The second day of the Round of 16 pits the host nation against a strong Spanish side and Croatia trying to show they are for real against Denmark.
Here are the picks from Connor Fleming (@conmanfleming), Bryce Badwan (@bbadss) and Travis Yoesting (@travisyoesting).
It wouldn’t be a World Cup without Luis Suarez making headlines for negative actions. In 2010 it was his hand ball to save a goal against Ghana. In 2014 it was biting Giorgio Chiellini. In 2018 against Portugal, he was caught faking a head injury, with the referee not buying it at all.
Luis Suarez combined with Edinson Cavani for the game’s first goal, which was vital in a match between two teams with defenses that can be difficult to break down.
Portugal vs Uruguay. The stigma going in was a back-and-forth gritty match between two defensively minded teams. Cristiano Ronaldo would be leading the offense for Portugal and Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani would give Portugal their toughest test yet.
It didn’t take long for the Portuguese defense to be tested by Uruguay’s elite striking pair. The pair connected on a give-and-go that crossed the entire field. Edison Cavani lasered one 50 yards to Luis Suarez and then the Uruguayan talisman rifled a cross right back to El Matador for a goal vs Portugal.
This was Lionel Messi’s last real chance — his last opportunity to quiet the doubters and prove he was just as good if not better than Diego Maradona, or Cristiano Ronaldo, or god himself. Unfortunately, even the most ardent of Leo fans would have to admit the Messi World Cup performance was an abject failure.
On Saturday in Kazan, Kylian Mbappe was playing a video game; everyone else was just trying to keep up. In a match full of some of the world’s best talent including the inimitable Lionel Messi, the 19-year-old PSG forward outshined all other stars in the France vs Argentina highlights.
France got off to an early lead against Argentina before the Angel Di Maria goal vs France equalized before half. But let’s quickly go back to The18’s predictions for this match, because we nailed this one, folks. (Not that it was any rocket science.)
Connor: France - Argentina can't play conservatively, but they can't go toe-to-toe with France. Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante absolutely boss the midfield - it could get ugly.
We made it. Now it's time for the knockout stage at the 2018 World Cup. And boy does the first day of the Round of 16 start off with a bang! Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are both in action against a loaded France team and Uruguay team with plenty of talent. Can Argentina keep this mircale going? Will France finally kick it into high gear? Can Cristiano Ronaldo keep carrying a team on his back? What in the hell is Luis Suarez going to do?