We all remember when Paul the Octopus became the hero of the World Cup in Germany – and now it seems that their hopes may be pinned on what BBC Sports football expert Chris Sutton called their final match against Costa Rica in Group E.
Sutton was very accurate in his predictions of the outcome and scoring line of Germany's two matches in Qatar – they lost miserably to Japan 2-1 and drew 1-1 with Spain.
Sadly, he was wrong about a lot of other things. After playing 12 of 16 matches in the first set of the group stage, he played only 6 matches in the second round.
That gives him an overall success rate of 56%, and he clearly has some way to go to match the football knowledge shown by Paul, the "psychic" sea creature who is famous for choosing the right result – and the final – in all seven matches of the German team at the 2010 World Cup.
Sutton predicted the outcome of all 64 matches in Qatar, and before the start of the tournament, he picked his two teams to advance from each group and advance to the knockout stage.
He backed France winning the World Cup (he was the only BBC expert to say they would be world champion in 2018), believed England would reach the quarter-finals and believed Wales would not emerge from their group.
A组
Sutton's forecast is Tuesday, November 29
Ecuador v Senegal 2-1
Tuesday, November 29
Netherlands v Qatar 2-0
Sutton's pre-match picks: Netherlands (champion) and Senegal (runner-up). Ecuador took third place and Qatar fourth.
Ecuador v Senegal (Khalifa International Stadium, 29 November, 15:00 GMT)
Ecuador could have qualified if they could have avoided defeat, but it would have been better when they played on the front foot, as they did in the draw with the Netherlands.
The South American side is worried about Ennavalencia, whose three goals so far have put him in line with France's Kylian Mbappe for top scorer in this World Cup, but he is treating a knee injury and he is very important for them.
Senegal have some dangerous players who have to fight for it, but I really like Ecuador that I saw in Qatar and I think they will keep the momentum.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Netherlands v Qatar (Al Bayt Stadium, 29 November, 15:00)
The Netherlands haven't really started yet and they were lucky to draw with Ecuador last time.
They won't have any trouble here, though. Qatar was the first team to be eliminated for a reason.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
Group B
Sutton's forecast is Tuesday, November 29
Wales v England 0-3
Tuesday, November 29
Iran v USA 1-1
Sutton's pre-match picks: England (champion) and United States (runner-up). Iran finished third and Wales fourth.
Wales v England (Ahmed Ben Ali Stadium, 29 November, 19:00)
Gareth Southgate's reaction that hasn't chosen Phil Foden so far is too exaggerated and ridiculous. The bigger concern is England's overall performance after the U.S. game.
England have to find their identity again and I'm sure they will. Wales, meanwhile, is looking for one last cheer from their ageing star, but I don't think that's going to happen.
I predicted Wales would be at the bottom of Group B and it seems I was right.
It could end up being quite a big scoreline, but I actually think England might stop after scoring three goals because they're going to feel sorry for the Welsh.
Sutton's forecast: 0-3
Iran vs. (Al Thumama Stadium, 29 November, 19:00)
England will qualify as top of the group, but deciding who will join them in the last 16 is all up to this match, which is difficult to predict.
The U.S. played well against England and were brave in possession, but they didn't seem to have a centre-forward.
Iran was beaten by England but excelled against Wales and could have won more in the end.
I want a draw that will allow Iran to qualify unless Wales beats England, and as I said earlier, that won't happen.
Sutton's forecast: 1-1
Group C
Sutton's forecast is Wednesday, November 30
Poland v Argentina 1-2
Wednesday, November 30
Saudi Arabia v Mexico 0-1
Sutton's pre-match picks: Argentina (champion) and Mexico (runner-up). Poland finished third and Saudi Arabia fourth.
Poland v Argentina (974 Stadium, 30 November, 19:00)
Argentina did not perform well in the first half against Mexico but still got the victory they needed after suffering a huge shock in their opening World Cup match against Saudi Arabia.
You wonder if the way Lionel Messi gasped against Mexico before scoring the breakthrough goal in this tournament is written in the stars.
They played better when Mexico opened, but now they need to win again to secure promotion, which is not easy. They will have to work hard to beat Poland, who are at the top of Group C after two matches.
A draw could also allow Argentina to qualify, depending on the situation in another match, but in this way they will face France in the round of 16 and no one will want to play them in the following matches.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Saudi Arabia v Mexico (Lusell Iconic Stadium, 30 November, 19:00)
So far, I'm really disappointed with Mexico, and even if they win this game, they'll want Poland to do them a favor and beat Argentina.
Saudi Arabia is in charge of its own destiny, but perhaps their best day at this World Cup has arrived.
Mexico has created so little so far that it's hard to justify them winning this race, but I think they'll find a way. Of course, they have to show aggression at some point.
Sutton's forecast: 0-1
Group D
Sutton's forecast is Wednesday, November 30
Australia v Denmark 0-2
Wednesday, November 30
Tunisia v France 1-1
Sutton's pre-match picks: France (champion) and Denmark (runner-up). Australia is third and Tunisia is fourth.
