10 most compelling photos from the 2018 World Cup

[caption id="attachment_38219" align="aligncenter" width="780"] during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Uruguay and Portugal at Fisht Stadium on June 30, 2018 in Sochi, Russia.[/caption] The World Cup knockout stage is underway. It started Saturday, with France defeating Argentina 4-3 and Uruguay winning 2-1 against Portugal. Sunday, Spain takes on host Russia and Croatia plays Denmark.

No African team made it past the round of sixteen although many have acknowledged the team's effort to keep pushing the continent in the limelight. Here are the 12 most compelling photos we've seen from the World Cup so far:

[caption id="attachment_38202" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts as he is shown a yellow card by referee Cesar Ramos in the match between Uruguay and Portugal on Saturday, June 30. Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38213" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Senegal fans salute before the match on Thursday, June 28, against Colombia. Michael Steele/Getty Images[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38207" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun shields the ball from Portuguese defender Jose Fonte. Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38211" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Nigerian midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo kicks the ball during the 2-0 victory over Iceland on Friday. Themba Hadebe/AP[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38210" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts on Saturday, June 30, 2018, after his team is knocked out of the World Cup by France. France won 4-3. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38204" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Colombian defender Yerry Mina controls the ball during the match against Senegal. Mina headed in a second-half goal to lift his team to a 1-0 victory -- and first place in Group H. Stuart Franklin/FIFA/Getty Images[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38209" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the match between France and Argentina. Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38208" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Japan supporters clear litter from the stands after the match. Darko Vojinovic/AP[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38206" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Gabriel Mercado of Argentina scores his team's second goal past Hugo Lloris of France. Lars Baron/FIFA/Getty Images[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38212" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Poland forward Robert Lewandowski dribbles through two Japan players. Themba Hadebe/AP[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38205" align="alignnone" width="1600"] An Argentine fan reacts after France beats Argentina. Thanassis Stavrakis/AP[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_38203" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Fans watch the Egypt-Uruguay match from temporary seats set up at the Ekaterinburg Arena. The seats had to be installed to meet FIFA's minimum-seating requirement. Dan Mullan/Getty Images[/caption]