América del Sur contra el Mundo

All of the second round results are in, with an unprecedented four South American teams making it through to the quarterfinals. In fact, Peru's 1978 squad was the last South American team not from Brazil or Argentina to make it this far. This year, the two superpowers are joined by not one but two 'Guay's: Para and Uru.

Each South American team faces a country from across the Atlantic. Here are my picks:

• Brasil vs. Nederland - This is a rematch of their classic 1994 quarterfinal tilt, deep in the heart of Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. After a scoreless first half, Romario and Bebeto put the Seleção up 2-nil. But the Oranje's Dennis Bergkamp and Aron Winter shot back to equalize with about 20 minutes to go. Ten minutes later, aging veteran Branco settled things with a sick, 35-yard free kick to win it for Brasil. My pick: Brasil - you'd have to be mad to pick against the most complete team, both offensively and defensively, so far this Cup.
  
• Argentina vs. Deutschland - The history is rich between these two soccer-mad countries. They split consecutive World Cup finals in 1986 (Maradona's Albiceleste) and 1990 (Klinsmann's Mannschaft). More recently, Ballack und der Manner eliminated the Argies from the last World Cup on penalties after Miroslav Klose equalized with about ten minutes to go in regulation. My pick: Deutschland - I know Argentina has Messi, Tevez, and revenge on it's mind, but no country is so consistently excellent at the World Cup as Germany. Plus, they appear to have the better defense and Maradona is insane.
  
• Uruguay vs. Ghana - Though Uruguay's population is just 3.4 million people, the Charrúas have a rich soccer tradition, having won both the 1930 and 1950 World Cups. However, they have not advanced this far since 1970 in Mexico, when they finished fourth after losing to Brasil, 3-1 in the semis. Meanwhile, the Black Stars are just the third African side to venture this far (Cameroon '90, Senegal '02). My pick: Ghana - The continent is 100% behind this team, and the 88,000+ at Soccer City will have an effect. Plus, Ghana has too much speed and offensive firepower for Diego Forlan and company.
  
• Paraguay vs. España - If you can believe it, this quarterfinal result matches the furthest la Furia Roja have advanced in a World Cup in 60 years, when they finished fourth in Brazil. They have a history of underachieving. Something tells me 40 years under Franco didn't help. La Albiroja, on the other hand, is in uncharted territory, having advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time. It helped that they faced Japan, rather than one of the major European powers (England, France, Germany), who knocked out Paraguay the last time they got that far. Will Spain administer a similar beat-down? My pick: España - David Villa and Co. will find just enough room to maneuver through the tight defensa Paraguaya.