World Cup of Pundits reaches knockouts as Roy Keane meets Lineker in last-16

The World Cup of Pundits has reached the knockout phase as the field has dramatically been halved – with last year's final set to be replayed.

A total of 32 of the best pundits the country has to offer entered the competition but now only 16 remain.

Daily Star readers have all been busy voting for who they want to see in the knockouts – and it ultimately means that a number of big names have already fallen by the wayside.

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The likes of Robbie Savage, Simon Jordan and Jamie O’Hara were all unable to make it past the group phase – and they're not the only surprise names who've been kicked out of the competition.

So without further ado, here's who you have put through as well as all of our round of 16 ties.

Don't forget to let us know in the comments below who you are voting for and sign up for the Daily Star newsletter for all of the news and results from the tournament.

You can let your favourite pundits know on social media that you're supporting them and congratulate them for getting through the groups.

Who do you think will win the Daily Star World Cup of Pundits? Let us know in the comments section below

In a tightly-contested opening group, Gary Neville came out on top followed by Daily Star columnist Paul Merson (he's one of our own!) – knocking out Simon Jordan and Michael Owen.

Meanwhile, Group B saw Alex Scott came out on top with Aston Villa hero Gabriel Agbonlahor in second place meaning Josep Pedrerol and Eni Aluko leave the competition.

That sets up our first two round of 16 ties with Gary Neville taking on Gabriel Agbonlahor while Alex Scott will face Paul Merson.

In Group C Match of the Day regulars Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker booked their places in the next round at the expense of Jermaine Jenas and Sue Smith.

Last year's winner Roy Keane and Chelsea Women's boss Emma Hayes are through from Group D, knocking out Jamie O'Hara and Clinton Morrison.

Those results set up a replay of last year's final between Gary Lineker and Roy Keane in the round of 16, while Alan Shearer will face Emma Hayes.

That brings us to Group E, where steely Graeme Souness came out on top followed by Rio Ferdinand in second, knocking out Robbie Savage and Peter Crouch.

And in Group F Alan Sugar's biggest fan Ian Wright finished first with Ally McCoist in second place as Lee Dixon and Glen Hoddle were dumped out of the tournament.

It means Graeme Souness will face Ally McCoist and Ian Wright goes up against Rio Ferdinand in the round of 16.

In Group G Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp are through at the expense of Steve McManaman and Dion Dublin.

While in our final group, Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry booked their places in the knockout round as Karen Carney and Lucy Ward were knocked out.

That makes our final round of 16 ties Micah Richards vs Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher vs Jamie Redknapp.

World Cup of Pundits group stage results

Group A

Gary Neville

Paul Merson

—————-

Simon Jordan

Michael Owen

Group B

Alex Scott

Gabriel Agbonlahor

—————-

Josep Pedrerol

Eni Aluko

Group C

Alan Shearer

Gary Lineker

—————-

Jermaine Jenas

Sue Smith

Group D

Roy Keane

Emma Hayes

—————-

Jamie O’Hara

Clinton Morrison

Group E

Graeme Souness

Rio Ferdinand

—————-

Robbie Savage

Peter Crouch

Group F

Ian Wright

Ally McCoist

—————-

Lee Dixon

Glenn Hoddle

Group G

Micah Richards

Jamie Redknapp

—————-

Steve McManaman

Dion Dublin

Group H

Jamie Carragher

Thierry Henry

—————-

Karen Carney

Lucy Ward

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