A daunting trip to the Azteca Stadium awaits England if they beat DR Congo after co-hosts Mexico brushed aside Ecuador 2-0 in their last-32 World Cup tie. Kick-off in Mexico City was delayed by an hour due to a thunderstorm, but that did not stop the hosts from making an electrifying start in front of more than 80,000 raucous fans.
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Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches as France cruised past Sweden 3-0 to set up a last 16 tie with Paraguay. A strike in each half took Mbappe to 10 knockout stage goals, while he now shares the lead in the Golden Boot race at this tournament with Argentina’s Lionel Messi, with both on six goals.
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Erling Haaland scored a late winner as Norway progressed through to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Dallas. Antonio Nusa scored his ninth international goal to give Norway a half-time lead, but Manchester United’s Amad Diallo levelled things up with a moment of magic before Haaland scored in his 13th straight competitive international to send Norway through.
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Morocco progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup in a thrilling penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands after the sides drew 1-1 in Guadalupe, Mexico. Morocco edged past the Dutch 3-2 on penalties, Ismael Saibari claiming the decisive goal after multiple missed opportunities and saves on both sides.
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Four-time winners Germany have been knocked out of the 2026 World Cup, losing to Paraguay in a thrilling penalty shootout after it finished 1-1 after extra time. Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Orlando Gill. But Paraguay twice missed chances to go through as Antonio Sanabria shot wide and Fabian Balbuena’s effort was stopped by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer. However, in sudden death, Jonathan Tah blazed over for Germany before defender Jose Canale scored the decisive kick
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