We’re into the last round of group games at the World Cup and I’m sure we have plenty of excitement to look forward to before things are concluded.

Many of the groups are still wide open with everything to play for, and not least the Group with Germany, Spain, Japan and Costa Rica. This saw one of the big shocks the tournament in the opening round when Japan came from behind to beat Germany 2-1, while Costa Rica were thrashed 7-0 by Spain.

It gave Japan an amazing chance to progress to the round of 16 which not many would have predicted before the tournament, as you’d expect the two European nations who are often in the last rounds of the tournament to progress with few issues.

But Japan’s expectations were quickly halted when Costa Rica earned a 1-0 win over them after improving drastically since their heavy defeat to Spain. That threw the group on its head, and it looked like Germany would have it all to do in their final game when they were trailing Spain 1-0, but then they scored in the final 10 minutes of that game to earn a point and it means now any of the four teams can qualify.

Germany will be the favourites in their final game against Costa Rica but as we have seen so far in this tournament, we can expect the unexpected and you never know what the result might be. If Germany do win, it will still be out of their hands, as a Japan win would see them progress, while Spain are likely to go through on goal difference unless they lose to Japan and Costa Rica do beat Germany.

It’s going to be an exciting round and we won’t be surprised if there are a few more surprises in store.

France, Brazil and Portugal are the only sides that secured their place in the final 16 after two games, while Canada and Qatar are the only teams entering the final round with nothing to play for.

I’d expect there will be plenty more twists and turns this week as we find out who will be in the last 16.

The biggest change is that we see the progress of teams that we didn’t expect too much of or that didn’t have a great opening game, but are now continuing to get in their stride. I see the USA play more and am reading and hearing more about them, which is why the England vs USA game was a must-watch as a neutral.

I have to say I am really impressed with how the USA is growing the game of football, and they show us that they will keep rising with lots of players active in the big European leagues, as well as the MLS. It looks like a great mix of players and they look right on track for when they are hosts at the next World Cup. #mmlove