England and Norway booked their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after producing impressive Round of 16 victories, setting up a highly anticipated last-eight showdown.
England defeated co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the iconic Azteca Stadium. Midfielder Jude Bellingham starred with two first-half goals, while captain Harry Kane added a crucial penalty in the second half. Despite being reduced to 10 men following Jarell Quansah’s red card, England withstood relentless pressure from Mexico, whose late goals by Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez were not enough to complete the comeback. England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his team’s resilience and determination after the dramatic victory.
Norway produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1. Erling Haaland delivered a match-winning performance, scoring twice to guide Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history. Norway’s disciplined defense and clinical finishing frustrated Brazil throughout the match, sparking celebrations among Norwegian fans around the world.
The two victorious sides will now face each other in the quarter-finals on July 11 in Miami. England will aim to continue its strong title challenge, while Norway hopes to extend its remarkable fairytale run led by Haaland. Football fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament.
