1. Messi: Man in a thousand

It had to be him. In his 1,000th game, Lionel Messi scored his 789th goal to lead Argentina into the promised land of the quarterfinals.

As news came through that the legendary Pele is close to death, it seemed fitting that arguably his spiritual successor should keep his own World Cup dream alive.

He was still short of his best but there were glimpses… you sensed it’s coming.

But it was a close-run thing as a gutsy Australia gave his side a late scare in a 2-1 win.

Coasting at 2-0, the Albiceleste were seeing out what looked a comfortable win over brave but outclassed opponents.

But an outrageous deflection from a hopeful blast by substitute Craig Goodwin left keeper Emi Martinez stranded.

So great was the diversion of the shot, it was given as an own goal, but it galvanised the Socceroos and Argentina wobbled.

In the end, though, Messi’s early goal was the difference. The little maestro took his chance in inimitable style to settle Argentine nerves.

As expected, they then bossed the game and would have been more comfortable had Lautaro Martinez brought his shooting boots.

But that freak goal sparked a stirring Aussie fightback that needed a last-ditch save by Martinez from Garang Kuol to hold on.

What a sting in the tail that would have been – Kuol, a refugee from South Sudan, so close to becoming an Aussie sporting hero.

But on this occasion no one was going to steal Messi’s thunder.

2. Stupid boy 1 – Matt Ryan

For all Argentina’s obvious superiority, it was two moments of rank stupidity that cost Australia.

The main scapegoat was keeper Matt Ryan whose feet of clay handed Argentina its crucial second goal and cushion.

But it was another unforgivable lack of discipline by Aziz Behic that paved the way for the first goal.

As always, though, it’s the keeper who is the principal fall guy and Ryan’s error proved decisive.

With no danger, the former Brighton keeper had what is being called a “brain fade” – and much worse.

It was a touch that would have shamed a buffalo as he collected the ball.

For a sweeper-keeper who prides himself on his ability with his feet, it was more than embarrassing.

Then he followed it with an attempt to dribble that suggested he had both legs tied together.

It ended with the inevitable tap in by Julian Alvarez and that – midway through the second half – seemed to be that.

3. Stupid boy 2 – Aziz Behic

Earlier, but not forgotten, was a rush of blood by Behic who seemed to have decided the way to deal with Messi was to rough him up.

Not content with fouling the great man, Behic grabbed his shirt – and was made to pay a heavy price.

Messi threw an angry arm of his own, before serving up the ultimate retaliation.

Although his freekick was dealt with, he eased into the box for the second ball and slid it unerringly into the corner.

It was as if to say to Behic: “Get back to Dundee United.”

But Behic would later belie his humble standing – Dundee United are currently bottom of the Scottish Premier League – with a mazy Messi-esque dribble off his own that almost brought a goal.

As redemption goes, it would have been right up there.

4. No Van Gogh, just Van Gaal

World Cup of shocks? Not for the Netherlands. While giants have been falling, the best country never to win the trophy has stood tall, reaching the last eight with little drama.

They don’t have the masters of old – there are no Bergkamps, no Gullits, no Van Bastens.

They don’t have Van Gogh, either, but they have Van Gaal. And they can still produce a thing of beauty.

Their 21-pass move for the opening goal was only five short of the famous 26-touches Argentina conjured up for Esteban Cambiasso against Serbia in 2006.

In what is surely his swansong in the big time, the 70-year-old manager is masterminding a young side in his own way.

Incorrigible to the last, just when you’d expect him to go out with a bang, he’s keeping his unsung team under the radar. Could the bang be coming?

Lionel Messi’s Argentina shouldn’t under-estimate him in the quarterfinals.

5. Denzel lives up to his name

Named after actor Denzel Washington, Denzel Dumfries produced an academy award performance to dash American dreams in the World Cup’s Round of 16.

One goal and two assists were the headline acts as the powerful Dutch right-back stole the show.

He even managed a goal-line clearance to add to his two crosses and left-foot volleyed goal.

It could have been so different if US talisman Christian Pulisic, cleared to play after his injury against Iran, hadn’t fluffed his lines in the 3rd minute.

Put through on goal by Tyler Adams, the Chelsea striker had a one-on-one with beanpole keeper Andries Noppert and couldn’t get it past his telescopic leg.

Perhaps it came too early after Pulisic had spent a couple of days in hospital.

He’ll rue the miss for the next four years until the US plays host with Canada and Mexico. But will still go home a hero.