Although it was initially expected to be just muscle fatigue, the Manchester City center-back’s injury was confirmed according to the BBC. While the player remains optimistic and hopes to train this Friday, the coaching staff knows it cannot take risks in the backline, especially having to mark the fearsome Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals in the tournament.

Adding to the defensive issues is the delicate situation of Declan Rice, who was unable to participate in practice for the second consecutive day due to a virus. The midfielder was already dealing with a neural problem that affected his hamstring and lower back, a condition that has been aggravated by this recent sickness.

Good news for England

As a counterweight to these complications, Tuchel received a boost of relief on Thursday with the return of Reece James to full training for the first time since his injury against Ghana.

The return of the right-back is a fundamental reinforcement for a sector of the pitch that had become a real headache, especially after a two-match suspension was confirmed for Jarell Quansah due to his red card against Mexico. Considering that Tino Livramento was injured before the tournament, Djed Spence emerged as the only natural specialist available for the position, which highlights the importance of the Chelsea man’s recovery.

Possible replacements for Guehi

If Guehi ultimately fails to pass the fitness tests and is ruled out of the starting eleven, England have high-quality alternatives available to cover the central defense, having John Stones, Dan Burn, or Trevoh Chalobah at their disposal, the latter of whom joined the squad as an injury replacement and can also play as a fullback.

Colombia secured $15 million for reaching the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, according to the prize scale. That was the accumulated amount for La Tricolor after overcoming the initial stages of the tournament.

The figure is explained by the tournament’s payment scheme. All participating teams received $9 million for playing the initial phase, while those who qualified for the next round (Round of 32) raised their income to $11 million. The national teams that reached the Round of 16 made it to the next level of the scale, earning $15 million. That was the point where Colombia finished after they fell to Switzerland in a penalty shootout.

How the prizes work

According to the prize scale of the world soccer governing body, all participating teams in the 2026 World Cup received an initial payment for playing the group stage. From there, the amounts increased based on the progress of each national team.

The scheme functions progressively: each round cleared implies a higher income for the national federations. Therefore, advancing in the tournament not only has sporting value, but also a direct economic effect for each qualified team.

The teams that overcame the first phase raised their income compared to the initial amount. Then, those who reached the Round of 16 accessed a higher prize, as happened with Colombia after advancing to that stage of the championship.

FIFA‘s logic rewards performance within the tournament. The further a national team goes, the higher the amount they receive. This structure gives direct elimination matches an additional weight for the federations.

Quarterfinals, semifinals, and final elevate payouts

The prize scheme for the 2026 World Cup shows that the amounts grow considerably in the final stretch. National teams that reach the quarterfinals are guaranteed $19 million, while those who continue advancing receive higher figures.

According to the same scale, the fourth-place team of the tournament will receive $27 million. Third place will obtain $29 million, the runner-up will take home $33 million, and the world champion will receive $50 million alongside the title.

Deschamps’ first reaction to Mbappe’s substitution, according to Bein Sports: “With Kylian, it was a bit of his ankle; he was feeling a bit of pain. Manu took a blow to the knee—it’s normal; the matches are coming thick and fast. It’s good for Warren, though I can’t please everyone.”

“I imagine there is a lot of fervor in France; here, we are a bit in our own bubble,” Deschamps added. “We are passing another milestone today, finding ourselves in the final four once again… it means we are right where we belong!” Mbappe was substituted in the 77th minute for Jean Mateta.

Mbappe injury update

Beyond the words of Deschamps, Mbappe provided his own injury update, bringing calm to anxious fans. He made it clear that it is nothing serious or anything to worry about, adding that exiting the pitch was the right decision for both himself and the team during the final stage of the match.

“I’m okay, I took a blow to the ankle but I’m fine,” Mbappe said. “At that moment, JP (Mateta) was better suited than I was to play the final 15 minutes, so I came off and he came on. It’s good, plus he almost scored.”

What is next for France?

France secured their third consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance, a streak that began in 2018 when they were crowned champions. They are now just one match away from reaching three straight finals, a tremendous statistic in a World Cup. The milestone also extends to Kylian Mbappe, who remains one of their key figures with 8 goals already scored in this edition.

France await their opponent, as Spain and Belgium will play in the quarterfinals to determine who advances. The semifinal match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET at Dallas Stadium, a matchup where the men led by Deschamps enter as favorites.

Mbappe was substituted but first made his mark in the matchup. He initially missed a penalty, which put France in a tough position and placed Mbappe on an unwanted list alongside Karim Benzema after Bono made a spectacular save to join an exclusive list of his own.

However, it did not end there. He also scored a stunning goal in the 60th minute after receiving an assist from Desire Doue. Mbappe found himself in the box with defenders draped over him, executed a quick cut close to his foot to open up space, and unleashed a cross-shot that left Bono with no chance, making the score 1-0 and tallying his 8th goal of the World Cup.

Is Mbappe’s injury serious?

It is a great sign that Mbappe walked off under his own power, and perhaps it was a personal decision not to risk his physical condition given that France were already winning 2-0. The move also keeps the semifinals in mind, where they will face a more than complicated opponent in the winner of Spain vs Belgium.

A notable detail from the broadcast showed Mbappe on the substitutes’ bench, seated with what appeared to be ice on his instep and his cleats already removed, but at full time, Mbappe was jumping and running around celebrating. An official statement is expected, with hopes that it is nothing serious.

What is next for France and Mbappe

With the victory over Morocco, France await their semifinal opponent, marking their third consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance since 2018. As previously mentioned, the matchup will be against the winner of Spain vs Belgium.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET at Dallas Stadium. It is a matchup that will generate plenty of discussion. On the other side of the bracket, more highly intriguing fixtures await, including England vs Norway and Argentina vs Switzerland, as this beautiful competition edges closer to its conclusion.

It is a tremendous statistic: France have only missed two penalties in regular play (outside of shootouts) in the entire history of the World Cup. And within that list, there are only two players: Mbappe and Benzema.

• Benzema — 2014 (against Switzerland)
• Mbappe — 2026 (against Morocco)

Mbappe missed his penalty in the 28th minute, and Bono made a great save, joining an exclusive list. In his time, Karim Benzema missed his penalty and became the first player to waste a penalty in the Brazil 2014 World Cup against Switzerland in the group stage, a match that France still won 5-2, and Benzema still had the opportunity to score.

A penalty that could cost them dearly

The penalty can make a difference in the match, but speaking individually, Mbappe, one of the top scorers of the 2026 World Cup, stalled in the race for the Golden Boot by wasting the penalty in the match against Morocco.

The penalty kick was awarded after Mbappe himself was brought down in the box. Mbappe has seven goals in the North American World Cup, while Argentina’s Lionel Messi leads as top scorer with eight goals. Norway’s Erling Haaland has the same tally as the French attacker.

What is worth emphasizing is that Messi and Haaland will have played one fewer game, as they have their pending quarterfinal matches: Argentina against Switzerland and Norway against England. Harry Kane is not far behind with 6 goals, which is crazy.

Bono’s historic achievement

With the penalty saved against Mbappe, Bono makes history by joining the list of goalkeepers with the highest number of penalties saved in a World Cup, with a total of 4 penalty saves (including shootouts):

• Bono (Morocco) — 4
• Harald Schumacher (Germany) — 4
• Sergio Goycoechea (Argentina) — 4
• Iker Casillas (Spain) — 4

Ahead of the matchup, Erling Haaland spoke to the media about England‘s status as favorites and the emotion that comes with playing in a World Cup for Norway. “I think there’s some clear favorites out there, England’s one of them,” said the Manchester City striker about the Three Lions, who are among the list of World Cup champions.

Speaking to journalists, he added: “I think all of you should put every single pressure on the English lads.” Norway will look to continue writing the most important page of their history when they face England for a spot in the semifinals, where an expected clash between Kane and Haaland could define the details of their performance.

The impact on Norway

Furthermore, Haaland referred to the relevance for Norway regarding the feat they are achieving: “I definitely didn’t expect this. Even before the match against Brazil, I didn’t imagine it. Being in a quarterfinal now with Norway is something quite surprising, even for me,” he indicated.

“Playing against Brazil was already something incredible for Norwegians, but beating them and then facing England in a quarterfinal is very special. If you see what is being experienced in Norway, you understand that this is not normal for us,” he added.

With the rivals they have faced and overcome, it is already a historic path within the World Cup, and even more so for a team like Norway. Now, if it surpasses England and reaches the semifinals with an Erling Haaland who has scored 7 goals so far in his first participation, it would be pure history. It is a shame that he has beasts like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in front of him.

Norway vs England match details

The match between Norway and England will kick off at 5:00 PM ET at Miami Stadium on Saturday, July 11. Whoever prevails in the result will face the winner of the matchup between Argentina and Switzerland in the semifinals, which will be played a few hours later.

According to journalist Tom Bogert, Mauricio Pochettino says he thinks Christian Pulisic twisted his ankle, but he hopes it is not serious and he will be able to reintegrate with AC Milan ahead of the 2026-27 season.

This leaves both USA and AC Milan fans somewhat relieved that they will count on the star, who will arrive downcast but hungry for glory and fighting to reach the next World Cup with the USMNT.

What is next for USA and Christian Pulisic?

On one hand, they are left to be spectators and continue enjoying the World Cup they are hosting, while Belgium and Spain already have a confirmed date and venue for their matchup. On the side of the USMNT, the future is uncertain, especially the continuity of Pochettino, who had them excited at the beginning.

Mauricio Pochettino‘s future is unsettled. Multiple reports before the tournament said U.S. Soccer had offered Pochettino a contract extension through 2030, but both sides opted to wait until the run ended to decide.

Whoever takes the job will not be busy right away. The U.S. currently has no matches announced before the September FIFA window. That gives the federation time to reset and to see which veterans move on. Tim Ream is 38 and near the end. Christian Pulisic, 27, along with younger players Malik Tillman, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah, is a group that can carry it forward.

Hosting this World Cup came with an automatic bye. For 2030 in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, the Americans will have to qualify through CONCACAF, something they have not had to grind through since 2022. The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles offer one more home stage before they have to focus on the next World Cup on the road.

