Win or Go Home

By Grahame L. Jones

June 24, 2006 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

HANOVER, Germany —

Now it gets serious.

Soccer’s 2006 World Cup moves into a new phase today when the 16 remaining teams of the original 32 embark on the knockout phase.

From tonight, when Germany plays Sweden and Mexico plays Argentina, until the July 9 final in Berlin, it’s a matter of win or be eliminated.

Said England defender John Terry: “It’s cutthroat now.”

The remaining 16 include six current or former world champions -- Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany and Italy -- and two former finalists -- the Netherlands and Sweden. Throw in Euro 2004 runner-up Portugal and it becomes clear that none of the cream has yet been skimmed off the top of this World Cup.

Here is a capsule look at the matches in the round of 16 and -- venturing out on a brittle limb -- a prediction for each:

* Germany vs. Sweden

(Munich, today):

Germany’s hopes rest on its offense, led by tournament leading scorer Miroslav Klose, who has four goals. If he can extend his run of good form, Germany can make it through to the quarterfinals -- the very least expected of the host nation.

“We have a big hurdle ahead of us, but we have a great goal,” Coach Juergen Klinsmann said Friday. “Our expectations as a soccer nation and the World Cup host do not end with the second round or the quarterfinals.”

Sweden brings quality all over the field, as shown by its battling tie with England, when it twice came from behind.

“They are a very uncomfortable team to play against,” Joachim Loew, Germany’s assistant coach, told the Associated Press. “Their set pieces are a great danger, they are very precise and sharp. They play at high pace, they apply pressure, they have the confidence that they can score late in the game.”

Prediction: Germany by a single goal, perhaps in overtime.

* Argentina vs. Mexico (Leipzig, today):

The Argentines have become tournament co-favorites along with defending champion Brazil on the strength of their 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro. Players such as Juan Roman Riquelme, Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez have become the poster boys of 2006.

Mexico has staggered after losing lanky striker Jared Borgetti to injury in its 3-1 opening win over Iran. A subsequent tie against Angola and a loss to Portugal have brought into question the resolve of Coach Ricardo Lavolpe’s team.

Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira would put his money on his fellow South Americans. “Argentina are a side on a par with Brazil when it comes to technical quality and they are well prepared,” he said. “They are cool and not under any pressure.”

Borgetti says he can play, which will help Mexico, while the Argentine-born Lavolpe said that playing against his own country was not a factor. “We know Argentina is a team that can do damage,” he said.

It will.

Prediction: Argentina by two goals, possibly three.

* England vs. Ecuador (Stuttgart, Sunday):

England’s World Cup has not gone as planned, what with the Wayne Rooney injury saga, followed by three miserable performances and the loss of Michael Owen to a tournament-ending injury.

That said, Coach Sven Goran Eriksson’s team is unbeaten, and German fans, wary enough of their own team, are equally cautious in writing off their longtime rival.

Ecuador, which has done well to get this far, is not of the same pedigree as England, which sooner or later will have to find its stride in the tournament. This could be the match.

“Our form as a team has got to improve,” said midfielder Steven Gerrard, one of the few England players to look sharp. Prediction: England by two goals.

* Netherlands vs. Portugal (Nuremberg, Sunday):

The last time the Netherlands lost a competitive match was against Portugal in the semifinals of Euro 2004.

“The statistics tell you nothing,” Portugal midfielder Maniche said. “This is a totally different game. It’s going to be very difficult.”

The Portuguese move the ball around well, making full use of the field, while the Dutch can attack down the middle and on both flanks. Attacking soccer is in store.

Prediction: Netherlands by the odd goal in five.

* Italy vs. Australia (Kaiserslautern, Monday):

The party continues Down Under, where every Australian is suddenly a fan of the Socceroos. Coach Guus Hiddink, already a hero in his native Netherlands and in South Korea, for taking both to the World Cup semifinals, now is being hailed in Australia too.

Three-time world champion Italy is taking Australia seriously, admitting that it underestimated the U.S., which held the Azzurri to a 1-1 tie. “We won’t make the mistakes we made against the U.S. again,” goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said.

The Australians, he said, pose several problems.

“They are very strong physically and are an enterprising side who have a lot of confidence in themselves,” Buffon said. “They have scored five goals in their three games and we need to be very careful.”

Prediction: Italy by a single goal.

* Switzerland vs. Ukraine (Cologne, Monday):

After Friday night’s shutout of South Korea, the Swiss found themselves still not having been scored on at this World Cup. That could all change when they play Ukraine and its goal-happy striker Andriy Shevchenko.

“It’s a hugely important achievement for Ukrainian football that we have got into the second round,” Shevchenko said.

The Swiss team is a work in progress, although it has matured more quickly than expected under Coach Jakob Kuhn.

Prediction: Switzerland by a single goal, in overtime.

* Brazil vs. Ghana (Dortmund, Tuesday):

Ghana, which ousted the U.S. from the tournament, has its sights on what would be a monumental upset of the defending world champion. In public Coach Ratomir Dujkovic and his players are talking a good game.

“The Black Stars of Ghana are the Brazilians of Africa, so they are not afraid of anybody,” Dujkovic said. “It is very difficult to beat Brazil, but we will try. We have nothing to lose.”

Brazilian striker Ronaldo needs only one more goal to become the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history, surpassing Germany’s Gerd Muller.

Meanwhile, Ghana will be without influential midfielder Michael Essien, who is suspended.

Prediction: Brazil by three goals, possibly by four.

* Spain vs. France (Hanover, Tuesday):

The Spanish have a distressing habit of going only so far in international tournaments. This time the 4-0 rout of Ukraine gave every indication that Coach Luis Aragones’ team finally could get over the hurdle and even reach a final.

Then came a lackluster 3-1 victory over so-so Tunisia and a 1-0 win over weak Saudi Arabia on Friday and suddenly everything is being called into question.

France will be hoping that Friday’s 2-0 shutout of Togo is the sign of a turnaround.

Prediction: Spain by two goals.

Today at Munich

GERMANY VS.

SWEDEN

8 a.m., Ch. 7 and 34

Today at Leipzig

ARGENTINA VS.

MEXICO

Noon, ESPN and 34

Sunday at Stuttgart

ENGLAND VS.