Illustration caption: Japan’s team manager Hajime Moriyasu, bowing in thanks to fans who traveled in support of the team. 

Bring your best, or go home, every team still standing is here for a reason. And the best part about it all: any team can beat anyone, anytime. 

It’s the World Cup baby! Sixteen brave suitors left on the quest for the most revered sporting trophy on the planet. 

Argentina vs. Australia 

After a grueling road warrior schedule to qualify for the World Cup and the triumphs over Tunisia and Denmark, the Australian team will be sent back to the land down under by the mighty Argentinian squad. 

Just before the half, Messi queued up a give-and-go play leading to his shot finding the back of the net. Not long after, a mistake by the Australian keeper led to Julián Álvarez putting his team up 2-0. 

The Australian Craig Goodwin would ricochet a shot off the defender Enzo Fernández to bring the Aussies within one, but it was too late. 

Japan vs. Croatia 

What a match to watch, finishing time 1-1 and moving into penalty shots. 

Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma missed their shots for Japan, while Nikola Vlasic and Marcelo Brozovic made theirs. That makes 2-0 Croatia. 

Takuma Asano was money in the bank as his shot found the bottom right corner of the net. 

To win the game, Marko Livaja tries his luck, but the shot bounces off the left post. Japan was in business. 

But then, Dominik Livaković blocked Maya Yoshida’s shot, and the final blow was the winning penalty from Mario Pašalić. 

Brazil vs. South Korea 

This showing was simply a warm-up game for the Brazilian team. One of the favorites to win the competition, the team beat South Korea 4-1. 

Vini Jr, Neymar, Richrlison and Lucas Paquetá scored for the Brazilian juggernaut, while Palik Seung-Ho put up the only score for the South Korean team with an absolute missile of a shot from outside the box.

France vs. Poland 

Another favorite to win it all, the French team continues their quest of defending their title as they beat the Polish team 3-1. 

Kylian Mbappé continues the demonstration of his prowess as he scores two goals in the match along with a goal from his teammate Olivier Giroud. 

The renowned Robert Lewandowski scored Poland’s only goal of the match in the form of a penalty kick. 

For many, this match went exactly as expected. 

England vs. Senegal 

Another strong contender, the British, trump trumped the team from Senegal 3-0 to advance.

The same case as the French match, this was simply a warm-up for the English team. There is really nothing more to be said. 

Morocco vs. Spain 

Nobody would have thought this game would be 0-0 at the end of extra time. The Moroccan team squared off against the Spanish in the center of the ring, toe to toe, blow for blow, holding their own. 

This was a highly intense back-and-forth game, with a combined 19 shots.

As previously stated, any team can beat anyone at any time, and Morocco was able to take down the heavily favored Spanish team. Many thought the Spanish team was going all the way this year. No doubt a SHOCKER in the eyes of many. 

Spain made none of their penalties, while Morocco missed only one. 

Achraf Hakimi, sealed the game for his fellow countrymen allowing Morocco to advance. 

Safe to say this was the biggest upset of the competition thus far. 

Portugal vs. Switzerland 

Wait, 6-1? Wow, what a performance from the Portuguese. Just an absolute domination against the Swiss. 

This game certainly proves that there is more to this team than just hosting the aging Ronaldo.

Manuel Akanji saved his Swiss team from a shutout, scoring in the 58th minute off a corner kick, but it would not make a difference.

Gonçalo Ramos is a name the opposition will be sure to remember as he found the back of the net three times during the match for a hat trick. 

Netherlands vs. U.S.A.

Yup, this match got saved for last. After qualifying for the World Cup, tying to the Welsh, tying to the mighty English, and beating Iran to advance, the American national team will be dealt their disqualifying loss by the Netherlands in a 3-1 defeat. 

It was a good run by team U.S.A. not too shabby, they have managed to captivate the eyes of the whole nation which will no doubt be ready for another attempt in four years. 

Here are the remaining squads advancing into the quarter-final:

Netherlands vs. Argentina 

Croatia vs. Brazil 

England vs. France 

Morocco vs. Portugal 

With the quarter-final soon to begin the world is begging for more competition.