On a pitch beneath the Amsterdam tower blocks where they grew up, two young friends of Surinamese origin practise free kicks and dream of wearing the Netherlands' famed orange jersey.

Argentina have the pride that comes from being two-times world champions while the Netherlands carry the baggage of being three-times beaten finalists.

La Roja last lifted a major trophy a decade ago at Euro 2012, while they have not won a single knockout game at the World Cup since triumphing in South Africa in 2010.

Victory took the African side into the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, trumping their performance in 1986, when they reached the last 16.

Santos had expressed his unhappiness with Ronaldo's reaction to being suspended in the final group stage game against South Korea but he said that matter had no impact.

Goncalo Ramos justified the shock decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring a hat-trick on his full debut as Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday to power into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Achraf Hakimi struck the decisive penalty in a shootout to send Morocco into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time on Tuesday as the African side stunned Spain after a goalless draw.

"Now I need to think about the future, but I will not be with the Korea team. I am going to rest and then see," the 53-year-old former Portugal coach said after the loss in the last 16. 

Brazil hit top gear with Neymar back in the line-up to brush aside South Korea 4-1 on Monday and ease into the quarter-finals of the World Cup where they will face Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo will aim to fire Portugal past Switzerland and into the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday as Morocco bid to derail Spain's bid for a second global crown.

The government suspended competitive football matches following a deadly stampede in the city of Malang that killed 135 people, including more than 40 children.

Giroud, at 36, brings experience and guile to France's attack, while Mbappe, 23, is blessed with pace so explosive that the screens at the Al Thumama Stadium showed him hitting a top of speed of 35 kph (22 mph) as he tormented Poland's defence.

Southgate's side recovered from a nervous start before powering to a 3-0 win against Senegal in Sunday's last 16 clash at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Fans of football superstar Pelé congregated on Sunday outside the Sao Paulo hospital where the 82-year-old Brazilian icon is being treated for a respiratory infection.

Giroud's opening goal a minute before half-time was his 52nd for his country, allowing him to pass Thierry Henry and become France's all-time record marksman.

The 24-year-old rising star bagged $1.5 million in prize money after a last-round 68 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club left him 20 under par and well clear of his rivals.

Referring to shock exits by Germany, Belgium and Denmark, Wenger, speaking during a technical analysis of the group stages by world governing body FIFA, said it was notable the teams that focused on football and started well, like Brazil, France and England, had easier passage to the last 16. 

For the two striking greats, both 35, it was a deeply underwhelming and undignified way to leave the biggest stage for the final time.

The Americans made a bright start to the match and almost took an early lead through Christian Pulisic, who was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Andries Noppert before the Dutch punished them with their first attack.

Messi marked his 1,000th professional game with his 789th goal - his first in a knockout match at the World Cup - and almost everything good that Argentina created going forward went through the little number 10.

They fought to the bitter end in their 2-1 loss in the last 16 against Argentina on Saturday -- their fourth game in 12 days -- but were just unable to snatch an equaliser that would have taken the match to extra time.

South Korea advanced from group play for the first time since 2010 while Japan wins group for the first time in World Cup history. 

The Koreans are third in Group H with one point and must beat Portugal to have a chance to progress to the knockout stage for the third time after 2002 and 2010.

Despite losing their first match in one of the great World Cup upsets against Saudi Arabia, the two-time former winners still bounced back to win Group C and now face a favourable last 16 draw against outsiders Australia.

ONE middleweight and light heavyweight world champion Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder has won his last two MMA bouts in the ONE Circle via submission, and he plans to go for three in a row on Saturday, Dec. 3, at ONE Fight Night 5.

The top US diplomat, who spent part of his childhood in France, at a luncheon Thursday in honor of Macron offered a light-hearted thank-you to Macron over his favorite team.

Roberto Martinez's side missed a host of chances to claim the win they needed against Croatia to advance from Group F, with striker Romelu Lukaku’s lack of match sharpness telling as they had to settle for a goalless draw and third in the pool.