Plot twist at the World Cup. Or maybe, looking at recent history, not so much. Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil is out in the round of 16, as has not happened since 1990, and the one who signed the fall of the Seleção is Erling Haaland once againThe Norwegian “cyborg” transformed a match that seemed destined for extra time into a historic night with just two shots: brace in the end, 2 - 1 to Norway and reached the quarter-finals. For the Manchester City striker, it is already 7 goals in 5 games, a figure not seen at the World Cup since 1970 under Gerd Müller. For Brazil, however, the Norwegian curse continues: Norway remains the only national team the green and gold have never managed to beat in their history.
Brazil had the chances to direct the match, from penalty missed by Bruno Guimarães to the wasted chances in the second half, but it fizzled out just when Haaland started the engine. First the header that made it 1-0, then the left-footed shot that doubled the Seleção's lead. Neymar's penalty in the recovery time it only served to make the verdict less bitter: Ancelotti says goodbye to the World Cup, Norway continues to dream and now he will find England.
Even the Three Lions had to suffer, but they managed toovercome Mexico in a fiery challenge to the Azteca, closed 3 - 2 between two penalties, a sending off, eleven minutes of injury time and a final that was lived in the trenches. The one that took centre stage was Jude Bellingham, author of a decisive brace before the Mexican assault.
The round of 16 schedule continues today with one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament: Portugal-Spain, a very strong Iberian derby, with Cristiano Ronaldo on one side and Lamine Yamal on the other. In the European night, then, it will be up to the United States-Belgium, a race already heated up by the Balogun case.
Haaland shatters Ancelotti's Brazilian dream
Brazil vs. Norway seemed like a match designed to restore the Seleção's prestige. The opening, in fact, had given Ancelotti's men their best chance: a penalty won by Matheus Cunha after a late tackle by Ajer. From the spot, however, Bruno Guimarães was hypnotized by Nyland, the absolute protagonist of the evening with a series of decisive interventions. Brazil continued to push, especially with Vinicius and Martinelli, but found themselves faced with a goalkeeper having a great eveningEven in the second half, when Ancelotti brought on Endrick and then Neymar, the game still seemed open. Endrick had the chance to take the lead, but he failed to get the ball in front of Nyland. These were huge errors, because against a team with Haaland, any missed opportunity can spell doom.
For most of the match, the Norwegian striker remained on the sidelines, almost hidden. Then, in the 80th minute, he changed the World Cup: a cross from the left by Schjelderup, imperious detachment and a header that left Alisson with no chance. Ten minutes later, the second goal arrived, with a left-footed shot that virtually sealed the win. Neymar's penalty in stoppage time, awarded after Ostigard's foul on Casemiro, only made the defeat less bitter.
La Norway thus flies to the quarterfinals for the first time and confirms a shocking statistic: Brazil has never beaten them. For Ancelotti, however, the World Cup adventure ended in the round of 16, with an elimination that immediately opened the sporting process. The coach's decisions, from his starting lineup to his use of substitutions, came under scrutiny on social media, with many Brazilian fans criticizing the exclusion of Luiz Henrique. Ancelotti, however, defended the team's path and spoke of a new era, assuring his intention to move forward.
Meanwhile, Norway is enjoying a historic night: With Haaland at the drum, the Viking row can begin.
England suffers, but breaks the Aztec taboo
If Brazil fell in the final, England, on the other hand, resisted until their last breathAt the Azteca, against a Mexico side encouraged by their own fans and a stadium that had never seen them lose at a World Cup, Thomas Tuchel's team achieved a very important 3-2 victory. The match heated up in the final part of the first half, when Jude Bellingham took the stageFirst the header from Saka's assist, then the second after a splendid combination with Kane. In less than two minutes, England had Mexico on the ropes, but the hosts got back into the game before halftime with Quinones, who did well to capitalize on a loose ball in the box.
In the second half the match became a battle. O'Reilly hit a post, then Quansah was expelled after a VAR review for a hard tackle on Gallardo. With ten men, England found the strength to extend their lead further: Gordon anticipated Rangel's exit and earned the penalty converted by Kane to make it 3-1The calm didn't last long. A few minutes later, Kane himself fouled Gutierrez in the box and the VAR led to the Mexican penalty, converted by Raul Jimenez. From then on it was harassment, with Mexico pouring forward and England defending their lead. The final thrill came in injury time, when Stones nearly scored an own goal by grazing the post.
In the end, however, the Three Lions held firm: in the quarterfinals they will face Haaland's Norway.
Spain vs. Portugal: The World Cup heats up the Iberian derby
Today's draw features a match that already looks like an early final: Portugal-Spain, at 21 p.m. Italian time (live on Rai Uno and DAZN) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It's the Iberian derby, but also a clash between two generations and two different approaches to this World Cup.
Il Portugal arrives at the appointment with Cristiano Ronaldo still at the center of the project offensive, supported by talent, experience, and technical quality. Roberto Martinez's team has had a less than linear path, with draws and flashes of brilliance, but they overcame Croatia and are now looking to make the definitive leap against one of the top title contenders. Spain by Luis de la Fuente, on the other hand, presents itself with solid numbers and an unbeaten goal. After the draw with Cape Verde, the Roja has changed pace by beating Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Austria without conceding a goal. the most anticipated face is that of Lamine Yamal, called upon to illuminate a team built around dribbling, pressing, and quality between the lines. Along with him, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Rodri, and Oyarzabal give Spain one of the most complete technical structures in the tournament.
On paper, it will be a game of balance, management, and detail. At stake is not only a place in the quarterfinals, but also a strong bid to reach the final.
United States-Belgium, the Balogun case even before the camp
In the European night, at 2am Italian time, space also for United States-Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. Mauricio Pochettino's USA are playing at home and are looking for a result that would have enormous weight, but the eve was dominated by the Folarin Balogun case.
The American striker had been sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a tackle deemed dangerous, with an automatic one-match ban that should have excluded him from the round of 16. FIFA has however decided to suspend the enforcement of the sanction, applying a sort of conditional that will allow the player to be available against Belgium. The decision immediately sparked controversy. Donald Trump publicly thanked FIFA for correcting what he called an injustice, while the New York Times reported that the request came directly from the US president to Gianni Infantino. Belgium, meanwhile, is considering appeals to protect the fairness of the tournament.
On the pitch, however, the challenge remains complicated for the United States. Belgium is no longer the golden generation at its peak, but it retains experience and talent with Courtois, De Bruyne, Tielemans, Doku, and Lukaku. The Red Devils are coming off a sensational comeback against Senegal and remain a dangerous team, even if they have shown fragility so far. For the US, it will be their first real test of the tournament, with a home crowd behind them and a political and sporting scandal already destined to leave its mark.