Not only was eliminating them from the tournament enough, but Belgium also responded with a clear message on their social media, posting “Overturn this” alongside an emoji of a person pointing to their ear, which can be interpreted as a “keep talking” gesture.

This result leaves many doubts regarding the future of USA, such as their presence in the next World Cup. They had a great campaign, but it was ultimately stained by everything that transpired with the Balogun topic. What is set, however, is the date and location for the quarterfinal matchup between Spain and Belgium.

A sweet victory for Belgium

The elimination of USA, which follows those of Mexico and Canada also in the Round of 16, leaves the World Cup without any of the three host nations. The presence of Balogun on the pitch had the opposite effect of what USA expected.

The hosts shrank before the furious start of the Red Devils and even shot themselves in the foot with an error on a clearance by goalkeeper Matt Freese, which allowed Belgium to pull ahead 4-1.

Balogun’s presence was not the only surprise in the lineups in Seattle, as Belgium shook up their eleven by leaving Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku on the bench. The Red Devils did not miss their stars in the slightest during a dizzying start to the match that left the local defense shaking, as the team gradually finds its system of play.

Sebastian Berhalter and Balogun himself came close to putting USA back in the game, but it was Romelu Lukaku who certified the harsh rout in the 90+3′ minute. Now, Belgium arrive motivated and eager to return to the World Cup semifinals, attempting to knock out a contender like Spain.

The duel between Spain and Belgium is scheduled for July 10 at 3:00 PM ET at Los Angeles Stadium, also known as SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The matchup will feature two European sides where anything can happen.

Spain and Belgium face a tight outlook on their path to the final, but they have made a statement. Spain eliminated a contender like Portugal, while Belgium secured a great result against a side that was both a revelation and one of the tournament hosts.

How Spain and Belgium secured qualification

Spain secured a dramatic qualification by defeating Portugal 1-0 with a late goal from Mikel Merino in the 90th minute, thanks to a precise assist from Ferran Torres—a result that marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup farewell.

Meanwhile, Belgium eliminated the USA, who were looking to put together their best World Cup performance. With this, they knocked out the last remaining host country left alive in the tournament, leaving a question mark over whether we will see them participate in the next edition of the World Cup.

Belgium convincingly defeated the United States by a score of 4-1. For the Red Devils, Charles De Ketelaere scored a brace, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku each contributed a goal. For the Stars and Stripes, Malik Tillman pulled one back.

Spain vs Belgium in World Cup history

Spain and Belgium have faced each other twice in World Cup history. They first met in the quarterfinals of Mexico 1986. The match ended in a 1-1 tie during regulation, and the deadlock persisted through extra time before the Belgian side took a 5-4 victory in the penalty shootout.

Four years later, these teams crossed paths again at the Italy 1990 World Cup. On that occasion, they clashed in the group stage, where Spain earned a 2-1 victory over the Red Devils courtesy of goals from Michel and Alberto Gorriz.

The winger was booked following an altercation with Matias Galarza, who fell to the ground clutching his face, though replays showed the Bayern Munich forward was only holding his jersey. The caution would mean Olise misses a hypothetical World Cup semifinal if he sees another yellow card and France advance from their quarterfinal match against Morocco.

Under the circumstances, this would seemingly be “fair” as unprecedented events are unfolding in a World Cup, and FIFA will not want to make the host look bad—especially when it is said that everything happened after a phone call from Donald Trump to Gianni Infantino regarding Balogun’s red card.

Other players on the brink for France

Olise is not the only one on the ropes; Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone, who were also warned against Paraguay, face the same suspension in the event of another yellow card. However, an appeal for Olise is more likely due to the high level, world-class form, and importance he is carrying for France.

FIFA issue punishment

Despite the decision sparking tremendous controversy—ensuring Balogun starts in the matchup against Belgium and leaving Mauricio Pochettino celebrating his presence—FIFA has decided to fine the forward while upholding the decision to overturn his expulsion.

As the FIFA Disciplinary Committee explained on why Balogun can play against Belgium, they put their approach on full display. “On 5 July 2026, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee found Balogun guilty of both infringements, imposed a one-match suspension (suspended on probation for one year) and a USD 40,000 fine, and notified the parties of the decision,” FIFA’s latest statement on the polarizing overturning of Balogun’s ban read.

“In addition to the suspended match ban, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of USD 40,000, allocating half of the amount to the violation of Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and half to the violation of Article 66 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”

Regardless, Belgium were left astonished following this resolution. Furthermore, direct complaints have been received from Belgium coach Rudi Garcia after the decision was made—something that will surely go down in history among the negative marks of this World Cup.

The decision to send De Bruyne to the bench appears to be Rudi Garcia‘s choice after poor performances from the midfielder. Before the game, the coach announced that three players were not at 100%, one of them appears to be De Bruyne, who hasn’t shown the best version of himself in this World Cup so far. Romelu Lukaku isn’t starting today against the USA either.

With De Bruyne benched, Garcia has decided to form the midfield with Youri Tielemans, Nicolas Raskin, and Amadou Onana. Furthermore, Belgium will not start Jeremy Doku, who was subbed off along with De Bruyne during the Round of 32 against Senegal. 56 minutes into the game, both left the field and Belgium ended up completing a 3-2 comeback in overtime.

De Bruyne’s poor form

It is worth remembering that De Bruyne started all four matches the European side has played so far in the World Cup. However, he was substituted in all of them. In the opener against Egypt, he played 86 minutes; against Iran, 87 minutes; against New Zealand, 72 minutes; and in the Round of 32, he left the pitch in the 56th minute, shortly after the second half began.

What is next for USA and Belgium

The US squad enters this matchup after eliminating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round, while Belgium come off pulling off an incredible comeback against Senegal in a match that was decided with plenty of emotion in the final minutes.

The winner of this duel will face Spain in the quarterfinals. Spain secured a dramatic qualification after defeating Portugal 1-0 with a late goal from Mikel Merino, knocking Cristiano Ronaldo out of the 2026 World Cup.

Confirmed lineups

Belgium will line up as follows: Thibaut Courtois; Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper, Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy; Youri Tielemans, Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana; Leandro Trossard, Dodi Lukebakio, Charles De Ketelaere.

Mauricio Pochettino, on his side, will take advantage of the controversial return of Folarin Balogun: Matt Freese; Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman; Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman; Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun.

Featuring stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku, the “Red Devils” reached the pinnacle of their history and spent several years near the top of the FIFA rankings. Their best performance came at Russia 2018, where they secured third place, the highest finish in their history. The team led by Roberto Martinez finished first in its group with a perfect record after defeating Panama, Tunisia, and England.

They then pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks in World Cup history by defeating Japan 3-2 after falling two goals behind, eliminated Brazil in the quarterfinals with a brilliant collective performance, and only fell 1-0 to France, who would go on to win the tournament. In the third-place match, they defeated England once again, 2-0, to cap off a historic campaign.

Belgium’s history in the World Cup

Throughout their history, they have experienced various eras of prominence. After several decades of inconsistent results, they managed to qualify for six consecutive World Cups between Spain 1982 and Korea-Japan 2002. They missed out on Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 before returning with a vengeance, starting at Brazil 2014.

Following their great performance in Russia 2018—until then, the crowning achievement of Belgian soccer was Mexico 1986, when they reached the semifinals for the first time. That squad led by Guy Thys, featuring icons like Jean-Marie Pfaff, Eric Gerets, Jan Ceulemans, and Enzo Scifo, eliminated the Soviet Union 4-3 after extra time in an unforgettable match, and then knocked out Spain on penalties.

In the semifinals, they crossed paths with Diego Maradona’s Argentina, who won 2-0, while Belgium ultimately finished fourth after losing to France in the third-place playoff. In 1990, 1994, and 2002, they reached the Round of 16. At Brazil 2014, with the generational transition firmly established, they won all three of their group stage matches, eliminated the United States in extra time, and were knocked out in the quarterfinals after falling by a single goal against Argentina.

Belgium’s worst campaigns

Not every campaign was a success. In their earliest appearances—1930, 1934, and 1938—they were quickly eliminated, while at France 1998, they exited in the group stage after drawing all three of their matches.

The biggest recent disappointment arrived at Qatar 2022, when a national team that still featured a large portion of its “golden generation” failed to clear the opening round. After a narrow victory over Canada, they lost to Morocco and drew with Croatia—a result that signaled the end of an era helmed by Roberto Martinez and stars like Hazard, De Bruyne, Courtois, and Lukaku.

Following the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo headed toward the stands where the Portugal fans were located to thank them and say goodbye. He was seen with tears in his eyes, knowing it would be his last match in a World Cup, which he had confirmed in a press conference before the match as his retirement sits on the brink. However, a moment of solidarity was on display when Lamine Yamal approached to comfort him.

With this result, Spain also secured their spot in the quarterfinals, where they await the winner of the matchup between USA and Belgium, facing a more than complicated path to the final from here on out.

Spain narrowly defeat Portugal

In the match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Spain won behind a single goal from Mikel Merino in the 89th minute of the match. Ronaldo was scoreless in his final World Cup game.

Before the match against Spain, Ronaldo told reporters, “Yes, this will be my last World Cup, and the most important thing is to enjoy it.” Ronaldo, in a more serious way, responded, “I’ll end my career, as I said a few years ago, when I decide to, not when you decide.”

Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. But Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning their only World Cup title in 2010 in South Africa.

What decided the match

Star left-back Nuno Mendes went down with what appeared to be a muscle injury, something he was trying to play through in the tournament, and was replaced by Nelson Semedo. But facing Yamal, who is coming off a hamstring injury of his own, amplified the risk.

And on Spain‘s side, it was the key substitutions they made. The introduction of Mikel Merino and Ferran Torres provided the winning goal, with Ferran delivering a great assist to Mikel, who calmly finished at the near post.

The eyes of the entire world will be on this encounter, which also has confirmed uniforms. Adham Makhadmeh has been designated to referee the match between the United States and Belgium in the tournament’s Round of 16, where a win, loss, or draw can completely change the course of the journey.

