And then there were 16. The Group Stage of the World Cup has come to an end and the knockouts begin on Saturday. Prior to the tournament, pundits had their list of favorites, but if the start of the tournament showed the world anything, it is that certain teams are far better than many expected while some favorites did not lived up to top billing. Here is a ranking of the 16 remaining teams.

16. Greece
The Greeks were seconds away from elimination when a controversial penalty essentially gifted them with a Round of 16 place. They might think that Costa Rica presents an easy task, but this European side has done little in this tournament to make a case for a deep run. They were horrid against Colombia and then held up decently against a punch-less Japanese side. They improved against the Ivory Coast, but barely managed the miracle. They will need another miracle to get past Costa Rica.

15. Algeria
Prior to this tournament, Algeria had never gotten out of the Group Stage. In fact, four years ago the team failed to score a single goal. But now Algeria has made it to the knockout rounds and will take on Germany. They are heavy underdogs in this matchup, but the team managed to score six goals in the Group Stage, including four against South Korea, and they have shown themselves capable of surprises.

14. Switzerland
Xherdan Shakiri did what was expected of him on Wednesday when he put three past Honduras to lead his team to the Round of 16. Switzerland has looked dominant at times but has also lacked the defensive sturdiness that was a trademark in past tournaments. They will need to find that strong defensive play against an Argentina team that is slowly find its way offensively. If not, then Switzerland can expect another five-goal barrage like the one they experienced against France in the second group game.

13. Nigeria
The African contingent played well in its final match against Argentina and seems to be getting better as the tournament progresses. However, the backline remains a big question mark and Emmanuel Emenike's erratic play makes it hard to expect great things from Nigeria. The fact that they face a seemingly unstoppable French team makes it all the harder to expect a deep run.

12. Uruguay
Four years ago, Uruguay was the toast of the world. Led by the dominant Diego Forlan, the country made a run to the semifinals and finished fourth in the tournament. This year, they will be looked at as a villain thanks to the controversial Luis Suarez. The Liverpool man, who bit Giorgio Chiellini during the match with Italy, will miss the rest of the tournament, thus limiting a team that has already underwhelmed. Edinson Cavani has been a laughing stock thus far in Brazil and he will need to step up significantly if Uruguay is to get past Colombia. But as a unit, Oscar Tabarez's side has not impressed.

11. USA
No one expected the USA to get out of the group of death. Except the team itself, which battled from the start to finish of the Group Round to earn its rightful place among the final 16. The Americans looked shaky against Ghana in the opener, but managed to put on a show against Portugal; if not for the late equalizer, the U.S. would have moved on after just two matches. But the nail-biter against Germany, which ended in a 1-0 loss, proved that the United States could do battle with any team. They had numerous chances to score, particularly in the dying seconds, and will surely be a dangerous team movie forward.

10. Costa Rica
Of all the teams on this list, Los Ticos are undoubtedly the most surprising. The team was placed into a deadly group and many expected the Central Americans to be the whipping boys for England, Uruguay and Italy. But that was not to be. In many ways they have been the most consistent team in the entire tournament. Costa Rica has shown a determination throughout the tournament that has helped them win their group and setup up a date with Greece. The team should be feeling good about its chances at a quarterfinals berth as the European side has been far from convincing.

9. Belgium
Despite possessing a lineup filled with tremendous young talent, Belgium has not been the toast of the tournament. The team managed to take down a stubborn Algerian team, before finding a late tally against Russia. The passing has been crisp, but the penetration has been found wanting. Greater things are expected from this team, especially if they are to make a deep run in the tournament.

8. Mexico
El Tri barely got into the World Cup, but the team is clearly enjoying itself. The Mexicans dominated Cameroon in the opener and then proceeded to embarrass Brazil in a 0-0 draw that they could have won. The final game against Croatia was another master class in tactical brilliance and the team only looks to get better. The clash with the Netherlands in the first knockout round will be a huge test, but if the team overcomes that hurdle, there is no reason to doubt their ability the rest of the way. Guillermo Ochoa has been one of the finest goalies (if not the best) in the entire tournament and could be the man to carry his team deep into the tournament.

