And then there was 16. With 48 matches compressed into 12 days, it's been a thrill-ride of a group stage which culminated in the World Cup contenders being halved.
There has been some significant casualties with Belgium, Germany, Uruguay and Mexico the high-profile exits, and hosts Qatar finishing pointless. While Japan, Morocco, South Korea and Australia have all captured the imagination with their progress.
Switzerland were the last side to make it through, following their 3-2 win over Serbia, while England emerge with the best record from the opening round of the competition.
In comparison to what's preceded it, the knockout stages do allow for the slightest intake of breath but such is the truncated nature of this tournament, the gap between the first last 16 clash - involving Netherlands and the USA - and the final is just over two weeks.
Below is the schedule and the designated broadcaster for each of the next 16 matches, ending with the final on December 18 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium...
Saturday, December 3
- Netherlands v USA, 3pm, BBC 1/iPlayer
- Argentina v Australia, 7pm, BBC 1/iPlayer
Sunday, December 4
- France v Poland, 3pm, BBC 1/iPlayer
- England v Senegal, 7pm, ITV/ITVX
Monday, December 5
- Japan v Croatia, 3pm, BBC 1/iPlayer
- Brazil v South Korea, 7pm, ITV/ITVX
Tuesday, December 6
- Morocco v Spain, 3pm, ITV/ITVX
- Portugal v Switzerland, 7pm, ITV/ITVX
Friday, December 9
- Quarter-Final 1 (Winners from Dec 5), 3pm, TBC
- Quarter-Final 2 (Winners from Dec 3), 7pm, TBC
Saturday, December 10
- Quarter-Final 3 (Winners from Dec 6), 3pm, TBC
- Quarter-Final 4 (Winners from Dec 4), 7pm, TBC
Tuesday, December 13
- Semi-Final 1 (Winners from Dec 9), 7pm, TBC
Wednesday, December 14
- Semi-Final 2 (Winners from Dec 10), 7pm, TBC
Saturday, December 17
- Third Place Play-Off, 3pm, TBC
Sunday, December 18
- Final, 3pm, BBC & ITV
