WORLD CUP DAILY: Mexico book Azteca date but can England join them? | Klopp waits in the German wings
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What teams have advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup?
Off the Ball, GAA. Credit to Shane because I suppose all the talk has been about, oh, when's Shane Ryan back? And when he's back, he'll have to come straight back in. And that can't be easy to be listened to either. So, no, massive credit to Shane. He's been brilliant this year and really cemented his place. Join in the obsession. Subscribe now at offtheball.com forward slash join. World Cup Daily on Off the Ball with Lynx, a proud sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Welcome along to Wednesday's World Cup Daily. I'm Phil Egan. Coming up, Norway, France and Mexico all advanced to the last 16 at the World Cup. Tonight, England, Dior Congo, Belgium, Senegal, the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina will look to do the same. And Ronald Koeman calls it a day with the Netherlands after their exit at the hands of Morocco. But first up, Mexico cruised into the last 16 of the World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium. Julian Canones and Raúl Jiménez both scored in the first half for the co-hosts, who won their first knockout game since 1986. Javier Aguirre's side will get to play in Mexico City for their last 16 clash, which will be against England or Dior Congo on Sunday.
A thunderstorm in Mexico's capital had pushed the kick-off back by an hour. Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié was sent off late on for Ecuador. He became the second player at this tournament to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. Mexico's record at the Azteca is formidable. They've played 89 games, won 70, drawn 17 and only lost two. They're also unbeaten in their last 10 World Cup games there. Ecuador boss Sebastián Becachetxe has quit as manager after their elimination. Kylian Mbappé became the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout games. France showed why they're many people's favourites for the tournament. With a comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden in New Jersey, it sets up a last-16 tie with Paraguay.
A strike in each half took Mbappé to 10 goals in the knockout stages. The France captain has six goals at this tournament, which moves him level in the Golden Boot race with Lionel Messi, who Mbappé trails by one goal in the all-time goalscoring charts. Bradley Barker has scored the other goal in the win over Graeme Potter's side. Mbappe has 18 goals now in total at World Cups, but he says matching or overtaking Messi isn't his main focus.
Matt, France and Paraguay game will be played in Philadelphia on Saturday night in the last 16.
Erling Haaland tapped home a late winner for Norway, who beat Ivory Coast 2-1 to set up a last-16 showdown with Brazil. The Manchester City striker had been quiet enough in Dallas before that goal in the 86th minute. Antonio Nusa put Norway ahead six minutes before half-time with a stunning goal. and Ahmad Diallo's equaliser 16 minutes from time was every bit as impressive. Haaland has scored in 13 competitive internationals in a row for Norway. It was Norway's first win in the knockout stages of a World Cup, and attention now turns to Brazil on Sunday night in New Jersey. And World Cup Daily and Off the Ball is brought to you by Lynx, a proud sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Smell your best when you look your worst.
England will aim to avoid being the latest nation to suffer an upset in the last 32 when they face Dior Congo later today. Germany and the Netherlands have already gone out in the knockout stages. The two-time Africa Cup of Nations winners have already drawn 1-1 with Portugal at this tournament. Manager Sebastian de Sabra says they've shown they can come out on top in a shootout as well if needed.
Former Chelsea and Fulham midfielder Gail Kakuta knows his side will have to be at their best against England. Details, small details make a big difference.
How did Mexico perform in their knockout match against Ecuador?
Even more against big teams, you get punished directly. So we are working on all those games, the mistakes that we did, to try to correct them. And now we're looking forward to the game.
As for England, their manager Thomas Tuchel admits the pressure is on his team.
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