World Cup knockout stage: Messi chases record as teams plot easiest route to final

The tournament has reached a tense quarter‑final phase with 32 teams battling through the knockout bracket. Lionel Messi is determined to surpass the all‑time World Cup scoring record, putting pressure on opponents to tighten their defenses.

Experts note that some sides earned a smoother group‑stage run, giving them a shorter road to the final. This strategic landscape promises high drama in the coming weeks.