After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

After a brief respite, the Russian World Cup quickly escalated into the more brutal knockout stage.

The round of 16 teams battled it out, and every match captivated the hearts of hundreds of millions of fans worldwide.

The England team is stationed at their training ground in a somber and focused atmosphere, with their match against Colombia scheduled for July 4th.

Outside of training, the players cannot completely block out information from the outside world, especially those high-profile matches that are enough to shake up the football world.

The first highly anticipated match: Argentina vs. France.

Tonight, the Kazan Arena is packed to capacity, with the blue and white and blue and red seas clearly distinguished.

Messi leads Argentina against a youthful France.

Before the match, public opinion generally believed that it would be a closely contested contest, and many people even thought that the more experienced Argentina could go further with Messi's brilliance.

However, the course and result of the match were like a thunderclap, leaving all the fans stunned.

The match started with a high-speed, back-and-forth offensive.

The young French players, Griezmann, Pogba, and especially Kylian Mbappé, wearing the number 10 jersey and moving with lightning speed, displayed a breathtaking impact.

Argentina's defense appeared old and clumsy under the relentless onslaught of the French team.

The turning point of the match came in the 57th minute of the second half.

The French team intercepted the ball in their own half, and Pavard delivered a precise long pass to Lucas Hernandez, who was making a high-speed run down the left flank.

Hernandez swept the ball across the face of goal without stopping it! Griezmann, making a run into the middle, drew the defense, and the ball slipped to the far post!

A bolt of lightning struck in an instant!

Mbappe!

Like a sharp blade tearing through space, he deftly tapped the ball with the outside of his right foot before Argentine defender Otamendi could block him.

The ball went into the net! 2-1!

France is in the lead again!

Mbappe spread his arms wide and glided freely across the Kazan grass in celebration, his young face radiating an invincible confidence!

Just 4 minutes later, in the 61rd minute.

The French team is back in action.

Once again, the defense quickly moved through the midfield, and Pogba delivered a penetrating through ball from near the center circle.

Mbappe understood immediately and started immediately.

His explosive power was on full display at that moment.

Argentine defender Rojo tried his best to chase back, but could only watch in despair as Mbappe's figure grew further and further away.

Mbappe broke into the penalty area on a one-on-one.

Facing Argentine goalkeeper Armani, he calmly slotted a right-footed shot into the far corner.

The ball pierced the goal again! 3-1! Mbappe scored his second goal! He sprinted towards the corner flag, receiving a deafening roar of adulation from the French fans!

At this moment, Mbappe became the second player under the age of 20 in World Cup history to score two goals in a single knockout stage match!

(The first one is Pelé)

Although Argentina pulled one back through Aguero to make it 3-4, they were ultimately unable to turn the tide.

When the final whistle blew, Messi stood alone near the center circle, gazing blankly at the surging blue ocean in the distance.

This legendary Ballon d'Or winner's dream of winning the World Cup was once again shattered in the first round of the knockout stage.

The French team, a young guard with an average age of less than 26, sent the Pampas Eagles home in a goal-fest with a 4-3 victory.

Mbappé's name, like the most dazzling star, instantly illuminated the entire football world!

At the hotel where the England team was staying, Yan Yuan and several teammates gathered around a large screen in the common lounge area, witnessing the entire thrilling match.

When Mbappe scored his second goal, making it 3-1, the entire rest area fell into a deathly silence of shock.

"Holy shit..." Lingard couldn't help but swear, his eyes wide open.

"That speed...it's terrifying..." Rashford muttered to himself. As a fellow young striker, he could feel the pressure from that kind of impact even more.

Kane remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the celebratory blue number 10 figure on the screen.

Yan Yuan sat on the sofa in the corner, his hands unconsciously clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white.

His inner world was far from as calm as it appeared.

The image of Mbappe on the screen, full of vigor and dominating the game, reminded him of his days in Paris Saint-Germain.

Paris Saint-Germain training ground.

That place where he once poured out his sweat and chased his dreams.

Yan Yuan still remembers the shockwaves that swept across European football when the club's management announced the record-breaking signings of Neymar and Mbappe.

What followed was a purge of the first team and youth training teams.

Yan Yuan became one of the targets of the purge to make room for rising stars and to balance the Fiscal Fairness Act.

He was informed that his contract would not be renewed and was told to pack his bags and leave.

The disappointment and resentment of being kicked out still lingers in his memory.

Fortunately, the past is the past.

Mbappe has found his home.

Yan Yuan also has his own place to belong.

Now, Yan Yuan's main emotion is admiration for Mbappe's terrifying strength.

As he watched Mbappe speed across the field, and as the youthful storm of the French team swept everything away, an idea uncontrollably popped into his head:

This French team is too strong; could they be the ultimate winners of this World Cup?

Yan Yuan couldn't guarantee it; it was just his intuition.

Mixed feelings.

Yan Yuan took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart.

He picked up his phone, opened social media, and decided to express his opinion.

He found the official photo of Mbappe celebrating a goal and liked it.

Then, I wrote a short sentence in the comments section:

[Incredible performance, Killian! Your speed and finishing ability in this match were on another level. Congratulations on advancing! #respect]

His actions were quickly spotted by sharp-eyed fans.

