Women's World Cup: What to expect on Day 17

The group stages are in the rearview mirror and Vera Pauw's Republic of Ireland squad have already been welcomed home but for the 16 teams left standing in Australia and New Zealand, it's time for the unforgiving gauntlet of the knockout rounds and it all kicks off on Saturday.

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Until they ran into Japan in their final group game, Spain's progression had been serene despite the months of turmoil between last summer's European Championships and the start of the World Cup.

Zambia were swept aside 5-0 after the Spanish had opened up with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Costa Rica.

But with qualification to the last-16 already assured, a 4-0 defeat to an impressive Japanese side dented their momentum and they now face a tricky clash against a Switzerland side that topped a Group A featuring Norway and co-hosts New Zealand.

The Swiss have been defensively durable, not conceding a single goal, although they have not been prolific with their only goals coming in the 2-0 win over the Philippines, prior to pragmatic goalless draws against Norway and New Zealand.

Armed with the firepower of striker Jennifer Hermoso, youngster Salma Paralluelo and the creativity and control of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí behind them, Spain will be favourites to be the first side to book a quarter-final spot.

But they will be rightly wary of Switzerland's ability to turn the Eden Park match into cagey contest, with manager Jorge Vilda warning: "Switzerland have something very valuable that in three games no one scored a goal against them. That means that the defence is very solid."

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It's been a tournament of shocks and Norway could have found themselves among the traditional