World Cup: The best moments so far from Lionel Messi magic and shock upsets to group stage drama

And breathe. After 17 days of continuous soccer, the World Cup pauses forward of the quarter-finals in Qatar. Amid controversy and continued human rights considerations surrounding the host nation off the pitch, it’s been an exhilarating experience so far on it, with shocks galore and a variety of thrilling matches to gentle up the event.

The group phases could also be remembered as essentially the most unpredictable ever seen at a World Cup, with Saudi Arabia surprising Argentina, Japan gorgeous Germany and then Spain, and Tunisia beating the defending champions France. Several of the teams went down to the ultimate day, and in some instances remaining minutes, establishing a various last-16 line-up.

There have been moments of inspiration from star gamers, together with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, in addition to chic staff objectives scored by the Netherlands and Brazil. England have additionally impressed and are the event’s prime scorers heading into the quarter-finals, with Gareth Southgate’s aspect dealing with France on Saturday.

Morocco produced the results of the last-16 as they upset Spain on penalties, and will look to change into the primary African staff to attain the semi-finals of the World Cup once they tackle Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo has already made historical past by changing into the primary man to rating in 5 World Cups, whereas Argentina look to be on a collision course with Brazil in what’s Messi’s remaining World Cup.

Here are a few of the best moments of the World Cup so far, as nominated by The Independent’s writers.

Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer: Germany arise to Fifa and Messi’s magic in opposition to Mexico

The method that Germany’s admirable silence gesture has provoked offended responses displays a victory higher than something occurred on the pitch, however that is finally in regards to the pitch. There are many moments, the World Cup transcending its problematic stage in the best way it usually does, from Morocco’s rise to Richarlison’s acrobatics. In phrases of its historic weight and emotion, although, there was one thing much more transcendental about Leo Messi’s purpose in opposition to Mexico. The strike itself was divine, with its magnificence made all the higher as a result of it was such a defining second, rescuing Argentina after the shock of Saudi Arabia, and setting them on a brand new path – maybe future. Fittingly, within the moments after such a launch, Messi confirmed his reduction in a fashion much more freighted with grandeur. “Thank you, Diego.” It was a second of personal prayer, amid essentially the most raucous public ambiance.

Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent: Ghana’s thrilling victory over South Korea

Ghana versus South Korea won’t have stood out on the fixture record. But, just like the Cameroon-Serbia match earlier that afternoon, it was each excessive drama and a chief instance of what the World Cup must be about, a chaotic traditional performed by groups from totally different continents who hardly ever meet, amid an environment of mutual pleasure. Ghana surged right into a lead, South Korea mounted a fightback, the excellent Mohammed Kudus scored the winner and Son Heung-Min ended up in tears, pondering his aspect had been out. And ultimately, they certified for the final 16 and compellingly enjoyable Ghanaians didn’t.

Ben Burrows, Sports Editor: Luis Suarez’s tears

Ghana had promised to retire Luis Suarez from the World Cup, to exorcise the “devil himself” from this grandest of tournaments for good. 12 years after he broke their hearts together with his handball within the quarter-finals in South Africa, they bought as shut a view as doable this time as South Korea’s late purpose despatched Uruguay – and their talisman of so a few years – crashing out. There had been tears from Suarez because the bitter actuality of understanding this would possibly very nicely be it at this stage started to sink in. Ghana won’t have gotten by way of themselves as that they had so hoped, however after greater than a decade of ready for a measure of revenge this, as second prizes go, was about pretty much as good as they may ever have wished for.

Alex Pattle, Sports Reporter: Enthralling Group E climax will dwell lengthy within the reminiscence

The climax of Group E, with Spain falling to Japan and Germany concurrently beating Costa Rica in a thriller – but in useless. That temporary spell wherein each Spain and Germany had been going out nearly defied perception, particularly given how the Spanish had begun their marketing campaign in such convincing style in opposition to Costa Rica. Throw within the added drama of Japan’s winner being scrutinised lengthy into the evening, and you had probably the most enthralling evenings of soccer in latest reminiscence – and in World Cup historical past, even.