Full officiating crew:

• Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
• Assistant Referee 1: Mohammad Alkalaf (Jordan)
• Assistant Referee 2: Ahmad Alroalle (Jordan)
• Fourth Official: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
• Fifth Official: Boris Ditsoga (Gabon)
• VAR: Khamis Al Marri (Qatar)
• AVAR: Nicolas Gallo (Colombia)
• SVAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (Argentina)

Makhadmeh’s credentials

The Jordanian referee enters this duel—where USA are looking to climb the FIFA rankings—after officiating three matches in the current 2026 World Cup: the 0-0 draw between Spain and Cape Verde, Belgium’s 5-1 victory over New Zealand, and the Round of 32 match where England defeated DR Congo 2-1.

Although this tournament marks his first World Cup appearance, Adham boasts a proven track record in international competitions, including the U-20 World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Additionally, he has developed extensive experience in club and national team tournaments within the AFC confederation, including the Asian Champions League, the Jordanian Pro League, and various World Cup qualifying matches on his continent.

A spicy matchup between USA and Belgium

The matchup arrives with temperatures at an all-time high. This follows FIFA’s last-minute decision to revoke the suspension of Balogun, a key piece for USA that has Mauricio Pochettino celebrating and his teammates clearly defending the decision, as is the case with Christian Pulisic.

On top of the entire situation, there have already been complaints from Rudi Garcia, the coach of Belgium, and the scenario gets even more complicated after United States President Donald Trump admitted he called Gianni Infantino regarding the forward’s expulsion.

The last time Mexico contested the famous “fifth game” was at the 1986 World Cup at home. In that tournament, fueled by its home fans and a historic generation, the squad managed to place itself among the top eight teams on the planet.

Since then, Mexico accumulated seven consecutive Round of 16 exits alongside a group-stage elimination at Qatar 2022. Now, England move forward on a complicated path to the final, where they will play their next match in the quarterfinals against Norway, who just advanced after overcoming Brazil 2-0 behind an Erling Haaland brace.

The last time Mexico reached the quarterfinals

Mexico entered the 1986 World Cup as hosts under the tactical direction of Serbian manager Bora Milutinovic. They were placed in Group B alongside Belgium, Paraguay, and Iraq. Mexico debuted with a 2-1 triumph over Belgium, later drew 1-1 with Paraguay, and closed out the group stage with a 1-0 victory against Iraq. With those results, they finished as leaders of their group to advance to the knockout stage.

That squad featured several of the most important figures in Mexican soccer at the time, including Hugo Sanchez, Manuel Negrete, Tomas Boy, Fernando Quirarte, Javier Aguirre, Raul Servin, Luis Flores, and goalkeeper Pablo Larios, all of whom fueled the hope of an entire fanbase dreaming of making history on home soil.

On June 15, 1986, more than 110,000 fans packed the Estadio Azteca to witness the Round of 16 duel between Mexico and Bulgaria. After they won 2-0, the final whistle unleashed one of the most iconic celebrations ever seen at the Mexico City stadium.

What happened in the quarterfinals?

The last time Mexico played in the quarterfinals of a World Cup, it came against West Germany, one of the true powerhouses of world soccer. The matchup was held on June 21, 1986, at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey.

Throughout the 90 minutes of regulation and extra time, neither team managed to break the scoreless deadlock. Mexico even suffered a blow when Javier Aguirre was sent off in extra time, preventing the midfielder from participating in the penalty shootout. From the spot, Germany were clinical, winning 4-1 to advance to the semifinals.

Pochettino noted that he was not personally involved in the process to overturn Balogun’s red card. “The Federation was working very hard,” Pochettino said during his pre-match press conference. “JT (Batson, the chief executive of U.S. Soccer) and the whole Federation were trying to defend our situation. I was not involved and focused on the team preparing for Belgium.

“This is good for soccer, to celebrate. If in the next game an unfair thing happens, you can reverse the decision. From a decision that is slow motion, which is not the reality of what happened on the pitch.” The manager also celebrated having Balogun available for the high-stakes clash. “My reaction is like everyone’s. I love the sport and trust the ethical integrity of it. We celebrate the decision.”

Why was Balogun sent off?

Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun scored the opener for the U.S., but he was shown a red card in the 64th minute following a lengthy VAR review for a hard challenge on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic. Despite the ejection, the U.S. held on to see out a 2-0 victory.

Keeping Balogun on the pitch is vital as the U.S. are trying to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 2002. If the Americans beat Belgium on Monday, they will face the winner of the Round of 16 matchup between Spain and Portugal.

Rudi Garcia’s comments

To provide more context, Rudi Garcia was visibly upset by FIFA’s actions and the ultimate decision. “I didn’t know that at the World Cup the 5th of July is actually the first of April. It’s April Fools,” Garcia told reporters, taking a sarcastic jab at the situation. “We’re not defending the national team or federation, we are defending soccer.”

Interestingly, the reversal was a solo move by soccer’s governing body; under FIFA regulations, the USA were actually barred from filing an official appeal to begin with. Despite his clear frustration, Garcia insisted that Belgium remain entirely locked in on the task at hand, regardless of who features for the Americans.

“Anyway, I’m the coach, so I’m going to focus on my team and the match — it doesn’t matter who makes up the USA’s starting lineup,” Garcia added. “What matters to me is the pitch, my team, winning, and reaching the quarterfinals.”

Fueled by an exceptional run of form on the big stage, Mexico have climbed to the 10th position in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking with an official live baseline of 1,754.30 points. It is all thanks to an excellent run in the group stage and defeating Ecuador with ease in the Round of 32.

The tactical hurdle standing between El Tri and a dream ticket to the quarterfinals features a premier European powerhouse built for tournament environments, in a Mexico-England matchup that already has confirmed uniforms.

England occupy the 4th spot globally on the official Inside FIFA leaderboard, packing an elite tier of 1,850.97 points under Thomas Tuchel.

Match delayed

The match between Mexico and England, which features confirmed referees for the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, will kick off with a one-hour delay due to weather conditions, FIFA announced in a statement. The governing body also warned of a packed crowd presence.

FIFA stated that the decision was made due to adverse weather conditions, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Estadio Azteca in the Mexican capital. Hours before the match, heavy rain was recorded in the southern part of the city where the stadium is located, though that did not stop thousands of fans from occupying their seats in the stands.

Estadio Azteca appears mostly painted in the green color of the Mexican jersey, with thousands of fans in their seats waving the country’s flag. Alongside the crowd, the altitude will play a crucial role.

The winner of this match, between England and Mexico, already has a confirmed opponent in the quarterfinals: Norway, who are coming off a 2-0 victory over Brazil, leaving them officially eliminated. The matchup is scheduled for July 11 at Miami Stadium.

Mexico enter the match eager to win, looking to capitalize on the altitude of Estadio Azteca, which will feature a sold-out crowd packed with Mexican fans. Additionally, they arrive undefeated and have yet to concede a goal in the tournament after defeating Ecuador in the Round of 32.

England hope to overcome this stage, aiming for a path to the final that promises to be very complicated, especially in a match that already features confirmed referees. Furthermore, on paper, they maintain a certain advantage and hold an edge due to their higher position in the FIFA rankings.

Mexico and England confirmed kits

The Mexican national team will return to wearing green with white shorts and red socks in the Round of 16 duel against England. FIFA confirmed the uniform assignments for the July 5 match, meaning the Mexican team will utilize its traditional home jersey in search of a ticket to the quarterfinals.

The color contrasts perfectly with England‘s, meaning it will not be necessary to apply the second criterion to differentiate them on the pitch. However, the white shorts would have to be modified if Thomas Tuchel’s squad decides to wear them as part of its kit.

England will take the field in a white jersey, dark blue shorts, and white socks. The goalkeepers will feature contrasting colors; Mexico‘s goalkeeper will wear magenta with purple details, while England’s will be entirely in yellow.

With this setup, the Mexican national team will wear its traditional jersey—which characterizes it so much—for the third time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having already worn it against South Africa and Ecuador. Meanwhile, against South Korea, Mexico used black, and against Czechia, white.

Neymar was seen crying after the final whistle, especially because this likely marks the final World Cup of his career and a definitive farewell to the Verdeamarela. The exit leaves a bitter taste for the forward, who was never able to give his absolute best in the competition.

Neymar scored from the penalty spot in the 90+7th minute after Casemiro received an elbow to the face inside the box. Leading up to the spot-kick, Neymar displayed a cheeky attitude, exchanging words with the opposing goalkeeper. Just minutes earlier, he had committed a yellow-card foul born out of desperation after Haaland scored his brace.

Haaland played the villain

Erling Haaland is enjoying one of the best moments of his career. The Manchester City attacker achieved a historic feat: helping his national team break into the top eight of the World Cup.

The Norwegian forward opened the scoring to make it 1-0 in the 79th minute and extended the lead in the 90th minute with a great finish, leaving no chance for Alisson—a goalkeeper he frequently scores against in Premier League clashes between Manchester City and Liverpool.

The match ended 2-1 in favor of Norway following Neymar’s consolation penalty, but the Scandinavian squad secured qualification and a spot among the top eight of the 2026 World Cup. With the performance, Haaland reached an incredible 62 goals in 54 matches with the national team.

With this victory, Norway advance to the quarterfinals, where they await the winner of the matchup between Mexico and England, charting a path to the final that looks to be more than complicated following this bracket update.

England remain in the same spot in the rankings thanks to the great results they have secured in the World Cup. Sitting within the top five teams, England find themselves in fourth place with 1,850.97 points, ahead of Brazil and behind Spain.

England are chasing a spot in the quarterfinals, in a Mexico match that has confirmed referees, where their potential opponent would be Norway. However, they must not become overconfident against a Mexico side that arrives in excellent form, remaining unbeaten and without having conceded a single goal.

Mexico vs England comparison

Mexico sit in the 10th spot globally on the official Inside FIFA leaderboard, carrying a strong baseline score of 1,754.30 points. This means they are six spots below England, a gap that could help shape expectations heading into the matchup.

For this Round of 16 clash against the British squad, Mexico arrive after overcoming Ecuador in the Round of 32. El ‘Tri’ defeated the South American squad 2-0 at Estadio Azteca. In their previous round, England overcame the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thanks to a brace from Harry Kane, the English team mounted a comeback to win 2-1.

The goalscorers for the Mexican team were Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez. Heading into that World Cup clash, the host team had advanced as the leader of its group, while Ecuador did so by qualifying as one of the top four third-place finishers.

