Eight nations advanced to the final stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a tense Round of 16. This stage brought numerous exciting moments, dramatic turns, and unexpected defeats, bringing the selected teams closer to the tournament's main goal, while other teams failed.
Top Players and Matches of the Tour
Lionel Messi from Argentina was named Player of the Tour, demonstrating a masterclass, possibly the best and last of his career at the World Cup. The Argentine maestro directed the game in the 3-2 victory over Egypt on Tuesday evening, scoring a goal and providing an assist, bringing his tournament tally to eight goals.
The most striking match of the tour was the Argentina versus Egypt game, which ended 3-2. Until the 79th minute, it seemed Egypt could reach the quarterfinals for the first time in history. However, a four-minute burst of brilliant play, backed by the indomitable will of Messi and his teammates, completely changed the course of the match and reminded everyone why Argentina is the reigning champion.
England's Performance and Surprises
Despite England being criticized for its rigid and uninspiring structure, even with world-class players in the squad, the individual brilliance of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane proved enough to secure a tough 3-2 victory over host Mexico.
One of the biggest surprises was Colombia's elimination by Switzerland. Colombia, possessing an elite squad, was expected to advance to the quarterfinals without much trouble. Instead, the powerful attack of Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez, and Luis Suárez was neutralized by Switzerland's solid defense for over two hours, leading to a painful 4-3 loss on penalties.
Disappointing Performances and Scandals
Portugal was among the most disappointed. Cristiano Ronaldo, who announced this would be his last World Cup, was expected to lead Portugal deep into the tournament, but Spain eliminated their Iberian neighbors, ensuring that 'CR7' would end his legendary international career without a World Cup trophy.
In an unusual turn of events, US President Donald Trump publicly pressured the FIFA disciplinary committee, demanding the overturning of a foul card given to US national team player Folarin Balogun before the match against Belgium. Surprisingly, the football governing body agreed with this demand, highlighting fundamental institutional flaws within the federation.
Young Talents and Records
Disarez Doué became a real discovery for the French national team. Although media attention was naturally focused on captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, this young player quietly and effectively did his job, notably scoring the decisive penalty in France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay.
The Argentine captain continues to break football records. By scoring his ninth goal in the tournament, he increased his all-time World Cup record to 21 goals. Furthermore, his assist against Egypt allowed him to surpass Diego Maradona's long-standing World Cup assist record of eight.