(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.

Luka Modric comes from a "different planet" and is the best Croatian player in history, according to his team-mate and Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli has called on Argentina to lift their game to the level of "genius" Lionel Messi when they look to seal a World Cup quarter-final place with victory over France on Saturday.

FIFA said it had no plans to change its fair play criteria that allowed Japan to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup at the expense of Senegal.

Pragmatic, difficult to beat, spearheaded by talismanic forwards and led by veteran, battle-hardened coaches -- few teams have as much in common with each other as Uruguay and Portugal.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin is the leader of the only defence yet to concede a goal in the World Cup and the Atletico Madrid defender's wealth of experience in facing Cristiano Ronaldo will come in handy in his side's last 16 clash with Portugal.

When we reached Kazan Central Railway Station yesterday after a 13-hour journey from Moscow, it was five in the morning. The city was still sleeping and the first impression we got as we headed towards the city after one-and-a-half hour ride was that we were at a place far away from all the hustle and bustle.

France have a number of options to limit Lionel Messi's influence in their round of 16 clash against Argentina but they are also resigned that he could turn the match in an instant, coach Didier Deschamps said on Friday.

The group stages of the World Cup are finally done with and while teams such as England, Spain and France will now be turning their attention to adding a second star and denying Uruguay or Argentina a third or even Brazil their record sixth, there will be a few that will quietly be hoping to add a maiden World Cup trophy to their cabinet.

Argentina and Lionel Messi need to find form fast if they are to go any further in the World Cup on Saturday when they meet a France team who have yet to live up to their billing.

The World Cup's tryst with Telstar 18 came to an end Thursday night. The high-tech official football, made by Adidas, proved to be quite exciting as it produced goals in all but one of the 44 matches played with it.

Football's cruel mistress -- the penalty shootout -- arrives at the World Cup on Saturday after a packed fortnight of group games, ready to dispense her characteristic doses of unbridled joy and heartbreak in the knockout stages.

Entertainment, upsets, personalities, controversy and goals -- the World Cup has had it all -- and the knockout stage drama hasn't even begun.

An Argentine fan has initiated an online petition for the Argentina national team to once more visit Bangladesh to play a friendly fixture after seeing Bangladeshi supporters’ love for the national team of Argentina.

Argentina team trained for the last time ahead of their crucial Round of 16 tie against France on Saturday and coach Jorge Sampaoli tried out some interesting changes in training in order to prepare for France.

Argentina defender Marcos reveals what captain Lionel Messi told them during critical moments of the Nigeria match.

Japan scraped through to the last 16 stage of the World Cup despite a 1-0 loss to Poland in their last group phase match and having an identical record to Senegal, courtesy of FIFA’s fair play tie-breaker system.

If you like late goals that turn football matches on their head, this is the World Cup for you.