World Cup Day 20: Formidable France march on, Norway nick it
· Yahoo Sports
Matchday 20 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 saw France cement their favourites tag, and co-hosts Mexico progress.
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Here is our recap of all the action from Tuesday, including what you might have missed overnight.
World Cup Day 20 recap:
Haaland has final say as Norway nick it late to set up Brazil clash
It had to be him, didn’t it?
Norway’s clash with the Ivory Coast was hard-fought as expected, with two teams packed with exciting talent trading punches.
The contest was lit up when Antonio Nusa curled home a stunning opener for Norway, but an even better effort from Manchester United winger Amad Diallo levelled for the African side. Diallo waltzed into the Norwegian penalty area after a sharp interchange, before showing incredible composure and footwork to lash home.
The tie, Ivory Coast’s first-ever in the knockout stages and Norway’s first in 28 years, looked to be heading to extra-time until Haaland’s intervention. The Manchester City superstar had been relatively quiet, but as he so often is, he was in the right place at the right time to tap in an 86th-minute winner.
Haaland’s goal stretched his run to 13 competitive games with a goal for Norway, his latest his fifth of the tournament so far. Norway’s dark horses take on perennial powerhouse Brazil next up, an opponent Norway have never lost to in four previous meetings.
Can anyone stop formidable France?
The World Cup is supposed to be the gold standard of the sport, but France are making this tournament look easy. Les Bleus breezed past Sweden in their last-32 clash, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to level Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
France, quite simply, are breathtaking going forward and have more than enough in support to make them clear favourites in North America. Bradley Barcola came into the side and scored a stunner, sandwiched between Mbappe’s brilliant brace. With Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele dovetailing, this is a scarily good attack that will take some stopping.
Paraguay, who upset Germany, are up next, but the South Americans will need to produce an even bigger upset to stop the French.
Ecuador unable to live with Mexican storm
The lightning might have passed prior to kick-off in Mexico City, but Ecuador faced another Mexican storm at the Azteca. The co-hosts booked their place in the last-16 with an electric first-half performance at their home fortress.
Julian Quinones lashed Mexico in front inside 22 minutes, blasting home from the edge of the area to send a feverish home crowd crazy. The jubilation reached another level only nine minutes later, when Raul Jimenez followed suit by picking out the top corner.
Mexico were intense from the first whistle, creating four chances inside the opening 10 minutes of the game. Their win was a first in a World Cup knockout game since last hosting the tournament 40 years ago, and sets up a potential blockbuster against England at the Azteca in the next round.
The Three Lions would need to find far more bite than Ecuador provided here.
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