Eight teams get ready for knockout stage Eight countries will go into the last round of group matches which begin on Tuesday secure in the knowledge they are already through to the last 16 of the World Cup. Brazil advance but France struggle Brazil overcame a battling Australia to advance to the World Cup's last 16 on Sunday but France were left struggling for survival despite ending an eight-year goal drought. Spread of Bird Flu Boosts Pandemic Chances The spread of bird flu from Asia to eastern Europe and now west Africa has increased the chance the virus will mutate and set off a pandemic, the U.N. bird flu chief said.