Who would have thought the World Cup would be this way? No one saw this coming, not even the ardent football lover with vast experience and exposure. This is the stuff that happens in Virtual games. What a World Cup this is. Woooooow!!!

One after the other, Ronaldo followed Messi out of the World Cup. An official title for country still eludes Messi and i know he will take this exit worse than Ronaldo. He felt he could do this and now the light of that hope is gone.

[Source]

The round of 16 started with France and Argentina. The two have not impressed me so far, so i actually went with Argentina to win. Oh boy!. What a game it was. An absolute thriller, a game to be enjoyed by the winning team and a neutral.

France played better than i thought. They took the lead when their boy wonder; Mbappe burst through and left Argentina's defenders behind like Usain Bolt to his contenders. He was pushed and the referee pointed to the spot. Antoine Griezmann stepped up and converted the spot kick in the 13th minute. What a bright start for them.

Angel Di Maria scored a sensational goal in the 41st minute to draw them level. What a strike that was. I was totally impressed and he came up when the team needed a jolt. This brought Argentina back to life and that was why they took the lead (2-1) in the 48th minute, when Messi's strike was diverted into the back of the net by Mercado. Argentina believed again, even their legend could feel victory is near.

Benjamin Pavard topped Angel Di Maria's strike in the 57th minute with a stunning strike. This kind of strike (goal) is so good for advertisement. It is the kind of goal you would love to watch over and over again. Absolutely stunning. France were not done, as Mbappe's quick feet right inside the box gave France a 3-2 lead in the 64th. You could see the pain and frustration on Messi's face. He went even further in the 68th minute and hit a one time strike to make it 4-2. There is one amazing player on the pitch and it wasn't Messi this time. It was the boy wonder; Mbappe. What a time to come on form. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and frustrated Argentina so much. This was his moment and he didn't share it.

Aguero came on, and gave a frantic finale in the 90th minute when he headed home a great goal from a Messi's brilliant cross. It was beautiful but that was about it. Mbappe didn't share his moment. 4-3 it ended.

Mbappe become the first teenage player, since Pele in 1958, to score two goals in a World Cup match. The boy now has 3 goals in four games in this World Cup and if he continue like this, Harry Kane had better watch his back for that golden ball.

Argentina is out of the World Cup and the pain in their hearts cannot be contained as it emitted through their eyes. What a terrible night it must be for them and most players might not continue for the national team anymore, which was confirmed by Mascherano retiring from the National team after that defeat to France.

[Source]

The other match came up between Portugal and Uruguay. Portugal had all the chances and possessions but it came to nothing as they came up short at the final whistle. Ronaldo would definitely cry more tonight. Tears always trickle down his face in incessant flow.

Edison Cavani gave Uruguay the lead in the 7th minute. What a perfect time to score. The cross was brilliant from Luis Suarez and the header was so good to be kept away from the reach of the goal keeper. Quick thinking that was. What a good goal it was.

Portugal tried to find their way in with several chances and finally, in the 55th minute, Pepe scored with another brilliant header. Game on. Portugal had renewed hope and that hope was tarnished 7 minutes after (62nd minute) when Edison Cavani did it again. What a sweet sweet and delightful goal that was. Wow. Take a bow!. It was with a touch of class. He came up when they needed him and that was it. This is what separate good strikers from the rest; you take your chance when you have the time. He did...with perfection. 2-1 is the final score line.

France will now meet with Uruguay, while Messi and Ronaldo will enjoy the view of Russia again before packing their bags home. It was great to have them ion the World Cup. They compete for everything, now they are even competitive when it comes to who leaves. Their rivalry is out of this world, even in defeat. Hahaha.

I look forward to the matches tomorrow, are you?

Follow @sprtshub, @stach and @stach.pay to keep up with the amazing stuffs going on in this amazing community. Decentralizing the offline and making impact everywhere. I am glad to be a part and it would be nice if you would too.

Join the discord server here: https://discord.gg/ryA7BBE

Thank you for your time.

My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.

Still me,

My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.

Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.