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The Fifa World Cup knockout stage is where the tournament truly comes alive. The group phase offers storylines, but the knockouts deliver raw emotion. One goal, one save, one penalty can define four years of work. That is both the beauty and the brutality of football at this level.
This year’s round of 32 has been giving us everything. We have seen underdogs defend for their lives and favourites crumble under pressure. We have seen tactical chess matches decided by moments of individual genius, and we have seen disciplined sides undone by a single lapse in concentration. VAR and extended added time have only heightened the tension, ensuring no lead is safe until the final whistle.
The knockout stage also teaches hard truths. Tournaments are not won by the most talented squad, but by the most resilient. Set pieces matter. Penalties matter. Mental strength matters. As the business end of the tournament approaches, expect pragmatism to overshadow flair... tighter games, defensive discipline and fine margins. History favours teams that suffer well and strike at the right moment.
Whatever happens, the knockouts remind us why we watch. For 90 minutes, the world stops. That is worth the lost sleep.
Abdul Salam
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