The Round of 32 continued with three knockout clashes across North America. Norway needed an Erling Haaland winner to break Ivory Coast's resistance in Dallas, France delivered the tournament's most complete performance to dismantle Sweden in New Jersey, and co-hosts Mexico powered past ten-man Ecuador under the lights in Mexico City. All three favorites advanced, but each victory told a different story — from last-gasp drama to statement-making dominance to home-soil passion.
Norway reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in 28 years, but they needed Erling Haaland's late strike to see off a stubborn Ivory Coast. Antonio Nusa fired Norway ahead with a stunning curling effort in the 39th minute, finishing off Martin Odegaard's incisive pass. Ivory Coast responded after the break, Amad Diallo coming off the bench to score a wonderful solo equalizer in the 74th minute. With extra time looming, Haaland — quiet for long stretches — produced yet another first-time finish in the 86th minute, tapping in Patrick Berg's cross to seal it. Odegaard became only the third player to assist in each of his first three World Cup appearances. Norway now face Brazil.
Kylian Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup knockout matches as France sent a thunderous statement to the rest of the field. Les Bleus overwhelmed Sweden from the start, hitting the post twice through Mbappe and Michael Olise before the break. Mbappe finally broke through on the stroke of half-time, collecting Ousmane Dembele's pass and wrong-footing Viktor Gyokeres before finishing clinically. Bradley Barcola doubled the lead eight minutes after the restart, rifling in Olise's clever ball at the near post. Mbappe added his second in the 74th minute, curling past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from another Olise assist. Now on six tournament goals, Mbappe joins Lionel Messi atop the Golden Boot race. France face Paraguay next.
Co-hosts Mexico booked their place in the last 16 with a commanding victory delayed an hour by severe weather. Julian Quinones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, lashing home on the break after Raul Alvarado's cutback. Nine minutes later, Raul Jimenez rifled a second, turning in Quinones' assist to send the home crowd into delirium. Ecuador offered little in response, their best moments coming from distance through Moises Caicedo. Piero Hincapie was sent off in stoppage time for covering an opponent's mouth in a heated exchange, a needless red card that summed up Ecuador's frustration. Mexico's first knockout win in nine attempts sets up a last-16 clash with the winner of England versus DR Congo.
Upcoming Matches for July 1 (all times ET):
12PM ET — England vs DR Congo, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
4PM ET — Belgium vs Senegal, Lumen Field, Seattle
8PM ET — USA vs Bosnia-Herzegovina, Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
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