Options were considered to improve the match schedule, taking weather conditions and security reasons into account. Mexico manager Javier Aguirre was even optimistic about it; however, the change did not happen. For the moment, no incidents have occurred, and it is hoped that none will take place following complaints from the Ecuadorian Federation regarding previous altercations involving fans.

Pulisic defended FIFA’s decision according to Steven Goff: “It was extremely harsh. If you want to call it justice, call it whatever. We were prepared to play without him. We’ve been granted this opportunity to have him. I’m mostly just happy for him, seeing that smile on his face. He deserves to be playing.”

FIFA announced Sunday, July 5, that Balogun will be reinstated for the United States’ game against Belgium despite being given a red card in the team’s Round of 32 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, the USA will have that duo back together, generating plenty of hope as Pulisic and Balogun look to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Belgium manager Rudi Garcia blasted FIFA for lifting Balogun’s suspension.

Why was Folarin Balogun facing suspension?

Balogun was given a red card in the United States‘ Round of 32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which the U.S. won 2-0. The red card came after Balogun was fighting for the ball against Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic early in the second half of the game. Balogun ended up stepping on Muharemovic’s ankle, which wounded Muharemovic and prompted the red card.

A red card is normally granted only when something is deemed ‘serious foul play.’ Many fans and experts who watched the play believe the red card was unjustified, requesting fans to appeal for it to be overturned. Even U.S. President Donald Trump reacted, admitting that he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino about Balogun’s suspension.

USA coach Mauricio Pochettino then celebrated FIFA’s decision, even though the governing body claimed making an independent decision. Infantino admitted Trump called, but denied that it had any influence in overturning Balogun’s ban.

FIFA’s statement

FIFA mentioned Article 27 of their disciplinary code in their statement, writing: “In line with Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.“

However, Balogun is not totally out of the woods. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee continued, “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

Belgium issued two statements on the matter, claiming to be ‘deeply concerned’ with FIFA’s behavior. They weren’t alone in the reaction though, as UEFA defended Belgium by calling out FIFA.

“This is soccer. If they are not used to this, well, what can we do,” Gill stated, though he still valued the European squad’s performance. “I extended my hand to congratulate him, but since he ignored me… obviously, I had a moment of anger, but later I calmed down.

“I congratulate them, France have had an excellent campaign, they are candidates to be world champions,” the goalkeeper added following a matchup that was decided by a penalty converted by Mbappe. The French star also threw a barb at Paraguay’s players and their style of play.

Mbappe’s message

Throughout the match, Paraguay engaged in a physical battle, frequently relying on tactical fouls, hard tackles, and shirt-pulling to disrupt the fluidity of the French attack. Tempers flared on both sides as the intensity spiked between the players and the technical benches.

Following the victory, Kylian Mbappe did not mince words regarding the hostile environment against Paraguay, issuing a defiant message that has already begun to polarize fans and pundits.

“If we have to get our hands dirty, we will get our hands dirty,” Mbappe told reporters. “Paraguay thought we were going to show up in tuxedos, playing pretty, attacking football. We know how to play dirty too, and that is how they played.”

Mbappe extended his tally to 19 career World Cup goals, including an unprecedented 11 goals in knockout-stage matches—the highest total for any player in the history of the sport. Meanwhile, France remain on track as the top candidate in this edition.

What’s next for France?

The first quarterfinal matchup of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially set, and it promises to be a legendary rematch of the previous edition’s semifinals as France prepare to face Morocco on Thursday, July 9.

Morocco enter this showdown after becoming the first African nation to reach the final eight in two separate tournaments, following their dominant 3-0 victory over Canada. Meanwhile, France narrowly edged past Paraguay 1-0, courtesy of a decisive strike from Kylian Mbappe.

With this result, Paraguay are officially eliminated from the competition, leaving them with no chances left to keep fighting for anything. This clears the way for France to advance to the quarterfinals with a difficult path to the finals, becoming the second team to qualify, while Paraguay become the second team to be eliminated in the Round of 16.

France secured their qualification, where their opponent is already confirmed to be Morocco, who qualified after defeating Canada 3-0, but with the bad news of an injury to Ismael Saibari. The matchup is scheduled for July 9 at 4:00 PM ET at Boston Stadium.

Mbappe the savior for France

The only goal of the match came in what was an absolute battle from start to finish, resembling a sort of Copa Libertadores versus Champions League clash. The game was filled with choppy play, verbal exchanges, hard tackles, and a gritty, uncomfortable style of play. Kylian Mbappe shined once again, scoring to maintain his spot at the top of the tournament’s scoring charts with seven goals.

Mbappe’s goal originated from the bench after Didier Deschamps decided to substitute Bradley Barcola for Desire Doue in the 61st minute for France. On one of his first involvements, Doue cut inside, feinted past three players in the Paraguayan defense, and was fouled by Diego Gomez.

The play was ultimately reviewed by VAR and the penalty was awarded. Following plenty of protests and gamesmanship from both sides, Mbappe stepped up to take it, leaving no chance for goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who dived the opposite way of Mbappe’s strike.

It’s the seventh goal of the tournament for France’s all-time leading scorer, and the 19th career goal at the World Cup. Mbappe is coming off his third brace of the tournament in France’s Round of 32 win over Sweden earlier in the week. He scored in the 45th minute before halftime and then again in the 74th minute of the second half, both of which pushed his total of knockout-round goals at the World Cup to 10, a tournament record for an individual player.

In the buildup to the derby, Unai Simon did not hold anything back and spoke about the opponent, especially Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. He recognized that the Portuguese icon is no longer going through the best moment of his career, although he also remarked that he continues to be a forward capable of making a difference with very little.

“The Cristiano we have in the World Cup is not the same as six or seven years ago, at Real Madrid or in that prime,” Simon said. He immediately explained what he considers will be Spain‘s priority. “We have to try to keep him as far away from the box as possible. In the Nations final, one ball in the box and he scored. He has that hunger for goals that is enviable and that we would all like to have on our team,” he expressed.

Unai still maintains respect

Despite making that critique, which could cost them dearly, knowing how decisive CR7 can be in these stages, that respect remains, letting it be known that inside the box, he can become a complete threat.

The goalkeeper also went deeper into the way he interprets the play of the Al-Nassr forward. “In the box, he fends for himself. With the experience he has, he understands beautifully what he needs to do. If he steps into the box, he is decisive. He likes to stay at the penalty spot, he likes to stay at the near post. He reads those situations very well,” he stated.

Simón also remembered the Nations League final. “We have to focus on our game, without forgetting that Portugal beat us in that final. We have to play a great match. If we have to go home, let it be because they are better than us and not because we didn’t perform at our level,” he manifested.

Unai arrives in great form

Simon arrives unbeaten at this World Cup, and with a record of 519 minutes, a stat that surpassed the record Walter Zenga had held since 1990 (517). Spain and Portugal are scheduled for July 6 at Dallas Stadium.

Paraguay achieved their best performance in a men’s World Cup in 2010. In the tournament held in South Africa, the Paraguayans managed to reach the quarterfinals. At that stage, the Albirroja were eliminated by Spain via a late goal from David Villa. The Spanish national team would ultimately go on to become world champions.

In the group stage, the Paraguayan national team drew against Italy—the reigning world champions from Germany 2006—defeated Slovakia, and drew again facing New Zealand. The South American team thus finished in first place in Group F, and in the Round of 16, it faced Japan, eliminating them in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw in regulation time. Oscar Cardozo’s spot-kick sealed the first qualification to the quarterfinals in Paraguay’s history.

How many World Cups have Paraguay appeared in?

The 2026 World Cup will be the ninth in Paraguay‘s history. The South American team was one of the 13 national teams that formed part of the first World Cup in 1930. Their next appearance was in Brasil 1950, where their participation concluded in the first stage. In Sweden 1958, they obtained their second World Cup victory, although they were once again eliminated in the opening round.

Paraguay would return to the World Cup in Mexico 1986, where the Guaraní team managed to reach the Round of 16. Following another absence, the Paraguayan national team returned to the World Cup for France 1998, where it once again reached the Round of 16.

This process continued with qualification for the 2002 World Cup, marking the first time in their history that they qualified for two consecutive World Cups. In that tournament, the squad repeated its performance by reaching the Round of 16. These were the best years on the international stage for Paraguayan soccer; between 1998 and 2010, they linked together four consecutive World Cups and won a silver medal at the Athens 2004 men’s Olympic tournament.

Who is Paraguay’s all-time World Cup top scorer?

With three goals scored, Nelson Cuevas is Paraguay’s all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cups. The former player opened his account with a brace in the Guaraníes’ match against Slovenia in the 2002 World Cup. The Paraguayan national team won that match 3-1, which was the final game of the group stage and secured its qualification to the next round. In the following World Cup in Germany 2006, Cuevas scored again in the group stage match against Trinidad and Tobago, a duel that ended in a 2-0 victory for the Albirroja.

With 17 World Cup appearances, two stars, and four finals played, the French national team has established itself as one of the most successful squads of all time, consistently ranking as one of the best-performing teams in the tournament.

France have won the World Cup twice. The first breakthrough came on home soil in France 1998. As hosts, the team managed by Aime Jacquet conquered its first World Cup title after defeating Brazil 3-0. From there, they secured their second title with the next great crop of players in 2018, where an in-prime Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann helped them defeat Croatia 4-2 in the final in Qatar.

France’s World Cup history

Their bond with the World Cup began in Uruguay 1930, where they starred in a historic moment, defeating Mexico 4-1 in the first match in tournament history as Lucien Laurent scored the first-ever recorded World Cup goal. However, the early decades were defined by inconsistency. France alternated between qualification and early exits in 1934, 1938, 1954, 1966, and 1978, struggling to establish themselves among the world’s elite national teams.

The first major leap forward came in Sweden 1958, when they secured a third-place finish thanks to one of the most extraordinary individual performances in World Cup history. Just Fontaine scored 13 goals in just six matches, a record that no player has managed to break to this day. That generation, led by Fontaine and Raymond Kopa, paved the way for France to be recognized as an international powerhouse.

