World Cup Breakfast: Beware, England! Imperious Mexico set up daunting potential last-16 showdown against Three Lions, Kylian Mbappe breaks ANOTHER record, match highlights – and what to look out for today

Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day 20 at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.

For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.

OVERNIGHT ACTION

Mexico 2-0 Ecuador

Mexico have joined fellow co-hosts Canada and the USA into the World Cup last 16 after a 2-0 win over Ecuador, who finished the match with 10 men.

The match was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms but when it got underway, it was the hosts who made a lightning quick start as they had four chances in the opening 10 minutes. 

In-form duo Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez scored the goals in a nine-minute spell midway through the first half as Mexico imposed their will on the match from the start. Ecuador’s disappointing night was completed when Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie become the second player at this tournament after Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent in stoppage time.

Victory at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium now means the World Cup co-hosts can look forward to a potential last-16 showdown (Monday, 1am BST kick-off) with England if the Three Lions beat DR Congo later on today (5pm BST kick-off).

In 89 competitive matches at their preferred home, Mexico have now won 70 times and lost only twice. 

Oh, and at this tournament across the various venues; Javier Aguirre’s side have recorded four wins from four, scored eight goals and are yet to concede. A tough task for any opponent.

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France 3-0 Sweden

France stamped down their authority as the World Cup favourites with a devastating 3-0 victory over Sweden to reach the last 16, as Kylian Mbappe netted twice to take his incredible tally at the tournament to six goals, level on Lionel Messi.

Mbappe thought he had fired Didier Deschamps’ side ahead midway through the first half after breaking Sweden’s line and calmly converting, but the French superstar was narrowly adjudged offside by the linesman. 

France’s irresistible force could not be quelled for too much longer, however, as Mbappe struck in stoppage time before the break to fire Les Bleus ahead, smartly shimmying past Viktor Gyokeres inside the penalty box to curl an effort beautifully into Sweden’s far post.

The 2018 World Cup winners purred with confidence in the second half and blew Sweden away with style and flair, profiting from Michael Olise’s excellent performance again in the No 10 position. 

Olise set up Bradley Barcola superbly for France’s second goal by nutmegging Gustaf Lagerbielke on the edge of the box, before later playing an outrageous ball through to Mbappe who doubled his tally for the game in the 74th minute.

If France weren’t already the team to beat at the 2026 World Cup, they’ve more than solidified that now.

READ OLIVER SALT’S MATCH REPORT HERE. 

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VIEW FROM THE GROUND

I’ve been to Odessa, West Texas, 300 miles or so out from Dallas, to the place where this inspirational message hangs on the dressing room wall, at a school made famous by one of the greatest sports books of them all.

‘Friday Night Lights’ followed the local Permian High American Football team for a season. I drove out there to see if soccer is registering because of the World Cup in a bastion of that US sport. I found how challenging it can be when the Permian coach (who I spent a couple of hours with) is better known than Mauricio Pochettino and when some people can’t identify a single USA player.

I found out a lot about what, beyond a world tournament and the USA faring well in it, it will take for a fledgling sport like ours to build a following around theirs. But I also found a far, far deeper conviction than in the UK about the importance of sport as a way for our children to have focus, grow and not drift onto the wrong side of the lines. We can learn a lot from the coaches out at Permian High. My piece is on the site now.

Ian Herbert

TEAM OF THE DAY

Thanks as always to Sofascore for the graphic.

CELEBRITY WATCH

Martha Stewart was spotted at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey watching Mbappe and Olise put on a show against Sweden in the round of 32. 

The American lifestyle mogul, 84, is an avid sports fan and regular at Madison Square Garden, where she often goes to watch her beloved New York Knicks. 

At least there was no risk of injury where she was sitting in New Jersey last night. When she visited MSG in May last year, Stewart was left with a broken toe after Jalen Brunson landed on her feet following a courtside collision.

There was nothing toe-to-toe about France’s domination of Sweden however, as the World Cup favourites romped to a comfortable and entertaining 3-0 win over Graham Potter’s side.

VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY

BBC commentator Danny Murphy went viral on social media after producing a unique piece of commentary during Norway’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

When former Manchester City star Oscar Bobb was substituted on by Norway in the 70th minute, it triggered a memory which Murphy felt compelled to share.

‘I used to have a cat called Bob,’ the ex-England star said live on air.

His commentary partner Steve Bower joked in reply: ‘The game’s not that bad.’

Pressing on, Murphy said: ‘He jumped in the back of a Royal Mail van and they lost him.’

A somewhat comical moment of silence followed before Murphy added: ‘Sad really. Anyway…’

An unnecessary remark or moment of commentary genius? We’ll leave that one up to you…

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Erling Haaland gave photographers exactly what they wanted after firing Norway into the last 16 with a late goal over Ivory Coast, posing with a horned Viking helmet.

Norway tapped into their historic roots once again after defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 in Dallas on Tuesday, celebrating with another Viking row at full-time alongside fans.

