As the round of 16 opened at the 2018 Men’s World Cup on SAT 30 JUN 2018, two intriguing matches between European and South American powers went to dramatic conclusions.

• France 04-03 Argentina: Les Bleus relied on a devastating counterattack to edge past Argentina. Kylian MBAPPÉ’s long run from his own half into the Argentine area in the 11th minute was interrupted by Marcos ROJO’s challenge, and Antoine GRIEZMANN converted the resulting penalty. Shortly before the interval, though, the Albiceleste equalised through a blistering strike from Ángel DI MARÍA, and they went in front in the 48th minute on Lionel MESSI’s shot that deflected in off Gabriel MERCADO. But the match was again turned on its head in the next twenty minutes, as Benjamin PAVARD drew France level again, and then two breakaway goals in quick succession by Mbappé made it 4-2. Sergio AGÜERO headed in a Messi cross in stoppage time, but Argentina were unable to respond with another equaliser, and France move on to the quarterfinals whilst Argentina suffer their earliest exit since 2002.
• Uruguay 02-01 Portugal: A brace from Edinson CAVANI led the Charrúas into the last eight. He opened the scoring in the seventh minute on an attempted header that may have redirected off his shoulder, though still a valid goal regardless. Ten minutes into the second half, PEPE headed in a corner by Raphaël GUERREIRO to level the scores. But Uruguay were back in front seven minutes later, as Rodrigo BETANCUR picked out Cavani at the top of the area for a perfectly placed strike to the far post. For the remainder of the match, Portugal pressed forward frantically as time wound down, and were up in arms when the referee took no action after Ricardo QUARESMA appeared to be taken down. But the European champions could not find an equaliser, and Uruguay advance to meet France in the quarterfinals.