Definitive consolidation arrived in the 1980s with a generation spearheaded by Michel Platini, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, and Luis Fernandez. In Spain 1982, they reached the semifinals after a memorable campaign that featured a historic clash against West Germany in Seville—widely considered one of the greatest games ever—where they fell on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Four years later at Mexico 1986, they again finished among the top four teams in the world, starring in another unforgettable match by eliminating Brazil on penalties in the quarterfinals before falling once more to Germany.

The golden generations

The ultimate explosion occurred in France 1998. As tournament hosts, the team led by Aime Jacquet captured its first World Cup by defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France. Zinedine Zidane, who scored twice in that championship match, became the symbol of an unrepeatable generation that permanently altered the course of French soccer. That title marked the start of a golden era that firmly placed France within the global elite.

Success returned in Russia 2018 with a new generation of stars. Under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, France conquered their second World Cup by defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final, powered by players like Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and a young Kylian Mbappe.

French consistency remained on full display at Qatar 2022. Despite arriving with a squad depleted by numerous injuries, they reached the final once again and came within minutes of securing back-to-back titles. In a final considered by many to be the greatest in World Cup history, they drew 3-3 with Argentina following a hat-trick from Mbappe, ultimately falling in a penalty shootout. The French forward finished as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, becoming the first player since Geoff Hurst to score three goals in a World Cup final.

The incident occurred in the 22nd minute on a play where Saibari was disputing the ball against Luc De Fougerolles. In what was his very first run and involvement in the match, Saibari felt what appeared to be muscular discomfort, prompting an immediate change on the pitch.

Saibari was seen lamenting as the substitution was processed and the medical staff entered the field of play, fully aware that a muscular injury could rule him out for the remainder of the World Cup. Soufiane Rahimi ultimately replaced him.

Saibari’s promising future

Despite the injury and the tough blow it would represent for Morocco should they advance to the quarterfinals and remain in a good position in the FIFA ranking—where a potential matchup against either Paraguay or France awaits—this remains a brutal loss on what is already a complicated path to the final. This objective remains pending for them.

On a brighter note for Moroccan soccer, Bayern Munich have signed Morocco’s World Cup standout Ismael Saibari from Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of around $63 million.

The 25-year-old Saibari signed a contract through June 2031 and will wear the No. 34 jersey at Bayern, the Bavarian powerhouse announced Wednesday. Saibari chose the number in tribute to his friend Abdelhak Nouri, who collapsed on the field during a friendly match between Ajax and Werder Bremen in July 2017.

Performance in the 2026 World Cup

Saibari has scored three goals in four games for Morocco at the World Cup, helping the Atlas Lions reach the Round of 16 against Canada. His shootout winner was the difference against the Netherlands on Monday.

The entity explained that the complaint seeks to clarify potential situations that affected the development of the match. “The Federation filed a formal complaint with FIFA, requesting a detailed investigation into the events that occurred before and during the match—including all those that may have compromised safety issues for our fans and players,” the statement noted. “This is the correct and official channel to clarify any situation related to a match of this magnitude.”

The announcement comes days after the 2-0 defeat against Mexico, a result that signified the elimination of Ecuador in the Round of 32 and the departure of Sebastián Beccacece from the bench. This marks an episode to forget for what many considered Ecuador’s golden generation.

What happened between Mexico and Ecuador?

Before the match, things were already tense between both sides, not among the players, but between the fanbases. It all started with Mexico fans going to disturb Ecuador’s players at their hotel, prompting Ecuador to also file a complaint regarding security and other issues. But it did not stop there.

During the match, several videos circulated showing degrading treatment by the Mexican fanbase toward the Ecuadorian supporters, generating significant discussion about Mexico as a World Cup host and whether it will be this way until they are eliminated from the competition.

Moreover, it did not just stop with the fans; there were even assaults against journalists present supporting Ecuador. Videos circulating on social media have trended due to these behaviors that are getting out of hand in what should be a community celebration.

The process Ecuador will now enter

The governing body assured that the decision will be made to build a medium- and long-term sporting project. Additionally, it announced that in the coming weeks it will hold meetings with clubs and associations to present an economic management report regarding Ecuador’s participation in the World Cup.

Finally, the FEF maintained that it will continue promoting development processes for young soccer players and highlighted that, in the coming years, this talent will look to be complemented by more experienced players to strengthen the future of the national team, aiming to keep a “golden” generation more alive than ever.

With this result, Ghana are officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with no options remaining to advance further in the competition, bringing an end to a run where they barely qualified for the knockout stage as one of the best third-place teams with 4 points.

On the other side, Colombia secured their qualification to the Round of 16, where their matchup is confirmed against Switzerland on July 7 at 4:00 PM ET at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. It will be a more than complicated encounter after Switzerland arrive coming off a 2-0 victory over Algeria.

Colombia performing at a high level

From the very first minute, trust was placed in the level of the players called up by Nestor Lorenzo for this competition. On the other side, Carlos Queiroz’s plans were centered on spoiling the Tricolor’s party, especially given his poor previous stint with the national team during the pandemic.

Luis Diaz, James Rodríguez, Lerma, and Jhon Arias began to build the Cafetero attack, specifically pressing the flanks to exploit the speed of the Colombian attackers in that zone of the pitch. Their collective efforts paid off in the 14th minute when a team buildup led to the opening goal from the feet of Arias, putting Colombia ahead.

The second half was no different, and Nestor Lorenzo’s team came out even stronger following the substitution of James Rodriguez for Richard Rios. Rios injected a different rhythm into the team, which pushed against the opponent once again, this time utilizing the center of the pitch to capitalize on the quality of Gustavo Puerta.

As the minutes ticked away, Colombia took center stage in Kansas. However, the fear that an error would result in a goal for Ghana lingered in the air, especially because an offside call once again denied Luis Diaz a goal celebration.

In his postgame press conference, Scaloni praised Cape Verde for giving their absolute best and complicating the encounter. “I don’t know if Cape Verde is a great national team, but they gave 200%, and that levels things a lot,” Scaloni said. “I hope people realize that they are not an easy opponent. Congratulations to Cape Verde; we knew they were going to be a tough, difficult opponent.”

“We suffered too much. We deserved to win, but that doesn’t change the fact that they made things difficult for us,” Scaloni added, shifting focus to how his squad handled the pressure.

“We take away the positives. We never lowered our arms, which is something to highlight because we took hits at specific moments that can shrink you. That is much more important than other things.” Scaloni also noted that they already have their minds set on their Round of 16 match against Egypt. “We will correct what we need to correct; there are things I already have in mind.”

Cape Verde’s heroic role against Argentina

An own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute saved Argentina, which have a difficult path to the finals, from one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, allowing them to narrowly overcome a heroic Cape Verde national team making their tournament debut.

The team, which occupies the 64th spot in the FIFA rankings, managed to equalize the score on two occasions against an opponent ranked second globally. After finishing the 90 minutes of regulation tied 1-1, Cape Verde forced their illustrious rival into extra time. Subsequently, Lisandro Martínez believed he had secured the victory for Argentina with a magnificent finish in the 92nd minute.

However, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored one of the great goals of the World Cup 11 minutes later, cutting inside from the left side of the box and unleashing a curling shot that beat goalkeeper Dibu Martínez into the top corner to make it 2-2. Ultimately, due to the own goal by Borges forced by Cuti Romero, Argentina walked away with the victory in a match where Lionel Scaloni’s squad suffered like it hadn’t in a very long time.

Egypt advanced after defeating Australia in a heart-stopping match that required a penalty shootout. The sides drew 1-1 during regulation time, but Egypt ultimately prevailed 4-3 on penalties. This represents a historic triumph, sending Egypt to the Round of 16 for the first time in a World Cup.

The upcoming matchup between Argentina and Egypt is scheduled for July 7, 12:00 PM ET at Atlanta Stadium. The winner of this encounter is destined to face the winner of Switzerland vs. Colombia/Ghana, presenting a complicated outlook on the road to the World Cup final.

Messi continues to make history

The author of the opening goal was none other than Lionel Messi, who has now scored in eight consecutive World Cup matches. Messi impressively controlled a high ball inside the penalty area and unleashed a blast that was impossible for Vozinha to save. However, a surprise that stunned the entire world followed shortly after.

In the 59th minute of the match, following a long possession by Cape Verde and a side-to-side buildup, they broke through Argentina’s lines on the right flank. Ryan Mendes assisted Deroy Duarte with a great pass into the middle of the box to tie the match.

However, the match was ultimately resolved in extra time after Vozinha stood tall with several crucial saves during the final minutes of regulation. In extra time, on the very first dangerous play for Argentina coming from a corner kick, Lisandro Martínez hunted down the ball inside the box and unleashed an unstoppable strike past Vozinha.

The match did not end there, as before the first half of extra time concluded, Cape Verde’s Sidny Cabral conjured up a spectacular goal—surely the best of the World Cup—to equalize the match once again. But Messi stepped up in the second half of extra time, delivering a cross to Cuti Romero, who won the header and scored to secure the hard-fought victory.

The encounter features confirmed referees, with Clement Turpin serving as the head official for a mostly European crew. A massive fan presence is expected at Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium) in Kansas City, Missouri, with the weather set to play a crucial role.

For the first time in the 2026 World Cup, Colombia will wear their traditional uniform, representing the colors of the national flag, in this single-elimination duel against Ghana. This could signal good news for the squad managed by Néstor Lorenzo.

Colombia and Ghana confirmed kits

The squad led by Nestor Lorenzo will finally be able to wear its classic kit at Kansas Stadium, sporting a yellow jersey, blue shorts, and red socks. This is the most iconic combination in their history and the definitive identity of the ‘Tricolor’.

On the other side, Ghana will utilize their home uniform, which features a white background flooded with bold geometric motifs in vibrant gradients of red, yellow, and green—the national colors brought to life through rhythm and movement. The iconic Black Star sits squarely at the center of the design, making it festive, unapologetic, and built to stand out.

Colombia return to their distinctive colors

In their tournament debut against Uzbekistan, Colombia wore a blue jersey and blue shorts with fluorescent yellow socks. For their second group-stage match against DR Congo, they wore a yellow jersey, white shorts, and red socks. Meanwhile, in their matchup against Portugal, they wore yellow jerseys, blue shorts, and white socks.