Before travelling across the Atlantic, Haaland and Co posed for an astonishing World Cup photograph which sparked controversy with woke critics who accused them of backing ‘chauvinism’ and use of ‘neo-Nazi’ imagery due to the Vikings’ large-scale raiding, colonising, pillaging and raping throughout their dominant era. 

Did it stop Haaland from dressing up as a Viking once again? Of course not…

STAT OF THE DAY

By breaking the deadlock against Sweden, Mbappe became the only player in World Cup history to score nine goals during the knockout stages, overtaking Brazilian duo Leonidas and Ronaldo who netted eight.

He then went and added a 10th goal in the second half to extend the record even further, now having reached double figures in just nine World Cup knockout games.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY 

1. Who will play right-back for England?

England fans’ concerns over Reece James’ historically problematic fitness were realised ahead of Saturday’s clash with Panama, as it was confirmed the Chelsea captain had picked up a hamstring injury.

With back-up right-back Tino Livramento having already been sent home through injury and versatile defender Jarell Quansah picking up a badly twisted ankle problem against Panama, England now look dangerously light in that area of the pitch that will be giving Thomas Tuchel a headache or two.

Djed Spence is the obvious candidate despite him seemingly arriving at the World Cup as a left-back deputy to Nico O’Reilly, while Ezri Konsa could theoretically move out there having done the same on occasion with Aston Villa.

Or will Tuchel make an unexpected, left-field decision by play a midfielder – such as Elliot Anderson or Declan Rice – out there to get more attacking players on the pitch? Time will tell…

2. Can ex-Man United duo lock up old mate Rashford?

In the likely event that Marcus Rashford graces the pitch on Wednesday, it will be the responsibility of former Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka to stop him in his tracks.

Wan-Bissaka, who rubbed shoulders with Rashford at Old Trafford, is one of DR Congo’s most high-profile players, and the African nation will be looking to him for a sturdy defensive performance as they look to frustrate England in a low block.

Meanwhile, fellow former Red Devils defender Axel Tuanzebe has played a key role for DR Congo at centre-back so far this World Cup, and will be eager to thwart England’s chances of advancing to the last 16.

Both Wan-Bissaka and Tuanzebe previously represented England at youth level before switching allegiances to DR Congo in 2025 and 2024 respectively.

3. Last chance saloon for Belgium’s ‘golden generation’?

With Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Jan Vertonghen no longer part of the international setup, the ship may have already sailed on Belgium’s golden generation. But surely if they are going to win the World Cup, this year is the final opportunity.

Now 35, Kevin De Bruyne is showing signs of slowing down, 33-year-old Romelu Lukaku is past his prime and Thibaut Courtois will be 38 by the time the next World Cup rolls around.

So if this group of Belgium superstars are going to achieve what many once thought possible, it truly is now or never.

Although they may no longer be blessed with the wizardry of Hazard and Co, Belgium still boast an impressive core of players including the likes of Youri Tielemans, Charles De Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku, who is back at the World Cup now after returning home to witness the birth of his child.

Senegal are Belgium’s first test in the round of 32 before USA or Bosnia & Herzegovina in the last 16, should they prevail.

TODAY’S GAMES

England vs DR Congo (5pm BST, Atlanta, BBC One)

Where else to start but England, eh? Tuchel’s side kick off their World Cup knockout campaign at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday against a team who have already caused Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo problems.

A win over Uzbekistan, draw against Portugal and defeat by Colombia was enough to see Yoane Wissa and Co advance as the third-placed finishers in Group K – qualifying for the knockouts for the first time in their history.

It should be a routine win for the Three Lions, but DR Congo will likely play a similar style of football to Ghana, happy to concede the ball and frustrate England before breaking out with speed and dynamism on the break.

Prediction: England win

Belgium vs Senegal (9pm BST, Seattle, ITV)

Despite enduring a slow and unconvincing start to the tournament, Belgium still qualified top of Group G thanks to a huge 5-1 victory over New Zealand, finally finding their rhythm with Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku all finding the scoresheet.

Senegal also struck five past Iraq in their final group stage game to scrape through Group I in third place after defeats by France and Norway, so both teams are heading into the last 32 in good form.

A fast and powerful side, Senegal could provide Belgium’s ageing squad with plenty of problems, so don’t be too surprised if we see an upset in this one.

Prediction: Senegal win

USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (1am BST, Santa Clara, BBC One)

The USMNT made an electric start to the tournament as hosts with victories over Paraguay and Australia, but it was a familiar tale of disappointment when they came up against Turkey.

The United States have now lost their last 10 games in a row against European opposition, a stat that certainly doesn’t bode well ahead of taking on Bosnia & Herzegovina in the last 32. 

While Mauricio Pochettino’s men should not underestimate Group B’s third-placed side, home advantage will likely make a huge difference and give the USA a great chance of making the last 16 against either Belgium or Senegal.

Prediction: USA win 

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