With some people claiming this could be the best ever World Cup, and the knockouts just around the corner, it is time to look back at the group stages.
Luis Suarez may have slightly tainted the greatness of the tournament when he bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, while England's disappointing early exit means it can't truly be the greatest ever World Cup for Three Lions' fans.
But if you hide behind England's winless tournament and look at it from a purely neutral point of view, the global spectacle in Brazil deserves all the plaudits coming its way.
Personally, France 1998 and the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan are the tournaments that stick the most in my mind. Although England's performances on those occasions were better, Brazil 2014 seems to have that extra special something.
But what is that special thing?
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil has so far been a tournament where expecting the unexpected has almost become the norm and writing off teams is a thing only done at your peril! Although some results have gone to the script, there has been enough drama and surprise to keep fans on their edge of their seats. When you seem certain of something, boom, something else is around the corner.
So what has been the highlight of the World Cup so far?
Without of shadow of a doubt the performances of the underdogs have been the best thing about the tournament for me. Costa Rica have been a breath of fresh air and, although their qualification from Group D was among the reasons for England's exit, it would be great to see them continuing to push on in Brazil. How often can any fan say that a team tipped to finish bottom and be the whipping boys would go on to top the group? Probably, very rarely! But Costa Rica defied the odds to beat both Uruguay and Italy before claiming a goalless draw with England to finish with seven points out of a possible nine. A truly remarkable story and, with a round of 16 tie with Greece next on the horizon, who knows how far they can go. It would be amazing, and rather fitting, if they went onto win the tournament. Although this seems very unlikely, with the likes of Brazil and Argentina still clear favourites, it also cannot be 100% ruled out. Nothing is certain in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Spain, Italy, England and Portugal all exited at the group stages. Who'd have thought it? Although England were expected to struggle in a tough Group D, which proved correct, barely anyone could have predicted all four sides going out so early. The manner of Spain's exit was the most surprising, with the holders being thumped 5-1 by Holland and winning just one of their three group games, and all four sides dropped points to at least one underdog.
The drama seems to be never ending in Brazil, as do the goals, with the first draw of the tournament not happening until the 13th match (a goalless draw between Iran and Nigeria).
So, what has been the best goal of the tournament so far?
There are so many great goals to choose from but, for me, there can only be one winner. Holland were 1-0 up against Australia and looked like they would go on to record a heavy victory. Tim Cahill had other ideas! A high ball flew into the box and the former Everton man met it with the sweetest of volleys and forever left his mark on the 2014 tournament. The Netherlands were also involved in another of the tournament's best goals as Robin Van Persie scored a delightful looping header against holders Spain.
James Rodriguez's scored a stunning chip in Colombia's 4-1 win over Japan, while Lionel Messi has proved himself as one of the World's greatest with four well-taken goals in Brazil including a stoppage-time curler against Iran. USA's Jermaine Jones and Japan's Keisuke Honda also scored goals to remember in Brazil
For all these great goals you need a quality assist. Although it is often only the goalscorer that is remembered, there are some assists that stick in my mind.
So what have been the greatest passes of the World Cup?
Serge Aurier produced two stunning crosses to set up both goals in Ivory Coast's 2-1 win over Japan. It may not have led to a goal but Andres Iniesta's pass to release David Silva in Spain's 5-1 defeat by Holland had a really touch of class about it. It is hard to choose between the assists I consider to have been the best so far. Kwadwo Asamoah produced a stunning inch perfect curling cross to set up a goal for Asamoah Gyan as Ghana exited the tournament with a 2-1 defeat by Portugal. But the one that just edges it out as pass of the tournament for me so far is James Rodriguez's perfectly timed pass to set up Jackson Martinez in the 4-1 thumping of Japan. Not only was it a delightful assist but Rodriquez has been one of the players of the tournament, scoring in every game so far.
With so much great attacking play and plenty of goals on show it would be easy to ignore the defenders.
Not too many moments spring to mind but does any touch of defensive class spring to mind?
The one that stands out to me is Portugal's Ricardo Costa, who produced a superb goal-line block to keep out USA as the side's drew 2-2.
So onto the goalkeepers, what has been the greatest save of the tournament?
