Brazil and Croatia face surprises from Asia, South Korea and Japan

The surprises of the Qatar 2022 World Cup so far 2:12

(CNN) --

In a World Cup of upsets, Japan leads in the stunning results that have dominated the headlines.

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Not many would have predicted that the blue samurai would beat both Spain and Germany to top Group E in qualifying for the round of 16, but the team has been so impressive that not many would be surprised if Japan advanced to the quarter-finals by first time in its history.

The players from Japan celebrate their pass to the round of 16 after beating Spain.

Japan plays 2018 finalist Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday at 10 am ET in the first of two Round of 16 games on Monday, followed by the match between Brazil, one of the favourites, and South Korea.

Croatia's impressive World Cup record

Let's first analyze the match at Al Wakrah.

Croatia have gone unbeaten in nine of their last 10 World Cup matches.

Their only defeat in that run came in Russia four years ago, when an inspired France under Kylian Mbappé won 4-2 in the final.

Coach Zlatko Dalić told reporters on Sunday that the country has performed brilliantly over the years and has become a powerhouse in world soccer.

“Croatia's population is four million and the results we have achieved on the world stage are miraculous,” Dalić said, according to Reuters.

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“We are continuously present at tournaments and world championships, and that is already a great success.

We have become a world soccer powerhouse”.

While Croatia, unbeaten in Qatar, have never lost in the round of 16 in their previous two World Cup matches at this stage, Japan have never advanced past the round of 16, suffering defeats in 2002, 2010 and 2018.

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Defender Yuto Nagatomo said memories of the loss to Belgium four years ago, when Japan blew a 2-0 lead and lost by one goal in stoppage time, will drive the players this time.

“I have never forgotten that battle against Belgium.

Sometimes the game scenes suddenly come back to me and the last four years have been very hard," the full-back told reporters on Sunday.

"But I think we've grown both mentally and physically and...from what I can see, this team is the best and strongest team that has ever competed for Japan in the World Cup."

Face to face

Can previous meetings between these two countries help give us an idea of ​​what could happen on Monday?

Maybe not.

Since 1997, they have met three times, with Japan winning a friendly 4-3, but losing to Croatia in the group stage at France 1998. At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, they drew 0-0.

According to sports data company Gracenote, Croatia has a 58% chance of winning this match, while Japan's chances are 42%.

But Croatia is a possession-based team, which might suit Japan as they beat Germany and Spain with 17.7% and 26.1% possession, respectively.

Dalić added: “They will apply the philosophy of the samurai warrior.

We also.

If we want to go further, we must apply that same attitude, give our best and never underestimate anyone.

“Japan have the least ball possession in the world, but they make a great transition.

This is the most persevering and persistent opponent.

They just don't give up.

We have a similar mentality, Japan and Croatia.

We are on equal terms."

Despite injuries, Brazil remain favorites

Neymar injured his ankle against Serbia.

On paper, the other knockout game of the day is easier to predict, as five-time champions Brazil take on South Korea at Doha's 974 Stadium.

Although Brazil lost to Cameroon 1-0 in their last group game, they remain the heavy favorites to advance to the quarterfinals, where either Japan or Croatia await.

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With a place in the round of 16 already secured, coach Tite made nine changes to the team that beat Switzerland 1-0 in what was the country's first loss to an African nation at a World Cup.

Although that shouldn't detract from Cameroon's performance.

A dramatic 2-1 comeback from Portugal, with Hwang Hee-chan scoring the game-winner in added time, clinched South Korea's place in the round of 16.

Prior to that match, the Taegeuk Warriors had only won one of their previous 11 World Cup matches.

A victory for South Korea this time around, however, would be monumental, especially as Brazil's star striker Neymar looks set to play after recovering from an ankle injury.

But the tournament favorite has suffered a series of injuries to key players in Qatar, with Alex Telles' knee injury against Cameroon leaving Brazil without full-backs.

Telles and striker Gabriel Jesus were ruled out of the remainder of the tournament by the Brazilian Football Federation on Saturday, while it is unclear when regular full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro will recover from their injuries.

The two countries have never met at a World Cup, but they have met on seven other occasions: Brazil have won six times and South Korea won once in 1999. Their most recent meeting was in June in Seoul, which Brazil won 5-1.

Son Heung-min celebrates South Korea's victory against Portugal.

But as the only Asian country to have reached a World Cup semi-final, South Korea has pedigree, and it also has Tottenham star Son Heung-min, its talisman and one of the Premier League's greatest players. english.

South Korea's Portuguese coach Paulo Bento told reporters on Sunday: “We are up against world-class players, we are not intimidated.

In our squad we have world-class players.

"A game is not a whole tournament, we have an opportunity... The most important thing is that we show that we are a team that wants to win, wants to compete and fight until the final whistle."

World Cup Qatar 2022