New York [US], July 9: The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams saw the introduction of an extra round in the knock-out stage - and therefore an extra round of excitement, tension and drama.
From big nations getting stunned to the red card controversy involving United States forward Folarin Balogun, the World Cup knock-out stages comprising the last 32 and last 16 had a little bit of everything.
Early exits for Germany and the Netherlands, Brazil also out Four-time world champions Germany finally made it to the knock-outs after two consecutive group-stage exits, but that didn't spare them from another disappointment.
The Germans were beaten 4-3 on penalties by underdogs Paraguay and are now looking for a new coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned a few days after the round of 32 elimination.
Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is in talks to take the job.
The Netherlands also didn't make it past the round of 32 after a 3-2 penalties defeat to Morocco as well.
Record champions Brazil, meanwhile, advanced to the last 16, but were stunned by Norway, with their top star Erling Haaland scoring a brace in the 2-1 victory. This is already the best-ever World Cup result for the Norwegians, who are competing at the tournament for the first time since 1998.
Cape Verde: momentary, but legendary
The underdogs caused big waves. After holding 2010 champions Spain and twice winners Uruguay to draws in the group stage, Cape Verde played like giants against title holders Argentina in the round of 32.
Their heroism wasn't enough to beat Lionel Messi and his team-mates, but the debutants will be proud to have taken the decision to extra time, where an unfortunate own goal sealed their exit from the tournament.
"We showed that we may be a small country but we can play against the best teams in the world. That's a reason for pride. We made history for our country. They can be proud for representing our country," Cape Verde coach Bubista said.
The Balogun scandal
A controversial decision by ruling body FIFA shocked the football world.
Balogun was one of the key players for co-hosts US during the World Cup, but he was initially suspended for the last-16 match against Belgium after he was sent off during the round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
FIFA, however, suspended the ban in a near unprecedented move so he could play against Belgium, while rejecting a Belgian appeal.
Critics accused governing body FIFA of giving in to alleged political meddling, with US President Donald Trump admitting that he asked for a review because "I didn't think it was a foul." FIFA boss Gianni Infantino stressed that Trump's call in no way influenced the decision.
In the end, Balogun had a minimal impact on the match against Belgium as the European nation went on to win 4-1 and advance to the quarter-finals.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia was naturally among the harshest critics of FIFA's decision, but didn't blame Balogun for the scandal.
"He came up to me (after the game), and I appreciated that. It's not his fault. He didn't do anything wrong. I respect him," Garcia said.
The US joined fellow co-hosts Mexico and Canada in going out.
Football superstars say farewell
The tournament in North America will be the last time many players who have left their mark in the sport will be on football's biggest stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo will have to make peace with the fact that his glittering career will not include a World Cup trophy as a player.
Ronaldo confirmed ahead of the tournament that it would be his last World Cup hurrah and it all came to an end when his Portugal team were beaten by Spain in the last 16.
The football great has only Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles as international triumphs. It's unclear whether he will also retire from the national team following their elimination.
Another notable player who probably played his last World Cup is Brazil's Neymar. His participation was initially doubtful as he hadn't played for the national team since 2023 ahead of coach Carlo Ancelotti's squad nomination.
Neymar was included in the list, but travelled to North America with an injury and missed the first two matches. His last action in a World Cup was the mockery of Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland after he scored a penalty for Brazil in stoppage time - which didn't affect the final 2-1 result in favour of Norway.
Neymar's only title with Brazil's professional team was the Confederations Cup in 2013.
Germany's Manuel Neuer also bowed out after his surprise comeback to the national team following his international retirement two years ago. Unlike Neymar and Ronaldo, however, Neuer will be able to look at his trophy cabinet and see a shiny World Cup trophy thanks to Germany's triumph in 2014.
Other top players who have likely played in their last World Cup are Croatia's Luka Modric, Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk and Mexican great Guillermo Ochoa.
Another day, another drama
The round of 32 and the last 16 had plenty of late drama.
Out of the 24 knock-out matches so far, six were decided after extra time or penalty shoot-outs, while another eight had the winning goal scored after the 80th minute of regular time.
The epic last-16 clash between co-hosts Mexico and contenders England has likely been the best match of the World Cup so far - five goals, two penalties and one sending off that ended in tears and heartbreak for Mexico, beaten 3-2 by a 10-man English team. The game even kicked off an hour late due to thunderstorms.
Argentina's incredible comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt after 79 minutes to win 3-2 in normal time in the last 16 runs the Mexico-England game close.
Egypt slammed the refereeing team for disallowing a goal which would have made it 3-0 and also denying the Pharaohs a penalty just before Enzo Fernandez's stoppage-time winner.
The 2026 World Cup has had controversy and intrigue by the bucket-loads - and there are still three rounds left.
Source: Qatar Tribune
