FIFA World Cup Recap: Round of 16 Wrapped!
Image Credit: Men’s Journal
QATAR — We’re getting closer and closer to the FIFA World Cup Final, and the number of teams has once again been cut in half from 16 to eight. Here’s how it went down!
The first match-up was between the Netherlands and the USA. The Outlaws had a chance early on to go ahead through Christian Pulisic but couldn’t convert their chance.
A few minutes later, the Dutch made use of the USA’s poor positioning and weaved together a series of good passes, resulting in a fine finish from Memphis Depay. They continued to utilize the right flank and punished the States one more time before the break, with Daley Blind making it two.
The USA would come out in the second half playing much more attacking football. Several chances from Pulisic, Weah, and Wright would fall for them, with Haji Wright scoring an impressive goal.
A pass from Pulisic was flicked in such a way that sent the ball sky-high and falling into the back of the net. However, their hope would be short-lived, as an open Dumfries would put the third past Matt Turner, making the final score 3-1 to the Dutch.
Image Credit: Eurosport
The second game saw Lionel Messi’s Argentina face Australia’s Socceroos. And, of course, it would be Messi that got the first goal of the game and his first knockout goal in the World Cup, with a low strike going past Matt Ryan in the first half.
In the second half, a pass back nearly resulted in an Australian equalizer before Emi Martinez cleared the ball. Matt Ryan was in a similar situation just a few minutes later, but he wouldn’t be as lucky, as Julian Alveraz robbed him of possession and made easy meat of a second goal.
Craig Goodwin would have a fabulous strike in the 77th minute, which took a deflection off of Enzo Fernandez and ended up in the back of his own net. After a nervy last few minutes, Argentina would keep the score to 2-1, sending them through to the quarter-finals.
The next match-up pitted 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia against Japan. A bit of back and forth in the first half saw the Japanese get the game’s first goal through Daizen Maeda just before halftime. Croatia wouldn’t stay down for long, as a thumping header from Ivan Perisic would fly past Gonda.
A lot more back and forth between the two sides dragged the game to extra time, just to result in a penalty shootout. Dominik Livakovic would prove to be the hero, denying Japan three times in the shootout to send his country through to the next round.
The following match that day would see heavy favorites Brazil take on South Korea. Vinicius Jr. would open the scoring within 10 minutes. A returning Neymar would get his country’s second goal through a penalty kick. South Korea wouldn’t give up easily and made an attempt on goal, only to be denied by an outstretched Allison.
Just before the half-hour mark, Richarilson’s trademark control would be key to another Brazilian goal, as a smart passage of play put him behind the Korean lines, making it three for the South American side. Lucas Paqueta would be responsible for Brazil’s fourth, finishing with a fine volley following a quick counterattack.
South Korea did manage to take something away from this game, as a smashing strike from Paik Seung-Ho would gift the Korean Tigers a goal, ending the game 4-1.
Image Credit: Eurosport
The next game saw defending champions France take on Poland. The French would get off to a decent start with Olivier Giroud scoring a goal in the first half, which made him France’s all-time leading goalscorer, with the goal being his 52nd.
The final 15 minutes saw Kylian Mbappe bury two fantastic strikes, showing the world why he’s one of the best finishers in the game. Robert Lewandowski would convert his penalty in the 98th minute, making the final score 3-1.
Following the France vs. Poland match, England faced off against African champions Senegal. Senegal was denied a possible penalty following a possible handball by John Stones. The Lions of Teranga felt they had been done dirty, as Jordan Henderson would score the opening goal just a few minutes before halftime.
An English counterattack just before the whistle saw Harry Kane score his first of the tournament, doubling his nation’s lead. England kept piling the pressure in the second half, with Bukayo Saka giving his country their third goal and his third for this campaign. However, that would be the end of it, giving the Three Lions a spot in the quarter-finals and their third clean sheet in a row.
The last day of the Round of 16 delivered some of the biggest fireworks. The first game saw Morocco take on Spain. Las Rojas nearly put themselves up front in the 25th minute, but the Atlas Lions held firm and denied all of their attempts. Morocco would also have a few good chances but was unable to benefit from any of them, sending both teams into halftime scoreless.
The second half saw more of the same, with Unai Simon and Yassine Bounou keeping their respective nets empty for the whole game. Extra time was more similar, with Spain getting several chances to get ahead. The game would go down to penalties.
To many people’s shocking surprise, Morocco would go on to the next round, with Bounou not letting a single penalty get past him. He’ll forever be remembered as a national hero, as Morocco is the first Arab nation in history and the fourth African nation to progress to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
Image Credit: The Telegraph
Prior to the Portugal vs. Swizterland match, Cristiano Ronaldo had been benched, with Goncalo Ramos picked to be the main striker. Many understandably became concerned with Fernando Santo’s decision, but Ramos turned out to be the difference maker.
He would score his first World Cup goal within the first 20 minutes. A towering Pepe header from a corner not 10 minutes later would double Portugal’s lead going into halftime. The rampage of Ramos would carry on in the second half, as he scored his second in less than 10 minutes.
The floodgates would open from there, with Guerreiro putting in his team’s fourth of the day. Manchester City center-back Akanji would get one back for his country in the 58th minute, but it would be futile as Ramos would complete his hattrick less than 10 minutes later.
Finally, Rafael Leao would put the final nail in the coffin for Swizterland after a fine finish put his team 6-1 up. With this performance, there’s a big question mark as to what happens to Ronaldo.
With the Round of 16 wrapped up, the quarter-finals look like this:
Croatia vs. Brazil (Friday, Dec. 9, 10 AM EST)
Netherlands vs. Argentina (Friday, Dec. 9, 2 PM EST)
England vs. France (Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 PM EST)
Morocco vs. Portugal (Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 AM EST)
With eight top-quality teams left, the question remains; who will be lifting the trophy on December 18?