Fifa World Cup: Argentina, Netherlands eye quarters as Round of 16 kicks off today

Australia take on Lionel Messi's Argentina in a David versus Goliath World Cup showdown, while the United States look to ambush the Netherlands as the World Cup knockout rounds get under way on Saturday.

After a group stage full of twists and turns, the business end of the tournament kicks off with 16 teams plotting a path to the final in Doha on December 18.

The USA and the Netherlands open the second round at the Khalifa Stadium on Saturday, with the Americans aiming to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.

Coach Gregg Berhalter's USA squad booked their spot in the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Iran to secure second place in Group B behind England.

While the Dutch possess the greater historical pedigree, reaching three previous World Cup finals, the USA head into the knockout rounds brimming with confidence.

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"It's a great opportunity, but it's not something that we're going into it thinking it's an honour," Berhalter said.

"We deserve to be in the position we're in."

The US face a Dutch team who finished first in Group A ahead of Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, without really showing their best form.

The Netherlands' veteran coach Louis van Gaal is wary of the threat posed by the energetic Americans, describing Berhalter's team as one of the best in the tournament.

"They have an excellent team, I would say even one of the best teams," said Van Gaal.

"It'll be a tough match but it's nothing we can't overcome. We also have a good team.

"I'm not going to downplay the USA. I think they're an example of what a good team is."

In Saturday's other knockout game, South American giants Argentina face an Australia side who confounded all expectations by getting out from a Group D that included defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia.

However, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is not ready to take anything for granted, having already seen his team suffer a shock loss to Saudi Arabia early on in the tournament.

"Whether or not they are inferior to us remains to be seen. I don't agree that they are. This is football — eleven against eleven," Scaloni said.

"Forget who is theoretically favourites, and let's play football."

Australia coach Graham Arnold meanwhile said he expects the Socceroos to raise their game once more against the star-studded Argentines.

"I just think that Argentina bring the best out of Australia. Our performances every time against Argentina have been very strong and very good," Arnold said.

"Playing against that type of talent, and that name I think resonates right across the world — it's a football nation and it is inspiring to play against them."

The group phase ended in dramatic fashion on Friday, when South Korea reached the knockout phase with an injury-time winning goal against Portugal to set up a meeting with mighty Brazil.

With the clock ticking down at the Education City Stadium, the Koreans knew they needed one more goal against Portugal to leapfrog group rivals Uruguay, who were facing Ghana.