There have been several decent saves in the tournament and too many to remember them all but, in that same game between USA and Portugal, American Tim Howard did superbly to react and push over Eder's follow up after Nani had struck a post. But I think the award has to go to Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, whose stunning display ensured his country picked up a valuable point in a goalless draw with hosts Brazil. Ochoa put himself firmly in the shop window with a series of stunning saves. When he dived to his right to save Neymar's header, Ochoa gave himself a great chance of coming out of the tournament having made the best save in Brazil. The save itself was even likened to the memorable moment when England's Gordon Banks kept out Pele. It's almost as if Brazilian strikers bring the best out of goalkeepers!
With so many great moments in the group stages, nobody will want it to end. So much drama, surprises and entertainment, long may it continue. With the knockout stages on the horizon, the football is likely to go up another level. It may be cagey at times with no side wanting their journey to end, but players will up their games in their bid to claim the ultimate prize.
So what is my prediction for the round of 16?
I don't have the best of luck with predictions. I am having a competition with a friend during this World Cup where we take it in turns to pick a winner from each game and the loser buys the winner a pint. I am 28-13 down and now have to be victorious in all the remaining games of the World Cup or I have lost the competition. My predictions may not be the best but I'll make them anyway! When predicting it is often best to stick to the logical outcome but in a World Cup where expecting the unexpected has happened on a fair few occasions already, nothing is certain!
Brazil vs Chile
It seems unthinkable that this can end in anything other than a Brazil win. All the pressure is on Brazil and anything other than lifting the trophy could be seen as a failure, while Chile have already proved they can match the best with a 2-0 win over Spain. I think it will be closer than many probably expect but I'll go for Brazil to edge this one 2-1.
Colombia vs Uruguay
It is hard to look at this fixture without any bias. After Luis Suarez's tournament ended following his decision to tuck into an Italian during the match, Uruguay's chances became more difficult. Although they still have great players and could yet win this one, many neutrals are now anti-Uruguay and I can't even bring myself to predict anything other than a Colombia win. Take nothing away from Colombia, they have been excellent so far and impressed with their attacking play, so I'm predicting them to win 2-1 for Jose Pekerman's men(probably after extra time).
France vs Nigeria
Nigeria ran Argentina close recently, but this should be a routine win for France. Before the tournament began I predicted France to have a rather special tournament in which they could go a long way. I was going to say 4-1 but I'll be kind to the African side and go for a 3-1 victory for Les Bleus.
Germany vs Algeria
Algeria did superbly to reach the round of 16 for the first time, but I think the three-time winners will prove too hot to handle for the Africans. Germany are experienced at knockout football but this may be closer than people expect. I'm going to go for a rather random prediction of a 4-2 win for Germany.
Holland vs Mexico
One of the toughest round of 16 clashes to call. Mexico have been defensively superb and if Ochoa produces another world class performance Mexico could prevail. But Holland are not going to want their top start to the tournament to get ruined by a dodgy display. It will be tight but I think Holland will just about edge through 2-1 (maybe after extra time).
Costa Rica vs Greece
Since Costa Rica beat Uruguay and Italy, I joked with people about how Costa Rica will go all the way. It is not likely but you just never know and, no disrespect to Greece, but out of the teams left this is the ideal tie for Jorge Luis Pinto's men. I'm going to go for a 3-0 win for Costa Rica.
Argentina vs Switzerland
Do I go with my head or my heart here? My head says don't be silly it is going to be a routine Argentina win with Messi the star of the show. My heart says if Switzerland can pull out all the stops and, if Xherdan Shaqiri has another blinder of a game, they could prevail. Oh, I really can't decide! Most of me thinks Argentina are going to win but I'm just going to bite the bullet and go with one hell of a bold prediction - Switzerland to win 3-2.
Belgium vs USA
Another tough one to call. Belgium were considered the darkhorse for the tournament expected to go far. They didn't produce their best football in the group stages but still finish top of Group H with a maximum of nine points. USA escaped from the group of death in second place, beating off competition from Portugal and Ghana. I think this one is going to be goalless and will need a late goal to settle it. I'll go for 1-0 to the Americans.
So with all the predictions done and dusted all that remains to say is let's hope the second half of the World Cup is as good as the first!
Let the drama continue!
Come on the underdogs!
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