same on the scoreboard. The Japanese seemed to feel the blow and lost much of their income. The game went to penalties and the Croatians had more mental strength to decide, winning 3 x 1. 

Brazil played with a reserve team in the last game and was coming off a defeat, they needed to win to advance to the stage and regain their morale, which had been shaken.

On the other hand, South Korea had just beaten Portugal in a surprising turnaround and arrived more motivated.

They had the misfortune to catch the Brazilian team on an inspired day, making good plays. From the start, Vini Jr, after a beautiful cross, scored a great goal, after which the goals came in sequence. 

A penalty, in the 13th minute, Neymar hits the corner weakly and scores. After him it was Richarlison's turn and, finally, Paquetá.

The Korean goal only came in the second half, after a beautiful shot by Paik Seung-ho, Alisson was unable to reach it.

Despite the score, Korea had good opportunities, but the Brazilian goalkeeper made good saves and maintained the advantage on the scoreboard. 

The Moroccans were another surprise, showing good football and ranking first, above Belgium and Croatia.

Spain had a lot of potential, with many young talents, but had difficulties in maintaining the results achieved.

And in the game against Morocco it was no different, they found a defensive wall and didn't get good chances.

The game was very tight and ended up going to penalties, where the Moroccan goalkeeper caught three shots from Spain and was the main player in winning this unprecedented place in the quarter-finals.

Portugal qualified first in its group with great victories, but like Brazil, they lost the last game and needed to regain their morale.

Switzerland arrived with a lot of confidence after a beautiful comeback against Serbia, but ended up finding a much more prepared opponent.

Portugal scored the second biggest defeat of the World Cup today, in a brutal game against the Swiss. 

The biggest controversy in this game wasn't even on the field, it was Cristiano Ronaldo starting the game on the bench so that the boy Gonçalo Ramos could be the starter in his place, the young talent didn't waste the opportunity.

The goals in the game were three from Gonçalo Ramos, two from Rafael Leão, one from Raphael Guerreiro and even one from defender Pepe, Akanji scored the goal of honor for Switzerland.

So, will Portugal arrive ready for the quarterfinals?