A woman dressed up as the FIFA World Cup trophy poses before the Group E match between Switzerland and France at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil during the World Cup on June 20.Photo: AFP

Goodness gracious, what a fortnight that has been. The 2014 World Cup has more than lived up to the pre-tournament hype with upsets and goals in abundance. Everything on the pitch has gone so well that it's enough to make an anti-FIFA protester down tools and take up a Mexican wave. And this is only the beginning. Here's our preview of the second round.

Brazil v Chile

The hosts have taken their time to get going but get going they have. Four goals in the final Group A game against Cameroon will have them ready for the knockouts. Neymar is playing like a man bearing the expectations of 200 million rabid soccer fans who demand he drag an average squad to World Cup victory. The boy is a genius but Luiz Gustavo and Oscar have also stood out.

Chile resemble a pit bull in a ball gown. They have grace and finesse, but only after the power, pace and aggression that allows them to play. They have been a joy to watch, especially against Spain, and will feel they can show more than the loss to the Netherlands suggested.

It's essentially Alexis Sanchez v Neymar and the world wants the Brazilian to come out on top. He will.

Colombia v Uruguay

The Colombians looked dreadful in hammering Greece in their opening game. Clueless, devoid of ideas and lopsided but still 3-0 victors. Winning badly is good, winning beautifully is better and that's what they did the next two games. James Rodriguez and company will see a path to the semifinals if they can dispose of Uruguay and with every game like a home game they will fancy their chances.

The standout soccer nation per capita have punched above their weight once again. The worry is that their recent success has been based on a certain toothy striker, not least in the England game, but he's on the wrong end of a nine-match ban. With Suarez out of the World Cup, his countrymen will follow.

In Colombia, Uruguay look to have bitten off more than they can chew.

Netherlands v Mexico

Louis van Gaal has cemented his reputation as a ­tactical mastermind after guiding the Netherlands to maximum points using three different systems. No one will remember them as they are still talking about the team that sent Spain back to face an inquisition. Robben is making a strong case for being the player of the tournament but for once the whole squad looks united and willing to do whatever Van Gaal deems necessary to win.

Mexico shone the brightest in their opening game until the assistant referee chalked off a couple of valid goals. They then had their Internet meme masquerading as a keeper to thank for a point against Brazil but finished strongly to embarrass Croatia and qualify. El Tri will not fear the Dutch.

If Ochoa repeats his heroics then Mexico stand a chance but the Netherlands have their eyes on the prize.

Costa Rica v Greece

Ay, Caramba! If anyone had Costa Rica going through as the winners of Group D then they deserve to have bankrupted the bookmakers. They have defended and attacked as a unit and in doing so remain unbeaten. Joel Campbell looks like the striker Arsenal hoped for and Christian Bolanos delivers dynamite dead balls.

Greece are not pretty. That's something this World Cup needs to help see the beautiful game more clearly. They took the game to Cote d'Ivoire to throw another group's predictions into disarray. If they play like they did against the Africans, hitting the woodwork three times and scoring twice, even Costa Rica might doubt themselves.

Don't bet on Costa Rica's fairytale ending yet.

France v Nigeria

The French may start to have dreams of 1998 if they can keep this up. The scoreless draw in the dead rubber aside, they look like they can net for fun and are united by a spirit unseen since they last lifted the trophy.

Nigeria fluffed their lines against Iran but turned it on against Bosnia and particularly Argentina, despite losing. Few expected them to get through the group and the Super Eagles will play up to that.

France's strength all over the pitch will prove too much but the Nigerians won't go without a fight.

Germany v Algeria

Die Mannschaft looked the complete team as they stripped the Portuguese down for parts in the opener but have struggled since and will not forget the Ghanaians almost besting them. They have used a lot of players but Thomas Mueller looks the only real goal threat.

Delighted to still be in Brazil, Algeria have shown a bit of everything so far. It took Belgium an age to break them down, they handed Korea a beating normally reserved for close family and showed resolve against Russia. How they will perform against Germany is impossible to predict.

Germany will win because that is what they do. 

Argentina v Switzerland

Argentina are starting to get the same look in their eyes as a groom on his wedding night. They think that a World Cup win in Brazil is fate. Messi appears to agree and is delivering one match-winning performance after another.

Switzerland were in cloud cuckoo land after their last-minute win over Ecuador but the French then clocked five past them before a touch of flair saw off Honduras. Despite being in the FIFA top 10, they will not fancy their chances against Argentina.

Messi will score and Argentina will win.

Belgium v USA

The Red Devils chalked up three wins without breaking too much sweat. Coach Marc Wilmots has used his squad well and may still be unsure of his best lineup but Divock Origi's arrival on the world stage is a welcome headache. They will be frightening if they hit top gear.

Jurgen Klinnsmann's hodgepodge of Germans and Major League Soccer players have been exhilarating from the off. They will still be ruing the missed opportunity to have beaten Portugal and qualified as group winners but will be delighted to still be involved. They won't allow anyone an easy game as Belgium will find out.

Belgium to go through as Hazard lights up the World Cup.