Yesterday was the kind of day that reminds you why you watch every minute — a captain's rescue act in Atlanta, the most dramatic comeback of the tournament in Seattle, and a clean sweep of results that sets up a loaded Thursday.
Yesterday's Results
Norway 2-1 Ivory Coast — Erling Haaland delivered when it mattered, scoring the deciding goal as Norway won their first-ever World Cup knockout match. AP News reports it was a composed, controlled performance from the Scandinavians, who now march into the Round of 16 with real momentum.
France 3-0 Sweden — No drama, no sweat. Mbappé scored twice and France were simply a class above, Reuters describing it as a Champagne show from a side that looks like the tournament's most complete team right now.
Mexico 2-0 Ecuador — El Tri were efficient and authoritative, completing a perfect group stage and carrying that form straight into the knockouts. The Azteca awaits — and so does England.
England 2-1 DR Congo — This one aged ten years off every England fan. DR Congo took the lead through Brian Cipenga early on, and for long stretches Tuchel's side looked rattled, disjointed, and genuinely in trouble. Then Harry Kane happened. Two late goals from their captain — his 13th and 14th World Cup goals all-time — dragged England through. AP News and Al Jazeera both note England now face Mexico at the Azteca in the Round of 16 — a daunting reward for a performance that raised as many questions as it answered.
Belgium 3-2 Senegal (a.e.t.) — The match of the tournament so far, and it isn't close. Senegal were dominant, led 2-0 with five minutes left, and looked certain to advance. Then Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute, Youri Tielemans equalized in the 89th, and Tielemans converted a penalty deep into extra-time stoppage to complete one of the great World Cup comebacks. FIFA's match report captures the full chaos — Senegal hit the woodwork multiple times before the wheels came off entirely. Heartbreak for the Lions of Teranga; pure theatre for everyone else.
United States 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina — The USMNT are through to the Round of 16, though the night came with a sting: BBC Sport notes that Folarin Balogun scored and was then sent off in the same match, meaning he'll miss the next game. A win is a win, but Pochettino has some selection headaches to solve.
Today's Fixtures
Spain vs Austria — Round of 32, 12:00 Spain looked imperious in the group stage and come in as heavy favorites, but Austria showed enough quality to cause problems — watch whether La Roja's high defensive line can handle Austria's runners in behind.
Portugal vs Croatia — Round of 32, 19:00 Ronaldo against a Croatia side that has shown real resilience throughout the tournament — this is the match of the day, and the question is whether Portugal's attack can unlock a Croatian defense that knows exactly how to slow a game down and make it ugly.
Switzerland vs Algeria — Round of 32 Switzerland have been quietly solid all tournament; Algeria arrive as one of the group stage's more dangerous dark horses — keep an eye on whether the Swiss can control the tempo or whether Algeria's pace on the break turns this into an open game.
Around the Tournament
Norway fans go full Viking. After Norway's win over Ivory Coast, Reuters reports that celebrations got memorably chaotic — mass "Viking rows," uprooted plants, and dented trains as Norwegian supporters made their presence felt. The tournament's feel-good story just keeps getting louder.
Online abuse surging. FIFA has flagged a 13-fold increase in online abuse directed at players and officials during this World Cup, with 11% of incidents carrying a racial element. It's an ugly undercurrent to an otherwise extraordinary tournament, and one FIFA says it is actively monitoring.
Toronto's smallest venue gets its moment. With Portugal vs Croatia scheduled there today, Reuters reports that Toronto's most intimate World Cup stadium is ready for what may be its biggest match — and that fans heading in have been warned about severe heat. Pack water.
The Portugal-Croatia fixture tonight is the one to clear your schedule for — two of the tournament's most experienced sides, a knockout stage on the line, and Ronaldo hunting another chapter in a story that refuses to end. Don't miss it.
