It was one of the most thrilling match-ups of the World Cup so far, but few would have predicted it. Reigning champions Argentina took on tournament debutants Cape Verde and were pushed to their limits.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring with his seventh goal already this summer, but Cape Verde were able to take the game into extra-time thanks to Deroy Duarte’s leveller. Lisandro Martinez once again put Argentina into the lead, but their opponents responded with a stunning goal via Sidny Lopes Cabral.

It looked as though it could go to penalties, but Messi’s corner was flicked in by Cristian Romero, although his effort went down as an own goal after hitting Diney Borges on its way in. Cape Verde were unable to score again, with Argentina holding on for the 3-2 win.

Messi’s Post-Game Chat With Vozinha

REUTERS/Marco Bello

For those watching the game, it felt like the true battle was Messi vs Vozinha, with the heroic Cape Verde goalkeeper thwarting the football legend on multiple occasions. In particular, he stood large to block the Argentines’ right-footed strike when through on goal, while he also made a couple of fine saves from free-kicks, including one which was taken quickly in a cheeky attempt to catch Vozinha out.

After the game, footage circulated online of the pair sharing a moment on the pitch and the 40-year-old goalkeeper has now revealed what Messi said to him during their embrace. As quoted by Yahoo!Sports, Vozinha explained:

Messi Praises Cape Verde After World Cup Meeting

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS

It’s interesting that Vozinha wanted to make sure he could get his hands on Messi’s shirt after the game, as he wasn’t the only Cape Verde star who wanted a moment with the Argentiian icon. Indeed, in the mixed zone after the game, following the 39-year-old’s interview, a handful of Cape Verde players were seen waiting for the footballing great as they asked for a photo.

Messi was more than happy to oblige, with footage of the moment going viral online. He then spoke about how much respect he had for his opponents, praising their display:

“Honestly, we already knew this was going to be a very difficult match. It wasn’t a coincidence that this team didn’t lose to Spain or Uruguay. Scoring the first goal was the hardest part, and we thought it would help us control the game and play with more calm, but the exact opposite happened.

“We lost possession at times, dropped a little too deep, and couldn’t press them the way we wanted. They took advantage of their strengths and found the equaliser. We knew this was always going to be a complicated game.

“These are knockout matches, nobody gives you anything for free. Some people might underestimate certain teams because of their names, but we knew this was never going to be an easy match. That’s what makes this World Cup so special. Everything is incredibly close, and every single game is extremely difficult.”

Zinedine Zidane has every right to be considered the greatest midfielder football has ever seen. The France and Real Madrid legend was elegance personified at his absolute best, winning every major team honour available to him, as well as claiming the highly-prized Ballon d’Or in 1998.

His achievements for club and country have secured his place among football’s immortals, with the two-footed sensation leaving a lasting mark on the global game. Virtually every midfielder who ever crossed paths with him held him in huge esteem. Because of his standing in the sport, praise from Zidane carries enormous weight whenever he chooses to speak glowingly about another player.

That was exactly the case when Zidane described one of England’s finest talents as ‘the best in the world’ back in 2009. Making the compliment even more striking, two of football’s all-time greats – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – were already operating at an extraordinary level at that point.

Zinedine Zidane Believed England Star Was Better Than Messi & Ronaldo

Zidane was referring to Liverpool icon, Steven Gerrard. The all-action midfielder was outstanding as the Reds eliminated Zidane’s former side Real Madrid from the Champions League 5-0 on aggregate in 2009. Later that year, the French great hailed the England international as the best on the planet:

Ronaldo had won football’s biggest individual honour – the Ballon d’Or – the previous year, while Messi went on to collect the prize in 2009. The pair were just beginning a rivalry that would see them battle to be recognised as the greatest player ever for more than a decade, but Zidane still put Gerrard above them, adding:

Expanding on the qualities Gerrard brought to the club he grew up supporting, Zizou added: “He has great passing ability, can tackle and scores goals, but most importantly, he gives the players around him confidence and belief. You can’t learn that – players like him are just born with that presence.”

Gerrard’s Reaction to Zidane’s ‘Best in the World’ Praise

Years after Zidane first delivered that compliment, Gerrard was asked about it during an interview with Rio Ferdinand. When asked if he knew who had said those words about him, he immediately replied: “Zidane, because I’ve read that quote about a million times.

The admiration between the two iconic midfielders is obvious. There was even a possibility that they could have played together at Real Madrid, had Gerrard not remained fiercely loyal to Liverpool during a career that eventually saw him make more than 700 appearances in the famous red shirt.

WWE is considering scrapping an act that has been a major part of the company’s programming since last year, according to a new backstage report.

The relentless nature of the WWE schedule, including weekly episodes of both Raw and SmackDown, means that the creative team, led by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, must constantly try and come up with fresh ideas for the company’s Superstars.

One particular act has proved a struggle to write for in recent months, as injuries have taken their toll, leading to WWE frequently having to change its plans at short notice.

The Vision was formed the day after WrestleMania 41, when Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker officially teamed up with Paul Heyman. Shortly afterwards, Bronson Reed would be added to the mix,

Later additions to the stable would see both Logan Paul and Austin Theory brought in, with Hall of Famer Heyman overseeing everything they did. The group has been a major part of WWE Raw ever since it was formed, but that now appears to be coming to an end.

Top WWE Act Has Struggled Badly With Injuries For Months

The faction worked well, when everyone was healthy and available to perform. However, injuries have blighted the group ever since Seth Rollins hurt his shoulder at last year’s Crown Jewel Premium Live Event.

WWE has done its best to navigate various injuries, but at some point, each of Rollins, Breakker, Reed and Theory have been forced out of action during their time with the group.

When an injury-free Rollins returned to WWE in April of this year, he turned babyface and feuded with Breakker. However, their rivalry came to an end at Night Of Champions earlier this month when Seth defeated Bron in a Steel Cage match.

With Paul and Reed still recovering from injuries, Breakker and Theory are the only healthy members of The Vision who can wrestle matches currently.

Major WWE Act Has ‘Run Its Course’

A recent report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has revealed that there is now a “split of opinion” whether the group should continue. However, even those that want The Vision to survive acknowledge the need for change, with tweaks needed to the line-up of the group.

Others, though, want the group to disband, arguing that the faction has “run its course” and now it’s about letting “the pieces fall where they may.”

Regardless of the decision made, the report makes it clear that Heyman is expected to remain alongside Breakker, as he is seen as an integral part of his presentation going forward.

The biggest hint yet that WWE is ready to scrap The Vision came on the most recent edition of Raw, when Theory approached Heyman backstage and claimed he had not been returning his calls. Unless the company has a major change of heart, it seems the current version of the stable will shortly be coming to an end.