Now, for this decisive showdown against the “Black Stars,” Colombia will reclaim the image that has historically accompanied them in major tournaments, with all three flag colors reflected in their uniform: yellow, blue, and red.

Aside from the symbolism of representing their traditional gear, the national team will hunt for a spot in the World Cup Round of 16. If they overcome Ghana, Nestor Lorenzo’s team will face Switzerland on July 6 in Vancouver, Canada.

For this crucial single-elimination match, FIFA decided to trust European officiating, appointing France’s Clement Turpin to manage the game. Turpin takes on his third challenge in this World Cup, having previously refereed the matchups between Paraguay vs Australia and England vs Croatia.

The complete officiating crew is listed below:

• Referee: Clement Turpin (France)
• Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Danos (France)
• Assistant Referee 2: Benjamin Pages (France)
• Fourth Official: Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)
• Fifth Official: Jose Enrique Naranjo (Spain)
• VAR: Jerome Brisard (France)
• AVAR: Willy Delajod (France)
• SVAR: Fu Ming (China)

Career and rise of Clement Turpin

Born on May 16, 1982, in Oullins, France, Turpin is 44 years old and boasts an extensive career filled with success. He made his debut in Ligue 1, the top tier of French soccer, in 2008, quickly becoming one of the country’s top officials thanks to his composure, his calm demeanor in managing matches, and his excellent positioning.

Thanks to his undeniable performances, he received the coveted FIFA international badge in 2010. From that moment, his experience outside French borders grew continuously: he officiated in multiple editions of the Euros and previous World Cups, and was the head referee in iconic club finals such as the UEFA Europa League and the 2022 Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Recognized as the world’s best

Beyond his assignments in the most high-stakes matches of the Old Continent, Turpin’s prestige recently reached legendary status. In 2025, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) officially named him the best referee in the world, highlighting his precision in decision-making, his ability to absorb pressure in do-or-die matches, and his impeccable application of the rules.

This major recognition did nothing but revalidate his position as a guarantee of quality for FIFA when assigning the highest-voltage matches in this World Cup. This indicates that the match between Colombia and Ghana is in good hands.

With this result, Algeria, which arrived with a middle spot in the FIFA ranking, are officially eliminated from the World Cup, bringing a close to a great tournament run where they advanced from the group stage as one of the best third-place teams following an agonizing draw against Austria.

On the other side, Switzerland earned their spot in the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the Colombia vs. Ghana matchup and maintain their climbing spots in the FIFA ranking. The encounter is scheduled for July 7.

Switzerland’s qualification

Switzerland entered the match on a high note after claiming the top spot in their zone—spoiling the party for hosts Canada—backed by the defensive firmness of Manuel Akanji at the back and the experience of the ageless Granit Xhaka pulling the strings in midfield.

The Swiss locked up the solid 2-0 victory starting with an early breakthrough in the 10th minute, when Breel Embolo struck the opening goal thanks to an assist from Johan Mazambi.

The second goal arrived right at the start of the second half in the 46th minute, courtesy of Dan Ndoye, who unleashed a medium-range shot that found the back of the net. From that moment on, Switzerland remained highly comfortable throughout the match without absorbing much damage.

Algeria pushed until the final whistle, attempting to at least equalize and force the match into extra time or penalties, but they failed to score a single goal. With the defeat, the tournament run for Riyad Mahrez’s squad officially comes to an end.

Following the match, where Ronaldo was substituted, he demonstrated his profound respect for the Croatian captain, whose retirement from international duty remains in doubt. “I played many years with Modric, it’s great to see him still playing at top level,” Ronaldo told FOX Sports. “I told him: congrats Luka, good luck for the future of your career.”

It was a thrilling victory that stayed emotional until the final whistle. Even at the close of the match, Ronaldo was seen moved to tears while holding a Diogo Jota shirt, later explaining as to why he was so visibly emotional.

What’s next for Portugal

Portugal advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Spain, a highly formidable rival. The two sides previously clashed in the UEFA Nations League final, where the Portuguese emerged as champions, and this upcoming match is scheduled for July 6 at Dallas Stadium, where the Spaniards will be looking for revenge.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains completely focused ahead of the encounter, even though it could potentially be his final World Cup appearance, but he responded that he is not thinking about that right now.

“I don’t make reckless decisions,” Ronaldo told reporters postgame. “I will decide after the tournament, not now.” And with good reason. His sister made some comments regarding this before the match, and speculations have been swirling ever since.

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history

With the goal he scored today, Cristiano Ronaldo broke a record that not even Lionel Messi can achieve in this edition of the tournament. But beyond that, he snapped a drought that had persisted since his World Cup debut, finally netting his first-ever goal in the knockout stages.

With this result, Croatia are officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with no remaining chances of keeping their tournament campaign alive, saying goodbye to their greatest historical icon, Luka Modric. The goal scored by Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute was ultimately not enough to secure the victory.

Portugal remain in the fight to forge a path to the final, but they will have a difficult opponent ahead. In the Round of 16, Portugal will face Spain, with the matchup scheduled for July 6.

Croatia on the verge of an epic finish

The end of the match was filled with controversy. While Portugal maintained a 2-1 lead, with Cristiano Ronaldo already substituted, the referee decided to add 10 minutes of stoppage time. Not only that, but the official allowed play to run for three additional minutes, during which Croatia equalized the match following a goal by Josko Gvardiol. However, the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

This would have triggered chaos on the pitch, but the result ultimately went to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, who were also seen emotional after the match with a Diogo Jota shirt.

Ronaldo stepped up at the most crucial moment

The Portuguese national team suffered more than expected. When Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 54th minute, the team looked lost, lacking reaction and showing few soccer answers to change history.

But at the most delicate moment, Cristiano Ronaldo appeared. He took on the responsibility and scored the 1-1 equalizer from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.

It was a key goal, not only to keep Portugal alive but also to break one of the most notable pending milestones of his career: his first goal in a World Cup knockout stage. Additionally, he secured a record that Lionel Messi cannot achieve in this World Cup.

The refereeing crew is already confirmed for the match. For this crucial single-elimination encounter, where Switzerland look to climb the rankings, FIFA decided to trust South American officiating, appointing Argentina’s Yael Falcon Perez to manage the game.

The complete officiating crew is listed below:

• Referee: Yael Falcon Perez (Argentina)
• Assistant Referee 1: Maximiliano Del Yesso (Argentina)
• Assistant Referee 2: Facundo Rodríguez (Argentina)
• Fourth Official: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
• Fifth Official: Michael Orue (Peru)
• VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (Argentina)
• AVAR: Erick Miranda (Mexico)
• SVAR: Juan Lara (Chile)

Yael Falcon’s career path

Born on December 4, 1988, in the province of Buenos Aires, Falcon Perez is 37 years old and has a rapidly rising career. He made his debut in the Argentine Primera Division in early 2019, quickly standing out for his athleticism, firmness in managing games, and strong personality.

Thanks to his solid performances, he received the coveted FIFA international badge in 2022. From that point forward, his experience outside Argentina grew exponentially: he officiated in the South American U-20 Championship, delivered an outstanding performance at the 2023 U-20 World Cup held in his home nation, and gained valuable experience at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which ultimately propelled him into consideration for this 2026 World Cup.

How Switzerland and Algeria enter the match

Switzerland, managed by Murat Yakin, enter this Round of 32 as favorites after completing a remarkable group stage in which they secured the absolute leadership of their sector by defeating Canada.

On the other side, the combative Algeria squad, led on the pitch by the leadership of Riyad Mahrez, is boosted emotionally by having qualified among the best third-place teams following a vibrant, wild 3-3 draw against Austria.

After scoring against Croatia, Ronaldo officially becomes the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout stage at exactly 41 years and 147 days. It is worth noting that Messi, despite performing in another prime with six goals in this edition, is still 39 years old and would have to wait four years to break it.

Beyond the record itself, this marks the first time across CR7’s six World Cup appearances that he has managed to score in the knockout stages. Fans had to wait until perhaps his final tournament for this to happen. Historic.

Oldest scorers in knockout stages

Scoring in the “life-or-death” stages of a World Cup requires superlative physical endurance and mental composure, especially when crossing the 35-year mark and the tournament’s wear and tear takes its toll. The merit of these four players, now passed for Cristiano Ronaldo, lies in the fact that they did not just contribute their experience in the locker room, but were decisive pieces on the tactical board when elimination pressure was at its highest:

• Pepe (Portugal) – 39 years and 283 days: Scored a header against Switzerland in the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022 (a 6-1 victory for Portugal). He previously held the absolute record in knockout brackets.
• Roger Milla (Cameroon) – 38 years and 34 days: Scored his legendary brace against Colombia in the Round of 16 at Italy 1990, leading his country to a historic quarterfinal appearance.
• Gunnar Gren (Sweden) – 37 years and 236 days: Scored against West Germany in the semifinals of the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
• Obdulio Varela (Uruguay) – 36 years and 279 days: The legendary Charruan captain scored against England in the quarterfinals of Switzerland 1954.

Fact to avoid confusion

It is vital to reiterate a distinction that sometimes confuses fans: the absolute record for the oldest goalscorer in any stage of the World Cup belongs to Roger Milla at 42 years and 39 days, but that goal came against Russia in the group stage of USA 1994.

Therefore, when it comes purely to the knockout rounds (KO), the Portuguese defensive wall Pepe stood firmly at the top of the podium since his 2022 performance, but he has now been surpassed by his former teammate for Portugal and Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Swiss, who won Group B, will look to take advantage of their bracket when they face an Algerian team that qualified as one of the best third-place finishers. The European squad has improved as the tournament progressed. After a sluggish 1-1 opening draw against Qatar, Switzerland improved to defeat Bosnia 4-1 and Canada 2-1, stripping their rivals of home-field advantage.

Meanwhile, the squad led by Vladimir Petkovic debuted with a heavy defeat against Argentina, but later defeated Jordan 2-1 and drew 3-3 with Austria in a thriller that sealed their ticket as one of the best third-place teams.

What happens if Switzerland win vs Algeria?

If Switzerland defeat Algeria in regulation, overtime or penalties, the Swiss squad will qualify directly for the Round of 16, validating its undefeated run through the group stage.

