Latin America Sports Daily for Wednesday, July 1, 2026

01

Mexico beat Ecuador to end a 40-year knockout wait at the Azteca

World Cup

Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca to reach the World Cup Round of 16, their first knockout win since 1986. Both goals arrived in a dominant first half in front of a roaring home crowd.

Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, finishing a through ball from Roberto Alvarado with a right-footed strike into the near post. Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead in the 31st minute, exchanging a quick one-two with Quiñones inside the box before drilling home.

The match kicked off an hour late after a weather delay, and FIFA scrapped the planned hydration breaks as a result. Even so, the players took a brief pause around the half-hour mark in the Mexico City heat.

Ecuador had most of the ball, with 57 percent possession, but did little with it. They managed seven shots and only one on target, finishing the night with an expected goals figure of 0.73 to Mexico’s 1.02.

The night turned bad-tempered late on, and Piero Hincapié was sent off in stoppage time. The Arsenal defender covered his mouth while exchanging words with Santiago Giménez, an offence now punishable under a new World Cup directive.

Jiménez now has 47 goals for Mexico, the second-highest tally in the country’s history. Quiñones matched Luis Hernández’s 1998 mark for the most goal contributions by a Mexican player in a single World Cup since 1966.

Mexico stretched their tournament winning run to four games and kept a clean sheet for the sixth straight home World Cup match. They return to the Azteca on Sunday to face the winner of England vs DR Congo.

02

Brazil to face Norway after Haaland sinks Ivory Coast

World Cup

Brazil now know who awaits them in the Round of 16, and it is Norway. The Scandinavians beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Dallas to book the meeting with the Seleção.

Antonio Nusa gave Norway the lead against the run of play, curling a fine shot past Yahia Fofana from the edge of the box. Ivory Coast responded through Amad Diallo, who levelled in the 74th minute with a superb solo goal after a one-two with Nicolas Pépé.

Erling Haaland then settled it in the 86th minute, tapping in the winner after Ivory Coast sat too deep and invited pressure. It was the latest decisive contribution from a striker in imperious form.

Brazil meet Norway on July 5 at New York New Jersey Stadium, with a quarter-final place at stake. Carlo Ancelotti’s side reached this stage with a late 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.

03

Paraguay handed France test after Mbappe downs Sweden

World Cup

Paraguay’s reward for knocking out Germany is a Round of 16 date with France. The tournament favourites beat Sweden 3-0 in New Jersey to set up the tie.

Kylian Mbappé scored twice to take his tournament tally to six goals and the lead in the Golden Boot race. His brace also moved him to within one of Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup scoring list.

The two sides meet on Saturday in Philadelphia, where Paraguay will try to extend one of the great underdog runs of this World Cup. La Albirroja stunned four-time champions Germany on penalties on Monday to get here.

A win over France would send Paraguay back to Foxborough for a quarter-final on July 9. It would also fall on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, one of the host nations.

04

Co-hosts USA meet Bosnia with a Round of 16 place at stake

Preview

The last of the three co-hosts play their Round of 32 tie tonight, as the United States face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara at 8pm ET. A win would send Mauricio Pochettino’s side into the last 16.

The Americans won Group D with early victories over Paraguay and Australia before resting players in a 3-2 loss to Türkiye. Bosnia reached the knockouts for the first time, having beaten Italy in the playoffs to qualify.

There is a Latin American angle to the outcome, since the winner meets the winner of Belgium vs Senegal. For now, all eyes in Mexico and beyond are on whether a third host nation joins Mexico in the next round.

05

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

When was Mexico’s last World Cup knockout win before this?

Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout match since 1986, when they reached the quarter-finals on home soil. That run also came at the Estadio Azteca.

The 2-0 win over Ecuador ends a wait of exactly 40 years for the co-hosts.

Which Latin American teams are through to the Round of 16?

Brazil, Paraguay, and Mexico have all reached the last 16. Argentina and Colombia play their Round of 32 ties on July 3.

That could take the Latin American presence in the last 16 to five teams by the end of this week.

Who do Brazil, Paraguay, and Mexico play next?

Brazil face Norway on July 5 in New York. Paraguay meet France on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Mexico host the winner of England vs DR Congo at the Azteca on Sunday.