Brazil going out? Chris Sutton predicts World Cup’s last-16 matches

July 4, 2026 No Comments

Brazil going out? Chris Sutton predicts World Cup’s last-16 matchesByChris BevanBBC Sport journalistPublished12 minutes agoOnly 16 teams are left in the 2026 World Cup, but who will make it to the final at MetLife Stadium near New York City on 19 July?BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton did pretty well with his predictions for the last 32, but Paraguay’s win over Germany caught him out, as well as most of you.From more than 60,000 user predictions for that game, only 2% of you went for a Paraguay win.You did pretty well otherwise, however – Morocco’s win over the Netherlands was the only other result you got wrong.Chris was right with 13/16 predictions while AI got 12/16.With 88 of this World Cup’s 104 matches now completed, the users still lead the way.Chris has been right 54 times (61%), AI has a score of 55 (63%), but you lot are on top with 62 (70%).Will there be any more surprises in the last 16, which includes Mexico against England and Paraguay against France?AI’s predictions have been generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat. We simply asked the tool to ‘predict the results of the World Cup last-16 ties’.The new BBC predictor game allows readers to pick a winner from each knockout tie.

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LAST-16 TIES

Saturday, 4 June

Canada v Morocco

Canada v Morocco

Houston 18:00 BST

Canada boss Jesse Marsch seems to have annoyed a few people with his behaviour on the touchline at this tournament but the important thing is what his team thinks of him.

He seems to be one of those managers where, if you are playing for him, you quite like him – and his high-intensity style has also got results.

To get this far, Canada have picked up their first World Cup point and then their first World Cup win along the way. It’s been an adventure for them, but it ends here.

They will probably have more of a go at Morocco than the negative Netherlands did in the last round, but I suspect Morocco will quite like that.

I actually think Morocco can win this World Cup but, first things first, they will definitely win this game.

I am covering it for Radio 5 live and my commentary colleague Eilidh Barbour agrees with me about the result, but thinks France will be too strong for Morocco in the quarter-finals.

But that’s why I’m the one doing the predictions – she’s not going to win any bravery awards for saying that, is she?

Sutton’s prediction: 0-2

AI’s prediction: 1-2

Paraguay v France

Paraguay v France

Philadelphia 22:00 BST

Knocking Germany out was a significant scalp for Paraguay but doing the same to France is a much, much bigger ask.

How this tie goes really depends on whether France score early.

If they do, then Paraguay could feel the full force of the flair of the French attack, and Kylian Mbappe is going to fill his boots.

Sutton’s prediction: 0-5

AI’s prediction: 1-3

Sunday, 5 July

Brazil v Norway

Brazil v Norway

New York 21:00 BST

If Brazil win this World Cup it will be because of their manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

He showed again in their win over Japan in the last 32 that he always finds a way – his Brazil team don’t have a defined style, but they are able to adapt and almost play on feel, depending on how the game is going.

But we saw against Japan that they did not quite have the legs to compete in the middle of the park – Japan just ran past Casemiro to score their goal – and Norway will feel like they can hurt them too.

I think everyone is looking forward to seeing Brazil’s Arsenal centre-half Gabriel renew his rivalry with Norway’s Manchester City striker Erling Haaland on an international stage, and I don’t see him keeping Haaland quiet.

You’ve probably seen the stats that Norway are the only team Brazil have never beaten – they have drawn twice and lost twice in four meetings since 1998 – and also that Brazil have been beaten by the first European team they have played in a knockout round at every World Cup since 2002.

This time? It is going to go the distance – and I just have a feeling that Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland will be their hero in the shootout to settle it.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-2 after extra time. Norway to win on penalties.

AI’s prediction: 4-2

Monday, 6 July

Mexico v England

Mexico v England

Mexico City 01:00 BST

England’s ability to acclimatise after only arriving on Friday will definitely play a part in their performance here.

I ran around Mexico City when I was there for the tournament opener and the altitude did not affect me – but then I am a machine.

Mexico’s home record in competitive matches is phenomenal too but, on the flip side, England are the toughest opponent they have faced at Azteca Stadium for a long time.

Thomas Tuchel’s team thoroughly deserved their win over DR Congo in the last 32.

I am not convinced by them defensively but I can see them creating enough chances to get through this tie too, with Harry Kane taking a couple of them.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

AI’s prediction: 1-2

Portugal v Spain

Portugal v Spain

Dallas 20:00 BST

I am really confident about this prediction because I think Cristiano Ronaldo is wrecking Portugal’s chances.

Goncalo Ramos scored a brilliant header to beat Croatia in the last round, after Ronaldo had been taken off, but you know that Ronaldo will still start this game and he holds his team back.

Spain have got some brilliant individual players but they are a great team too. Mikel Oyarzabal keeps on scoring and I can see him grabbing a couple more here.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-3

AI’s prediction: 1-2

Tuesday, 7 July

USA v Belgium

USA v Belgium

Seattle 01:00 BST

Belgium have kind of sneaked through so far and have still not impressed me at all.

Their last-gasp penalty to get them here was the correct call, but Senegal should have seen them off by then.

USA are going to miss the suspended Folarin Balogun up front, but they still have some momentum as well as home support. They can edge to a narrow win this.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

AI’s prediction: 1-2

Argentina v Egypt

Argentina v Egypt

Atlanta 17:00 BST

Argentina made hard work of getting past Cape Verde but I just don’t see this game being the same kind of contest.

At times, Egypt struggled against a pretty limited Australia side in the last 32.

I was at that game for 5 Live and thought Haissem Hassan was a threat when he came on, but I don’t see Egypt hurting Argentina, or keeping them out.

Sutton’s prediction: 3-0

AI’s prediction: 2-0

Switzerland v Colombia

Switzerland v Colombia

Vancouver 21:00 BST

Switzerland look solid with Granit Xhaka holding everything together in the middle, while Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas are both dangerous going forward.

But Colombia have impressed me so far and they are a really well-balanced team. They will be difficult to stop.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-3 after extra time.

AI’s prediction: 1-1 after extra time. Switzerland to win on penalties.

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