Throughout his career, Messi has often been an enigma. Messi has now grown as a mature player and leader. Now, he needs his team more, he helps his team, he makes his team play.

Three of the four Moroccan penalty executors did their job perfectly, while their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou blocked the opponents’ two shots and saw another hit the goalpost.

Japan seemed to be enduring in an unwanted déjà vu as it yet again failed to advance beyond the last-16 of the World Cup. The “Samurai Blue” lost to Croatia 1-3 in a penalty shootout.

The bushido spirit is fighting, unyielding, to the end. With this spirit, the Japanese team will face Croatia. However, please remember, along with Luka Modric, Croatia is known as a very creative offensive team.

In contrast to four years ago, Queiroz will not have an emotional reaction from fighting against his former home team, Portugal. This time, Iran will face the US, which has actually doubled their enthusiasm.

Sebagian penggila sepak bola, terutama pekerja migran, menikmati Piala Dunia Qatar tak harus dengan biaya yang mahal, yakni pergi ke zona ”fans” dan memakai jersei tim kebanggaan yang murah meriah tapi menikmati suasana.

Australia menyalakan lagi peluang lolos ke fase gugur setelah di laga kedua penyisihan Grup D Piala Dunia Qatar menang 1-0 atas Tunisia di Stadion Al Janoub, Al Wakrah.

Dua tim di antara Belanda, Ekuador, dan Senegal, akan lolos ke fase gugur Piala Dunia Qatar. Namun, nasib mereka harus ditentukan di putaran ketiga penyisihan Grup A, yaitu Belanda kontra Qatar, Ekuador versus Senegal.