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The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 continued on Sunday, July 5, with two absolute thrillers. England survived a red card and a hostile Azteca crowd to beat Mexico 3–2, while Erling Haaland delivered a heroic late brace to knock Brazil out of the tournament with a 2–1 comeback victory for Norway. Here’s the full breakdown of a day that had everything — drama, controversy, and world-class goals.
🇲🇽 Mexico 2–3 🏴 England: Ten-Man Drama at the Azteca
In what is already being called one of the best matches of the tournament, England went down to 10 men but still managed to prevail at a raucous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The match swung wildly from end to end. Mexico struck first through Santiago Giménez, sending the sell-out crowd into a frenzy. England responded before halftime with a clinical finish from Harry Kane, who later stepped up to slot home a penalty to make it 3–1 after Jude Bellingham had put England ahead early in the second half.
England’s discipline unraveled as they received a red card, forcing Gareth Southgate’s men to defend desperately for the final stretch. Mexico pulled one back late to set up a nervy finish, but the Three Lions held on for a famous victory.
| Team | Score | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2 | S. Giménez, late consolation |
| England | 3 | H. Kane (2, 1 pen), J. Bellingham |
🇧🇷 Brazil 1–2 🇳🇴 Norway: Haaland’s Double Shocks the World
In the day’s second knockout match, Norway pulled off the biggest upset of the Round of 16 so far. Brazil dominated for 80 minutes, taking the lead through a goal and also missing a penalty. But with the match seemingly in hand, Erling Haaland took over.
The Manchester City superstar scored twice in the final 10 minutes — two devastating strikes that silenced the Brazilian fans and sent Norway into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1998. Haaland’s two goals bring his tournament tally to seven goals, tying him with Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappé (France) for the Golden Boot lead.
| Team | Score | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 1 | Penalty (converted) |
| Norway | 2 | E. Haaland (2, 80′, 88′) |
📊 Tournament Stats at a Glance
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 92 |
| Total Goals | 269 (2.92 per match) |
| Total Attendance | 6,001,274 (new World Cup record) |
| Top Scorers | L. Messi, K. Mbappé, E. Haaland — 7 goals each |
🇺🇸 USA vs Belgium — Monday Showdown in Seattle
The United States will take on Belgium on Monday, July 6, in Seattle for a spot in the quarter-finals. The USA advanced after a gritty 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32, a match that saw Folarin Balogun controversially sent off. Malik Tillman’s brilliant free kick sealed the win.
There’s been plenty of drama off the pitch too — multiple reports indicate that President Donald Trump lobbied FIFA to lift Balogun’s suspension ahead of the Belgium clash. As of now, the red card and suspension are expected to stand.
If the USA beats Belgium, they would be the first American men’s team to reach the quarter-finals since 2002.
📅 Remaining Round of 16 Schedule
- Sunday July 5: England 3–2 Mexico (FT) | Norway 2–1 Brazil (FT)
- Monday July 6: USA vs Belgium (Seattle)
- Tuesday July 7: Remaining Round of 16 fixtures
🔮 Looking Ahead
The quarter-finals are set to begin on July 9. With defending champions Argentina still in the hunt, and France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal all advancing, the stage is set for an unforgettable finish at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
🤔 FAQ
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Who are the top scorers so far?
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Kylian Mbappé (France), and Erling Haaland (Norway) are tied with 7 goals each.
How does the new 48-team format work?
12 groups of 4 teams, with top 2 from each group and 8 best third-place teams advancing to a Round of 32 knockout stage.
Can the USA still win the World Cup?
They’re alive in the Round of 16 against Belgium. A win would put them in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.
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