The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and it’s in full swing with the Round of 16 underway.
The United States is out of the World Cup after losing 4-1 in the Round of 16 on Monday against Belgium. Belgium thoroughly outplayed America in Seattle and the United States had too many poor defensive mistakes and couldn’t create enough chances on offense.
It was the United States’ fourth Round of 16 appearance since 2000, with only one trip to the quarterfinals. There have been plenty of questions about this group since the end of that game and they won’t stop for a while with the host nation out.
But what’s going on with the rest of the World Cup? There are plenty of important games for bettors, fans and interested viewers looking to learn more about the beautiful game. The knockout games have been fantastic. Whether it was one-goal games, stunning comebacks, or star players delivering iconic moments, the Round 32 and Round of 16 had everything.
Now, the World Cup quarterfinals are upon us, starting on Thursday. The Round of 16 was fantastic, and once again, Argentina came back from a two-goal deficit to stun its opponent and advance. Other than the United States game, six of the seven games in the Round of 16 were decided by a goal or less.
Every couple of days, there will be a non-USA World Cup roundup recapping the tournament. This is the ninth installment of that series.
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
What happened: It was a star-studded matchup in New Jersey, but the fireworks didn’t start until late in the second half. Brazil had a golden opportunity in the first half with a penalty kick, but Bruno Guimarães hesitated before the kick and it was saved.
Brazil continued to pressure with good looks, but Norway’s star forward, Erling Haaland, struck first. The massive forward received a cross from the left side of the 18-yard box and headed it home into the right side of the net for the 1-0 lead in the 79th minute. Eleven minutes later, Haaland scored again. He received a pass at the top left corner of the 18-yard box and shot a rocket on the ground into the lower right corner.
The South American squad got on the board late in stoppage time. Aging Brazilian star Neymar finished a penalty kick in the 100th minute, but it wasn’t enough as Norway rejoiced with a historic victory for its program.
Ramifications: Norway advanced into the quarterfinals with the win for the first time and will play England on Saturday. Brazil, the country with the most World Cups, leaves the tournament disappointed once again with the loss.
Where: Estadio Banorte, Mexico City
What happened: Despite playing a road game in a crazy environment, England struck first late in the first half. England played a cross from the right side on the goal line and found a poorly marked Jude Bellingham, who headed the ball in from close range for the 1-0 England lead in the 36th minute. Only two minutes later, Bellingham scored again, with Bellingham scoring again from close range. It was a transition attack and a pass from Harry Kane to set up Bellingham.
The action didn’t slow down before the half ended. Mexico responded in the 42nd minute. A free kick was played in from the left side and the ball bounced to Julián Quiñones, who smashed it into the roof of the goal to cut the deficit to 2-1.
In the second half, both teams had so many close chances, although England went down to 10 men in the 54th minute. Despite this, England was given a great chance in the 60th minute with a penalty kick, which Kane finished for the 3-1 lead.
Raúl Jiménez finished a penalty kick in the 69th minute to cut Mexico’s deficit to 3-2, but despite controlling 67% of possession and having a 20-6 shots advantage, Mexico couldn’t find the equalizer.
Ramifications: England advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will play Norway on Saturday. Mexico’s stellar World Cup ends, and it hasn’t reached the quarterfinals since 1986.
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
What happened: Portugal and Spain both had realistic goals of advancing far in the tournament, and the first half was a stalemate at 0-0, with each team creating chances.
However, Spain’s 55% possession and 15-10 shots advantage finally paid off early in stoppage time. Spain played a beautiful short pass into space for Mikel Merino at the top of the box, and Merino finished in the lower left corner for the lead and win.
Ramifications: Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites, advanced to play Belgium in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Spanish defense still hasn’t allowed a goal. Portugal’s World Cup is over, and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo just finished his World Cup career.
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
What happened: Argentina got off to another slow start after its poor start in the Round of 32 against Cape Verde, and Egypt took advantage. A long cross was played in from the right side, and Yasser Ibrahim elevated over his defender in the box to head the ball home for the 1-0 Egypt lead in the 14th minute.
Egypt took that 1-0 lead into the second half and looked like it increased it to 2-0 in the 57th minute on a counterattack. However, on a controversial call from VAR, a foul that occurred well before and on the opposite side of the field wiped away that goal. But Egypt quickly regrouped and scored in the 67th minute. A great run toward the end line on the right side resulted in a good pass across the goal to Mostafa Zico, who finished with one touch for the 2-0 Egypt lead.
Argentina wasn’t panicking, though. Superstar Lionel Messi played a ball deep into the box and Cristian Romero barely headed it past the Egyptian keeper and into the net in the 79th minute. Four minutes later, Messi tied the game. He played the initial ball into the box and after a few missed shots and clears, Messi got another chance. He hit a bouncing ball off the crossbar and in from close range to tie the game.
The South American team’s comeback was completed in the 92nd minute in stoppage time. A cross from the right side found Enzo Fernández on the far post, who headed the ball back into the right side of the net.
Ramifications: Argentina’s World Cup title defense lives on another day after another improbable comeback. Argentina will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Saturday, while Egypt’s tournament is over.
Where: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
What happened: Both teams had goal-scoring opportunities in both halves, but Columbia pressure more, especially at the end of regulation. Colombia nearly scored on a header that hit the crossbar in extra time and skied a great chance at the end of extra time. Regardless, the match went into penalty kicks.
Colombia was the first to miss, with a strike hitting the crossbar and bouncing down but not over the goal line with Colombia’s second kick. Switzerland missed its third kick over the net to give Colombia life, but Colombia’s next kick was saved. Switzerland made its next two kicks to win, 4-3.
Ramifications: Switzerland returns to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 and will play Argentina on Saturday. Columbia’s tournament is over.