Australia v Denmark (Al Janoub Stadium, 30 November, 15:00)
I haven't changed my mind about Australia's strengths and weaknesses, but it would be very interesting if they scored first.
This will make things very embarrassing for Denmark, who lack the front edge ahead,
Getting to the last 16 would be an incredible achievement for this Australian team, but I think the Danes will succeed and I don't think they're going to be far behind.
Sutton's forecast: 0-2
Tunisia v France (Education City, 30 November, 15:00)
France has already passed, so this is most likely Tunisia's reserves against them - what a lovely position.
Tunisia are hoping Australia will draw as it will open the door for them – although beating the French second team is still a big request.
Sutton's forecast: 1-1
Group E
Sutton's forecast is Thursday, Dec. 1
Japan v Spain 1-2
Thursday, December 1
Costa Rica v Germany 0-4
Sutton's pre-match picks: Spain (champion) and Japan (runner-up). Germany is third and Costa Rica is fourth.
Japan v Spain (Khalifa International Stadium, 1 December, 19:00)
I suspect Japan's chances of qualifying may disappear as they are defeated by Costa Rica.
Even a draw here may not be enough for them to advance, and I certainly don't think they will beat Spain.
I don't see many goals, but Spain played the best football of the tournament and the most notable team, they should be too strong.
Spain's style suits Japan well, they like that when the team hands the game to them, they may get a chance at half-time, but they are hard to get anything out of this game.
It was a fantastic team from the start, but I didn't see any later twists and turns.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Costa Rica v Germany (Al Bayt, 1 December, 7pm)
The situation has improved for Germany and its route to the round of 16.
They are lucky to still have a chance to succeed, but I think they will make the most of the opportunity and rub shoulders with Costa Rica.
Germany have some good attackers, and although they are vulnerable at the back, they should be able to win easily.
Sutton's forecast: 0-4
Group F
Sutton's forecast is Thursday, Dec. 1
Croatia v Belgium 3-1
Thursday, December 1
Canada v Morocco 1-2
Sutton's pre-match picks: Belgium (champion) and Croatia (runner-up). Morocco took third place and Canada took fourth place.
Croatia v Belgium (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, 1 December, 15:00)
Kevin de Bruyne said Belgium was too old to win this World Cup, and he had a point.
They are an ageing team and it is sad to see the decline of Eden Hazard, who has suffered so many injuries since leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2019. He used to be energetic and passable, but now he looks overweight with only two stones.
Belgium has left itself with a difficult task to face the cunning Croatian team, who are dangerous in their advance.
De Bruyne can still change things by passing a pass that no one else sees, so I probably shouldn't leave Belgium out – but I do. It's the end of an era for them, and they may not have done what they were supposed to do with their existing players.
Sutton's forecast: 3-1
Canada v Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, 1 December, 15:00)
Morocco impressed me in this tournament, especially since they did well in the win over Belgium and they have not conceded a goal in six consecutive matches.
Canada got off to a good start against Croatia, but then lost badly and went out.
They won't change the way they play, I just think Morocco will overwhelm them, maybe like the way they beat Belgium, with a couple of late goals.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Group G
Sutton's forecast is Friday, December 2
Serbia v Switzerland 2-1
Friday, December 2
Cameroon v Brazil 0-4
Sutton's pre-match picks: Brazil (champion) and Serbia (runner-up). Switzerland finished third and Cameroon fourth.
Serbia v Switzerland (974 Stadium, 2 December, 19:00)
When these teams met at the 2018 World Cup, Switzerland came out on top, but Serbia needed to win this time to reach the last 16 and I think they will.
Statman Dave has Serbia as his dark horse in this tournament and knows his football inside out. He couldn't be wrong about this – but if he got it wrong, I would lose some faith in him.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Cameroon v Brazil (Lusail International Stadium, 2 December, 19:00)
We've seen Serbia and Switzerland focus on keeping Brazil out, and they've both been successful for a while.
The difference is that Cameroon need to win this match to have a chance to stay in the game.
Brazil may make some changes now, but if Cameroon opens up to them and plays a wide range of football, things will only go in one direction.
Sutton's forecast: 0-4
Group H
Sutton's forecast is Friday, December 2
Ghana v Uruguay 1-2
Friday, December 2
South Korea v Portugal 1-0
Sutton's pre-match picks: Portugal (champion) and South Korea (runner-up). Uruguay is third and Ghana is fourth.
Ghana v Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, 2 December, 15:00)
The biggest issue for everyone in this group is the runners-up to qualify, but may face Brazil next.
My hunch is that Uruguay will finish second. They gave everything in the loss to Portugal and this desperation could bring them more joy, although Ghana does have a goal threat.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
South Korea v Portugal (Education City, 2 December, 15:00)
Portugal have qualified but could still lose the top spot.
They don't want to risk their next game against Brazil, but they have three points less goal difference than Ghana, so they may think it's worth gambling and letting some players rest.
If they do, that could give South Korea a chance.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0