The Russia World Cup's battle quickly escalated to the more brutal knockout stage after a brief respite. The Round of 16 matchups captivated the hearts of billions of fans worldwide. The England Team was stationed at their training base, the atmosphere somber and focused; their match against Colombia was on July 4th. Even during training, the players couldn't completely block out outside information, especially the highly anticipated clashes that could shake the football world.
The first super-focus match was Argentina vs. France. Tonight, the Kazan Arena was packed, with distinct oceans of blue and white, and blue and red. Messi's Argentina faced France, a team swept by a youthful storm.
Before the match, public opinion generally believed it would be an evenly matched contest, with many even favoring the more experienced Argentina to go further, thanks to Messi's flashes of brilliance.
However, the course and result of the match were like a thunderclap, stunning all the fans. The game started with a high-speed offensive rhythm. France Team's youngsters, Griezmann, Pogba, and especially Kylian Mbappé, wearing the number 10, with speed like a lightning bolt, showed breathtaking attacking power. Argentina's defense appeared old and clumsy under France Team's relentless attacks.
The turning point of the match occurred in the 57th minute of the second half. France Team dispossessed the ball in their own half, and Pavard delivered a precise long pass to Lucas Hernández, who was making a high-speed run down the left wing. Hernández swept the ball directly across the goal without stopping it! Griezmann, who was anticipating in the center, attracted the defense, and the ball went through to the far post.
A lightning bolt struck instantly, Pavard. He was like a sharp blade tearing through space, and before Argentina's defender Otamendi could block, he deftly flicked it with the outside of his right foot. The ball went into the net for the equalizer. 2-2!
France Team took the lead again Pavard spread his arms, sliding freely in celebration on the Kazan pitch, his young face filled with unconcealed confidence.
Just seven minutes later, in the 64th minute. France Team came back for more.
Again, they quickly moved the ball from their own half through the midfield, with Pogba delivering a highly penetrating through ball near the center circle. Mbappé understood perfectly and instantly accelerated. His explosive power was fully displayed at this moment. Argentina's defender Rojo chased with all his might, but could only watch in despair as Mbappé's back grew further and further away.
Mbappé broke into the box alone.
Facing Argentina's goalkeeper Armani, he calmly shot into the far corner with his right foot. The ball once again pierced the net. 3-2! Mbappé scored, He sprinted towards the corner flag, receiving the thunderous adoration of the France fans.
Just after a few minutes, Mbappe striked again to make the score 4-2. At this moment, Mbappé became the second player under 20 in World Cup history to score two goals in a single knockout stage match!
Although Argentina later pulled one goal back through Aguero, bringing the score to 3-4, they ultimately could not turn the tide. When the final whistle blew, Messi stood alone near the center circle, his eyes hollow, gazing at the distant, surging blue ocean. This legendary Ballon d'Or winner's dream of winning the World Cup once again came to an abrupt end in the first round of the knockout stage.
France Team, this young elite team with an average age of less than 26, sent the Pampas Eagles home with a 4-3 goal-fest.
In the hotel where the England Team was staying, Oliver and several teammates gathered in front of the big screen in the common lounge area, witnessing the entire thrilling match. When Mbappé scored his second goal, changing the score to 3-2, the entire lounge fell into a stunned silence.
"Holy Shit…" Lingard couldn't help but curse, his eyes wide.
"That speed… it's terrifying…" Rashford mumbled, as a young forward himself, he could better feel the pressure brought by that impact.
Kane was silent, his gaze fixed on the celebrating blue number 10 on the screen. Oliver sat on the sofa in the corner, his hands unconsciously clenched tight, his knuckles slightly white. His inner world was far from as calm as his exterior.
The spirited Mbappé dominating the match on the screen reminded him of his days at Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain training base. The place where he once sweated and chased his dreams.
Oliver still remembered the shock throughout European football when the club's high-level management announced the record-breaking signings of Neymar and Mbappé. What followed was a clear-out of the first team and youth academy. Oliver at the time became one of the players cleared out to make room for the newly arrived superstars and balance the financial fair play regulations. He was informed that his contract would not be renewed, and he was to pack up and leave. That feeling of being swept out the door, the disappointment and unwillingness, still somewhat lingered in his memory.
Fortunately, what's past is past. Mbappé had found his place. Oliver also had his own place. Now, Oliver's feelings were more of admiration for Mbappé's terrifying strength, regret for Argentina and Messi's exit, and an indescribable, slightly bitter sense of destiny.
He watched Mbappé fly across the field, watching France Team's youthful storm sweep everything away, and a thought uncontrollably popped into his mind:
"This France Team is too strong, will they be the ultimate winner of this World Cup?"
Oliver couldn't guarantee it; this was just his intuition. A mix of emotions. Oliver took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart. He picked up his phone, opened social media, and decided to express his attitude. He found the official photo of Mbappé celebrating his goal and liked it.
Then, in the comment section, he briefly wrote:
"Incredible performance, Kylian! Your speed and finishing in this match were on another level. Congratulations on advancing!"
