The knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup began on Sunday, with co-hosts Canada edging South Africa 1-0 to book a spot in the last 16.
Earlier in the weekend, the final round of group-stage action saw England beat Panama 2-0, France outclass a second-string Norway side 4-1 and Spain knock out Uruguay with a 1-0 win.
Elsewhere, Argentina trumped Jordan 3-1, Portugal and Colombia settled for a 0-0 draw and Croatia overcame Ghana 2-1.
Belgium thrashed New Zealand 5-1, Austria and Algeria played out a 3-3 thriller and tournament debutants Cape Verde continued their dream run in a 0-0 stalemate against Saudi Arabia.
Iran also drew 1-1 with Egypt, Senegal routed Iraq 5-0 and DR Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1.
England subdue stubborn Panama
Jude Bellingham proved the star of the show against Panama in New Jersey, scoring the opener before setting up Harry Kane for the second.
“We did what was needed,” England head coach Thomas Tuchel told ITV.
“It was a tough match. It was difficult to score. We were the only team to score twice against them.
“We were aggressive and careful with the counter-attacks. We deserved to win but it was a hard piece of work.
“It’s an aggressive approach that we take. You have to defend your one-on-ones.
“But the tournament starts again now in knockouts. Now we collect our strength and energy. We build our team spirit and belief.
“We will step up – the bigger the games get, the bigger we’ll be.”
England next meet DR Congo in a last-32 showdown in Atlanta on Wednesday July 1, with kick off at 17:00 BST.
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France outclass second-string Norway
Ousmane Dembélé scored a first-half hat-trick as 2022 runners-up France made light work of a Norway team missing Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard in Boston.
Norway grabbed a consolation through Thelo Aagsaard and Jørgen Strand Larsen had a penalty saved before Désiré Doué added gloss to the scoreline in added time.
“Now it’s about charging up the batteries,” Norway boss Ståle Solbakken explained to reporters.
“Remember that the break we had from the last game is the shortest the team has had in the tournament, and now a new game is coming up in four days.
“The only argument for not doing what we did [resting 10 players] is that the fans around Norway and here could have seen Erling and Martin.
“But then it wouldn’t be a long World Cup, and that’s what we’re here for – we’re here to go as far as possible.”
Last-32 action sees Norway tackle Ivory Coast in Dallas on Tuesday June 30 at 18:00 BST, while France clash with Sweden in New Jersey at 22:00 BST.
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Spain bury listless Uruguay
Álex Baena’s strike was the difference in Guadalajara as Spain sent two-time winners Uruguay packing from the World Cup, with Agustín Canobbio also seeing red for the crisis-hit South Americans.
“The match was quite even. We deserved a draw. We should have had a draw. Performance was not the issue,” Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted to the media post-match.
“I wasn’t able to maximise the potential of Uruguay’s players. With Valverde’s substitution, I sought to have a stronger presence in attack.
“What I gave Uruguayan football is nothing because any contribution that a coach can make to a national team is futile if you don’t have a positive outcome.
“If you ask me how they’ll remember me, they’ll remember me as someone who left nothing.”
Spain will play Austria in Los Angeles on Thursday July 2 at 20:00 BST for a spot in the last 16.
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Canada edge South Africa
Stephen Eustáquio sent World Cup co-hosts Canada into the round of 16 with a dramatic stoppage-time winner against knockout-stage debutants South Africa in Los Angeles.
Speaking to his players in the aftermath of victory, Canada’s Jesse Marsch said: “We talked about sticking to the plan, sticking to who we want to be. Playing aggressive, accessing the qualities.
“You guys showing your character, you guys are Canadian heroes now. Canadian heroes, for the future children of this country.
“This sport has a big future because of you guys. You should be so proud of who you are, because of this game.”
Canada’s last-16 match against either Morocco or the Netherlands is set for Houston on Saturday July 4 at 18:00 BST.
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Simon Wilkes