BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Mexico will attempt to match one of the greatest achievements in their World Cup history when they take on England in a high-stakes Round of 16 encounter on Sunday.

El Tri are bidding to reach the quarter-finals for only the third time in their history and the first time outside Mexican soil.

Mexico’s previous appearances in the last eight came in 1970 and 1986, with both tournaments hosted by the nation. A victory over England would therefore represent a landmark breakthrough and one of the most significant results in Mexican football history.

Standing in their path is an England side with a strong recent record in World Cup knockout football.

The Three Lions have won six of their last eight Round of 16 matches in the competition and arrive with ambitions of ending their long wait for a second World Cup title.

England progressed from the group stage with confidence before defeating DR Congo in the Round of 32, while Mexico overcame Ecuador to keep alive hopes of a memorable home-continent campaign.

The clash pits two nations with passionate fan bases and contrasting football traditions against each other. Mexico will rely on the energy and support generated across North America, while England will draw confidence from their recent knockout-stage consistency.

For Mexico, victory would equal their best-ever World Cup performance and move them within touching distance of an unprecedented semi-final appearance.

England, however, view the match as another crucial step in a campaign they hope will end with silverware.

With history beckoning for Mexico and expectations weighing heavily on England, the Round of 16 showdown promises drama, intensity and a place in the quarter-finals for the winner.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA

France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe’s second-half penalty not only deciding the contest but also entering the record books as France’s 150th goal in FIFA World Cup history.

In sweltering conditions that saw temperatures soar to 39 degrees Celsius, Les Bleus were forced to dig deep against a stubborn Paraguay side determined to frustrate the 2018 world champions.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute when substitute Desire Doue was brought down inside the penalty area by Diego Gomez. Following a VAR review, referee Ilgiz Tantashev pointed to the spot and Mbappe calmly dispatched the penalty beyond goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

The goal was Mbappe’s seventh of the tournament and his 19th in World Cup finals, extending his remarkable scoring record while simultaneously marking a major milestone for France as their 150th World Cup goal.

The Paris-born forward later underlined France’s willingness to battle when required.

“We knew what kind of match we were going to have. If we have to get our hands dirty, we can do that. We can play ugly football,” Mbappe said after the match.

“They thought we would turn up in tuxedos, but we were there.”

France dominated possession throughout but found chances scarce against Paraguay’s defensive 5-4-1 setup. Neither side managed a shot on target in a cagey first half as the oppressive heat took its toll.

Adrien Rabiot, Manu Kone and Ousmane Dembele all attempted to unlock the Paraguayan defence, while Julio Enciso remained the South Americans’ lone attacking outlet.

Paraguay, seeking revenge for their dramatic 1998 World Cup defeat to France, once again came up short despite pushing for a late equaliser. Mike Maignan was finally called into serious action only in the 90th minute, producing his first save of the game to preserve France’s lead.

Mbappe almost added a second in stoppage time but was denied twice by Gill as France closed out a tense victory.

The win sends France into the last eight where they will face Morocco, who earlier made history by becoming the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarter-finals.

The upcoming encounter will revive memories of the Qatar 2022 semi-final, where France defeated Morocco 2-0 before eventually finishing runners-up to Argentina. Four years later, the Atlas Lions will have an opportunity to seek revenge on the global stage.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Morocco once again carried the hopes of a continent on their shoulders and delivered in style, becoming the first African nation in history to reach consecutive FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada on Saturday.

The Atlas Lions, who captivated the world with their historic fourth-place finish at Qatar 2022, wrote another chapter in African football folklore by becoming the first team to book a place in the last eight of the 2026 World Cup.

The achievement carried added symbolism. Morocco, the first country to recognise the United States 250 years ago, secured their quarter-final berth on the very weekend America celebrated the 250th anniversary of its independence, creating a remarkable historical connection between the two nations.

Midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was the architect of Canada’s downfall, scoring twice in a devastating second-half display, while substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a late third to seal one of Morocco’s most emphatic World Cup victories.

The result ended the dream run of co-hosts Canada, whose journey to the Round of 16 represented the country’s best-ever World Cup campaign.

For much of the first half, Morocco appeared content to absorb pressure and frustrate the Canadians. The Atlas Lions were forced to overcome an early setback when striker Ismael Saibari, who had scored three goals in the tournament, limped off with a hamstring injury.

But Mohamed Ouahbi’s side emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and ruthlessness.

The breakthrough came in the 50th minute from a brilliantly rehearsed free-kick routine. Captain Achraf Hakimi rolled a low pass from the right to Ounahi, who calmly guided a first-time effort from outside the area into the bottom corner, sending Moroccan supporters into celebration.

Canada pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but their ambition left spaces that Morocco exploited with devastating efficiency.

Eight minutes from time, a lightning counterattack saw Brahim Diaz provide the final pass for Ounahi, who unleashed a superb strike into the top corner to double the advantage.

The icing on the cake arrived late on when another rapid Moroccan break ended with Rahimi applying a composed finish to complete a memorable victory.

Remarkably, Morocco managed the feat despite registering only five shots, making them one of the most clinical teams of the tournament. While Canada enjoyed long spells of possession and territorial advantage, the North Africans demonstrated the efficiency and tactical discipline that have become hallmarks of their recent World Cup success.

The victory sends Morocco into the quarter-finals for only the second time in their history, but significantly it marks the first time an African nation has reached that stage in consecutive World Cups.

Having already broken barriers for African football in Qatar four years ago, the Atlas Lions continue to redefine what is possible for teams from the continent on the global stage.

Now, with momentum building and belief growing, Morocco will turn their attention to a quarter-final showdown against either France or Paraguay on July 9.

The dream that inspired Africa in 2022 is alive once more. And after another historic night, Morocco’s quest to surpass their celebrated fourth-place finish and challenge for an even greater prize remains very much on course.

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