ARGENTINA, PROTUGAL MEET SEPARATE FOES IN Q-FINALS

THE number of participants at Russia 2018 has been whittled in half as. we step closer to knowing who will be crowned World Champions.

Many favorite teams made it through to the last 16 -- Brazil, Spain, France, Argentina but reigning champions Germany was booted out, for the first time in its history.

Will Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo meet in the quarterfinals and battle it out for supremacy on the greatest stage of all?

One thing is for sure: with just 15 matches remaining, we must savor what is to come.

Messi vs. Ronaldo on the horizon?

Football fans all over the world are salivating over the prospect of Portugal versus Argentina in the quarterfinals which would, of course, give us a showdown between Messi and Ronaldo.

What could be better for the neutrals than watching two of history’s greatest players going head-to-head on the biggest stage of all?

For the winner, a place in the semifinals, putting him two matches from a victory which would be the crowning glory of a celebrated career. For the loser, the prospect of falling behind in the age-old debate of who is the greatest: Ronaldo or Messi?

Ronaldo has scored four goals at Russia 2018

But much will happen before such an attractive scenario can even be contemplated. On Saturday, a so-far unimpressive Argentina must overcome a France team which has also underperformed.

The Argentines were five minutes from elimination but live on thanks to a late Marcos Rojo goal against Nigeria in what was a must-win final group game. were inspired by Ronaldo, scorer of four goals so far in this tournament.

The Real Madrid star has already broken records in Russia -- his hattrick against Spain made him the first man to score in eight consecutive major tournaments and only the fourth to score in four separate World Cups.

Portugal faces Uruguay, a team with Barcelona’s Luis Suarez and PSG’s Edison Cavani leading the line, and with both teams traditionally proving to be obdurate opponents, it could be a match where one slip proves costly.

Whatever the outcome, Saturday’s last-16 ties will provide us with a quarterfinal not to be missed.

Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, was ruled out of the World Cup four years ago after breaking a bone in his back in the quarterfinals and injury has also somewhat hampered his tournament in Russia.

His first competitive outing since breaking a bone in his right foot in February was against Switzerland in Brazil’s opening match and so a bit of rustiness from the 26-year-old should perhaps be expected.

Though he has not been outstanding, the Paris Saint-Germain star has nevertheless played his part in Brazil’s progress to the last 16, scoring in the 2-0 win over Costa Rica and providing an assist in victory over Serbia.

But it is Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, the third most expensive player in history, who has caught the eye for the five-time champions.

He scored a stunning goal from distance in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland and, thanks to wonderful balance, skill and control, has emerged from Neymar’s shadow in his country’s opening three games.

Modric and Croatia impress Vying with Coutinho for the title of best midfielder at the World Cup is Croatia captain Luka Modric. The Real Madrid star has been his country’s totem in their unbeaten run to the last 16.

Indeed, the Croats are one of three teams,