World Cup Daily live: Mbappé's brace helps France defeat Sweden to claim last-16 place - ESPN
Anything can happen in the World Cup knockout stages, as shown by Germany's exit at the hands of Paraguay on Monday. Will Tuesday bring more upsets?
Mexico Sport News
Soccer's American dream has room to grow, says Jones
HOUSTON, June 30 : The 1994 World Cup in the United States delivered Major League Soccer, but this edition has the potential for the exponential growth of the game in the country beyond what anyone thought possible, says former international Cobi Jones.
Jimenez and Lira return for Mexico against Ecuador
MEXICO CITY, June 30 : Mexico coach Javier Aguirre restored Erik Lira and Raul Jimenez to his starting lineup for the World Cup round of 32 match at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday while Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece kept faith in the side that beat Germany.
Altitude unlikely to affect Ecuador when they face Mexico at the Azteca
MEXICO CITY: Altitude may have helped Mexico achieve a perfect record in the group stage of this World Cup, but they aren’t likely to provide the same edge against Ecuador in the Round of 32. Mexico swept through the group stage matches at the tournament for the first time in their history, but the unbeaten run came with a caveat. All three victories took place at venues more than 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) above sea level. El Tri often capitalized late, scoring five of its six goals after halftime, perhaps as fatigue began to take its toll. “We have a massive advantage as the host country because we’re playing at the Estadio Azteca with our fans and the altitude,” Mexican football commissioner Mikel Arriola said before the tournament.
Sweden face France’s attacking firepower at the World Cup
LOS ANGELES: France unleash their devastating forward line on Sweden in a last-32 tie at the World Cup on Tuesday, while Erling Haaland will try to fire Norway past the Ivory Coast into the next round. Co-hosts Mexico meanwhile bid to continue their journey in front of a fervent crowd at the Estadio Azteca when they take on Ecuador. The Swedish defense is bracing to face not only Kylian Mbappe, who has scored four times already in this tournament, but also Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who notched a hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Norway in the group stage. Completing the French trio is Michael Olize, whose runs at defenders have been creating havoc. With attacking swagger and midfield flair, Les Bleus appear well-placed to reach their third final in as many World Cups. The only question mark might be their defense — and Sweden have their own high-profile forward line who will try to unlock it, although Premier League duo Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have not fully fired yet at this tournament. If France get past Sweden, they will face not Germany — who were beaten in a penalty shootout for the first time in World Cup history on Monday — but their conquerors Paraguay. France coach Didier Deschamps said Sweden had “nothing to lose.” “Sweden are playing for their survival. Obviously they will do everything to win the game,” Deschamps said on Monday. “We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration.
Morocco sends the Netherlands home with dramatic World Cup knockout in penalties
Thiago Alcântara, Peter Crouch, Kasper Schmeichel and Alex Scott react to Morocco's DRAMATIC win over the Netherlands in Penalties to trek on to the Round of 16.
Koeman's lack of Dutch courage exposed by magnificent Morocco - ESPN
Justice was served in Monterey, Mexico, on Monday night under the watchful gaze of Cerro de la Silla. Football justice, that is. Not because Morocco came to play and, by and large, the Netherlands did not. The object of the game in knockout tournaments isn't to win, it's to advance by any means necessary. Sometimes, setting up defensively, parking the bus and hoping to sneak a goal in the counterattack is the best way to win. But if you're going to do it, you have to be smart about it and do it well. Ronald Koeman's team did neither.
Morocco win shootout to send Netherlands home from World Cup - ESPN
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Morocco beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout after the match finished 1-1 Monday night to advance to the round of 16.