World Cup day 12

The World Cup format switches for the final round of fixtures this week to four matches per evening. That will receive a resounding thumbs up from the armchair supporters, as the final places in the group stages are decided.

In the first set of matches from Group A, Mexico and Croatia battle it out in a winner-takes-all clash for a place in the Round of 16. Whether either will finish first or second is also dependant on the ability of Brazil to handle the pressure and secure a place in the knockout stages against Cameroon in Brasilia. The two matches will go on simultaneously to add to the drama.

But Recife is where the most enthralling encounter will be played between the Mexicans and Croatia. Mexico has picked up four points from two matches, only one better than the Croats who returned to form with a battering of Cameroon on Matchday Two.

Croatia started the tournament on a low-note following a 3-1 defeat to holders Brazil, but there was cause for some light optimism - Mario Mandzukic would return from suspension for the final two games of the group phase.

And so, his influence was spectacular against the Indomitable Lions, scoring two goals, while Bundesliga compatriots Ivica Olic and Ivan Perisic rounded off a strong performance. Mexico, meanwhile, peaked in the opening match against the Africans, but still managed to perform in a disciplined manner to stifle the host nation in Fortaleza.

The advantage is with Mexico, as just a draw for them would be enough to advance to the Last 16 for the sixth consecutive World Cup.

The weight of expectation

As the Brazilian supporters powered out an acapella version of the national anthem, Neymar broke down. It was too much for the star-man. For so long in his fledging career, he'd barely looked troubled by the celebrity status he acquired at Santos and, now, Barcelona.

His anxiety clearly was transferred into the match with Mexico. The 22-year-old couldn't threaten the Mexican defense, while others around him were equally ineffective, as the game finished without a goal.

But Brazil have a second bite at the cherry to progress - a win or draw would be enough to progress in either first or second. A defeat, however, could mean a group stage exit for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

"You have to win the match, you have to advance to the next round," Scolari said. "Some people have been saying that we might consider playing to choose our opponent, but they are either stupid or ill-intentioned. We have to play to advance, not to choose anything. We have to play to win."

Battle for first

In Group B, the Netherlands and Chile will go head-to-head in a bid to book first-spot. The theory is that first-place means a next round match against second from Group A, therefore, an easier encounter.

With Brazil's spot in Group A still in the mix, there is no straight-forward guarantee for either the Dutch or Chile, should they finish either first or second.

Louis van Gaal is without Robin van Persie (suspension) and Bruno Martins (concussion), as the Dutch look to finish the first stages with an unbeaten record following wins over Australia and Spain. On one hand, it's the perfect opportunity to rest key players, but the final rankings are still to be confirmed and could be crucial in the next round.

Chile's head coach Jorge Sampaoli has a dilemma of his own. Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has struggled through the first two matches with a niggling injury, but with qualification secured, the Reds could opt to leave Vidal wrapped in cotton wool.

Vidal, however, appears set on featuring for the South Americans against the Dutch. "I certainly feel like playing in tomorrow's game," he said.

"It is difficult to talk about Brazil because before that we have a match much more important. Tomorrow we will have to play to win," Vidal continued.

"It will certainly be a great match for the spectators."

Playing for Pride:

Fighting for personal and national pride more than anything, Spain conclude their group phase against Australia in Curitiba. The Spanish team, which has won the last three major international tournaments, has embarrassingly been dumped out of the World Cup at the earliest point.

To many, it's the end of an era. Some players are slowly volunteering to retire from international football, while Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid's Iker Casillas could be replaced by younger faces in the future.

Xavi is unlikely to be given a World Cup farewell, but his teammate Andres Iniesta will win his 100th cap against the Socceroos. Vicente del Bosque confirmed Iniesta will play, yet Xavi has been "struggling" with a muscle problem.

Similarly to Spain, Australia have lost both group stage encounters, but their possession-based football has won many hearts at the World Cup. The Socceroos are part of the Asian qualification section and will host the AFC Asian Cup in January 2015.