Washington Post · Jun 29, 2018
World Cup round of 16 analysis and predictions
Brazil’s Neymar is not in peak form, but he’s getting closer. (Darko Vojinovic/Associated Press)MOSCOW — Whew. Catch your breath yet? Because here we go again.
A 42-hour pause at the World Cup has allowed hundreds of thousands of visitors and the billions watching around the soccer-engorged planet to reflect on 15 consecutive days of 48-match mayhem, of a dethroned champion, VAR, fair play tiebreakers, late game-winners, own goals, Senegal’s dance step, the Viking Clap and Harry Kane.
The hangover will need to subside by late Saturday afternoon (local time) because the best tournament in recent memory will resume with two matches per day through Tuesday.