Conversely, this result will mean Algeria’s immediate elimination from the 2026 World Cup, forcing the Desert Foxes to pack their bags after a campaign filled with drama. With this triumph, Switzerland would secure their place in Vancouver to face the winner of the Colombia-Ghana duel in the next stage.

What happens if Switzerland and Algeria tie?

If Switzerland and Algeria tie at the end of regulation time, neither national team will be immediately qualified or eliminated, as Round of 32 rules prohibit definitive draws. And there is no golden goal at the World Cup.

To break the deadlock, both sides must play 30 minutes of extra time, and if the parity remains, the ticket will be decided in a dramatic penalty shootout. Whichever squad manages to prevail in this life-or-death scenario will advance to the Round of 16 to face the winner of Colombia/Ghana, while the national team that falls in the spot kicks will be eliminated from the tournament.

What happens if Switzerland lose vs Algeria today?

If Switzerland lose to Algeria, the Swiss team will suffer a painful and immediate elimination from the World Cup, saying goodbye to the competition prematurely despite its high expectations. On the flip side of the coin, Algeria will pull off a historic feat by securing their direct ticket to the Round of 16 for just the second time in their entire soccer history.

With this result, the African group managed by Vladimir Petkovic will celebrate qualification and advance in the tournament bracket to face the winner of Colombia or Ghana in the Round of 16.

Mexico imposed their game from the opening whistle, dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities before finally breaking through. Ecuador struggled to play out from the back and paid the price for costly defensive mistakes, while Raul Rangel preserved the clean sheet with key saves whenever he was called into action.

In the second half, Ecuador enjoyed more possession but failed to create any real danger, as Mexico remained compact and organized defensively, ready for the next rival in the bracket updated after their win. The hosts comfortably managed their two-goal advantage until the final whistle, sealing a deserved victory and advancing to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

An estimated 80,000 spectators will be in the stands, with more than 90% consisting of local fans supporting El Vasco’s team. It represents the maximum number of followers in the attendance ranks at this World Cup. While it is a complete sellout, the event comes with complaints from the visiting side regarding tickets. Ecuador even filed a complaint with FIFA because Mexico fans harassed their players, though the issue has since been entirely resolved.

The duel will be heavily tilted toward the hosts, who will use one of their most mythical stadiums as a venue alongside a total presence of local fans for an encounter that already features a confirmed refereeing crew.

Ticket issues resolved

Following the confirmation of the duel between Mexico, who look to climb the rankings, and Ecuador, fans of La Tricolor began to complain on social media over the lack of tickets to attend Estadio Azteca, accusing FIFA and the Mexican Soccer Federation of failing to release tickets for Ecuador.

However, FIFA has already delivered to the Ecuadorian Federation 8% of tickets relative to the stadium’s capacity that corresponds to each association playing in this World Cup. This means they have at least 6,500 seats for this Tuesday’s clash, which are also already sold out.

Another issue was that in the resale market, ticket prices fluctuate between $2,000 and $4,000 for the cheapest options. The most exclusive seats can exceed $40,000. But that is a separate matter, knowing that from the very beginning, the complaint regarding ticket prices was already a controversial topic of conversation. Those in attendance won’t be watching Memo Ochoa play from the start though, as the veteran goalkeeper remains the backup to Raul Rangel, who has a younger profile.

Estadio Azteca and its history

Opened in 1966 and with a capacity for 80,824 spectators, the Azteca has been the stage for two memorable World Cup finals: 1970, where Pele crowned Brazil, and 1986, where Diego Maradona led Argentina to the title. Now, this emblematic stadium will host a duel with its own history for Mexico and Ecuador.

The venue will be Mexico City Stadium, also known as Estadio Azteca, which will host a little more than 80,000 spectators. The official capacity is listed at 80,824, and a full house is expected tonight. No other stadium can claim to have hosted three World Cups. No other venue served as the stage for two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986), where Pele and Diego Armando Maradona reached the pinnacle of a sport that reserves very few spots for eternity.

It is a historic encounter that has already generated controversy, as Ecuador have filed complaints with FIFA regarding fans disrupting players upon their arrival in the city the day before the match, causing a stir outside the hotel.

How Mexico and Ecuador reached the Round of 32

Mexico advanced to the knockout stage after winning Group A. El Tri drew scoreless in their debut against South Africa, then defeated South Korea 2-0, and closed out the opening group stage with a solid victory over Czechia to finish at the top of the zone. Now, they will look to leverage that momentum and the backing of their home crowd to take the next step in the tournament as Mexico’s FIFA ranking is on the rise.

Ecuador, meanwhile, qualified as one of the best third-place teams of the World Cup. La Tri endured a demanding group, falling in their debut against Ivory Coast, defeating Curaçao on matchday two, and pulling off a stunning 2-1 upset over Germany to close out Group E. The squad managed by Sebastian Beccacece looks to prevail against one of the tournament hosts and return to the World Cup Round of 16 as Ecuador’s FIFA ranking shows their improvement.

Ecuador look to make history

For Ecuador, it would not simply mean eliminating a host national team backed by a bit more than 80,000 fans and carrying the weight of organizing the World Cup. It would mean, for the very first time, overcoming the psychological barrier that has followed Ecuador for decades.

Now, La Tri face an undefeated Mexico side driven by home-field advantage and the collective dream of breaking their own historical barrier in a home-hosted World Cup. The atmosphere will be entirely favorable for Javier Aguirre’s group, which arrives with three consecutive victories and having conceded no goals.

Precisely for that reason, an Ecuadorian victory would hold extraordinary value. It would not only mean advancing to the next round; it would mean eliminating the host nation on one of the most iconic stages in world soccer.

During the intense matchup, the breakthrough for the Dutch came from Cody Gakpo, who scored the opening goal for Netherlands and was visibly moved to tears during his emotional celebration. Despite the grueling physical toll of the extended match and the pressure of the shootout, Morocco found a way to survive the high-stakes encounter and punch their ticket to the next round.

With the Round of 32 in the rearview mirror, Morocco now shift their focus to a massive Round of 16 matchup against Canada, which defeated South Africa. This fixture is scheduled for July 4 at Houston Stadium in Houston, United States. Looking further down the line, the winner of the encounter between Canada and Morocco will advance to face the winner of Paraguay vs France/Sweden.

Morocco pull off epic result in regulation time

Over the 90 minutes of regulation, the matchup was highly contested, with the second half especially standing out. The first half was much more of a chess match, with both sides analyzing the opponent, feeling out the zone, and playing without risking much.

The second half broke wide open after Issa Diop received a yellow card just two minutes after the restart in the 47th minute. From there, both sides showed much more aggression on the pitch, leading up to Cody Gakpo’s emotional opening goal in the 72nd minute. Everything pointed to a victory for the Netherlands, but a 90+1-minute equalizer by Issa Diop, turning himself into the ultimate hero, locked the score and forced extra time.

Quiet extra time leads to shootout drama

Neither side could find a breakthrough during extra time, as the physical toll and heavy legs were evident on both sides. The only notable opportunity of the entire extra period was a historic, monumental hand save by Bart Verbruggen to deny Rahimi and keep the Dutch squad alive.

In the penalty shootout, the Netherlands started with the upper hand through Teun Koopmeiners. However, a shot off the post from Justin Kluivert and a miss by Timber left them finished in a definitive frame filled with inaccuracy from both sides. For the Netherlands, Wout Weghorst and Koopmeiners converted their attempts, while Bono acted as the executioner with that final save.

On Morocco‘s side, inaccuracy was also present after Neil El Aynaoui hit the post, and Achraf Hakimi also missed his shot, sending it off the post and out. Saibari ultimately scored the decisive penalty for the North African side, while Bono stepped up as the hero after saving the penalty attempt from Summerville.

The reason behind Gakpo’s emotional reaction stems from a deeply sensitive and personal matter. He and his wife recently suffered the loss of an unborn child during pregnancy, a child whose birth was expected in October of this year.

It is an incredibly difficult situation, and the goal clearly came straight from the heart in the most passionate way possible. Despite these heavy circumstances, Gakpo remains with Netherlands, and all of his immense effort is paying off.

How Gakpo’s goal unfolded

Gakpo’s goal originated from a rapid counterattack spearheaded by Crysencio Summerville. Just as Summerville was about to unleash a shot, Morocco‘s defense stripped the ball away, creating a loose rebound inside the penalty area. Gakpo quickly reached the ball, fired his strike, and found the back of the net.

The scene that followed was incredibly powerful. The goal, which opened the scoring for the Dutch, sparked a deeply moving celebration: Gakpo was instantly surrounded by all of his teammates, who enveloped him in a supportive collective embrace. Visibly emotional, the forward pointed to the sky, dedicating the moment to the child who could not arrive.

The sequence has quickly become one of the most emotional moments of the 2026 World Cup so far, generating a massive wave of support and admiration worldwide.

In a week where grief seemed to consume everything, the forward found the strength to step onto the pitch, compete, and score. His tears following the goal ultimately conveyed what no words ever could.

Following the defeat, which also had Kai Havertz speechless, Nagelsmann made it clear that he remains willing to continue as coach, demonstrating that he still wants to stay involved with the national team, despite names are circulating for the job, like Jurgen Klopp.

“I’m available. If the DFB want me to stay until 2028, I will. If they don’t, then I’ll go,” Nagelsmann said. “I’m not someone who runs away. I’m available if that’s what the DFB wants. If they don’t want me, they need to tell me. I want to continue. In football, you don’t have complete control. If the DFB wants me to, I’d be happy to prepare for the Euros and the Nations League. If they don’t want me to, they need to say it.”

Nagelsmann faces mounting criticism

Much of the criticism Nagelsmann has received during his time at the helm of the German national team centers on his insistence with certain decisions. Forcing systems and players that are not working has led to Germany playing like a group of individuals rather than a cohesive team.

The first half against Paraguay was a perfect example of how Nagelsmann’s setup has been functioning. Germany held nearly 80% possession but recorded no shots on goal, whereas Paraguay needed just 20% possession to score a goal. They remained stuck in that exact situation for almost the entire match, until they finally realized that crossing the ball to the far post was what caused damage.

