The World Cup field has been reduced to just eight teams and the big guns have their sights firmly set on the big prize.
Here, Press Association Sport's Damian Spellman assesses the quarter-finalists.
URUGUAY
Oscar Tabarez's men have eased into the last eight almost unnoticed. They did not concede a single goal until Lee Chung-yong's strike for South Korea in the last 16.
Key man: Striker Luis Suarez has excelled with three goals, the latest a stunning winner against the Koreans.
GHANA
Victory over Serbia and a draw with Australia were enough to confirm Ghana's emergence from a tough Group D - but it took an extra-time winner from Asamoah Gyan to see off a stubborn United States outfit.
Key man: Gyan scored the nation's first ever World Cup finals goal four years ago, and has three to his name this time around.
HOLLAND
The Dutch cruised into the last 16 with a 100% record and their 2-1 second round win over Slovakia was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests, although Brazil now stand in their way.
Key man: Midfielder Arjen Robben has lit up the tournament since his recovery from injury, and his form could be key.
BRAZIL
Despite criticism of his approach from outside, Dunga provided eloquent justification of his approach with seven points from a possible nine in the first round, followed by a 3-0 win over Chile.
Key man: Striker Luis Fabiano has found the back of the net three times so far.
ARGENTINA
Diego Maradona's team have recorded four victories on the way to the last eight, with only South Korea and Mexico managing to score against them.
Key man: Lionel Messi is yet to register in the tournament, but it is surely only a matter of time before he does.
GERMANY
Germany have progressed to the quarter-finals with only defeat by Serbia in the first round threatening to derail them. Their dismissal of fancied England in the last 16 was little short of clinical.
Key man: Mesut Ozil is the man who pulls the strings behind striker Miroslav Klose.
PARAGUAY
Paraguay reached the quarter-finals for the first time on the back of a superb qualification campaign which saw them finish third behind Brazil and Chile in the South American group and held their nerve to win a penalty shoot-out last time out.
Key man: Roque Santa Cruz has yet to hit peak form - he is a real threat when he does.
SPAIN
The European champions have recovered well from a shock defeat by Switzerland in their opening game, booking their place in the last eight with a hard-fought 1-0 win over neighbours Portugal, They were good value for that victory.
Key man: Striker David Villa's four goals to date have proved invaluable.
URUGUAY
Oscar Tabarez's men have eased into the last eight almost unnoticed. They did not concede a single goal until Lee Chung-yong's strike for South Korea in the last 16.
Key man: Striker Luis Suarez has excelled with three goals, the latest a stunning winner against the Koreans.
GHANA
Victory over Serbia and a draw with Australia were enough to confirm Ghana's emergence from a tough Group D - but it took an extra-time winner from Asamoah Gyan to see off a stubborn United States outfit.
Key man: Gyan scored the nation's first ever World Cup finals goal four years ago, and has three to his name this time around.
HOLLAND
The Dutch cruised into the last 16 with a 100% record and their 2-1 second round win over Slovakia was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests, although Brazil now stand in their way.
Key man: Midfielder Arjen Robben has lit up the tournament since his recovery from injury, and his form could be key.
BRAZIL
Despite criticism of his approach from outside, Dunga provided eloquent justification of his approach with seven points from a possible nine in the first round, followed by a 3-0 win over Chile.
Key man: Striker Luis Fabiano has found the back of the net three times so far.
ARGENTINA
Diego Maradona's team have recorded four victories on the way to the last eight, with only South Korea and Mexico managing to score against them.
Key man: Lionel Messi is yet to register in the tournament, but it is surely only a matter of time before he does.
GERMANY
Germany have progressed to the quarter-finals with only defeat by Serbia in the first round threatening to derail them. Their dismissal of fancied England in the last 16 was little short of clinical.
Key man: Mesut Ozil is the man who pulls the strings behind striker Miroslav Klose.
PARAGUAY
Paraguay reached the quarter-finals for the first time on the back of a superb qualification campaign which saw them finish third behind Brazil and Chile in the South American group and held their nerve to win a penalty shoot-out last time out.
Key man: Roque Santa Cruz has yet to hit peak form - he is a real threat when he does.
SPAIN
The European champions have recovered well from a shock defeat by Switzerland in their opening game, booking their place in the last eight with a hard-fought 1-0 win over neighbours Portugal, They were good value for that victory.
Key man: Striker David Villa's four goals to date have proved invaluable.
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