Eight teams are left in the competition, while another eight have seen their World Cup 2022 dreams dashed at the first knockout hurdle, as a barnstorming last-16 stage has now come to an end in Qatar with a plethora of notable performances along the way.

The Netherlands were the first to book their spot in the quarter-finals after besting the USA 3-1, and they were soon joined by Argentina, who survived late pressure to overcome Australia 2-1.

Reigning champions France are still in the hunt for back-to-back titles after sending Poland home via a 3-1 scoreline, and standing in their way is England, who put three past Senegal without reply.

Japan's run of upsets came to an end as they lost on penalties to Croatia following a 1-1 draw, and their fellow Asians South Korea were also dumped out, albeit in much more comprehensive fashion as Brazil ran out 4-1 winners.

Nevertheless, there was room for a shootout shock as Morocco overcame a goal-shy Spain on penalties to eliminate the 2010 champions, but their Iberian neighbours Portugal had no trouble seeing off Switzerland by a whopping six goals to one.

Here, Sports Mole takes on the unenviable task of picking a World Cup Team of the Last 16.

DEFENCE

Tame penalties at a decent height are a goalkeeper's dream, and both Dominik Livakovic and Yassine Bounou benefitted from a succession of poor spot kicks from Japan and Spain in the last 16. While the Moroccan number one managed to keep out two Spanish penalties, Livakovic denied all of Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida and just edges his way into our team.

Interest in Denzel Dumfries's services is beginning to ramp up, and judging by his performance for the Netherlands against the USA, it is easy to see why. The Inter Milan defender - reportedly wanted by Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur - produced near-identical assists for Memphis Depay and Daley Blind in the first half before volleying home unmarked at the back post to add another few million pounds to his price tag.

Dumfries was not the only member of the Oranje backline to make a statement of intent against the USA, as fellow full-back Daley Blind also demonstrated his attacking penchant to coolly slot home from his teammate's pass in the first half - in front of a very proud Danny Blind, who shared a moment with his son on the touchline - and he also provided the cross for Dumfries and made seven tackles in a stunning performance.

The veterans take centre stage at centre-half in our Team of the Last 16, and there is plenty of life left in Pepe's 39-year-old legs. The Portugal defender rose highest to direct a bullet header into the back of the net against Switzerland, and he contributed to the defensive effort with two blocks and three out of three aerial duels won.

Brazil's Thiago Silva will very rarely partner up with an older centre-back nowadays, but this team is an exception. The 38-year-old claimed an assist for Richarlison against South Korea following an intricate passing move, while he also completed 94% of his passes and won both of his ground duels in an accomplished display.

MIDFIELD

The tears may have flowed for Japan as Mario Pasalic scored the winning penalty for Croatia, but take nothing away from Wataru Endo's monstrous performance in the middle of the park. The Stuttgart man returned to the side after a fitness concern and proved his worth to Hajime Moriyasu, creating two big chances, posting three shots and winning six of his seven ground duels to light up the Al Janoub Stadium.

Supporters, teammates and pundits are running out of superlatives to describe 19-year-old Jude Bellingham, who was unsurprisingly the heart and soul of England's successful endeavours against Senegal. When the Three Lions needed someone to step up to the plate and provide a spark, Bellingham did just that - setting up Jordan Henderson before playing a huge part in Harry Kane's goal - and he also capped off a magnificent all-around display with four tackles and two interceptions.

Further forward, perennial rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both aiming to end their runs without a goal in the World Cup knockout stages, and only the former succeeded in that regard. In what was his 1,000th career match, the 35-year-old produced a trademark low finish to put Argentina ahead against Australia, while totalling six shots, a 90% pass accuracy and creating two big chances as he edges ever closer to an elusive World Cup winners' medal.

ATTACK

There was a mad dash to break the news that Kylian Mbappe had missed a France training session on Tuesday - four days before they are due to face England - which only emphasized just how marvellously the 23-year-old has performed in Qatar so far. After providing a perfectly-weighted pass for Olivier Giroud's record-breaking 52nd France goal against Poland, Mbappe produced an emphatic near-post finish before then picking out Wojciech Szczesny's far corner in a stark warning to England's backline.

However, the Three Lions' own mercurial talent made a statement of intent against Senegal, having forced his way back into the team amid consistent pressure from the fanbase. Indeed, Phil Foden's neat flick set England away for their opening goal, and the Manchester City man then claimed the assists for Kane and Bukayo Saka's goals as he makes that left-wing spot his own.

To say that the Portuguese torch has been passed over may be premature, but Goncalo Ramos was not at all phased by filling the Cristiano Ronaldo-sized boots against Switzerland. On what was his first start for the senior team, the 21-year-old scored a wonderful hat-trick - the first player to do so on their full World Cup debut since Miroslav Klose 20 years ago - and he unselfishly laid the ball off for Raphael Guerreiro to get in on the act and aid his prospects of keeping Ronaldo on the bench for the quarter-finals.

SPORTS MOLE'S WORLD CUP TEAM OF THE LAST 16

Sports Mole's World Cup Team of the Last 16 (4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Dumfries, Pepe, T. Silva, Blind; Bellingham, Endo; Mbappe, Messi, Foden; Ramos