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Things are heating up 🌟⚽️🏟️🏆

If the 2022 World Cup in Qatar wasn't already anxiety-inducing enough so far, prepare for the knockout stage. Every team knew this could be their last chance to play or they could continue their march towards hoisting the World Cup. It is all on the line with these matches and every nation playing will be watching closely.

Did you see the last four matches of the group stage?

Ghana🇬🇭 vs Uruguay🇺🇾
South Korea🇰🇷 vs Portugal🇵🇹
Serbia🇷🇸 vs Switzerland🇨🇭
Cameroon🇨🇲 vs Brazil🇧🇷

^{If not, go back and view this post for a complete breakdown of it all.}

Now that we are past the group stage, the intensity rises even more for the knockout stage. Let's see how the first of 8 total matches went.

Let's recap the first two games from the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar...

Netherlands🇳🇱 vs United States🇺🇸

^{My Prediction: USA}

USA began the match in complete control of possession. They had a wide-open chance a few minutes into the match but failed to get it through the goalkeeper.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1599056895347773441?s=20&t=-0JchvY607fwX8F57m7vuQ
- FOXSoccer

All it took for the Netherlands was one chance and they scored first. It was Memphis Depay who connected with a cross at the top of the box to score the first goal on USA in this tournament so far.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1599058839386693632?s=20&t=-0JchvY607fwX8F57m7vuQ
- FOXSoccer

USA continued to control possession during the first half but failed to penetrate the Dutch defense for many more shots. USA did manage to get one more shot, but not one that resulted in a goal.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1599067020452134913?s=20&t=n6Kd86hB_C6RTUDyOx2-LA
- FOXSoccer

The Netherlands was playing for the counter-attack heavily. There were a few times that USA just seemed out of sync on defense. That was especially true when the Netherlands punched yet another goal into the back of the net just before the half's end.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1599067959263100933?s=20&t=k6L0Y2Zazss2yHV8r6Kxvw
- FOXSoccer

USA needed to make some big changes going into the second half. No more defensive mistakes and multiple goals were both essential. USA was instantly putting pressure on the Dutch back line. It took them many shot attempts, but eventually, in the 75th minute they got their first goal and it was quite spectacular to witness.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1599079549626621953?s=20&t=8P3M7gjX4s9VIPQPr1-Zeg
- FOXSoccer

The Netherlands wasn't about to go quiet and let USA make a comeback. Instead, they decided they needed a third goal. This one looked as if USA just totally forgot to mark Denzel Dumfries and that led to a very easy goal from an accurate cross.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1599081088403619847?s=20&t=UNRBwwC2Ltt1Sj8vWCa-UQ
- FOXSoccer

USA had so many missed chances in this match and was unable to conjure up the goals required to persist. A win was totally reachable, but they just couldn't make it happen. The Netherlands played very patiently and did what it took to come out as the victor. USA has been eliminated. The Netherlands will play Argentina in the next round of the knockout stage.

Result: 3-1 in favor of the Netherlands

Argentina🇦🇷 vs Australia🇦🇺

^{My Prediction: Argentina}

Argentina came into this match heavily favored to win. It’s not that Australia is bad, but Argentina is just such a strong team. Led by Messi, the Argentines looked to advance further into the knockout stage. Ángel Di María was forced to miss this match due to injury. Even without him, Argentina still found a way to score first. It was Messi who scored in the 35th minute as he somehow was able to aim his shot just inches away from multiple defenders.

https://twitter.com/foxsoccer/status/1599125743782576132?s=46&t=RNDCDa_Dm-s818lZfkfI9w
- foxsoccer

At halftime, Argentina had a one-goal lead. Australia didn’t play terribly in the first half, but they really struggled to gain control of possession. Neither team took many shots, it was a quiet first half overall besides the single goal from Messi. Once the second half began, it was more back and forth until Australia’s goalkeeper made a huge mistake that resulted in a shot by Argentina’s Julián Álvarez into a wide-open Aussie goal.

https://twitter.com/foxsoccer/status/1599135807599771652?s=46&t=RNDCDa_Dm-s818lZfkfI9w
- foxsoccer

Australia finally got their first goal of the match in the 77th minute. Although it was Craig Goodwin who received credit for the goal, the Aussies should be thanking the Argentine defensive player’s face for enabling the ricochet that stumped the goalkeeper.

https://twitter.com/foxsoccer/status/1599140736313729027?s=46&t=RNDCDa_Dm-s818lZfkfI9w
- foxsoccer

Australia had one final attempt in the final seconds of the match, but Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a tremendous save to keep Argentina in the lead as the final whistle blew.

With this loss, Australia has been eliminated. Argentina will move on to play the Netherlands next.

Result: 2-1 in favor of Argentina

One step closer to being a world champion 🥇

Messi just became closer to adding the biggest award of all to his legacy. In his 1000th match, he scored his 789th goal. If those stats aren't mind-boggling enough, just wait and see what else he and his nation do during this World Cup. I have a feeling they have a chance to make it at least a few more rounds deeper.

^{Don't forget about the Hive account@hivebuzz World Cup contest @hivebuzz/wc2022}

It was tough to watch my home country get eliminated, but I'm happy they at least made it to the knockout stage. I think that USA can leave this tournament with a lot of respect and even more motivation to be prepared for World Cup 2026 here in North America.