Argentines aspire to be like clean-living Lionel Messi but in reality are more like flawed rebel Diego Maradona, an author says, as comparisons between the two great No. 10s become a dominant talking point of the Qatar World Cup.

South Koreans thronged the streets early on Saturday, shedding tears of joy in sub-freezing temperatures after their national team's last-gasp, comeback win over Portugal to advance to the final 16 at the soccer World Cup.

While many already knew about Argentina’s massive fan base in Bangladesh, this may be the first time people all around the world took notice of it.

Lionel Messi’s passionate performances at the Qatar World Cup are earning him oodles of love from Argentines, but their old favouritism for Diego Maradona may resurface unless he brings home the trophy on his final attempt.

Argentina are hot favourites to beat Australia on Saturday in pursuit of Lionel Messi’s dream of winning a first World Cup, but they more than anyone have learned not to underestimate an underdog, especially the hard-battling Socceroos.

After much posturing, the Netherlands now need to deliver if they are to fulfil their own prophecy at the World Cup, starting with the opening clash of the knockout stage against the United States on Saturday.

With the World Cup in Qatar having entered its knockout phase, let's take a look at the match fixtures of the Round of 16 for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, scheduled from December 3 to December 7. All timings are given in Bangladesh Standard Time.

Australia take on Lionel Messi's Argentina in a David v Goliath World Cup showdown while the United States look to ambush the Netherlands as the World Cup knockout rounds get under way on Saturday.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni promised his team would play out of their skins in thier last-16 clash against Australia to ensure there are no more surprises at the tournament.

Brazil defender Danilo has shown positive signs in his recovery from an ankle injury while Neymar is racing against time to be fit for their last 16 clash against South Korea, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after Friday's 1-0 defeat by Cameroon.

Switzerland reached the World Cup knockout round for the third successive tournament after prevailing 3-2 over Serbia on Friday to finish runners-up in Group G and set up a last 16 showdown with Portugal.

Cameroon defeated a second-string Brazil team 1-0 in their final Group G match at the Lusail Stadium on Friday but it was not enough as the African side were knocked out of the competition.

A late goal by skipper Vincent Aboubakar ended Cameroon’s 20-year wait for a win at the World Cup as the Indomitable Lions bowed out in style by beating a much-changed Brazil 1-0 at the Lusail Stadium on Friday.

While some stunning upsets have dominated headlines throughout the 2022 World Cup, not least Japan’s stunning 2-1 win over Spain on Thursday,

United States coach Gregg Berhalter said he will look to draw on the lessons he learnt in the Netherlands during his playing career when the two teams face off on Saturday for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Japan erupted in cheers and tears after the national team’s 2-1 win over Spain early on Friday, with crowds packing public viewing areas in the pre-dawn cold shrieking with joy as they stunned another global football power at the World Cup.

Cinderella, in the form of Japan, has finally arrived at the party. I suppose that Morocco’s qualification at the expense of Belgium also defied expectations, but Japan knocking out Germany has to be the definitive David and Goliath story of the ongoing World Cup.

The German Football Association (DFB) will next week launch a round of talks to identify the reasons for their second consecutive World Cup flop, after the team were eliminated in the group stage again on Thursday night.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice as Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 on Friday but it was not enough to keep them in the World Cup after South Korea pipped them to the Group H runners-up spot with victory over Portugal.

South Korea scored a late goal to beat Portugal 2-1 in the World Cup on Friday, a win that eventually sent the Asian side into the last 16 ahead of Uruguay on the number of goals scored.