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World Cup 2026 Round of 16: England Survive Azteca Thriller, Spain Stuns Portugal in Stoppage Time
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 continued with a blockbuster Monday, delivering two unforgettable matches that produced drama, heartbreak, and history. England overcame a hostile Azteca crowd and a red card to edge Mexico 3-2, while Spain broke Portuguese hearts with a 90th-minute winner to send Cristiano Ronaldo into international retirement.
With the knockout stage now fully underway, here’s everything you need to know from the latest round of action and what’s coming next.
England 3–2 Mexico: 10-Man Three Lions Hold On
In one of the most gripping matches of the tournament, England delivered their finest World Cup knockout performance since 1966 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Jude Bellingham was the hero, scoring twice in the first half to give England a commanding lead. His first was a powerful header from Bukayo Saka’s cross, and his second came from close range after linking up with Harry Kane.
Mexico pulled one back through Julián Quiñones before halftime, setting up a tense second half. Things got worse for England when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute for a dangerous challenge on Jesús Gallardo. But Kane restored the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot after Gordon was brought down — his sixth goal of the tournament and 73rd of the season across club and country.
Mexico refused to quit. Raúl Jiménez converted a penalty after Kane was adjudged to have fouled Brian Gutiérrez, making it 3-2. But England held firm, defending deep with a back five and surviving 11 minutes of stoppage time to book their place in the quarterfinals.
The win sets up a massive quarterfinal showdown against Norway in Miami on Saturday, July 11.
Spain 1–0 Portugal: Merino’s Late Winner Ends Ronaldo’s World Cup Journey
In Dallas, a tightly contested Iberian derby was decided in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Mikel Merino latched onto Ferran Torres’s through-ball and calmly slotted past Diogo Costa to send Spain into the quarterfinals and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career at the age of 41.
The match was a tactical battle between two gifted midfields. Spain controlled possession through Rodri, who is slowly returning to his Euro 2024 form after an ACL injury, while Portugal relied on the lightning pace of Nuno Mendes. The first half ended goalless with few clear chances, though Mendes hit the bar with a deflected shot just before the break.
Ronaldo, appearing in his record sixth World Cup, had an afternoon to forget. He managed just 19 touches and three inside the box before trudging off in tears at the final whistle. Spain will now face either the United States or Belgium in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles on Friday, July 10.
Complete Round of 16 Results So Far
| Date | Match | Result |
| July 4 | Canada vs Morocco | 0–3 |
| July 4 | Argentina vs Cape Verde | 3–2 |
| July 5 | Paraguay vs France | 0–1 |
| July 5 | Brazil vs Norway | 1–2 |
| July 6 | England vs Mexico | 3–2 |
| July 6 | Portugal vs Spain | 0–1 |
| July 6 | USA vs Belgium | — (Tonight) |
USA vs Belgium — What’s at Stake
All eyes turn to tonight’s clash between the co-host United States and Belgium at SoFi Stadium (8:00 PM ET). The USMNT is seeking its first quarterfinal appearance since 2002, while Belgium looks to prove their golden generation still has one more run left.
The match has been clouded by controversy — Folarin Balogun’s red card was controversially overturned by FIFA after intervention from President Trump, allowing the striker to start. Belgium, meanwhile, has left Kevin De Bruyne on the bench in a surprising tactical move from manager Rudi Garcia.
USA XI: Freese; Dest, Richards, A. Robinson, Ream, Freeman; Adams, McKennie, Tillman; Pulisic, Balogun.
Belgium XI: Courtois; Mechele, De Cuyper, Castagne, Ngoy; Tielemans, Raskin, Onana; Trossard, Lukebakio, De Ketelaere.
Upcoming Round of 16 Fixtures (July 7)
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| July 7 | Argentina vs Egypt | 12:00 PM |
| July 7 | Switzerland vs Colombia | 4:00 PM |
Quarterfinal Schedule
| Date | Match | Location |
| July 9 | France vs Morocco | TBD |
| July 10 | Spain vs USA/Belgium | Los Angeles |
| July 11 | Norway vs England | Miami |
| July 11/12 | Argentina/Egypt vs Switzerland/Colombia | TBD |
Looking Ahead
The 2026 World Cup has already set attendance records, surpassing the 1994 tournament with over 6 million fans passing through the gates. With the expanded 48-team format producing thrilling knockout-stage matchups, this World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in history.
Who will lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19? The quarterfinal field is taking shape — and with Lionel Messi (7 goals), Kylian Mbappé (7 goals), and Erling Haaland (7 goals) all tied for the Golden Boot, the race for individual honors is just as tight.
Stay tuned to PC Master Deals for the latest World Cup 2026 coverage, match analysis, and updates throughout the knockout stage.
FAQ: Where can I watch the World Cup 2026?
Matches are broadcast on FOX Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) in the United States. Streaming is available via FOX Sports app, Fubo, and YouTube TV.