The World Cup that Just Keeps On Giving

Wow. What an amazing World Cup we have experienced so far. As we continue on with the last 16 ties, let’s just first ponder on the big teams that have been eliminated from the tournament so far. Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Spain. These four teams – at the start of the competition in Russia would have been our candidates to fight it out at the tail end of the tournament. However, the shocks and surprises are what we desired at the beginning of the competition and it has truly delivered on that front.

Firstly, there was Germany’s shock defeat to a wonderfully balanced and talented Mexico side, the way in which the South American controlled the mighty Germans – World Cup winners in 2014 – on and off the ball was a joy to behold. Not only did Germany’s campaign spiral out of control from then on, knocked out at the group stage, but its the way in which Joachim Low’s team failed to recapture the kind of form and performances that wowed the whole world in 2014 and last year in the Confederations Cup. A team filled with a perfect blend of experience and of youthful talent, it just wasn’t to be for the Germans. They could not break the mold of previous winners being knocked out in the Group stage in the following tournament. It happened to Italy in 2010 after their 2006 triumph and it also happened to Spain in 2014 following their 2010 victory. Germany followed suit.

Whoever comes out victorious this year will be hoping to break that tradition in four years time. Not only are the mighty Germans out, but also Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal who fell at the hands of dark horses Uruguay and Lionel Messi’s Argentina who failed to overcome the French in what was an enthralling 4-3 encounter in Kazan. Both the two best players in the world right at this moment are out at the last 16 stage. Remarkable.

Now, another giant has fallen with Spain failing to overcome the resilient and gritty hosts Russia paving the way for a potentially thrilling quarter-final tie with Croatia. A match filled with a lot of tension as Spain failed to break down the bus Russia parked in front of them. Attack vs defence was the whole theme of the game as Russia needed penalties to overcome the Spanish armada. 120 minutes of tentative and gritty football, Russia’s game plan worked to perfection. Heart, Spirit and Determination was what the hosts needed to overcome and they duly delivered for their nervous on-watching nation.

To put it simply, this World Cup has been frenetic, energetic, enthralling brimming with excitement. Fantastic goals and a hat full of controversial moments surrounding the implementation of VAR throughout the tournament. From Mexico’s brilliant opening game performance against the Germans to Russia’s hard-fought victory over Spain, the tournament has been edge of seat stuff. With all the uncertainty, negativity and tension in the lead up to the competition regarding the safety and politics of the host nation, this has been a World Cup to remember so far. The best is yet to come as we delve into the latter stages.

Remember Nacho’s volley against Portugal? Quite brilliant. Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark effort against Spain. A night the world stood up once again to Ronaldo’s excellence. Aleksander Golovin’s free-kick against Saudi Arabia was a brilliant effort also. What about Aleksander Kolorov’s free-kick against Costa Rica? What is it about free-kicks in this World Cup? Just goes to show the talent and brilliance on show. Jesse Lingard’s beautifully curled effort against Panama as England routed to a 6-1 victory was also sumptuous which followed a wonderful passing move. Luka Modric’s wonder goal against Argentina, a shot executed to perfection and many more impressive goals have been scored at this summers tournament. Benjamin Pavard’s stunner against Argentina was truly remarkable for a player heavily criticized throughout the World Cup campaign. What a way to silence those haters. A peach of a goal.

It’s not even goals that have been memorable but individual performances that have caught the eye, from the list of Aleksander Golovin’s against Saudi Arabia where he totally dominated the whole game from start to finish, a performance that has caught the eye of a number of big clubs around Europe – Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus to name a few who will all be scouting his services throughout the summer window. What about Luka Modric’s performance against Argentina, a piece of brilliance from a player who has not garnered the amount of praise he deserves for both club and country. Jesse Lingard’s against Panama, Cristiano Ronaldo against Spain was something to behold. Harry Kane’s two goal performance against Tunisia and also his hat-trick against Panama has put him right on course for a Golden Boot triumph. A huge achievement for a player with a massive future for both club and country. Much of England’s hopes this summer resting on his shoulders. Croatia’s goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and his penalty shootout heroics against Denmark was one for the ages taking his nation to the quarter-final. A goalkeeping masterclass.

How about Kylian Mbappe’s performance against Messi’s Argentina. The game where many thought Lionel Messi would take the game by the scruff of the neck and become his country’s savior like his famous counterpart Diego Maradona did in ’86. It was not to be as Paris Saint-Germain’s wonderkid and the future of French football stole the headlines and took Messi’s shine like something out of a Elijah and Elisha biblical encounter – the passing of a heavy mantle unto a student… ‘Out with the Old and in with the New’. Mbappe took on Messi’s mantle and delivered France a chance to right their wrongs after the failure in their own backyard at Euro 2016. Not only was it Mbappe that performed but it was Paul Pogba’s sheer dominance of the whole Argentina midfield that would have impressed his own critics.

Whatever aspect of the World Cup impressed you, there is no doubting that this has been an epic tournament filled with thrills and spills. A World Cup that just keeps on giving superb and memorable moments. With Germany, Spain and Argentina out of the competition. Will we see a dark horse triumph? Croatia? England even? Uruguay? Belgium? Will Mexico? If they overcome the mighty Neymar and Brazil? Or will Brazil finally lift a trophy that has eluded them since 2002. A nation filled with even more heavy expectations now that the some of the big guns have been eliminated. Hold on to your seats as the journey this World Cup has given us is only just beginning as we enter into the meaty part of the knockout stages.

What a tournament.