Immediately after, he opened the post-match thank-you tweet from the Argentina National Team's official Twitter. He liked it again and left a comment below:
"This was still a great battle, Leo, keep your head up, the football world will always need your magic."
His actions were quickly noticed by sharp-eyed fans. On such a night of fallen giants and rising stars, Oliver's respect and blessings for the core players of both sides appeared particularly sincere. Just one day later, another super showdown ignited the globe again:
Portugal vs. Uruguay.
This match was held at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi. Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal, the 2016 European Cup champions, faced Uruguay, a powerful south american team with the super attacking duo of Suárez and Cavani. This was also a highly anticipated contest. However, the result of the match once again surprised most people.
Uruguay displayed their iron-blooded defense and efficient counter-attacks.
In the 7th minute, , Edinson Cavani switched play from right to left with a sweeping pass out to Luis Suárez, who delivered a cross which the former crashed home at the back post from six yards out. The ball flew straight into the net.
1-0! Uruguay got off to a dream start. Portugal launched a full-scale counterattack, Cristiano Ronaldo gave his all, but Uruguay's defense was like an impenetrable fortress.
Still in the 55th minute, Raphaël Guerreiro delivered a cross from a short corner on the left, which Pepe finished with a downward header. Thier hope for counter attack was soon snuffed out by Cavani
In the 62nd minute, Uruguay launched a classic counterattack! Bentancur dispossessed the ball in midfield and drove forward, and after attracting several defenders, he calmly passed the ball to Cavani, who was making a high-speed run down the left wing. Cavani received the ball on the right side of the box, and facing the rushing goalkeeper Patricio, he calmly chose a precise shot. The ball once again pierced Portugal's goal.
2-1! Cavani scored twice. Uruguay, thanks to Cavani's two golden goals, eliminated European champions Portugal with a 2-1 victory. After the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo stood with his hands on his hips, his eyes filled with unwillingness and dejection. Another superstar of an era made a somber exit from the World Cup stage.
What shocked the world was not just Mbappé and Cavani, but Paris Saint-Germain's forwards. Within just two days, on the World Cup stage, two attacking spearheads from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé and Cavani. They successively, by scoring two goals each, personally sent off Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two unparalleled legends who had dominated football for over a decade! This dramatic coincidence and powerful individual performance instantly sparked heated discussions among fans worldwide.
"Paris's attack is terrifying! Mbappé + Cavani, this combination can score two goals each in the World Cup knockout stage!"
"Paris Saint-Germain hit the jackpot! Their own forwards are wreaking havoc in the World Cup!"
"Mbappé is the future, Cavani is the present! With Paris Saint-Germain's attacking lineup, they have a chance in the Champions League this season!"
"Look at Paris's forwards, then look at our home team's… sigh!"
...
Oliver also followed this match. When he saw Cavani score his second goal to seal the victory, he couldn't help but applaud Uruguay's efficiency and Cavani's killer instinct. Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo's dejected back, Oliver again felt a pang of regret.
He picked up his phone again and commented on the Portugal National Team's official Twitter post-match tweet:
"Fought until the last moment! Cristiano, you are still a legend! @Cristiano"
For two consecutive days, the two unparalleled legends who had dominated football for over a decade, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, successively fell in the Round of 16. The brutality and unpredictability of this World Cup made all fans gasp.
Oliver posted a brief update on his personal social media:
"The World Cup stage is always full of respect and brutality. Hats off to all the great players who have left, and to the warriors who continue to fight. #Respect"
This update quickly sparked discussion among fans. Some astute fans noticed an interesting detail:
"Has everyone noticed? This kid Oliver is quite interesting! He liked Mbappé's post to congratulate him, commented to console Messi, and also commented to encourage Cristiano Ronaldo. Is he playing both sides? Hahahahaha"
"Hahaha, it's true, don't young players usually fan Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? But Oliver seems to respect everyone, he doesn't take sides."
"Anyway, this young man is quite likable off the field too, with strength on the field and high emotional intelligence off the field, he has a bright future."
"Perhaps in his eyes, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are role model to look up to, and Mbappé is also an outstanding peer, all worth learning from? After all, he himself is also a talented rising star."
"I like this attitude, neither humble nor arrogant, respecting all worthy opponents!"
The netizens' teasing was filled with goodwill and admiration. Oliver's attitude of transcending factions, purely appreciating football and respecting players, was like a clear stream on the explosive World Cup stage, earning him more favor. Rather than saying Oliver was a fan of Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, it would be more accurate to say he was a fan of the game.
As long as someone was strong, Oliver was willing to show respect. He did not rush to "idolize" like some young players, but instead showed a broad perspective and vision commensurate with his own strength.
On the England Team's training ground, the atmosphere grew even more solemn.
The successive exits of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were like alarm bells ringing in their ears. In the World Cup knockout stage, there are no absolute strong teams, only winners who fight to the very end. Oliver put away his phone, casting all distracting thoughts aside.
Colombia, this south american rival, now stood in the way of the Three Lions' path to the quarterfinals.
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