The unfolding World Cup has now entered the breathless knockout stages of the tournament.
France just about managed to overcome the stern test of Paraguay in a heated round of 16 tie, with Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus seen as one of the favourites to go all the way and lift the famed Jules Rimet trophy in the middle of July.
For Canada, though, their entertaining tournament has now come to an end, with Cyle Larin - who was representing Southampton on the world's biggest stage - full of disappointment at the full-time whistle on Saturday, as he couldn't help Jesse Marsch's men to a memorable victory over Morocco.
Larin's up-and-down World Cup
Despite Marsch's assertions at the full-time whistle that Canada were the better team overall, Morocco would stroll confidently into the quarter finals with a 3-0 win.
Larin had to make do with a brief second half substitute cameo appearance against the tricky Atlas Lions, with his 27 minute stint unconvincing to say the least, as he managed to fire zero shots at the Morocco goal.
It has been an up-and-down tournament for the striker affectionately known as the Brampton Bagsman to Southampton fans, for his red-hot nine goals last season.
After scoring in back-to-back group games for the underdogs, which saw him break the deadlock against Qatar in a resounding 6-0 victory, Larin found his starting minutes under Marsch dry up.
He will look back on the World Cup with fondness, but he will be left with a sense he could've done more against Morocco potentially, if he was utilised from the get-go.
There's no point crying over spilt milk on Larin's end, however, as he has lived out his dream of playing for his country in the most revered tournament in the beautiful game.
He will look to use this international heartbreak to be a rip-roaring success back at Southampton, as promotion to the Premier League is eyed up.
He will be very eager to be a success back at Southampton
Last season in the second tier, Larin looked born to play in such a taxing environment.
From only 949 minutes of action in the Championship, the well-travelled attacker would pop up with a blistering eight goals.
He will be looking to push any World Cup agony to one side to pick up from where he left off when August hits the calendar, with the 31-year-old surely eager to beat his personal best of 19 goals in the Turkish Super Lig with Beskitas when pulling back on Southampton red and white.
At the moment, as well, Larin is way out in front as Eckert's chosen starting marksman, with Ross Stewart leaving the building, and Cameron Archer rumoured to also be on the move.
Noted as being a "quality" Championship striker by EFL pundit Adrian Clarke, Larin would be over the moon if he ended up being the heroic talisman that could finally guide Southampton back to the promised land.
Having played in top divisions such as the MLS and the Turkish Super Lig before, it would be another dream come true for the Canadian - alongside finally bagging a priceless World Cup strike for The Reds - if he was able to strut his stuff in the Premier League.
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