The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.Good morning! Enjoy a miracle today. Inside:
Last Words: A World Cup moment to reflectToday marks the first day without a World Cup game since June 11, when the tournament began. I don’t really know what to do with myself, but we shall persist … until tomorrow. Yesterday’s results — along with a final say about the USMNT’s ugly exit and future — warrant plenty of conversation. Let’s start with what actually happened:
Argentina advanced via a miracle comeback over Egypt, winning 3-2 and scoring all three goals in the final 15 minutes of the match. Supporters will say Lionel Messi’s left foot is kissed by God, while Egyptian fans will rue some iffy VAR calls for years to come. Either way, Argentina advances to the final eight.
Messi and company will play Switzerland, which survived a nervy 0-0 tie through extra time and won in a shootout over Colombia. Argentina will be favored in that matchup, but don’t forget that the reigning Cup winner has been on the ropes in two straight matches. This Switzerland team has guts, too.
Jamie Squire / Getty ImagesAs for the latest departed host country, bitterness still roiled a day later over the Americans’ poor showing in a 4-1 loss to Belgium. Interest had soared; over 40 million people watched the game here. The lingering emotions are sensitive and inhabit a wide spectrum:
