This is where the fun starts. The automatic knock-out phase. Group winners and runners-up meet to find who goes forward... and who goes home.

The Last 16

Brazil 5-2 Peru

Pre-game odds: Brazil 1/12; Peru 7/1; extra time 5/1

Brazil weren't playing at anything like full strength. They had errors in just about every aspect of play; even keeper Taffarel let in two soft goals in the last ten minutes from Antonia. But that came after Ronaldo had scored from a penalty, hit two other goals, and hit the woodwork. Samparo opened and closed the Brazilian account.

Brazil will next play France or Bulgaria.

Scotland 0-1 Italy

Pre-game odds: Scotland 6/4; Italy 4/6; extra time 2/1

Scotland's first foray beyond the group stages of a major tournament ends, but not before they've given another wonderful performance. Italy scored through Christian Vieri after 17 minutes, but couldn't break the Scottish defence down again. Strong on the counter-attack, the Italian defence turned four shots off the line, with two hitting the woodwork.

Italy will meet South Africa or Spain.

South Africa 1-2 Spain (after extra time)

Odds: South Africa 7/2; Spain 3/7; extra time 2/1

The first Golden Goal in World Cup history came just 48 seconds into extra time. Fortune had sneaked a blinder past Zubizaretta in 8 minutes, but Morientes converted a penalty three minutes later following Doctor's ejection for a lousy foul. Both sides came very close to scoring, but Enrique's speculative shot from the edge of the D crept into the top of the net to put the Spains through.

Spain will next meet Italy on Friday evening.

Bulgaria 2-3 France (after extra time)

Odds: Bulgaria 5/2; France 4/6; extra time 5/2

France book their place in the quarter finals, but only after 12 minutes of extra time. Zidane, returning from his two bookings suspension, gave France the lead on 17, but Stoitchkov and Nankov put the Bulgarians ahead with 20 minutes to play. Viera equalised with 6 minutes of normal time to play, and the Bulgarians were never in the game afterwards. It still took some time to break down their defence, but a Preud'homme free kick finished the game.

France now meet Brazil on Friday afternoon.

Netherlands 4-0 USA

Odds: Netherlands 1/2; USA 6/1; extra time 7/2

The defensive-minded US side held the Dutch till 31 minutes, when Overmars converted one of innumerable Dutch corners. After the break, quick goals from Davids and Bergkamp took the wind out of the US side. They were further demoralised when Wynalda was sent off for a dire challenge on van de Saar. Bergkamp added a fourth in injury time.

The Netherlands are down to meet Japan or Tunisia. Gosh. That sounds like a close match.

Germany 2-0 Mexico

Odds: Germany 5/11; Mexico 7/3; extra time 5/2

Something of a one-sided match, but late, late strikes from Bierhoff and Tarnat take the underdogs through. Mexico has most of the play in the first half, but the Germans had the two decent chances. The Mexicans also had the better of the game until the 81st, when a mazy Bierhoff run broke the deadlock. Tails drooping, Mexico never looked like equalising, but Tarnat's score grossly distorts the game.

Germany will next meet England or Argentina.

England 2-1 Argentina (after extra time)

Odds: England evens; Argentina evens; extra time 2/1

Sixteen minutes into extra time, a trademark Beckham Free Kick finally secures the goal that England's play has merited all game. They were unfortunate to go behind to an early Batistuta penalty, and a perfectly clear claim from Owen a few minutes later was waved away by the ref. But a wonderful, jinking, mazy run from Owen saw the equaliser on 18 minutes. After that, Scholes missed two sitters, Shearer one, and Argentina never joined the attack.

England next play the on Saturday evening. Penalties at quarter to midnight, anyone?

Japan 3-1 Tunisia

Odds: Japan 7/8; Tunisia 5/4; extra time 6/4

Another of those "one team in..." matches. Japan streaked into a 2-0 lead after just 18 minutes, both coming from discovery of the tournament Shoji Jo. They made it 3-0 with six minutes of the match left, Nakata finding the net for the second straight match. Tunisia's goal was no consolation.

Japan will next beat - er - meet the Netherlands.