🚨 Mexico dispatch Ecuador to end knockout curse; France cruise | OneFootball

TUESDAY'S FIXTURES

FULL-TIME, MEXICO 2-0 ECUADOR

The knockout curse is finally broken for Mexico as they move onto the last-16 on the back of a superb performance in front of their raucous fans this evening.

It's the first time Mexico have won a knockout game at the World Cup since 1986, the last time the tournament was held in Mexico.

RED-CARD FOR ECUADOR!

We've seen a second player sent off for covering his mouth in a confrontation with an opponent, as Arsenal's Piero Hincapié is sent off for Ecuador. It's a full-on meltdown from Sebastián Beccacece's side now.

We're into seven minutes of stoppage-time at the end of the match.

Ecuador are in desperation mode now, but they are still struggling mightily to create any scoring chances of note. Mexico are working hard but they have had little to do in this second-half.

Chance for Mexico!

César Montes rose above the Ecuador defence to put a bullet header on frame, but a strong palm from Hernán Galíndez in between the sticks for Ecuador may have just kept his side in the game.

We're in a pretty set pattern with Ecuador probing the Mexico low-block. But so far they are struggling for any cutting edge.

Ecuador have seen much more of the ball in this second interval as Mexico seem to have slid into a deeper block with a multi-goal lead in their pocket.

We're underway for the second-half in Mexico City! Let's see if Ecuador can right the ship.

HALF-TIME AT THE AZTECA, MEXICO 2-0 ECUADOR

It was a dream half for Mexico as they poured the pressure on in the opening 45 minutes. Ecuador looked shellshocked and will have to come up with some answers after the break.

We're into five minutes of first-half stoppage-time. Ecuador will be desperate for those to fly by.

Chance for Ecuador once again!

John Yeboah nearly scores again for the South American side, but Raúl Rangel made a superb save to deny the Venezia winger.

GOAL MEXICO!

Only minutes later Mexico pounce on a poor giveaway and Raúl Jiménez fires home from the edge of the box to double the lead!

GOAL MEXICO!

Unbelievable scenes inside of the Azteca as Julián Quiñones has fired Mexico into the lead with a stunning strike to beat Hernán Galíndez.

You won't get scenes like this anywhere else.

Chance for Ecuador!

Seemingly out of nowhere, John Yeboah goes on a mazy run and rings his effort off the outside of the post. Ecuador nearly stole one against the run of play.

Ecuador have found their footing now and have experienced a few decent spells of possession.

We are eight minutes in now, and I don't believe Ecuador have touched the ball in the Mexico half of the pitch. It has been relentless from the hosts so far.

Huge chance for Mexico!

Luis Romo picked out veteran striker Raúl Jiménez for a headed chance but the Wolves man buzzed his effort wide.

The teenage sensation, Gilberto Mora, has been all over the pitch for Mexico in the opening five minutes.

The fans inside Mexico City Stadium have already busted out the 'Ole' for every pass, just three minutes into the affair.

And finally we are underway! For the first time since 1986, we have a World Cup knockout game in Mexico City. Buckle up, folks!

The teams are now out for the anthems and we are just about to get underway! Finally...

The players are out and wrapping up their warmups and we should see kickoff at the top of the hour!

MATCH DELAYED

Attention will shortly turn to co-hosts Mexico as they take on Ecuador in Mexico City this evening.

Here is how the two sides will set up!

It's starting to look a little scary for the rest of the teams at this tournament. France are on a tear!

FULL-TIME, FRANCE 3-0 SWEDEN

It was a cakewalk in the end for the French as an Mbappé brace propels them past Sweden and into the last-16. Didier Deschamps' side are in looking to be in superb form.

France will take on Paraguay in the next round.

No hat-trick for Mbappé

GOAL FRANCE!

Now they've added their third! Once again it's Kylian Mbappé, who scores from an acute angle to add a sixth to his tournament tally. He moves to within one of Lionel Messi for most World Cup goals all time!

This France team is looking rather unplayable...

Chance for France!

Somehow Olise doesn't extend the lead after being played in behind. He perhaps could have squared the ball to Kylian Mbappé, but Jacob Zetterström came flying out of his goal to make the save.

We've reached the hydration break in this second-half, and aside from the Barcola goal, it has been a rather uneventful 25 minutes so far.

Michael Olise is pulling the strings from all angles in this match. Sweden have no answer for the Bayern Munich superstar.

GOAL FRANCE!

Just like that, France have blown this game wide open by doubling their lead. A slick pass through the legs of a Sweden defender from Michael Olise picked out Bradley Barcola, who slotted home with relative ease.

The hole Sweden need to dig themselves out of just got a whole lot deeper...

We've slipped right back into a similar pattern as the very fluid France attackers look to combine on the edge of the box with regular occurrence.

And we're back underway in the second-half from New Jersey!

A touching moment from the France skipper after opening the scoring.

HALF TIME: France 1-0 Sweden

France had a goal ruled out and hit the post twice before Mbappé lashed in the opener give Les Blues a deserved lead over Sweden.

There it is, Mbappé gets his goal to lead another World Cup scoring chart.

GOOOAL FRANCE

Of course, it had to be Mbappé who opened the scoring and it has been coming! The France skipper cuts in on his right and lashes an unstoppable finish into the side netting. Tidy finish!

