FIFA World Cup 2026 Last 16 results: England overcome Mexico at Azteca, Brazil knocked out
World Cup 2026 last 16 results: England played Mexico at the iconic Azteca, and Brazil took on Norway for a place in the quarter-finals.
England 3-2 Mexico
England overcame the fervent atmosphere at Azteca to beat Mexico in a feverish encounter in the last 16. With the game being delayed due to severe storms, the tension was palpable once the game kicked off.
Much had been made of the iconic stadium’s high altitude and whether England had enough to acclimatize to the conditions in the buildup. On top of this, the co-hosts had lost only two of 89 competitive games at the venue and were backed by a passionate crowd.
El Tri responded to the support from the stands with a strong start. Raul Jimenez did brilliant to head a Roberto Alvarado’s cross, but Jordan Pickford responded with an equally sensational save, tipping the attempt wide. With the home team dominating the early exchanges, it appeared only a matter of time before a goal would be scored.
A breakthrough did come in the 36th minute, but it was England who took the lead. Bukayo Saka galloped down the right wing, and his cross evaded Harry Kane but found Jude Bellingham, who headed his team ahead. Two minutes later, they doubled their lead.
Bellingham was at it again, playing a crisp one-two with Kane before finding the back of the net with a close-range finish. Rocked by two quick goals, Mexico poured forward and pulled a goal back three minutes before halftime.
Julian Quinones lashed home a finish into the roof of the net after Thomas Tuchel’s side failed to clear Alvardo’s free-kick. Mexico then nearly equalized, but Bellingham stuck out his foot to deny Cesar Montes’ goal-bound attempt.
The game started evenly in the second half, and Mexico were handed a lifeline when Jarell Quansah’s sliding challenge caught Jesus Gallardo on the shin, and he was given a straight red after a VAR review. Yet, at the hour mark, the Three Lions roared again.
Keeper Raul Rangel brought down Anthony Gordon in the box, and Kane, confident as ever from the spot, made it two-nil. Still, Javier Aguirre’s side refused to go away. A Kane foul on Brian Gutierrez in the box resulted in a penalty, which Jimenez fired past Pickford with just over 20 minutes of normal time left.
Mexico kept attacking, and England kept repelling and held on for a historic win at Azteca.
Norway 2-1 Brazil
Norway produced a composed display to knock Brazil out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in their round of 16 clash. The contest in New York was a cagey affair for the most part after a frenetic start.
Patrick Berg had the ball in the net for the European side inside four minutes, but the goal was ruled after Alexander Sorloth was judged to be offside after he had cutback the ball for Berg. Brazil had the chance to go ahead when Kristoffer Ajer brought down Matheus Cunha with a sliding challenge in the box.
Bruno Guimarães, who had an impressive run in the tournament, stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved by Orjan Nyland in the 15th minute. Nyland played a starring role in goal, denying Gabriel Martinelli from a tight angle and then keeping out Vinicius Jr.’s effort. This ensured the game stayed level going into halftime.
In the second half, substitute Endrick had a glorious opportunity after being played through by Vinicius, but the 19-year-old prodded wide from close range. The miss proved to be costly as Norway made them pay with 11 minutes left.
Andreas Schjelderup put in a cross, and Erling Haaland got ahead of Gabriel Magalhães to head his side ahead. Carlo Ancelotti’s side nearly got a freak equalizer after Ajer’s clearance went backwards and seemed destined for goal only for Nyland to tip the ball on to the post in the 86th minute.
But it was the Landslaget who put the game to bed in the 90th minute. Schjelderup’s pass was well controlled by Haaland and held off the Brazilian defenders before driving a left-foot finish past Allison from just outside the box. Brazil did get their goal after Leo Ostigard was judged to have elbowed Casemiro, and a penalty was awarded in the stoppage time.
With 100 minutes on the clock, Neymar stepped up to score on his 15th appearance for his country at the World Cup, but it was all too little too late as the Seleção’s wait to add to their five World Cup crowns goes on.
Norway and Haaland now turn their attention to England in the quarter-final on July 11, Monday.
READ MORE: FIFA World Cup 2026 Last 16 results: Morocco eliminate co-hosts, France beat Paraguay