Kieran Jackson, Sports Reporter: Saudi Arabia’s good victory over Argentina and Messi

Come day three of the event, the World Cup was but to burst into life. But the primary of the early kick-offs, Argentina vs Saudi Arabia, delivered in a style nearly no person would have foreseen. Argentina, on a 36-game unbeaten streak, had been one up on the break by way of Lionel Messi’s penalty however had been made to rue a string of missed possibilities because the boldly good high-pressing fashion of Saudi led to two objectives in 5 second-half minutes. Backs in opposition to the wall, the staff ranked 51st on this planet fought for his or her lives to safe their most well-known win in entrance of a disbelieving crowd within the Lusail Stadium and tens of millions watching worldwide. An all-time World Cup shock – and the shocks have continued aplenty.

Jamie Braidwood, Sports Reporter: The Netherlands’ excellent staff purpose in opposition to USA

You gained’t see a greater staff purpose on the World Cup than the opening purpose scored by the Netherlands of their 3-1 win in opposition to the USA. Louis van Gaal’s aspect had struggled to dwell up to expectations as they progressed to the last-16 however lastly marked their return to the World Cup in fashion with a fantastic, flowing passing transfer that concerned all 11 gamers and was completed by Memphis Depay. It was perfection, a shocking illustration of cohesion, motion and understanding of house. That it was scored by the Netherlands appeared to elevate its high quality, too. It simply felt proper.

Luke Baker, Sports Editor: Morocco thriving as Africa’s final hope

Morocco have been a revelation, taking over the mantle of underdog that captures everybody’s coronary heart. They’re in all probability the story of this World Cup, as they topped a tricky-looking Group F forward of Croatia and Belgium earlier than dramatically gorgeous Spain on penalties within the final 16 with a mature, cussed efficiency wherein they had been each bit the equal of the feted Furia Roja. They’ve conceded only a solitary purpose in Qatar and have gloried within the position of ‘plucky team no-one wants to face’. They’ve introduced a area and a continent collectively, whereas muscling in on the European-South American hegemony of the quarter-final line-up feels necessary in international soccer phrases. I might now love to see them change into the primary African staff to attain a World Cup semi-final.

Jack Rathborn, Sports Editor: Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia chaos in Group C finale

The group stage finale delivered spectacularly throughout the board and whereas the drama surrounding Japan and South Korea’s progress was sensational, the battle between Poland and Mexico (and Saudi Arabia) supplied good insanity. Fans scrambled to tally up disciplinary factors with the group simply 30 seconds away from being selected yellow playing cards and Poland knew it: Grzegorz Krychowiak was tactically eliminated after his late reserving. Before all of that, Luis Chavez introduced himself as the sport’s most threatening set-piece taker with the right strike and one other close to miss, then El Tri frantically pushed for that very important third purpose, just for Salem Al-dawsari to crush their hopes deep into stoppage time with the sucker punch. End-to-end chaos and thrilling leisure.

Notable mentions

Best purpose: Brazil wanted a second of inspiration, so step ahead Richarlison. The Tottenham ahead had already damaged the impasse in opposition to Serbia after scrambling in a rebound, earlier than he gave the Selecao raise off by really taking off. After Vinicius Jr crossed, Richarlison’s first contact arrange the spectacular overhead volley, which he executed to perfection by crashing the shot into the nook. An excellent second. Brazil additionally had a purpose of the event competitors amongst themselves as they danced previous South Korea and into the quarter-finals, with a shocking exhibition of what Brazil means to the World Cup.

Rashford reborn: By comparability to many groups round them, England loved a quiet serene group stage as they certified with a thumping 3-0 win over Wales. Despite the boos that adopted the goalless draw with the United States, England had been by no means in critical hazard of being eradicated however they nonetheless required one thing particular to break the impasse within the all-British Group B conflict. Rashford’s free-kick, powered in from 25 yards, was that second and the ahead’s second purpose later within the match took him to three general for the event. Rashford’s journey from the bottom of lows to a participant reborn on the World Cup was the standout story of England’s group stage.

Irish depart their mark on Qatar: In a weird second captured by French tv whereas a fan of Les Bleus mentioned the soccer, a slightly delirious Ireland fan gatecrashed the interview, blurting out his best French, or maybe a lifestyle: “Je suis un baguette!”