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We have had a thrilling start to the knockout stages in the most exciting World Cup we have had for a number of years. We’ve had eight matches in the round of 16, all of which have thrown up a story or two.
France knocked out Argentina in the tie of the round, with Kylian Mbappe the star of the show, scoring twice. Later on, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Lionel Messi in leaving Russia early, when Portugal were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay.
Spain were the shock casualties of the round, going out on penalties to hosts Russia, who despite all the pre-tournament doubts and criticism, reached the quarter finals for the first time since 1970. In that quarter final they will play Croatia, who also won on penalties, beating Denmark in a dramatic shootout.
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Brazil are still favourites for the title with the bookies, and they eased to the quarter finals with a win over Mexico, who it looks liked peaked too early with their surprise win over Germany in their opening game. They set up a mouth-watering tie with Belgium, who snatched a last-minute victory over Japan, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Sweden progressed past the round of 16 for the first time since 1994 with a 1-0 win over Switzerland, in what was perhaps the least exciting of the ties. Sweden’s opponents in the quarter finals will be England, who finally ended their penalty shootout hoodoo with a win over Colombia, with Jordan Pickford the hero.
There were some standout individual performances in the round of 16, and these were the players who put in the best ones.
Goalkeeper
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark)
Sadly, his nation’s game with Croatia was the final one Schmeichel will play at this tournament, but he certainly made his mark with a superb performance. He sent the game to penalties, denying Luka Modric in the final minutes of extra time.
He made an impact in the shootout as well. He saved from Milan Badelj, and later Josip Pivaric, but it wasn’t enough to keep his side in the tournament.
Defenders
Benjamin Pavard (France)
Pavard hasn’t always looked comfortable at right-back for France this tournament, given that he is naturally a centre-back, and that is where he played for Stuttgart all of last season, but his strike against Argentina was not one of a right-back.
His half volley was sensational, and worthy of a place in the quarter finals. It was probably the goal of the tournament so far, and a moment of brilliance from the last man France would have expected it from.
Harry Maguire (England)
What a brilliant tournament Maguire is having so far. Two years ago, the Leicester man travelled to France as a supporter to see England play in the European Championships, and now he is a key man in the squad.
It’s not just his defensive stability that’s impressive with Maguire, it’s his ability to bring the ball out of defence and into midfield. This was crucial against Colombia, because he was able to help England outnumber Colombia in the centre of the park, and control play.
John Stones (England)
There have regularly been doubts over Stones in the centre of defence. His ability is undeniable, but it’s been his decision making that has often come into question.
Not on Tuesday night though, when he produced a brilliant defensive performance to help send England into the quarter finals. We didn’t see too much of him on the ball, but he did an excellent job of keeping the dangerous Radamel Falcao quiet.
Ilya Kutepov (Russia)
There was so much negativity surrounding this Russia team going into the tournament, but they have proved all their doubters wrong by reaching the quarter finals. They put in a fine defensive display against Spain, and Kutepov was right at the heart of that. Admittedly, they weren’t tested by Spain the way they would have expected to be, but Russia kept things tight, and denied Spain too many chances to create an opening.
Midfielders
N’Golo Kante (France)
It isn’t often that Kante has a bad game, and we are yet to see one from him at the World Cup. The amount of ground he covers in midfield is incredible, and the job he does for this French side allows their attacking talent to express themselves without the worry of being hit on the counter attack. He also seems to have helped in bringing out the best in Paul Pogba, which is crucial to France’s hopes of going all the way in Russia.
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)
Croatia have a wealth of top players in midfield, and it was Ivan Rakitic who stood out from those players in their game with Denmark. It may not have been the most exciting game for the neutral, but Rakitic kept the ball well in midfield, and his partnership with Luka Modric in the middle of the park continues to look incredibly strong. Rakitic capped his performance by scoring the winning penalty in the shootout to send Croatia through.
Nacer Chadli (Belgium)
He may have only got half an hour on the pitch, but there is no underestimating the impact Chadli had for Belgium. He came on with his side 2-0 down, facing a shock elimination at the hands of Japan, but he changed the game.
His energy bought a different dimension to the way they played, and he gave the Japanese defence something different to think about. He also popped up in the final minute to score and send them into the quarter finals.
Forwards
Kylian Mbappe (France)
What a sensation this teenager is!
Lionel Messi was expected to be the centre of attention when Argentina and France lined-up, but all eyes were on Mbappe at the final whistle. He became the first teenager since Pele to score twice in a World Cup knockout match, and he also produced a brilliant run to help win the penalty from which France went ahead. It takes quite something to be the star man of a team containing the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba at the age of 19, but Mbappe’s got it all.
Willian (Brazil)
Neymar took the headlines for all the right and wrong reasons after Brazil’s game against Mexico. Sadly, it was mainly for the wrong reasons, after he came up with yet another overreaction after being stood on by Miguel Layun. Willian however put in a key performance, and was key to everything that Brazil did well. He helped set up Neymar’s goal with a good run and cross. You feel he will need to be at his best if they are to go all the way.
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
In the last two World Cups, it has been Luis Suarez who has taken all the headlines for Uruguay, but it was finally Cavani who takes the credit after his double against Portugal sent them through to the quarters.
He linked well with the Barcelona man for the first goal, which seemed to go in off his face, before brilliantly curling home the winner. There are concerns over his fitness heading into the quarter finals, and Uruguay will need him to be back at his best if they are to progress.