7. France
The French have played a very attractive brand of soccer through three games. The team scored eight goals in its opening two encounters and seemed to live and die with the play of Mathieu Valbuena. Everything seemed to be clicking just right for the team as even goal scorer Karim Benzema has found his rhythm. However, it is too early to call France world champions considering the competition they have confronted thus far. Nigeria could pose a greater threat than any of the other teams Les Bleues have encountered and it will be essential for the team to continue proving its worth in those upcoming matches.

6. Argentina
Los Che were among the favorites to take the title before the tournament started because of their stacked roster. But through three games only one man has emerged -- Lionel Messi. Fortunately that may be enough to lead Argentina to the promised land, but the question beckons: is this team's defense capable of shutting down better offenses? The competition was not particularly high for Argentina in the opening round and yet the team struggled for long stretches. It is capable of taking down Netherlands or even Belgium for that matter? We wait.

5. Chile
The Chileans are a highly entertaining team to watch. They attack with reckless abandon and are an engine that never runs out of power or energy. Nowhere was this more obvious than in their game against Spain. The defending champions struggled to pass the ball around the pitch not only due to their own tactical mistakes, but because Chile incessantly pressured them and forced them away from goal. Chile's defense might not be among the best in the tournament, but they have Claudio Bravo there to save them. Alexis Sanchez has been phenomenal as has been the remaining supporting cast that includes Jorge Valdivia, Eduardo Vargas and Gary Medel. And the team has not even seen the best from Arturo Vidal who could still get better as the tournament wears on and his injury becomes a thing of the past.

4. Brazil
The host nation has been far from admirable; if anything Brazil has looked worse as the tournament has worn on. But there is no denying the class and quality of Neymar, who has taken the team on his shoulders and carried them this far. He has four goals, two of the wondrous variety, and has looked dangerous every time the ball is on his feet. Even if things are currently not clicking for the hosts, they have enough quality to bounce back and grow with each passing game. It is impossible to overlook the advantages of playing at home and that is the main reason why Brazil is still a top contender.

3. Colombia
When Falcao was left off the squad, many pundits stated that Colombia would go missing without its offensive leader. That could not be further from the case. From the opening game against Greece through the final whistle against Japan, Los Cafeteros have been a dominant team led by James Rodriguez. The defense, which was a pre-tournament concern, has been solid throughout while David Ospina has been one of the best keepers in the tournament. The team is not perfect and there have been lapses of ineffectiveness, but they are few and far between. This team has already made history and looks capable of making more in the knockout rounds.

2. Germany
The European giants had a wondrous game against Portugal in which they looked like they would be the toast of the tournament. But two less than wondrous performances have dropped their stock, albeit minimally. Germany looked vulnerable against the pace of Ghana and was also a bit unfocused against a quick American counter, emphasizing the fact that their backline is not particularly solid. Manuel Neuer has barely been tested in this tournament but the midfield and offense has worked its magic. Thomas Muller has been the team's best attacker thus far, but a ton of credit must be given to Miroslav Klose, who makes Germany look dangerous every time he is on the pitch.

1. Netherlands
Inexperience could still be a weakness in this side, but there can be no question that it has the quality superstars and the coach to lead them all the way to the final. Arjen Robben, whose miss against Iker Casillas in the final four years ago lives in infamy, looks like a man on a mission of redemption. He has three goals and an assist through three games and his blazing speed has been unmanageable for such powerhouses as Spain and Chile. Robin van Persie is having a solid tournament as well while Wesley Sneijder could still show his best self in upcoming games. But the true genius in all of this is Louis van Gaal who has transformed this team from the one that imploded at the Euro two years ago into the best team of the tournament thus far.