If Day 19 was a day of upsets, Day 20 was not. Norway, France & Mexico were favourites over Cote d’Ivoire, Sweden & Ecuador respectively and they didn’t disappoint.

Erling Haaland scored the winner 4 minutes from regulation time as Norway held off Cote d’Ivoire in the round of 32. Antonio Nusa had scored the opener in the 39th minute from Odegaard’s assist. Amad Diallo came on and got the equalizer in the 74th minute before Haaland tapped into an open net for the win. Norway will face Brazil in the next round.

@optajoe:

3 – Martin Ødegaard is only the third player on record (from 1966) to assist a goal in each of his first three FIFA World Cup appearances, after Igor Belanov for USSR in 1986 and Michael Ballack for Germany in 2002.

Creator.

France made light work of Sweden, smashing them 3-0 with a brace from Mbappe and a goal from Bradley Barcola. Michael Olise got 2 assists, taking his tally to 5 in the World Cup. The French team are so oiled that it looks impossible for any team to defeat at the World Cup. France will face Paraguay in the round of 16.

Mbappe’s brace makes it 6 goals in the 2026 World Cup, joint best with Lionel Messi who face Cabo Verde on Friday. Mbappe is now the 2nd all time scorer in the World Cup behind Messi.

Ecuador were knocked out by Mexico at the Mexico City Stadium. The home side won 2-0 with goals from Quinones and Jimenez. Arsenal’s Hincapie got a late red card for covering his mouth while confronting a Mexican.

Today, England play Congo DR, Belgium play Senegal and USA play Bosnia & Herzegovina. How many African teams will be in the round of 16?

Predictions: England 2-1 Congo DR, Belgium 1-1 Senegal, USA 3-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina.