Messi, Ronaldo crawl out in thespian knockout openers

• Messi and Ronaldo both separated on a same night
• The pair’s wait for a World Cup pretension goes on
• Despite early exit both showed flashes of their brilliance

Two of football’s biggest stars exited a FIFA World Cupâ„¢ in a space of only 4 hours as a knockout stages kicked off with an almighty bang.

First, Lionel Messi’s Argentina over following an incredible goal-fest with France, before Uruguay edged out Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. The outcome is that these modern-day icons, who have dominated a game’s particular accolades for a final decade, will be examination a rest of of a contest from home.

Expectations were high for both to perform, with Ronaldo nearing off a behind of nonetheless another UEFA Champions League win and Messi carrying starred in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph. But nonetheless both have done it to a final weekend in a past – Ronaldo carrying finished fourth in 2006, Messi second in 2014 – a final 16 was where their tour finished this time.

• 1270 – The series of mins Lionel Messi (eight games, 23 shots) and Cristiano Ronaldo (six games, 25 shots) have played in a knockout rounds of a World Cup but ever scoring.

With both now into their 30’s, this could good have been their final possibility to win a World Cup – almost positively while still during a rise of their powers. Fans will now watch with amour to see who will follow Messi as a latest adidas Golden Ball winner, carrying seen a Argentinian dip a esteem 4 years ago.

As they both conduct for home, we take a demeanour during how their time in Russia will be remembered.

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/messi-ronaldo-bow-out-in-dramatic-knockout-openers