Opinion: Now that we're into the second week of the Football World Cup in Qatar, storylines are becoming clearer as to who the heroes and villains of this tournament are.
There's been more upsets and hidings, and a good measure of 0-0 draws thrown in for good measure.
And while the stories of human rights abuses and confiscation of pro-LGBT material haven't been as prevalent this week, football itself has played more of a role.
Here are some of the big winners and losers from the second week of the tournament.
WINNERS
France
Not only did France become the first team to qualify for the round of 16 with their second straight win, they've also broken a curse dating back to the 2010 World Cup in the process.
Not since 2006 has a defending champion progressed from the group stage, with France (2010), Spain (2014) and Germany (2018) all condemned to early exits in their subsequent title defences.
But the France of 2022 look a different picture altogether. Les Bleus have secured convincing victories over both Australia and Denmark, and have the luxury of being able to rotate for their final match - against Tunisia - before the next round.
It's been 60 years since a team has defended the Jules Rimet trophy, but France could have the best chance since that legendary Brazil side to do so.
Lionel Messi
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
On the brink of elimination after a shock loss to Saudi Arabia first up, Argentina had it all to lose in their second match against Mexico.
With scores locked at 0-0 after the hour mark, Argentina fans feared the worst with an early exit creeping worryingly closer.
But a trademark left-foot rocket from Messi left Mexico cult hero Guillermo Ochoa clutching at thin air, as Argentina took a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
This World Cup most likely represents Messi's last chance to write his name into football folklore alongside countryman Diego Maradona.
And although they'll still need to get past Poland in their final group match, Messi has at least bought himself more time to try and add a World Cup to his trophy cabinet.
Australia
Say it through gritted teeth if you must, but the Socceroos have done exceptionally well to put themselves on the brink of qualifying for the next round.
After a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of France in their opener, Australia rebounded with a 1-0 backs-to-the-wall victory against Tunisia.
The Socceroos sit second in Group D heading into the final round of group matches, and can progress with a draw or better up against Denmark - yet to win a game at this World Cup.
It's been 16 years since Australia last reached the round of 16 at a Football World Cup, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since.
But if they can avoid defeat against the Danes, Australia could be on the verge of recapturing the spirit of their 2006 side - the best in their country's history.
Casemiro (Brazil)
So much of Brazil's global appeal as a footballing superpower revolves around their flair, and overall attacking brilliance.
That's been reflected in the selection of no fewer than nine forwards out of their 26-man squad.
How refreshing was it, then, to see one of the players tasked with doing the dirty work turn up and score the winner to send the Selecao into the next round?
In the absence of the talismanic Neymar, Brazil's holding midfielder was on hand to slot home the winner in the final 10 minutes, and earn a 1-0 victory over Switzerland - after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the same fixture at the last World Cup.
That win, Brazil's second, has put the five-time world champions through to the next round, and Casemiro's effort means they won't have to rush Neymar back for a must-win game against Cameroon to complete pool play.
LOSERS
Qatar
Regardless of what you think about whether or not this World Cup should be held there, Qatar won't be able to escape the fact they're on the verge of finishing with the worst record for a host nation - ever.
If there was any representation of Qatar's footballing pedigree, or lack thereof, the hosts became the first hosts to lose their opening match of their own World Cup, and then went one better and lost their second.
Those defeats to Ecuador and Senegal leave Qatar with no chance of progressing to the next round.
And another loss in their finale against the Netherlands would give them the double of being the worst team at the worst World Cup.
John Herdman (Canada)
Generally, football managers are supposed to do what they can to keep the heat off their players.
But Canada boss John Herdman did the exact opposite of that, and gave his opposition all the inspiration they needed.
In a rant captured after Canada's loss to Belgium first up, Herdman told his players "we're going to go and eff Croatia."
Unfortunately, Croatia responded with a 4-1 victory of their own to leave Herdman and Canada red-faced, as forward Andrej Kramaric responded with "we demonstrated who f'ed whom."
Here's hoping Herdman saved some room for the humble pie, after cleaning the egg off his face.
Belgium
For the better part of the last decade, Belgium have boasted a lineup of some of the best players in the world game.
From Eden Hazard, to Kevin de Bruyne. Thibaut Courtois to Romelu Lukaku.
But after finishing third at the 2018 World Cup, it looks like Belgium's chance to win a tournament has come and gone.
The Red Devils' 2-0 loss to Morocco leaves them needing to beat 2018 runner's up Croatia in their final pool game if they're to progress.
Brussels broke out in riots after the loss on Monday, and it could get worse for Belgium if they're dumped out of the World Cup on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Now unemployed after leaving Manchester United last week, Ronaldo did what he does best in Portugal's victory over Uruguay.
As teammate Bruno Fernandes crossed the ball into the area, Ronaldo went up to head the ball home. The only problem is that he didn't get anything on it, and the credit was all Bruno's.
Did that stop Ronaldo celebrating as though he'd scored though? No chance.
Ronaldo has been one of the greatest players to ever grace the game of football, that's not in dispute.
But his career is now coming to an end, and unlike his great rival Messi, he's not going out gracefully.
If Portugal are going to go deep into this World Cup, we're getting to the stage where Ronaldo is surely more hindrance than help.
Alex Powell is a Newshub sport digital producer
