Recap Of 2018 FIFA World Cup Round Of 16

The second stage {round-of-16} of the 2018 FIFA world cup rounded up on Tuesday, July 3, with more action, reactions, thrillers and suspense filled matches than anticipated.

The round of 16 witnessed the exit of many dominant football giants, individual stars and impressive team actions that made the early stages of the tournament worth all the hype.

France 4-3 Argentina

Lionel Messi’s Argentine army were the first team to crash out of the knockout stage courtesy of an unstoppable performance by Kylian Mbappe.
PSG forward, Kylian Mbappe completed a rousing comeback for France as they defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina 4-3 in the knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA world cup.
Argentina washed of memories of their poor group-stage performance, as they earned the lead three minutes into the second half after Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann opened the goal-fest from the spot-kick in the 13th minute. Angel Di Maria scored the equalizer in the 41st minute with a sublime finisher. Gabriel Mercado gave Argentina the most unlikely lead in the 48th minute, when he capitalized on a blocked shot from Lionel Messi.

Uruguay Vs Portugal

A spectacular double from PSG top-striker, Edison Cavani, launched Uruguay into the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA world cup, as Portugal crashed out of the tournament.
The match was really all about Edison Cavani, as his man of the match performance ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of winning a world cup tournament in his trophy-laden career.
Uruguay opened the scoring 7 minutes after kickoff courtesy of a smooth header from Edison Cavani. Pepe dragged Portugal into the match in the 55th minute, but Cavani resounded his name as the man of the night with a sublime finisher in the 62nd minute.

Spain Vs Russia

World Cup hosts Russia sprang a huge surprise as they beat 2010 winners Spain in the first penalty shootout of the 2018 World Cup to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 48 years.
After extra-time ended with the score locked at 1-1, goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was Russia’s penalty hero, denying Koke and then Iago Aspas to spark scenes of delirious celebration at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
His opposite number, David de Gea, got a hand to the first spot-kick he faced – from Fedor Smolov – but that was the closest he came to making a save as the Russians converted their remaining penalties in clinical fashion.

Croatia Vs Denmark

Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic turned out to be the man of the night as he scored the final penalty kick for Croatia to launch them into the quarterfinal stage of the 2018 FIFA world cup.
Denmark resounded their interest to breeze past the knockout stage of the tournament when Mathias Joergensen scored the opening goal few seconds after kickoff to give the Danish team the lead, but Juventus top-striker, Mario Mandzukic brought Croatia back into match when he scored an equalizer few minutes later.

Brazil Vs Mexico

Brazil sealed their spot in the quarterfinal of the 2018 FIFA world cup, courtesy of two stunning goals from Neymar Dos Santos and Roberto Firmino.
The Samba Boys took the lead in the 51st minute, when the most expensive footballer on earth, Neymar scored a close-range shot after the North Americans maintained a defensive game throughout the early moments of the match.

Belgium Vs Japan

Belgium completed a remarkable revival as they came from the World Cup abyss and beat Japan to reach the quarter-finals.
Roberto Martinez’s side were trailing 2-0 when he brought on Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli in the 65th minute, and Fellaini scored the equaliser before Chadli netted a 94th-minute winner. They now face Brazil in the last eight on Friday.

Sweden Vs Switzerland

Sweden is through to the World Cup quarter-finals after beating Switzerland 1-0 on Tuesday.
RB Leipzig winger, Emil Forsberg’s winner sends Sweden through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since USA ’94, and they will face the winner of England Vs Colombia round of 16 games, in last eight. Forsberg’s 66th-minute shot was deflected into the top corner to give Sweden lead, as Switzerland’s Michael Lang was sent off for a late foul in the clash that took place at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russia.

Colombia Vs England

England‘s new generation ended the World Cup penalty jinx by knocking out Colombia on spot kicks to reach the quarter-finals.
Eric Dier scored the winning kick after Jordan Pickford’s brilliant save from Carlos Bacca’s attempt, with England’s first ever World Cup shootout win setting up a meeting with Sweden in Samara on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Getty

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