Following the breathtaking group stage of the Qatar World Cup which was marked by upsets galore, normal service was restored on the first two days of the Round of 16. Footballing powerhouses Netherlands, Argentina, France and England all overcame the challenges of lower-ranked sides USA, Australia, Poland and Senegal respectively. Here are the talking points from the opening two days of the knockout stages that sees the Dutch take on the Argentines in the last eight, and the Three Lions up against the reigning world champions:
Bellingham shines bright again, England prosper
Jude Bellingham announced his arrival in the greatest show of earth in grand style against Iran, and came up with another stellar display against Aliou Cisse's men to inspire England to their fourth quarter-final appearance in the last six editions. The African champions, even without the influential Sadio Mane, were expected to put up a tough fight but Gareth Southgate's men gradually asserted their dominance and eventually strolled to victory. And the driving force behind England's win was Borussia Dortmund's 19-year old, who may have driven up his transfer fee if any potential suitor were to line up at the German club's doorstep.
Bellingham was all over the pitch, either defending or attacking, but early in the game he got into a heated exchange with the veteran Kalidou Koulibaly. That only fired up Bellingham as he was seen gesticulating widely every time he won a duel with the Chelsea defender. But there is more to the young teenager than just winning individual battles as his impressive forward play ended in an assist for Jordan Henderson's first goal. This was the first time in the history of the competition that a teenager provided an assist in the knockout stage.
Further upfront, captain Harry Kane, who finally broke his Qatar duck to find himself one goal short of Wayne Rooney's all-time English record, has now surpassed Gary Lineker (10) for goals scored in major tournaments, while Bukayo Saka with his strike joined Marcus Rashford on three goals. Both Kane and Saka were assisted by Phil Foden, who now becomes the latest Englishman to assist twice in a World Cup knockout game since David Beckham.
It bodes well for England that they have had eight different goal-scorers so far. England lead the way in the tournament with 12 goals scored, and this is also their most prolific campaign in World Cup history, alongside Russia 2018. But against two-time champions France, England will face the biggest test of their title credentials yet. Perhaps they will take inspiration from the 1966 and 1982 editions when England had bested France in their previous encounters.
Mbappe surges ahead in Golden Boot race, France look ominous
If the group stage and the first two days of the knockout stages are anything to go by, Kylian Mbappe is as crucial to France's hopes as Lionel Messi is to Argentina's. The Mbappe storm has struck the Qatari deserts as he leads the Golden Boot race with five goals and two assists; Spain's Alvaro Morata and Messi have the second best goal contributions (four). In the absence of the Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema, France have been dependent on Mbappe for seven of their nine goals.
Poland were no match for Les Bleus for whom Mbappe starred with a brace after Olivier Giroud's opener. In the process, the experienced Giroud became France's all-time top-scorer with 52 goals, overtaking Thierry Henry. The spotlight though was well and truly on 23-year old Mbappe, who now has nine World Cup goals – five of those coming in the knockout stage - to his name, the same as Messi, and one more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mbappe, who has gone past Pele as the World Cup's most prolific scorer before the age of 24, will take some stopping. Kyle Walker will have his hands full thwarting the Paris Saint Germain attacker in the quarters, but the Manchester City fullback will draw from recent experience of coming out on top in their Champions League duels. Alongside the Walker-Mbappe battle, Luke Shaw v Ousmane Dembele and Bellingham v Antoine Griezmann will also make for fascinating viewing, and will go a long way in determining who goes through to face possibly Spain or Portugal in the semi-final.
Argentina-Netherlands face off in another classic
The Albiceleste clinched their maiden world title against the Dutch in 1978 when Mario Kempes and Co recorded a 3-1 win in the final. Fast forward 20 years, Dennis Bergkamp then scripted a famous Dutch triumph against the Argentines in the quarter-final with his match winning goal still one of the most beautiful moments in World Cup history. In three touches within a grand total of just 2.11 seconds, Bergkamp first received Frank de Boer's long ball from the other half, then fooled defender Roberto Ayala, before planting a finish past goalkeeper Carlos Roa, all with his right foot.
Argentina then prevailed in the 2014 semi-final when they edged past Louis Van Gaal's flying Dutchmen 4-2 in the penalty shootout after the 120 minutes failed to produce a goal. Van Gaal is currently at the helm of the Oranjes in his third tenure and his charges have conceded only twice thus far, joint best alongside England among the quarter-finalists. Messi and his teammates will have their work cut out against the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, and also make sure the in-form Cody Gakpo does not do something similar to Bergkamp.
