Lionel Messi moved above compatriot Diego Maradona on all-time World Cup goals for Argentina with his ninth on Saturday during a Round of 16 clash against Australia, and he accomplished what Cristiano Ronaldo has not in five different World Cups — Messi scored in the knockout rounds.

Australia was a massive underdog heading into this one, but the Socceroos' defensive approach had largely nullified Argentina for half an hour.

And just like that, it's over. The United States is sent packing after a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in the first game of the knockout stage. The first World Cup since 2014 for the Americans gave fans much reason for hope, but it exposed the team's weaknesses as well. 

The USA’s 2022 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16 on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands. It’s a game that could have ended differently for the Stars and Stripes who simply weren’t at their best.

This youthful American team will be disappointed in the loss but should be proud of their performances in the tournament. This team went undefeated in the group stage, outplayed mighty England and was the only Concacaf team to advance to the Round of 16.

For one last time let’s look at the three takeaways from the USA’s final game.

El sueño mundialista de Estados Unidos se terminó este sábado luego de caer por 3-1 ante Países Bajos, en los octavos de final del Mundial de Catar.

La derrota del USMNT también significó el adiós definitivo de la Concacaf del torneo.

La confederación había perdido a México, Canadá y Costa Rica en la fase de grupos y tenía la esperanza de ver a Estados Unidos quizás dando una sorpresa ante los neerlandeses. Sin embargo, Países Bajos dio poco espacio para la ilusión.

The USMNT starting 11 vs Netherlands has been confirmed with Christian Pulisic returning to the lineup after being forced off with a pelvic contusion against Iran last time out. Josh Sargent, however, still hasn't fully recovered from his ankle injury (he's unavailable for selection) and the starting striker claim goes to Jesús Ferreira (his first appearance).

Scoring a last-minute winning goal against Brazil is not a usual achievement among soccer players, but Cameroonian captain Vincent Aboubakar can scratch that from his bucket list. The striker bagged a header in the 93rd minute during the last match of Group H in the 2022 World Cup and celebrated accordingly by taking his shirt off.

The U.S. men's national team said Friday that forward Christian Pulisic will play in Saturday's Round of 16 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

The hero of Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Iran to advance out of Group B and into the knockout stage, Pulisic had been counting on playing all along. The team confirmed in a social media post on Friday afternoon that he, indeed, would play.