What happened: Andrés Cubas is in Paraguay's starting lineup for the side's World Cup Round of 16 meeting with Germany. The Vancouver midfielder takes his place in the center of the park for one of the tournament's biggest knockout fixtures.

Why it matters: A knockout berth against Germany is among the most demanding assignments Paraguay can draw, and Cubas' defensive presence in midfield is central to how they manage it. His selection for a match of this magnitude underscores his standing as a fixture in the national-team setup.

What to watch: Attention turns to how deep Paraguay can advance and how quickly Cubas reintegrates with his club after his World Cup run.