The 2018 World Cup group stage has concluded, signalling the continuation of the dream of glory for teams that progressed, and the bitter end of the road for those that didn't.
Related: Ranking the 16 eliminated teams by how much we'll miss them
This year saw plenty of competitive and/or entertaining sides sent home at the round-robin stage, as well as the departures of some players who have captured our hearts and imaginations, whatever the reason.
Mo Salah, Egypt
Much was made of the impact Salah, who scored 44 goals in his debut Liverpool season, could have on underdog Egypt in its first World Cup since 1990. Instead, injury forced him to watch on as his side conceded an 89th-minute winner to Uruguay in its opener.
By the time Salah stepped onto the pitch for Game 2, qualifying was already a tough task for his nation. His converted penalty and superb chip against Russia and Saudi Arabia, respectively, made little difference other than gratifying his growing legion of fans. Netting an excellent goal from open play was the least he deserved on the world's biggest stage.
Essam El-Hadary, Egypt
At 45 years of age, Salah's teammate El-Hadary entered the tournament hoping to become the oldest World Cup debutant in history. Alas, two games went by without such an appearance.
With the Pharoahs already eliminated, he finally got his opportunity in the third fixture against Saudi Arabia, and made his mark with an utterly superb save from Fahad Al-Muwallad's penalty. That's one to tell the grandkids about, just as soon as he gets home.
Rurik Gislason, Iceland
Iceland won seemingly endless plaudits over the last couple of years on the back of strong showings at Euro 2016 and, at times, in Russia. Though the Nordic nation was sent home on the final matchday, there's another reason to remember its campaign.
That reason is Gislason, the new pin-up boy of a whole nation - or, maybe, a global footballing fanbase. The 30-year-old gained over a million Instagram followers while his country was at the World Cup despite starting just a single game. To be honest, that might have more to do with a strong jawline and chipped blue eyes than his touches on the pitch.
Paolo Guerrero, Peru
Surely this tournament's ultimate personal redemption story, Guerrero scored five goals in 17 games in CONMEBOL qualifying, but missed the play-off victory over New Zealand as the start of an off-and-on-again suspension for failing a doping test. The ban was reduced on appeal after it was forensically shown the offending metabolite had been consumed in traditional coca tea. However, the suspension was then extended again before being temporarily lifted by the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
As such, Guerrero was granted leave to captain Peru to its first World Cup. When he scored the second in the parting 2-0 win over Australia to ensure his storied career ends with a goal on the greatest stage of all, the emotion from the man, his teammates, and his country was palpable.
Daniel Arzani, Australia
Arzani offered a fascinating subplot in Australia's brief campaign. A great deal of hype surrounded the Iran-born starlet coming into the tournament and, having only turned 19 in January, he was the youngest player selected by any country.
He managed to live up to his billing despite being limited to three substitute cameos, and he displayed his burning motivation after the draw with Denmark when he said: "I'm really happy (but) I felt I fell short - I wanted to assist or create a goal." Arzani is currently a breakout star at City Football Group club Melbourne City, but with more performances like those seen in Russia, he'll be on loan somewhere from Manchester City before we know it.
Felipe Baloy, Panama
Panama lost 3-0 to Belgium in its Group G opener and was 6-0 down to England in Game 2 after a little over an hour. Nothing was really expected of the CONCACAF nation, but going home without a mark in the goals-for column would have been hugely disappointing.
Fortunately, Felipe Baloy stepped in - or rather, slid in, lunging to divert the ball toward goal in the 78th minute against the Three Lions. The understated reaction of the man who plays his club football in Guatemala suggested he didn't quite realise he'd put his name in his country's history books forever, although once he saw the supporters' celebrations, the magnitude of his achievement may have hit home. What could possibly make Baloy's Russian tale any better? He's the team's captain, he's 37 years old, and this tournament was his last Panama action before international retirement.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
