Brazil, Germany Eye World Cup Last 16 as Netherlands Face Morocco

Brazil's pursuit of a record sixth World Cup title enters the knockout stages Monday as they face Japan, while four-time champions Germany take on Paraguay.

Brazil, who topped their group, are considered favorites but acknowledge Japan as a dangerous opponent, recalling a 3-2 friendly loss last October. "We need to play with our heads and hearts, and be clear about what we want to do. We need to be ready for everything that can happen in a knockout tie," said Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose team is "confident" but prepared for potential extra time and penalties.

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We need to play with our heads and hearts, and be clear about what we want to do. We need to be ready for everything that can happen in a knockout tie.

Germany, ranked 10th globally, aims to win despite not being widely seen as top contenders. Coach Julian Nagelsmann emphasized the national team's objective: "When you talk about the German national team, it is all about trying to win every game. It is all about winning the game tomorrow."

Perhaps the most intriguing tie of the round features the Netherlands, three-time World Cup runners-up, against 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. Both teams enter the match with strong determination, setting the stage for a closely contested battle.

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When you talk about the German national team, it is all about trying to win every game. It is all about winning the game tomorrow.