Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been part of one of the major storylines at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, it’s fitting then that as the knockout stage begins, they’ll both try to advance to the quarterfinals on the same day.  

You can see France and Argentina kick off the knockout stage of the 2018 World Cup Saturday at 9am et/6am pt. across the TSN Network and on CTV.  The game will also be streaming on TSN.ca and available on TSN Direct.

After struggling to find the net in the first two games, a draw and a loss, Messi scored a highlight reel opener as Argentina qualified for the last 16, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.

Now after fighting to advance from their group, Argentina will face their toughest test of the 2018 World Cup so far, when they battle France in the Round of 16.

"We are going to play against a team with great individual players," said Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli. "They are among the very best contenders and we will need to be very consistent to come out on top of a very difficult match."

The group stage of the tournament was not as tough for France, who defeated Australia 2-1 in their opener, before a 1-0 victory against Peru guaranteed them advancement in Russia.

They were held to a 0-0 draw by Denmark in their final game, but seven points was more than enough to top Group C.

Despite storming through the group stage, France’s first choice keeper and team captain Hugo Lloris says his team will not be taking their opponents or their superstar lightly. 

"There is so much expectation around Messi, which I think is normal, but still I think the Argentina team has a lot to show,” said Lloris.  “They have had difficult times and still have been able to qualify. I am sure they will feel like going much further in the competition, they have won the World Cup before.”

"This is going to be a big match, and a difficult one, we are going to have to step up our level."
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While Messi produced only one, albeit sublime moment during the first three games, Ronaldo has inserted himself into the Golden Boot race with four goals on his tally heading into the knockout stage.

Uruguay and Portugal can be seen Saturday at 1pm et/10am pt. across the TSN Network and on CTV.  The game will also be streaming on TSN.ca and available on TSN Direct.

The Portuguese captain will lead his side against Uruguay, a team that did not surrender a goal in the group stage of the tournament.

Three clean sheets heading into the Round of 16 is an impressive feat, but Uruguay’s manager Oscar Tabarez knows they have to be prepared for a threat as deadly as his opponent’s captain.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best strikers in the world," said Tabarez. "He has a great potential, obviously, and in planning the match, especially focusing on the opponent and considering the level that every player has, what Ronaldo has on top of the qualities, is that he's the leader of that team.”

"That is an additional factor. There is not a single player that can contain him there. Not just (Diego) Godin. We will have to work collectively in order to try and contain him or in order to try and limit the effect he can have."

Ronaldo has already punished a top challenger, scoring three times in Portugal’s tournament opening, 3-3 draw with Spain.

He scored again in the fourth minute against Morocco, but was held quiet as Ricardo Quaresma scored the marker that helped them draw with Iran and advance to the last 16.

Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos knows his side will have a tough time breaking down Uruguay’s defence.

"They are a typical South American side," said Santos.  "It's not just in this World Cup that they have not been conceding goals. It has been like that for the whole of 2018.”

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez found the net in each of his team’s last two games as he has also started to heat up heading into the knockout phase of the tournament.