ATLANTA/NEW JERSEY/DALLAS/, JUL 1 (IANS/AP): England survived a major scare at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, rallying from behind to defeat DR Congo 2–1 and secure their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo a shock lead in the first half, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to put the debutants ahead. England, despite dominating possession, struggled to break down Congo’s disciplined backline and looked vulnerable to counter-attacks. For much of the contest, the 1966 champions appeared on the brink of one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
The turning point came in the second half when England captain Harry Kane, already the nation’s all-time leading scorer, rose to the occasion. In the 75th minute, Kane equalized with a powerful header, restoring belief in the Three Lions. Eleven minutes later, he struck again, firing a clinical shot into the top corner to complete the comeback.
England’s resilience under pressure highlighted their tournament pedigree, while DR Congo earned admiration for their spirited performance in their first knockout-stage appearance. Lionel Mpasi’s saves and Yoane Wissa’s attacking threat kept England on edge until Kane’s decisive brace.
With this victory, England advances to the Round of 16, where they will face co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday. The match promises to be a high-stakes encounter, as England seeks to build momentum and continue their pursuit of a second World Cup title.
Mbappe closes in on Messi as France breeze past Sweden into last-16
Mbappe showed his class once again with a brace as France breeze past Sweden 3-0 into the last 16. Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus continued their perfect start to FIFA World Cup 2026.
In the history of the World Cup, France is the first nation to play five consecutive matches, scoring at least three goals in each game.
Mbappe moved into outright second place in the FIFA World Cup all-time leading scorer charts. He struck twice to take his World Cup tally to 18 goals, now two clear of Miroslav Klose and only one behind Lionel Messi, with further movement between the leading duo almost certain in the coming days.
Didier Deschamps’ side knocked on the door for most of the first half but only broke it down when Mbappe deployed dancing feet inside the box and rifled into the corner.
Any hopes of a second-half Sweden comeback were quickly extinguished. String-puller-in-chief Michael Olise threaded the ball through for Bradley Barcola to batter home a second. Olise latter slipped his captain through with a delicate pass which Mbappe finished with aplomb to move on to record 10 knockout-stage goals.
France will be playing in the round of 16 for the seventh time (after 1986, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022). Only Brazil (11) and Argentina (5 before their round of 32 match) have a longer streak of consecutive appearances in this round than Les Bleus (4). They will now take on Paraguay in Philadelphia on July 5, as they eye a third straight final.
Haaland’s winner helps Norway seal Round of 16 spot for the first time
Norway scripted history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, sealing their first-ever Round of 16 qualification with a dramatic 2-1 win over Côte d’Ivoire. Erling Haaland, the talismanic striker, struck in the 86th minute to secure victory and his fifth goal of the tournament, setting up a blockbuster clash against five-time champions Brazil.
The match began brightly for Norway as Antonio Nusa curled in a superb opener. However, Côte d’Ivoire responded with flair and determination. Substitute Amad Diallo produced a sensational equalizer in the 74th minute, combining with Pepe in a slick give-and-go before weaving past defenders and firing past goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland. Diallo’s brilliance gave the Ivorians momentum, and they pressed hard in the second half, creating several chances that tested Norway’s defensive resilience.
Despite the pressure, Norway held firm. Nyland delivered a standout performance, notably denying Diallo’s late free-kick with a fingertip save that preserved Norway’s lead. The decisive moment came when Patrick Berg surged forward and squared the ball to Haaland, who calmly slotted home to spark jubilant celebrations among Norwegian fans. The goal epitomized Norway’s counterattacking strength and Haaland’s clinical finishing.
Côte d’Ivoire, though spirited and creative, were left frustrated as their attacking waves failed to break through Norway’s disciplined defense. The final whistle confirmed Norway’s historic progression, a milestone for Scandinavian football. The victory not only showcased Haaland’s star power but also underlined the team’s collective grit and composure under pressure.
For Norway, advancing to the knockout stage marks a new chapter in their footballing journey, with the clash against Brazil promising to be a stern test of their credentials. For Côte d’Ivoire, the exit was bittersweet, highlighted by Diallo’s brilliance but overshadowed by missed opportunities.
Mexico blank Ecuador for first knockout win since 1986
Mexico achieved a landmark victory at the 2026 FIFAMexico ended a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory with a commanding 2-0 win over Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium, marking their first such triumph since 1986. Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez sealed the historic result, as the co-hosts advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match, delayed by an hour due to adverse weather, saw Mexico burst out with attacking intent. Gilberto Mora, Luis Romo, and Jimenez all threatened early, while Ecuador’s John Yeboah struck the outside of the post in the 18th minute. Just four minutes later, Quinones broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike after racing clear from his own half, sending the home crowd into raptures. The 26-year-old forward then turned provider, setting up Jimenez to double the lead just past the half-hour mark.
Mexico’s defense, led by Cesar Montes and Johan Vasquez, proved impenetrable, while goalkeeper Raul Rangel extended his remarkable run of clean sheets to four consecutive matches. Ecuador enjoyed possession in the second half but failed to break through Mexico’s disciplined back line. The hosts, meanwhile, nearly added more through set-piece headers, showcasing their dominance across the pitch.
The victory carried historical weight. It was Mexico’s first knockout win since defeating Bulgaria 2-0 in 1986, coincidentally with the same scoreline. El Tri also became the first host nation since Italy in 1990 to win their opening four fixtures at a World Cup. Adding to the occasion, teenager Gilberto Mora (17 years, 259 days) became the second youngest player to start a World Cup knockout match, after Pele in 1958.