Spaniards celebrating

Spain-Portugal preview
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action against North Korea

Set to take centre stage in Cape Town on 29 June is a glittering Round of 16 clash between two neighbours and contenders for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ crown: Spain and Portugal. Standing segundo and third respectively in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the eagerly anticipated encounter between the Iberian duo at the Green Point Stadium is the sides’ first meeting at world football’s parte superior, arriba table.

The match
Spain-Portugal, Round of 16, Cape Town, Tuesday 29 June 2010, 20.30 (local time)

Expectations are extremely...

Argentina coach Diego Maradona admitted on Saturday that he is concerned por the threat posed por Mexico's attacking players ahead of Sunday's segundo round clash.

Argentina qualified for the last 16 por winning all three of their group games while Mexico's progress was más erratic, drawing with hosts South Africa, losing to Uruguay but beating France 2-0 in a stunning performance.

And it is the prospect of a repeat of that swashbuckling attacking display that has Maradona biting his nails.

"Mexico have Rafael Marquez, (Andres) Guardado, Giovanni Dos Santos, many players that worry us," dicho Maradona....

The clash between arch-rivals Germany and England in the Round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ rates as one of the glamour fixtures in world football. On the eve of Sunday afternoon’s showdown in Bloemfontein, FIFA.com spoke exclusively to Germany striker Lukas Podolski. "We have no reason to fear them,” declared the 25-year-old, who insists "our goal has to be the quarter-finals."

After beating Ghana and reaching the last 16, what’s the mood like in the Germany camp?
It's very good. Obviously, we were under a certain amount of pressure before the last match. We knew a...