Netherlands 3 (2) – (0) 1 USA (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Netherland scorers: Depay (10′), Blind (45’+1’), Dumfries (81′). USA scorer: Wright (76′)

And so the business end of the competition begins. Draws now not an option, only victory will do whether within the ninety-minutes, extra-time or indeed the lottery that is penalties.

First up were the Netherlands and the USA. These two had never played each other in a competitive fixtures, with just five friendlies previously. The last outing saw the USA beat the Dutch for the first time way back in 2015 when they came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3. However, despite the Dutch being less than convincing so far, they were expected to overcome the Americans, joint hosts of the 2026 World Cup.

Statistics have become a major thing in football analysis, but they don’t win you games. The USA had more possession, shots, shots on target and corners than their Dutch opponents but the vital statistic was that Netherlands won 3-1. Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic had an early chance, but his effort was well saved by Dutch ‘keeper Andries Noppert and the Americans were made to rue the missed opportunity when on ten minutes a 21 pass move was finished off by Memphis Depay. The USA though then dominated much of the first half but were then dealt another blow as in time added on, Daley Blind finished from a swift Dutch break. Into the second period and the USA searched desperately to get back into the game, which they did with fourteen minutes to go, as Haji Wright got something on a  Pulisic which lopped the ball into the net. Was there a surprise yet? However, the Dutch wrapped the game up five minutes later as an unmarked Denzel Dumfries volleyed home to set up a Quarter-Final tie against Argentina.

Argentina 2 (1) – (0) 1 Australia (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Argentina scorers: Messi (35’minutes), Alvarez (57’minutes). Australia scorers: Fernandez (77′ og)

This was Lionel Messi’s 1,000th career appearance and he produced a Man of the Match performance to see Argentina through to the last eight. Australia were dogged for the opening thirty-five minutes, but the deadlock was broken by an excellent strike from Messi. If their first goal was all about a classy finish the second was all about an Australian howler. Socceroos ‘keeper Mat Ryan was at fault as he tried to clear his lines, losing possession and leaving Alvarez to roll home into an unguarded net. Despite being second best all game Australia got a lifeline with thirteen minutes to go as substitute Craig Goodwin’s shot took a massive deflection off Enzo Fernandez. And it could have got worse for Argentina as the Aussies had two late glorious chances to level. The reality was though that Argentina were worthy winners, and a draw would have been an injustice. Messi and his charges now take on the Dutch in a re-run of the 1978 World Cup Final.