The final eight nations remaining in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are locked in. A thrilling Round of 16 delivered high-stakes drama, propelling a select few closer to football’s ultimate prize while shattering the dreams of others.
Independent Media soccer writer Mihlali Baleka reviews the action, breaking down what went right – and horribly wrong – in the second knockout stage round.
Player of the Round | Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi is putting on a masterclass in what is arguably his finest – and final – World Cup. The maestro dictated traffic in Argentina’s 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt on Tuesday night, netting a goal and providing an assist to bring his tournament tally to eight goals.
Match of the Round | Argentina 3-2 Egypt
Until the 79th minute, Egypt seemed destined for their first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance. However, a four-minute blitz of sheer brilliance, fueled by the never-say-die attitude of Messi and his teammates, turned the match completely on its head and reminded everyone why Argentina are the defending champions.
Team of the Round | England
England have faced heavy scrutiny for their rigid, uninspiring structure despite boasting a squad of world-class talent. Yet, when it mattered most against co-hosts Mexico, moments of individual brilliance from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane proved to be just enough to secure a hard-fought 3-2 win.
Biggest Shock | Switzerland Eliminate Colombia
Stacked with elite talent, Colombia were widely expected to cruise into the quarter-finals. Instead, the high-powered attack of Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez, and Luis Suárez was stifled by a resilient Swiss defense over 120 minutes, culminating in a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat on penalties.
Biggest Flops | Portugal
Having announced pre-match that this would be his final World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo was expected to carry Portugal deep into the tournament. It wasn’t to be. Spain eliminated their Iberian neighbors, ensuring “CR7” will wrap up his legendary international career without a World Cup trophy.
Biggest Controversy | Donald Trump’s Influence
In a bizarre turn of events, US President Donald Trump publicly pressured the Fifa disciplinary committee to overturn the red card given to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun ahead of their clash with Belgium. Astonishingly, football’s governing body complied, casting a spotlight on the federation’s underlying institutional flaws.
Young Star of the Round | Désiré Doué (France)
Doué has been a revelation for Les Bleus. While the media spotlight has understandably focused on captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Michael Olise, the youngster has quietly and efficiently gone about his work – most notably winning the decisive penalty in France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay.
Moment of the Round | Messi Writes History Again
The Argentine captain continues to rewrite the football record books. By scoring his ninth goal of the tournament, he extended his all-time World Cup record to 21 goals. To cap it off, his assist against Egypt saw him surpass Diego Maradona’s long-standing record of eight World Cup assists.
