The World Cup bursts back into life on Friday as tournament favourites Brazil take on a Belgium side brimming with talent while a young France team face battle-hardened Uruguay.
Neymar´s Brazil are aiming to win a record-extending sixth World Cup at Moscow´s Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.
But first, the world´s most expensive player and his star-studded supporting cast have to get past Belgium, who boast an array of their firepower, to reach the semi-finals.
In a Kazan Arena expected to be dominated by yellow-clad Brazil fans, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne have a chance to prove they can cut it at the highest international level.
They will have to be wary of attacking threats coming at them from every direction.
"Individually, Brazil are the strongest team in this World Cup," said vastly experienced Belgium defender Vincent Kompany.
"But it doesn´t affect our chances against them. None of us are going to sleep at night thinking ´We have already lost to Brazil´.
"We are going to look them in the eye. But if we make this a match of individuals, then we´ll lose," he said.
Brazil coach Tite said he was desperate to win the match without resorting to the "horror" of penalties after three of the last-16 ties were settled by spot-kicks.
"A football match should never be settled with the horror of penalties. I don´t see that as a valid result," Tite told a packed press conference on Thursday. "For me, there has to be another way."
Brazil made a slow start in Russia but hit their stride with an impressive performance to shut down Mexico in the last round, even though Neymar was roundly criticised for once again play-acting at the merest contact from an opponent.
"If I seem more relaxed, it´s because the players have put me in this position by playing better," said Tite.
