Argentina v Germany, England v Portugal, Brazil v France. I am rubbing my hands in anticipation. And you just never know, Italy v Ukraine could be interesting if someone actually scores in the first 30 minutes.

FIFA must be delighted (and there may be some who would argue that after 2002, the refs are under instruction to favour the teams that feature the big names). Let’s face it, Germany v Argentina is a hell of a lot more appetising than Senegal v Turkey.

This is what the World Cup should be all about. How many knockout matches can you remember fondly from 2002? Maybe Italy v South Korea for the sheer drama. But the rest of the matches in that half of the draw were nothing special. England v Brazil also entertained, but few others did. So in the 14 matches leading up to the final, I can recall only two that really captured my imagination enough for me to re-collect them with good memories (of the drama if not England’s exit) only four years on. I was sorting out some video tapes that had been living in a box for a few years yesterday and was made up to find some World Cup matches from 1986. I am looking forward to viewing them again once this tournament’s done and dusted and I am suffering withdrawal symptoms.

In the meantime, the knockout stages have already provided some cracking games. Argentina v Mexico, Portugal v Holland (granted for all the wrong reasons, but you can’t tell me you were not gripped by the unravelling farce) and Spain v France – the best of the lot. Now we have three potential classics over Friday and Saturday.

On the Arsenal front, the active involvement is winding down as more teams exit. Ashley Cole seems to have played himself into the kind of form that we would have been a lot more helpful in Paris against Barca. I think England will go out to Portugal as Scholari is a brilliant manager and Eriksson a joker. England may have got the required results but who have they played? Sweden were the only half decent side and look what Germany did to them. The odds on Portugal at the bookies are generous indeed, so betting on the basis of good odds rather than emotion, I will be backing them to beat England – a bet I will happily lose but really don’t expect to.

Friday’s games only feature Mad Jens as far as Arsenal interest goes, but I will actually be rooting for the Argentina if only because their play has been more watchable and I have to confess to purring with admiration when Riquelme is running the show. It will be one hell of a game and I cannot wait. Italy v Ukraine is simply a matter of whether either side want to risk finishing the game without recourse to a penalty shoot-out. If I were to bet on this one I’d go for the draw after 90 minutes. Ukraine could get through on penalties. But frankly, I’m steering well clear of this one at the bookies as it’s just too unpredictable. Ukraine’s odds are tasty though! But they’ll play for the draw, surely.

After the England match on Saturday, we have France v Brazil. It would be quite something if Emerson is dropped for Gilberto Silva, but the latter’s been giving more to the team. Whichever is picked, Patrick Vieira will be up against a familiar face. I have never had any bad feeling towards PV4 after he moved to Italy (although if he came back to this country to play for say, Man Utd, I’d find it tough to still have affection for the player). For the time being though, I was delighted to see him return to form for France. I actually think the Brazil game will be a tight one. The price you can get on France winning in 90 minutes is very generous and I’m definitely having some of that. If only because it’s great value. In truth I cannot pick a winner out of these two, but Brazil are by no means certain to go through. Hope for TH14’s sake it’s France though. The guy deserves to win something this season.

As for the cheat accusations v Spain, it’s unfortunate. But there is context and history. Puyol is no angel and Henry was just giving back what he’d got in the past. Puyol’s own diving led to Milan losing their semi v Barca in the Champions League and Henry himself received no protection faced with Puyol and Marquez in the final. Henry was wrong to clutch his face after the challenge, but it was definitely a free kick and fortunately the gamesmanship did not lead to Puyol’s dismissal. So ultimately it had no effect on the outcome once you accept that a foul had occurred. Cesc Fabregas has had a great tournament, but there were others in the Spanish midfield who should have shouldered more responsibility. Vieira had an outstanding match and Cesc has nothing to be ashamed of from Spain’s exit. Expect to see him in the next three World Cups, where I am sure his country will improve on their finals record.

If you had to pin me down, I’d say the two semis will be Italy v Germany and Portugal v France. I just have a feeling that both South American sides will go out this round. But as long as I see some good football and high drama I really don’t care who goes through. I’ve given up on England! One thing’s for sure. If I started thinking they could actually win the thing it would be the kiss of death.