The group stages are over and the serious stuff starts less than 24 hours after the final shots in that phoney war had been fired.Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane have not been alone in describing the World Cup as an event of two tournaments.And for all the entertainment of the first 72 matches, for the smattering of controversy, for the start of what could be an epic Golden Boot race, for the sprinkling of underdog fever, the real business starts now.And here are five things that will compel us in the final three weeks.‌The farewell - MessiHe has six goals already, is the all-time leading scorer at the World Cup, and quite simply, he is writing his own storylines in the final stages of his remarkable career.And what a storyline it is in the round of 32. The Greatest Of All Time against 40-year-old Cape Verde keeper Vozinha. This is what the World Cup is all about.It is almost impossible to think Messi will not add to his tally and Argentina will not advance but this is a keeper and a nation that kept a clean sheet - one of two - against the mighty Spain.It is a classic World Cup tie that looks like it belongs in the group stages but instead will light up the knockout stages.‌Get the latest World Cup 2026 news in your inbox with our Make Football Great Again newsletterThe last dance of the greats - Ronaldo and ModricCriticised for their performances in their teams’ opening matches, these two legends of European football recovered to show they still have enough class to have an influence on their nations’ progress.Cristiano Ronaldo is 41 but when he shouted ‘I’m back’ after scoring two goals against Uzbekistan, his determination to have a memorable World Cup hurrah was clear.Luke Modric and Ronaldo are both in that exclusive 200-cap club and meet next Friday.‌Both Portugal and Croatia - who meet in the last 32 - did not look overly formidable in their group-stage campaigns but do not rule out Ronaldo or Modric taking their countrymen on a deep run.Proving them wrong - KaneHe has three goals already and, with 11 goals, is England’s outright top-scorer in World Cup football but somehow, somehow, it still feels like Harry Kane has got something to prove.Didi Hamann’s criticism of Harry Kane - saying the ‘jury was still out’ on him was ridiculously harsh but the bottom line is that Kane came into this World Cup on back of a missed penalty in that quarter-final against France in 2022.‌Since then, he has been imperious in club football but he did not have a stellar Euro 2024.England’s reliance on the captain puts a huge burden on him but Thomas Tuchel needs Kane to deliver at the crucial time - and that means not just against DR Congo on Wednesday.Entertaining the world - France and MbappeHe does not help himself at times but Kylian Mbappe truly is a generational talent. He really did not deserve to be on the losing side in the 2022 World Cup final.‌But he leads this sensational French team with a swashbuckling panache and his pace, directness and striking power are joys to watch.France, to me, remain the outstanding squad at this tournament but they will be thoroughly tested by Sweden in their first knockout game.Didier Deschamps’ side, though, has a depth of talent beneath Mbappe that is the envy of the rest of the tournament. It would not be a surprise to see Mbappe rampage all the way to the final in New Jersey.‌The new generation - BouaddiThis is the World Cup that will say farewell to a golden generation, that is if they don’t decide to have one more dance in four years’ time. Honestly, you would not put it past Messi, Ronaldo and Modric having another crack at it in four years time.But these knockout stages will also be a place for the world ’s finest young talent to shine. And they don’t come much shinier than Lamine Yamal. Now fully fit, he will be key to Spain’s challenge - which starts with the round of 32 match against Austria - and he has already shown he is a big-game player.And in possibly the tie of the round, 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi could well lift Morocco to a win over the Netherlands and a run to match their one in Qatar.Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.‌Content cannot be displayed without consent