Olise was some way out when he tried that overhead kick. It would have been an absolute wonder goal!

Wow, the chances keep coming for France! Michael Olise tries an outrageous overhead kick that thumps the post and Ousmane Dembélé's follow up goes well over the bar.

OFF THE POST!

How did that one stay out?! Kounde sends a low cross to an unmarked Mbappé at the back post. The Real Madrid forward shoots first time and it cannons off the upright.

CHANCE FRANCE

Mbappé feeds a well-weighted pass to Rabiot and his powerful strike is kept out by the legs of Widell Zetterström.

Isak races on to a quick Sweden free-kick and pokes towards goal. The effort lacks the necessary pace to beat Maignan.

The action resumes in New Jersey.

It was a close one!

And here's the first hydration break moments after Mbappé's opener was ruled out for a narrow offside.

GOAL DISALLOWED

Mbappé races through and curls into the bottom corner, but the flag goes up for offside.

CHANCE FRANCE

Best chance of the game so far as Bradley Barcola dribbles from the half way line, races into the area and shoots over from just inside the box.

CHANCE FRANCE

France swing a corner into the box and Sweden clear to Lucas Digne, who rifles a low 30-yard shot towards the bottom corner. Widell Zetterström is alert to that one and gets down to save.

Few chances in the first 10 minutes, but Sweden will be happy with a solid showing in the opening period.

CHANCE SWEDEN

The first sight at goal goes to Sweden as Alexander Isak controls on the edge of the area and fires a low shot straight at Mike Maignan.

KICK OFF

We're underway in New Jersey.

Just 10 minutes to go until France vs Sweden kicks off. Who will win and advance to the next round?

Will we see similar magic when France and Sweden meet again?

To put Haaland's 60 international goals into perspective.

The round of 16 fixtures are taking shape nicely...

Can France's talisman continue his excellent record in World Cup knockout games?

Here are the lineups ahead of the France vs Sweden Round of 32 clash coming up next.

France: Maignan, Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé.

Rowing their way through the knockouts.

Can Norway go a step further against Brazil?

The Golden Boot race is heating up. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé will have the chance to close the gap as France take on Sweden next.

Haaland seals it with practically an open goal from a few yards out. On a plate.

FULL TIME: Côte d'Ivoire 1-2 Norway

Nusa's worldie gave Norway a first half lead before Amad levelled late. Haaland then had the final say with a late winner to set up a last 16 clash with Brazil.

BIG SAVE NYLAND!

Wow, Amad thumps an excellent free-kick towards the top corner and Nyland gets across quickly and tips over the bar.

The attacking numbers continue to amaze!

Seven minutes of injury time. Can Côte d'Ivoire respond?

Unbelievable stats from the big man!

That's 60 international goals for Haaland, incredible return!

GOOOOAL NORWAY!

It had to be didn't it?! Erling Haaland provides the simplest of finishes from Berge's cross to put Norway back in front with five minutes to go.

Here's a closer look at that Amad goal.

Ooooh Pepe takes a tumble inside the Norway area, but the referee says no penalty!

Goal Côte d'Ivoire!

An excellent goal from the Manchester United man, Amad Diallo. He weaves into the Norway box, evades the challenges and picks out the bottom left corner. An excellent solo goal.

Back to it for the final 20 minutes.

After that big opportunity, we arrive at the second hydration break.

BIG CHANCE NORWAY

Norway send a dangerous corner into the box and Torbjørn Heggem's close-range volley is somehow cleared off the line. Big chance to send the Scandinavians two goals clear.

Musa's first-half strike ended a long, long wait for Norway at the World Cup...

CHANCE NORWAY!

Martin Ødegaard's whipped free-kick takes a wicked off Sander Berge and almost bundles into the Côte d'Ivoire net, but Yahia Fofana saves.

Another half chance for Côte d'Ivoire as Pepe mis-times his shot in the area and Nyland gathers comfortably.

Chance Côte d'Ivoire

Norway fail to clear a low Côte d'Ivoire cross. The ball falls perfectly to Nicolas Pepe just outside the six-yard area and he lashes straight at Nyland.

SECOND HALF

The second period gets up and running in Dallas.

HALF-TIME: Côte d'Ivoire 0-1 Norway

Nusa's brilliant strike the difference at the interval.

GOAL! Côte d'Ivoire 0-1 Norway

Nusa opens the scoring in Texas with a wonderful curling finish into the corner!

A frustrating start for the main man.

Chance for Côte d'Ivoire! A wonderful ball from Diomande is sent back across goal by Pépé and Ajer manages to scoop over his own crossbar.

Hydration break now. We're still waiting for the first opportunity of the contest.

Ten minutes played. There has been little by way of chances at either end.

KICK-OFF!

We're underway between Côte d'Ivoire and Norway for Tuesday's first game.

Some transfer news away from the World Cup.

Some injury news from the England camp ahead of their clash with DR Congo.

Class truly is permanent.

Will we see more of the same later?

Norway's line-up also in.

Our first starting line-up is in for Tuesday with the Côte d'Ivoire side confirmed.

What are your predictions from today's games? Let us know in the comments.

Welcome to OneFootball's coverage of Tuesday's World Cup round of 32 action.