Group stage is the best stage. The tournament is young, summer is young. You’re inundated with an endless marathon of games. All the teams, including yours, are in so anything can happen. Once you get to the quarters you’re reminded that it will all be over soon and you’ll die
Norway beat Israel 5-0 in the World Cup qualifiers and then donated the prize money they won to Gaza and that’s why everyone should be rooting for them.
Ronaldo is about to face Spain for the 4th time in 6 World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2018, 2026
He has also faced Brazil in 2010, Germany in 2014, and England in 2006.
Meanwhile Messi has played 6 World Cups and still hasn’t faced Spain, England, Brazil, or Italy once.
But we’re supposed to pretend the paths are the same?