With the group stage over, the real competition begins less than 24 hours after the last shot in that bogus war was fired.
Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane are not the only ones to describe the World Cup as a two-tournament event.
And for all the entertainment of the first 72 games, a bit of controversy, the start of what could be an epic Golden Boot race, and a sprinkling of underdog fever, the real business begins now.
And here are five things the last three weeks will force us to do.
Farewell – Messi
He’s already the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with six goals, and quite simply, he’s writing his own story in the final stages of an incredible career.
And what a story it is in the round of 32. It’s the best match of all time against 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vosinha. This is what the World Cup is all about.
It’s almost impossible to think that Messi won’t add to his tally and Argentina won’t advance, but Argentina is a keeper, a nation that kept one clean sheet out of two against mighty Spain.
This match is a typical World Cup match, and although it looks like it belongs in the group stage, it will brighten up the final tournament.
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The Last Dance of the Greats – Ronaldo and Modric
These two legends of European football were criticized for their team’s opening game performance, but bounced back to prove they are still good enough to make an impact on their country’s development.
Cristiano Ronaldo is 41 years old, but his determination to have a memorable World Cup hurrah was clear when he shouted “I’m back” after scoring twice against Uzbekistan.
Luke Modric and Ronaldo are both part of the 200-cap club and will play against each other next Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal won’t go quietly (Image: Getty Images)
Portugal and Croatia, who will face each other in the last 32, did not seem to be very strong opponents in the group stage, but it cannot be ruled out that Ronaldo and Modric will closely pursue their compatriots.
Proving them wrong – Kane
He has already scored three goals and is England’s outright top scorer in World Cup football with 11, but somehow it feels like Harry Kane still has something to prove.
Didi Hamann’s criticism of Harry Kane: “The jury is still out” was extremely harsh. But the bottom line is that Kane entered this World Cup after missing a penalty in the 2022 quarter-final against France.
Since then, he has impressed in club football, but failed to impress at Euro 2024.
England’s dependence on their captain puts a huge strain on him, but manager Thomas Tuchel needs Kane to be active in key moments and that doesn’t just mean Wednesday’s game against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Harry Kane celebrating after the Panama match (Image: Getty Images)
Entertaining the world – France and Mbappé
Although he can’t help himself at times, Kylian Mbappé is truly a generational talent. He really didn’t deserve to be on the losing side of the 2022 World Cup final.
But he leads this sensational French team with heroic dignity, and his speed, directness and striking power are a joy to watch.
For me, France remains the outstanding team in this tournament, but they will be thoroughly tested by Sweden in the first knockout tournament.
Kylian Mbappé was in great form at the World Cup (Image: (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images))
But Didier Deschamps’ side have a depth of talent under Mbappé that the rest of the tournament would envy. It wouldn’t be surprising if Mbappe storms all the way to the final in New Jersey.
New Generation – Buadi
This is the World Cup, bidding farewell to a golden generation. That is, unless he decides to dance again in four years. To be honest, it would be impossible to ignore Messi, Ronaldo and Modric trying again in four years’ time.
But these final tournaments are also where the world’s best young talent shines. And none are as shiny as Ramin Yamal. Now fully fit, he will be key to Spain’s challenge, which begins against Austria in the Round of 32, but he has already proven himself to be a big-time player.
And perhaps in a tie for the round, 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouadi could lead Morocco to victory over the Netherlands and give them a score to match their victory in Qatar.
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