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SPAIN
THE SPANIARDS win their second World Cup in three cycles by relying on an experienced core balancing solid D (goalkeeper David De Gea; centerbacks Sergio Ramos and Gerard Piqué), a masterly midfield (Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Thiago) and an emerging front line (Marco Asensio, Isco, Diego Costa). Their ball control wears out defending champ Germany in the semis and then, in the final, Belgium, which outlasts a slew of talented teams in the Red Devils' half of the draw: Brazil (upset by Mexico), France (which has at least one stinker every five games) and Uruguay. Ultimately, the teamwide strength of Spain prevails in a tournament of surprises over the individual stardom of Brazil's Neymar, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi (out in the group stage).
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ROUND OF 16
1A URUGUAY vs 2B PORTUGAL
QUARTERFINAL
URUGUAY vs FRANCE
ROUND OF 16
1C FRANCE vs 2D ICELAND
SEMIFINAL
URUGUAY vs BELGIUM
ROUND OF 16
1E BRAZIL vs 2F MEXICO
QUARTERFINAL
MEXICO vs BELGIUM
ROUND OF 16
1G BELGIUM vs 2H SENEGAL
FINAL
BELGIUM vs SPAIN
THIRD-PLACE GAME
GERMANY over URUGUAY
ROUND OF 16
1B SPAIN vs 2A RUSSIA
SPAIN vs CROATIA
QUARTERFINAL
ROUND OF 16
1D CROATIA vs 2C DENMARK
SPAIN vs GERMANY
SEMIFINAL
ROUND OF 16
1F GERMANY vs 2E SWITZERLAND
GERMANY vs ENGLAND
QUARTERFINAL
ROUND OF 16
1H COLOMBIA vs 2G ENGLAND
