The knockout stages continue to burn through the continent and the footballing gods have served up a double-header of pure European pedigree that will have fans across Ireland completely abandoning any plans for a productive evening.

There’s Iberian panache versus Alpine efficiency with the glitzy backdrop of Los Angeles, as Spain take on Austria. This is a fascinating clash of styles: the sleek, technical fluidity of a youthful Spanish side going head-to-head against Ralf Rangnick’s relentless, heavy-metal pressing machine. Getting out of the group was Austria’s goal and anything else is pure gravy. If they can throw off the shackles and disrupt Spain’s rhythm early under the California sun, the tournament favourites will find themselves pulled into a proper, unglamorous dogfight.

Next up on the bill in Toronto, there’s an absolute blockbuster as Portugal square off against Croatia. Having navigated their way through a distinctly bumpy group stage, Roberto Martínez’s side now run straight into the ultimate tournament specialists. Critics and pundits all have their opinion on whether Ronaldo should start, but with an incredible 145 international goals to his name – and having recently pushed past Eusébio’s record of 9 to become Portugal’s all-time top scorer at the FIFA World Cup – don’t expect him to be warming a seat on the bench. Croatia, anchored by their timeless midfield orchestrators, absolutely thrive in these win-or-bust scenarios. It’s an unforgiving, high-stakes collision where a single defensive miscalculation will send one of the continent’s glamour heavyweights packing.

The knockout matrix is narrowing, the margin for error has shrunk to millimetres, and there are absolutely no second chances left.

Whatever happens on that pitch, The Heat Map won’t let you down.