Final set of Round 16 games on today

The final two games in the Round of 16 stage of the World Cup in South Africa will take place today.



In Pretoria, Paraguay and Japan will face off at 9 a.m. Jamaica time while in the afternoon Spain will tackle Portugal in Cape Town, starting at 1:30.



The Spain, Portugal game will be one of the most intriguing fixtures in the second round.



The geographical neighbours entered this summer's showpiece among the favourites to go all the way, with both having fared admirably at recent tournaments.



Portugal finished as runners-up at Euro 2004 and fourth at the 2006 World Cup, while Spain made the last 16 four years ago and took the spoils at the 2008 European Championship.



The weight of expectation perhaps weighed heavy on both teams during the group stages, as they offered only glimpses of their best form.



Spain lost their opening encounter to Switzerland, before recovering well to see off Honduras and Chile and top Group H.



Portugal finished second to Brazil in Group G, with a 7-0 demolition of North Korea undoubtedly their highlight so far.



Carlos Queiroz's side is also the only team left in the competition yet to concede a goal, having been held goalless by Ivory Coast and Brazil in their other two games.



The winners of today’s games will meet in Quarterfinal Four on Saturday in Johannesburg. Also on Saturday, Argentina will tackle Japan in Cape Town in Quarterfinal Three.



Favourites Brazil and the Netherlands will face off in Quarterfinal One on Friday in Port Elizabeth following easy victories yesterday.



Brazil comfortably brushed aside Chile 3-0 at Ellis Park as the team pushes for a sixth title, while the Netherlands eased into the last eight with a 2-1 win against Slovakia.



The other quarterfinal pairing features Uruguay against Ghana in Johannesburg.