Oitavos

Oitavos, typically written as oitavas de final, is the term used in Portuguese-speaking contexts to refer to the round of sixteen in knockout tournaments, usually following the group stage. The phrase denotes the stage in which 16 teams compete in eight matches to determine the eight qualifiers for the quarterfinals. The expression is widely used in Brazil and Portugal in football and other team sports.

In most football competitions, the oitavas consist of single-elimination matches. If the score is tied at the end of regular time, extra time and penalties may decide the winner. Depending on the competition, some tournaments use two-legged ties in this phase, with each team playing at home once; the aggregate score determines the winner. The pairing is typically set by a draw.

The term derives from oitavo, meaning the eighth, and is commonly used to denote the Round of 16. It is equivalent to the English “Round of 16,” and in other languages there are similar terms such as octavos de final in Spanish. Usage and specific format can vary by competition and country, but the concept remains: eight matches that decide which teams advance to the quarterfinals.