What happened: The game's marquee names are coming up big on the world's biggest stage, where the headline talents are rising to the occasion in the highest-pressure moments. The brightest performances are arriving from exactly the players expected to carry the spotlight.

Why it matters: Showings on this scale shape legacies and define how the sport's top performers are remembered. Standout moments on the biggest stage carry outsized weight for reputation and momentum heading into what comes next.

What to watch: Attention turns to whether the headliners can sustain their form as the stakes climb and the competition intensifies.