On such a night of the fall of a superstar and the rise of a new one, Yan Yuan's respect and blessings for the core players seemed especially sincere.

Just one day later, another epic showdown ignited the world:

Portugal vs. Uruguay.

The match was held at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, the 2016 European Championship winners, will face Uruguay, a South American powerhouse with the formidable attacking duo of Suarez and Cavani.

This is also a highly anticipated contest.

However, the result of the competition once again surprised most people.

The Uruguayans displayed their tenacious defense and efficient counter-attacks.

In the 7th minute, Uruguay won a free kick on the left side of the attacking third.

Cavani outjumped Portuguese defender Fonte in the penalty area and unleashed a powerful header! The ball soared into the net!

1-0! Uruguay gets off to a dream start!

Portugal launched a full-scale counterattack, with Ronaldo giving his all, but Uruguay's defense was as solid as an impenetrable wall.

In the 62nd minute, Uruguay launched a classic counter-attack! Bentancur intercepted the ball in midfield and dribbled forward, attracting several defenders before calmly passing the ball to Cavani, who was making a high-speed run down the right flank!

Cavani received the ball on the right side of the penalty area and, facing the onrushing goalkeeper Patricio, calmly opted for a precise shot!

The ball once again pierced the Portuguese goal.

2-0! Cavani scores his second goal!

Although Portugal managed to pull one back for Portugal in the final moments through Pepe, it was too late.

Uruguay eliminated European champions Portugal 2-1 thanks to two golden goals from Cavani.

After the final whistle blew, Cristiano Ronaldo stood with his hands on his hips, his eyes filled with resentment and dejection.

Another superstar of an era has left the World Cup stage in disappointment.

What truly amazed the world was not just Mbappe and Cavani, but Paris Saint-Germain's attacking line.

In just two days, on the World Cup stage, two sharp strikers from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe and Cavani, were on the front line.

He personally sent off Messi and Ronaldo, the two unparalleled football stars who had dominated the world for more than a decade, by scoring two goals in succession!

This dramatic coincidence and powerful individual performance instantly sparked heated discussions among fans worldwide.

"PSG's attacking line is terrifying! Mbappe and Cavani, this combination can even score twice in a World Cup knockout stage!"

"PSG has struck gold! Their attacking line has been dominating the World Cup!"

"Mbappe is the future, Cavani is the present! With this attacking lineup, PSG has a real chance in the Champions League this season!"

"Look at Paris's strikers, and then look at our home team's...sigh!"

……

Yan Yuan was also paying close attention to this match.

When he saw Cavani score the second goal to seal the victory, he couldn't help but applaud the Uruguayan's efficiency and Cavani's killer instinct.

Seeing Ronaldo's dejected figure, Yan Yuan felt a pang of regret.

He picked up his phone again and left a comment on the Portuguese national team's post-match tweet:

[Fighting to the very last moment! Cristiano, you remain a legend! @Cristiano]

For two consecutive days, Messi and Ronaldo, the two unparalleled football stars who have dominated the world for more than a decade, were eliminated in the round of 16.

The cruelty and unpredictability of this World Cup have left all fans breathless.

Yan Yuan posted a short update on his personal social media platform:

The World Cup stage is always a place of both respect and cruelty. A salute to all the great players who have left, and a salute to the warriors who continue to fight. #Respect

This post quickly sparked discussion among fans.

Some fans have noticed an interesting detail:

[Have you guys noticed? Yan Yuan's got something interesting going on! He liked and congratulated Mbappe, and even left an encouraging message for Ronaldo. Is he a master of playing both sides? Hahahaha]

[Haha, that's true. Aren't most young players Messi or Ronaldo fans? But Yan Yuan seems to respect everyone; he doesn't take sides.]

Regardless, this young man's character and conduct off the field are quite endearing. He has skill on the field and high emotional intelligence off the field; his future is promising.

[Perhaps in his eyes, Messi and Ronaldo are towering figures to be revered, and Mbappe is also a standout among his peers, both worthy of emulation? After all, he himself is a rising star.]

I admire this attitude—neither arrogant nor humble, respecting all worthy opponents!

The netizens' teasing was tinged with goodwill and appreciation.

Yan Yuan's attitude of transcending factions, purely appreciating football and respecting players is like a breath of fresh air on the highly competitive stage of the World Cup, earning him more goodwill.

Rather than saying Yan Yuan is a fan of Messi or Ronaldo, it would be more accurate to say he is a fan of the strong.

Yan Yuan was willing to respect anyone who was strong.

Unlike some young players who are eager to "identify with idols" or "take sides," he demonstrated a vision and composure commensurate with his own abilities.

The atmosphere on the England team's training ground was even more somber.

The successive eliminations of Messi and Ronaldo serve as a stark warning.

In the knockout stages of the World Cup, there are no absolute champions, only the winners who fight to the very end.

Yan Yuan put away his phone, putting all his distracting thoughts behind him.

Colombia, a formidable South American rival, has become an obstacle in the Three Lions' path to the quarterfinals.