World Cup preview: France v Argentina, Uruguay v Portugal

After a group stage of VAR madness, calamitous goalkeeping and distraught Germans, the knockout stages are finally upon us, with Saturday serving up two mouth-watering matches.

1500 BST France v Argentina (BBC)

1900 BST Uruguay v Portugal (ITV)

The first knockout game sees France face off against Argentina, with both teams having failed to impress so far in the competition.

France have perhaps not yet hit high-gear because they have not needed to, with their victories against Australia and Peru coming by margins of just one goal.

Didier Deschamps' team look vastly improved with Olivier Giroud acting as an attacking focal point but pre-tournament golden boot favourite Antoine Griezmann has yet to fully come to life.

"I hope to raise my level again in the last 16. It was the same at the Euros. It wasn't until the last 16 that I hit my stride. So we'll see. I have confidence in my game," said Griezmann.

Argentina had a much tougher ride through the opening stages, squeaking into the knockout stage with a last minute volley from Marcos Rojo after dreadful performances against Iceland and Croatia.

The two-time winners have struggled at both ends of the pitch and speculation is rife among Argentine media that coach Jorge Sampaoli has ceded control over some elements of the team’s management after photos emerged of Javier Mascherano appearing to pick the side's formation.

The addition of playmaker Éver Banega to the starting lineup improved the South Americans' ability to link up with star man Lionel Messi but their defence is the big issue.

The ponderous and casual play of Nicolas Otamendi and his fellow defenders allowed Croatia to run riot and could spark a disaster if the likes of Griezmann and Giroud have their shooting boots on for Saturday’s match.

The late game sees Uruguay and Portugal go head-to-head in an intriguing encounter between two teams slated as dark horses in the competition.

Uruguay appeared to hit form in their last match, a 3-0 victory over hosts Russia, after playing out fairly dull 1-0 victories over Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Sporting a solid defence based around Atletico Madrid’s centre-back partnership of Diego Godín and José Giménez and a fearsome attack featuring Barcelona’s Luis Suárez and PSG’s Edinson Cavani, Uruguay are not to be underestimated.

"For me the holy grail of football is the word 'balance'. When we attack we need to be able to attack, but it doesn't come from an abstract suggestion," said Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez.

Portugal come into the last 16 off the back of a match against Iran that was mired in VAR controversy after Iran were awarded a questionable penalty late in the match.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has scored four times so far in the competition and, together with Ricardo Quaresma who scored a stunning goal against Iran, will undoubtedly pose serious questions to Uruguay’s impressive defence.

The European side looks weak in defence however, with a distinct lack of pace limiting the abilities of Pepe and José Fonte, particularly when the former is rolling around on the floor attempting to coax referees into doling out yellow cards.