Round of 16 . . .

Morocco beat Canada 3-0 to advance to the QFs.

France vs Paraguay 0-0 after 20.

Half time and Paraguay are holding France. 0-0.

Every flippin African Team is getting knocked out besides Morocco and Egypt.

Hope Morocco make the semis again. They are such a good team.

France have all the possession but have not been their clinical selves in the final third. Too many hopeful long range shots.

As I type that, a possible penalty is being checked here . . . a foul on Doue in the box . . . and it's given!

Mbappe will take it. He goes to the right and the keeper goes the wrong way.

France lead 1-0.

A double save by Gill denies Mbappe a second goal.

It all gets very scrappy and bad-tempered as the clock winds down.

The 10 minutes of injury time are up and France win 1-0.

Not their most convincing display but I'm sure they'll take it.

France will now play Morocco in the QFs.

Tomorrow night is another late-nighter with Brazil vs Norway at 22h00 followed by England vs Mexico at 02h00.

Marocco vs Spain......are we looking at a major upset?

Not sure Morocco beating Spain could be considered an upset at all let alone a major one.

They did beat Spain in the round of 16 at the last WC and went on to the semis.

Maybe it was an upset in 2022 . . . not anymore.

Brazil vs Norway still 0-0 after 15.

The ref missed a clear penalty for Brazil but VAR picked it up and the penalty was correctly awarded . . . only for Bruno Guimaeres to miss it.

Erling Haaland has been quiet all night . . . until the 80th minute when he nails a header.

Norway 1-0.

Haaland again!

2-0. Goodbye Brazil.

Brazil get a penalty at the death but it'll be no more than a consolation.

This time it's Neymar who has come on as a sub who steps up. He scores.

How different things could have been if Guimaeres hadn't missed his spot kick?

Is there time for Brazil?

No, that's it. It ends 2-1.

Since I saw the draw I've been saying this could be a banana peel for Brazil and so it's proved to be.

Haaland barely saw the ball other than his two strikes.

Haaland, Messi and Mbappe all on 7 goals . . . and it's only the round of 16!

Come on England!

the youngster who missed the opportunity from that beautiful through ball ... he'll have a lifetime regretting the moment

Kickoff delayed by one hour ... bietjie slegs Rooi, unless you have a 40min power nap.
C'mon England !

Not such a civilised time for me . . . but come on England!

Very partisan and hostile crowd but good for the Mexicans, that's as it should be in your home stadium.

Yes!

Bellingham scores from a Saka cross. The defenders are all marking Kane and Bellingham has lots of space.

First goal Mexico have conceded at this WC.

Whaaaaaat! Bellingham scores again as I was typing!

2-0!

Quinones scores for Mexico and it's 2-1.

Pickford makes a good save from Jiminez.

Bellingham saves a certain goal just moments later.

Half time and what a half!

Very entertaining football from both sides.

Mexico own the centre of midfield but England are dominating the flanks and it's making for a good game.

England lead 2-1.

Pubs in England showing game open until 5am but with delay that'll probably move to 6am
Go from boozer straight to work.

O'Reilly puts in a good cross and then a few moments later has a shot come back off the post.

Oh dear, Quansah is going to get a red here . . . terrible challenge . . . yes, it's red and England are a man down.

It was a poor challenge but it was also a poor selection. Shouldn't have a centre back playing at right back at a World Cup . . . especially when you have Trent Alexander-Arnold sitting at home.

I suspect that will spoil what was a great game. England have no option but to defend now, but with 35 minutes still to play I can't see them holding on. Hope I'm wrong.

Now England have a penalty!

This could change things! Come on Harry!

Yes! Kane scores. Keeper goes the right way but Kane struck it well enough.

10 man England lead 3-1. Amazing stuff!

Sir Harry !
goal no. 73 this season

Uh-oh . . . ref is going to check VAR for a Mexico penalty . . . I think this might be given . . . yes, penalty to Mexico.

Harry Kane's foul in the area is a bit unlucky as he was just trying to clear but it's the right decision.

Raul Jiminez steps up . . . it's 3-2.

Hold onto anything and everything it’s going to be an agonising last 15 minutes

vokking slow motion replays

10 more minutes for England to hang on. If Mexico equalise then England are dead. They can't hang on with 10 men through extra time.

Uh-oh . . . 11 minutes of injury time . . . and Harry has been subbed. An equaliser for Mexico is effectively a winner.

Hang in there England

More bad news for England, Bellingham gets s yellow meaning he'll miss the QF . . . if England make it.

I’ve run out of Klippies!

Bellingham is a huge loss, not good

Less than a minute left on the clock . . . oh so close for Mexico . . . it's a corner though . . . the keeper is up for this . . . cleared . . . then blocked . . . another corner.

Pickford punches clear . . .

Yessssssssss!!! Englnad hang on. 3-2. They'll face Norway in the QF . . . but they'll be without their star player tonight.

What a game!

You beauty could not have hoped for a better result, England showed a mountain of tenacity

Magnificent spectacle, sadly there'll be some Mexies committing suicide, kicking dogs or chickens.
Not good losers em Sth Americans.

Mexico never had the pace down the wings to get deep enough down the field for their crosses. So Pickford was able to pick off or punch away most of them. They probably should have tested the center more. That said the English defense was very accurate and mobile.

Normally I'll break into song & post a YT clip, something like 'unforgettable'
but I'm seemingly unable to post clips or in fact pictures
mebbe we'll get there yet.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/jul/06/world-cup-2026-mexico-v-england-at-the-azteca-in-pictures
.