FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 results: France ease past Sweden, Norway overcome Ivory Coast and Mexico march on
World Cup 2026 Round of 32 results: The latest round of knockout matches saw France in action against Sweden, while Norway faced Ivory Coast. Co-hosts Mexico took on Ecuador at the Azteca.
Norway 2-1 Ivory Coast
Norway did enough to win their first-ever knockout game at the World Cup to progress to the last 16. The clash in Dallas was steeped in history, but there were only few moments of quality in the opening half with both teams aware of what was at stake.
Erling Haaland did have a header blocked early on, but the game was going through the motions. It took a fantastic right-footed curler into the top corner by Antonio Nusa to put his side ahead in the 39th minute and spark some life into the contest. The second half saw the Landslaget go close to doubling their advantage as Torbjorn Heggem saw his attempt cleared off the line from a corner by Amad Diallo.
Diallo then produced a moment of quality to draw the Elephants level. He played a one-two with Nicolas Pepe on the right-hand side and then dribbed past two defenders before smashing the ball home in the 74th minute. It was just reward for Ivory Coast’s more attacking approach in the second half. But heartbreak awaited them.
With four minutes left on the clock, Oscar Bobb played Patrick Berg through, who cut back for Haaland for a simple finish. Norway then survived a scare as Diallo’s free kick was palmed away by Orlan Nyland in stoppage time. With this win, Haaland and his teammates will now prepare for a last 16 clash against Brazil on Monday.
France 3-0 Sweden
France dispatched Sweden with ease to reach the last 16 as they look to go one step ahead after their runner-up finish four years ago. The two-time World Champions gave their opponents little room to breathe in a performance that was equally aggressive and sumptuous.
Kylian Mbappe found the net in the 20th minute after racing from Swedish defenders but was flagged offside. He then hit the foot of the post from a low cross, and Michael Olise did the same when he attempted a sensational overhead kick. But France were not to be denied for long. Mbappe was fed in from the right side of a corner, and he sent Viktor Gyökeres on a holiday before bending a finish past Jacob Widell Zetterström at the stroke of halftime.
Just as they had done in their previous group games, Les Bleus went searching for more goals after action resumed. The excellent Olise neatly played Bradley Barcola through on goal in the center, and he made no mistake, thumping home a finish. Olise had one more act in him, playing another sublime pass to Mbappe on the left side, and the Real Madrid forward shot past Zetterstrom with ease and precision.
With this brace, Mbappe became the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup knockout matches with 10 goals to his name. Graham Potter’s side looked hapless against a rampant French side, who will believe a third World Cup crown could be theirs if they keep up this run of form. They will now play Paraguay next in the last 16.
Mexico 2-0 Ecuador
Mexico produced another scintillating display to win a first knockout game in 40 years as they overpowered Ecuador in their Round of 32 tie. Backed by a fervent Azteca crowd, the co-hosts looked relentless in attack as they made history at this World Cup.
The start of the game was delayed due to a thunderstorm, but once action got underway, El Tri made a lightning quick start. Raul Jimenez headed wide, and Gilberto Mora, the 17-year-old prodigy, also curled his effort just past the post. Six shots in the first 15 minutes underlined their dominance, though they did survive a scare when Ecuador’s John Yeboah hit the woodwork. But from there on, it was about Mexico.
Julian Quinones went down the left side and cut inside before unleashing a powerful strike to beat Hernan Galindez in the 22nd minute. Nine minutes later, the Azteca was bouncing again as Quinones turned provider, slotting the ball for Jimenez, who rocketed a finish into the top right corner.
La Tri composed themselves for an improved second half performance, and Gonzalo Plata went close to reducing the deficit. But they were unable to trouble Javier Aguirre’s side, who continued to march on. In stoppage time, Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie became the second player to be sent off at this tournament for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent.
Meanwhile, this win for Mexico marks the first time a Concacaf team eliminated a CONMEBOL country from the World Cup. They have four wins from four games at this World Cup and have scored eight goals without reply.
They will also play their last 16 game at the fortress Azteca, where they will face either England or DR Congo. With this form and a passionate home support, they will have every reason to believe that a quarterfinal place is not out of their reach.
