Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes, who plays for League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers, says it will be a "surreal feeling" to come up against Lionel Messi and World Cup holders Argentina in the last-32 knockout stage of the World Cup.

Two Argentine YouTubers face felony charges after allegedly bypassing security at a World Cup match using bogus credentials at Hard Rock Stadium.

With the USMNT officially avoiding his native Argentina in the World Cup knockout bracket, Mauricio Pochettino's reaction was an absolute masterclass.

Paraguay will take inspiration from having beaten Argentina and Brazil in World Cup qualifiers when they take on four-time world champions Germany on Monday, coach Gustavo Alfaro said.

Before we look ahead to World Cup knockout round, here's a look at players who have stood out so far. The usual suspects and some surprises.

Argentina defender Giuliano Simeone revealed texts on Sunday from 2023 where he vowed to debut in this edition of the FIFA World Cup after suffering from a serious leg injury that forced him to the sidelines for five months.