It may not have featured as many goals as previous editions, but this has been one of the most entertaining World Cups in recent memory.
Hands up who was mesmerised by France’s 4-3 win over Argentina on Sunday morning?
There was one player who starred above all else whose surname started with M, but it certainly wasn’t Lionel Messi.
A few Aussies might have missed it since it was on in the early hours after a Socceroos game, but Kylian Mbappe terrorised Peru in France’s earlier 1-0 group stage win.
So his virtuoso one-man wrecking ball routine against Argentina should have come as no surprise.
Mbappe was simply unstoppable – using his searing pace to win an early penalty, skipping past a static Argentine defence to poke home France’s third on his left, and side-footing home the decisive goal with his right.
It was as good an individual performance as we’ve seen in this World Cup, and it was a familiar sight to anyone who watched a Paris Saint-Germain game last season.
Mbappe was such a star for the French champions, there was a rumour Neymar complained to the club’s hierarchy about his influence on the team.
It’s unlikely the French moneybags can hold on to the teenager for much longer – he only recently became the second-most expensive signing in the sport’s history behind Neymar, after originally joining Paris Saint-Germain on loan from Monaco – and surely the rangy attacker can take his pick from the world’s biggest clubs.
But it’s not like Mbappe is the only player to have turned on the style.
Regardless of what happened in this morning’s Round of 16 showdown between Croatia and Denmark, Luka Modric has already reinforced his status as one of the world’s best creative talents.
Where many expected Christian Eriksen to dominate the group stage, instead it’s been Croatia’s impish playmaker who has really stolen the show.
No wonder Modric has won three UEFA Champions League titles in a row with Real Madrid. He’s the beating heartbeat of a supremely talented Croatian team.
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Uruguay are a different beast, and they rely heavily on star duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. But why wouldn’t they when they boast a couple of finishers like those two?
Suarez crossed for Cavani to open the scoring in the 2-1 win over Portugal – although I’m not sure it wasn’t actually meant as a shot – and Cavani, as tends to be his way, looked like he may even have headed the ball into his shoulder on the way in.
There was no doubting the quality of his second finish though, and for all the talk of Suarez being the main man for Uruguay, it’s actually Cavani who scores the bulk of their goals.
(Photo by XIN LI/Getty Images)
Uruguay’s hard-fought win over Portugal means Cristiano Ronaldo is now out of the tournament, where he’ll join his arch-rival Lionel Messi in watching the rest of the World Cup on TV.
They may be stars for their respective club sides, but perhaps what Portugal’s and Argentina’s early exit demonstrates is how hard it is to win a major tournament when you’re not surrounded by the world’s best players in every other position.
That said, Argentina will go down alongside Germany as one of the most disappointing performers in the World Cup – and it remains to be seen how far Neymar can take a pedestrian-looking Brazil side as well.
But whatever happens from here on in, this has still be one of the most entertaining World Cups in recent years.
Yes, the VAR has played a significant role – but if it’s going to be a factor, it may as well be one on the biggest stage of all.
It’s just nice to watch some football without worrying about off-field issues.
No doubt they exist for the nations involved. Fortunately for us, we can simply enjoy what’s happening on the pitch.
Aethelbert
Guest
Whoops, this is what happens when a wsw fan thinks they actually know football.
Oldpsyco
Guest
One Word Mike ! RUBBISH!
Midfielder
Guest
Matches last night sublime
Geoff
Guest
He said 100 meter sprinters as in; very high quality sprinters whose one job is to run. Not necessarily the greatest sprinter of all time. Seemed pretty obvious
Redondo
Guest
Swedish TV clocked him at 39 kmh for that goal.
marron
Guest
You are right james. I've stopped being impressed by his run now.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Bolt 44.72kmh during WR.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah I’ve 2 words for him. Tim. Cahill.
Raimond
Roar Guru
As someone who hasn't watched a lot of futbol in the last twenty years, I was irritated by Spain's "pass the parcel" playing style last night. I was happy that the Russians won.
jameswm
Roar Guru
50/50
Will
Guest
I also enjoyed 1998, 2006 and 2014 in the same way. All about scoring goals and having a go, I felt Spain really showed there football has gone outdated and needs a re-tweak. For me Brazil are still favourites, but I really appreciate Croatia and the talent they have. They also have another golden generation although the 1998 was also special too but this team can go to a semi finals as well maybe the final like the previous one.
MQ
Guest
When you've seen as many world cups as I have, it all becomes a bit of a blur, especially when over the journey the vast majority of games have been seen in the middle of the night. Plenty to recommend the opening two games of the group of 16, but last night.... Three of the four teams were happy to take it all the way to pens, and to be frank, there is nothing more dreary and dull than yet another penalty shoot out. Ho hum. As for the Russians, their effort reminded me of the two second round games the Soviet Union played back in 1982 (probably the low point of that particular WC). Let us hope we don't have to witness that type of football anymore for the remainder of the tournament, and please, no more dreary penalty shoot outs!!
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Curious to how much theatrics will prevail with Uruguay v France game, although Le frogs seem to have toned it down a bit since the Socceroos game, they can still show their passion for the art that is 'simulation'. On the other side we have Suarez who is most prolific at such but not exactly the best at the art, especially when the cameras have caught him out for feigning an elbow into the back of the head when there has been a very noticeable 4 inch air gap instead. Brazil/Mexico is going to be a belter as well just like Columbia/England. Its all to play for and has been one of my most memorable as well, plaudits to the Ruskies.......they've probably changed the perception most had of their country, seemingly well planned and beautiful cities, fantastic ammenities, stadiums alike and welcoming people from what i've read and heard. Far cry of what some elements were portrayed by media outlets over the past 12 months, then again it may be that the very smart & cunning Putin realised quite some time ago that this W.C. was a stage to showcase his country thru an almost perfect sporting tournament. Can anyone imagine the outcry and damnation if any host nation 'ultras' were to wake up in a bad mood a go for a walk thru a beer garden or two?
Mark
Guest
I think it’s a bit of both. Spain is not the team it was 8 years ago. But teams have largely worked out how to neutralise ‘tiki taka’ football and it is not as effective as it once was. Leicester’s EPL won was the start of the decline for heavily possession focussed football.
Onside
Guest
"This has been one of the best World Cups in years' Greater interest in the game in Australia, and EVERY soccerroo either plays, or has played in the A-League. Who would have believed, three FIFA world cups ago, the foundation of the World Cup team would be HAL.
AGO74
Guest
Gloating from chippy English would be offset (partly) by watching Vladimir Putin cringe at the English winning in his backyard.
Cool and Cold
Guest
Seems the new excitement has made some forgotten the meaning of team. Yes, if the measurement is according to ranking then Spain is better than many teams below it. However, the measurement of better team is by number of goals, legitimate goals, in a certain match. A better team is not necessarily a collection of best players in the world. How about if they can't gel together? Secondly, if a team has all the very good players but a very bad goalie, what would happen? This team may, or likely to, lose the match. A better "team" is not necessarily the better "men-together" .
Redondo
Guest
Chris - that is a very very good point. Go England!
Redondo
Guest
Hagi ‘94 is one of my all-time favourite World Cup performances
James
Guest
Since the start of 2017 they have played 17 games and only won 8. I think Argentina played exactly to their ability.