The halftime adjustments made a difference, but some questionable officiating resulted in Jonathan Tah’s apparent winner being canceled by VAR. Regardless of the external factors, Germany very much could have finished the game much earlier had they not dawdled when they held the advantage against a tired Paraguay side.

Penalties are always tricky in any matchup, but a team ranked No. 10 in the FIFA rankings getting eliminated by a No. 41-ranked side necessitates some major changes for the former. It wasn’t the ending Manuel Neuer was hoping to have for his international career.

For this clash, which already features confirmed referees, Memphis Depay is not part of the starting lineup. The reality is that Memphis sits on the bench due to a purely tactical choice. For this high-stakes duel between the Netherlands and Morocco, the manager opted for other offensive players in the attacking zone, leaving the forward among the substitutes.

In the 2-2 draw against Japan, the star played just 20 minutes after coming on for Donyell Malen by decision of the European coaching staff. Just a few days later, Ronald Koeman sent him back to the bench in a 5-1 thrashing of Sweden, where he logged only 18 minutes after replacing Brobbey in the second half.

The goalscorer replacing Depay

Despite playing in one of the most balanced groups of the opening round alongside Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia, the Netherlands, who are just one spot behind Morocco in the FIFA ranking, have stood out for their defensive approach and offensive firepower. They enter the knockout round following a high-scoring group stage—all achieved without a single goal from Depay, their all-time leading scorer.

However, Ronald Koeman has found a reliable goalscorer in the previously unheralded Brobbey. The Sunderland attacker did not start the opening match against Japan, but he netted a brace against Sweden in his first start of the tournament and followed it up with another goal against Tunisia.

Brobbey’s skillset

Brobbey plays more like a traditional English target man than a classic Dutch No. 9. He lacks the genius of Cruyff or Bergkamp, the class of Van Basten or Kluivert, and has yet to prove he is as clinical as Van Nistelrooy or Van Persie.

Yet, the squad possesses a true force of nature in Brobbey, whose powerful physique makes him highly effective at playing with his back to goal or overpowering defenders through sheer effort. He scored eight goals for Sunderland last season, helping the modest northern English club secure a seventh-place finish and a spot in the upcoming Europa League, and now is expected to score against Morocco.

With this definitive defeat, the German squad is eliminated and left with no further options to keep its campaign alive. While Germany head home to reflect on a devastating end to their journey, Paraguay punch their ticket to a massive holiday showdown in the Round of 16.

The winner of this grueling encounter now advances to play on July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium, where they will face the winner of the highly anticipated matchup between France and Sweden.

Regulation time was not enough

The matchup was the first of this World Cup to head into extra time after finishing tied 1-1 in regulation. Paraguay struck first to take the lead in the first half, but Germany equalized early in the second half.

Julio Enciso opened the scoring following a brilliant play by Almiron, who threaded a pass to Matias Galarza. Galarza delivered a sharp cross into the box, where an unmarked Enciso charged in with full force to connect with a powerful header.

Germany’s equalizer came 10 minutes into the second half. Kai Havertz, who consistently delivers in big moments, found the back of the net off an assist from Florian Wirtz.

Historical extra time and penalties

Extra time will undoubtedly go down in history after a tremendous physical toll and a massive onslaught of attacks from the German squad. Germany even had a goal disallowed due to a foul on Gill, but the defensive block of Paraguay held firm to send the match to a shootout.

In the penalty shootout, which Paraguay won 4-3, conversions from Mauricio, Gustavo Gomez, Matias Galarza, and Jose Canale secured an agonizing victory. This came after Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena missed two consecutive penalties following saves by Neuer.

For Germany, Orlando Gill played the villain by saving two penalties—denying Havertz on the first attempt and later stopping Woltemade. Finally, Tah missed his penalty, sending the ball into the clouds to seal their fate.

According to Shams Charania, the Grizzlies are trading the two-time NBA All-Star to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. It is a somewhat unusual move considering the depth the Portland squad already possesses.

Here is how the rosters shake out following the trade:

Portland Trail Blazers projected lineup

• PG: Ja Morant
• SG: Damian Lillard
• SF: Deni Avdija
• PF: Toumani Camara
• C: Donovan Clingan

Memphis Grizzlies projected lineup

• PG: Ty Jerome
• SG: Cedric Coward
• SF: GG Jackson
• PF: Cameron Boozer
• C: Zach Edey

The current situation in Memphis

The Grizzlies have now traded all three of their former franchise cornerstones—Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr.—since being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. Once considered one of the league’s most talented young cores, the Grizzlies won just one series in four playoff appearances with that trio on the roster and are now looking to refresh the roster.

A necessary split between Morant and the Grizzlies

Morant was already experiencing numerous issues within the organization. Morant has played only 79 games in three seasons due to off-court issues and injuries since his second consecutive All-Star appearance in 2023. His production dipped to 19.5 points while shooting career lows of 41.0% from the floor and 23.5% from the 3-point line in the 20 games he played last NBA season.

Morant served an eight-game suspension in March 2023 due to conduct detrimental to the league and a 25-game suspension to open the 2023-24 season, both of which stemmed from incidents of him displaying a firearm on an Instagram Live stream.

The Grizzlies suspended him for one game in November of last season due to a heated confrontation with coach Tuomas Iisalo following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Morant has also dealt with a variety of injuries over the last three years, including shoulder and elbow ailments that have required season-ending surgeries.

Morocco have climbed one spot in the latest world rankings to sixth place with 1,776.40 points, exactly one position above the Netherlands in the FIFA ranking. This jump comes after Morocco secured seven points to finish second in the group stage, right behind the Brazilians.

With their kits locked in, Morocco play to end the Netherlands’ dream of lifting their first-ever World Cup trophy. The winner of this matchup will punch their ticket to Houston’s NRG Stadium on July 3, where a confirmed date with Canada—who eliminated South Africa—awaits.

A compelling Round of 32 matchup

The Netherlands arrive in Monterrey unbeaten after topping Group F with seven points and scoring 10 goals, matching their most prolific World Cup group stage ever. Morocco have also progressed undefeated, finishing behind Brazil only on goal difference after collecting seven points from a group that included Scotland and Haiti.

The Dutch squad has a strong knockout record of late, having progressed from seven of their last 10 World Cup knockout matches since 2010. However, as history has shown, African champions Morocco are fully capable of pulling off epic upsets—their most famous being the stunning elimination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Qatar 2022 quarterfinals.

Head-to-head history

The game between the Netherlands and Morocco in Mexico marks just the second time they meet on the World Cup stage. Their only previous encounter came during the 1994 edition, where the Dutch triumphed 2-1.

The Netherlands are also unbeaten in their six World Cup matches against African opponents (W5, D1) following a victory over Tunisia. While they have scored at least twice in each of those five victories, this clash will mark their first-ever knockout-stage meeting with an African side.

The national teams that finished in first and second place, along with the eight best third-place finishers from the groups, secured a spot in the next phase, which begins on Sunday, June 28, and concludes on Friday, July 3.

Mexico and the United States, two of the tournament hosts, were the first to accomplish the objective after securing a perfect record of victories across their opening two matchdays.

Here is the complete list of qualified teams:

1. Mexico – 1st Group A
2. Switzerland – 1st Group B
3. Brazil – 1st Group C
4. United States – 1st Group D
5. Germany – 1st Group E
6. Netherlands – 1st Group F
7. Belgium – 1st Group G
8. Spain – 1st Group H
9. France – 1st Group I
10. Argentina – 1st Group J
11. Colombia – 1st Group K
12. England – 1st Group L
13. South Africa – 2nd Group A
14. Canada – 2nd Group B
15. Morocco – 2nd Group C
16. Australia – 2nd Group D
17. Ivory Coast – 2nd Group E
18. Japan – 2nd Group F
19. Egypt – 2nd Group G
20. Cape Verde – 2nd Group H
21. Norway – 2nd Group I
22. Austria – 2nd Group J
23. Portugal – 2nd Group K
24. Croatia – 2nd Group L
25. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 3rd Group B
26. Paraguay – 3rd Group D
27. Ecuador – 3rd Group E
28. Sweden – 3rd Group F
29. Senegal – 3rd Group I
30. Algeria – 3rd Group J
31. DR Congo – 3rd Group K
32. Ghana – 3rd Group L

Round of 32 bracket

The elimination matchups are scheduled for the following days:

Sunday, June 28

• South Africa vs. Canada – 3:00 PM (ET) – Los Angeles Stadium

Monday, June 29

• Brazil vs. Japan – 1:00 PM (ET) – Houston Stadium
• Germany vs. Paraguay – 4:30 PM (ET) – Boston Stadium
• Netherlands vs. Morocco – 9:00 PM (ET) – Estadio Monterrey

Tuesday, June 30

• Ivory Coast vs. Norway – 1:00 PM (ET) – Dallas Stadium
• France vs. Sweden – 5:00 PM (ET) – New York New Jersey Stadium
• Mexico vs. Ecuador – 9:00 PM (ET) – Mexico City Stadium

Wednesday, July 1

• England vs. DR Congo – 12:00 PM (ET) – Atlanta Stadium
• Belgium vs. Senegal – 4:00 PM (ET) – Seattle Stadium
• United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 8:00 PM (ET) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

Thursday, July 2

• Spain vs. Austria – 3:00 PM (ET) – Los Angeles Stadium
• Portugal vs. Croatia – 7:00 PM (ET) – Toronto Stadium
• Switzerland vs. Algeria – 11:00 PM (ET) – BC Place Vancouver

Friday, July 3

• Australia vs. Egypt – 2:00 PM (ET) – Dallas Stadium
• Argentina vs. Cape Verde – 6:00 PM (ET) – Miami Stadium
• Colombia vs. Ghana – 9:30 PM (ET) – Kansas City Stadium

This elimination round will give soccer fans plenty to talk about with stellar matchups, happening at a stage where squads already begin playing “finals,” given the single-elimination format. The most prominent fixtures include the Netherlands against Morocco, as they are title contenders and strong rivals, with one bowing out very early, alongside Portugal vs. Croatia, Brazil vs. Japan, and Mexico vs. Ecuador serving as the clear highlights.

This is a tournament phase where agonizing qualifications, last-minute goals, extra time, and penalty shootouts return to center stage. It is an environment where nerves take their toll, and a single minimal error can leave a team completely out of the competition.