All articles tagged “Round of 16”: World Cup 2026, Arsenal and analysis.
The Round of 16 closes on two dramatic scripts. In Atlanta, Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 with eleven minutes to go… and won 3-2, Messi orchestrating, Enzo Fernández the executioner in stoppage time. In Vancouver, Colombia dominated but ran into an unbeatable Gregor Kobel: 0-0, then 4-3 on penalties, and Switzerland reach the quarters for the first time since 1954. The quarter-final line-up is now complete.
The Round of 16 signs off. In Dallas, Mikel Merino comes off the bench to settle a locked-down Portugal-Spain at 90+1: La Roja go through, and Cristiano Ronaldo plays his final World Cup match. Overnight, Belgium swept aside the co-hosts USA (4-1) behind a De Ketelaere brace. Up next in the quarters: Spain-Belgium, an all-Gunners clash.
Round-of-16 shock: Ødegaard's Norway knock out Brazil (2-1) thanks to an Erling Haaland brace in the final eleven minutes. Overnight, England reached the quarters the hard way, winning 3-2 at Mexico with ten men after a Bellingham double in 98 seconds. The result: an all-Arsenal quarter-final looms — England vs Norway.
Morocco sealed their quarter-final spot with ease against Canada (3-0, Ounahi brace), while France had to grind through a full hour against a well-organised Paraguay before a Mbappé penalty settled it (1-0). The first two quarter-final ties are now set.
