Criticised for being selfish, profligate and over-dramatic, Neymar struggles to such an extent at this World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in four second-half minutes to send France into the World Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina on Saturday.

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli sprung a surprise when he dropps striker Gonzalo Higuain and replaces him with midfielder Cristian Pavon for the blockbuster World Cup round of 16 clash against France

Diego Maradona believes in Argentina and hopes that Lionel Messi still has a chance of winning the World Cup.

Argentine legend Diego Maradona is a controversial idol, worshipped as a god for his World Cup-winning exploits but whose life of excess left a tormented public back home torn between veneration and derision.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez, believes that Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne's performances are good but not appreciated.

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio says that Brazil ace midfielder Philippe Coutinho is the best player in Brazil and kept him ahead of the rest in Brazil’s squad.

France ace forward Kylian Mbappe will be giving away his international match fees to a charity as he is not interested in being paid while on international duty, according to French daily L'Equipe as reported by The Sun.

Deschamps admits that the Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi, despite a stuttering World Cup so far, is a game-changer.

Cristiano Ronaldo cannot beat Uruguay all by himself. That is the message from Portugal coach Fernando Santos to his team ahead of Saturday's World Cup last-16 clash in Sochi.

Brazil star midfielder Casemiro says that his national side team mate Neymar alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are the three best players in the world.

The Group A champions Uruguay face Group B runners-up Portugal in the round of 16 of World Cup 2018 to battle it out for a Quarter Final spot in the tournament at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi today. The match will begin at 12:00 am in Bangladesh time. Let’s look at some of the statistics ahead of the feisty encounter.

France and Argentina meet in the first match of the round of 16 of the World Cup 2018 at the Kazan Arena today. The match will start at 8:00 pm in Bangladesh time. Here we look at some statistics ahead of the thrilling encounter.

France will take on Argentina in the opening round of 16 clash today well aware of their own shortcomings, but also with the assurance that they have all the tools in their arsenal that they need to see off their South American opponents.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England may have seriously miscalculated if they think they have gained a smoother World Cup passage by finishing runners-up in their group.

Olivier Giroud...

The round of 16 starting today will see a new first for the World Cup as teams will be allowed a fourth substitute if games go into extra time.

(Above) Clockwise from Top L: Argentina defender Marcos Rojo scored a

Criticised for his lack of sharpness in Uruguay's opening game at the World Cup, Luis Suarez insists he is in better shape now as he goes head to head with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the last 16.

With the first round of fixtures and about one third of the games done and dusted, it is perhaps time to have a look at what transpired over the last 15 days and what it means in the greater context of the sport.