The knockout stage has already delivered in its first three days. What else does the Spherical of 32 have in retailer for us?
kicked issues off Wednesday with a thriller towards DR Congo. After an early objective by Congo’s Brian Cipenga put England on its heels, the . The English talisman leveled the match within the seventy fifth minute with a header, then gave his group the win on a twisting strike within the 86th minute.
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Within the afternoon matchup, has an opportunity to place their considerably sluggish group play behind them in a conflict with .
Then, within the nightcap, the U.S. males’s nationwide group takes heart stage in a Spherical of 32 matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The People completed group play with a loss to Türkiye in a match that did not carry any weight. Now, it is a totally different story.
CLICK TO ENLARGE: World Cup bracket after Wednesday’s early consequence. (Yahoo Sports activities illustration)
Comply with the World Cup Spherical of 32 proper right here on Yahoo Sports activities with reside updates, highlights, outcomes and the most recent information beneath:
Live334 updates
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 9:01 AM PDT
Sean Leahy
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Theate, De Cuyper; Vanaken, De Bruyne, Tielemans; Trossard, De Ketelaere, Doku
Senegal (4-3-3): Diaw; Diatta, Ciss, Niakhaté, Jakobs; Gana, Diarra, Gueye; Iliman, Sarr, Mané
Sean Leahy
Wed, July 1, 2026 at 11:21 AM PDT
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Sean Leahy
The 45-year-old steps down after two years in cost. He led the facet to a 9-12-3 file and guided Ecuador to the Spherical of 32 within the 2026 World Cup.
Sean Leahy
Mendy suffered the knee damage throughout Senegal’s group-play defeat to Norway final week. The goalkeeper has already returned to his membership group in Saudi Arabia for additional testing, however supervisor Pape Thiaw mentioned he anticipated Mendy to rejoin the group earlier than their knockout spherical match towards Belgium.
“He’ll be with us [Wednesday], after all, even when he received’t be match to play,” . “We’re completely happy to see him. We hope that he may be with us for the remainder of the competitors.”
Sean Leahy
A proud effort by the African facet, however they fall wanting advancing to the Spherical of 16. England strikes on and can face Mexico on Sunday at Estadio Azteca.
Mexico and England final met within the World Cup in 1966. Their final match got here throughout a pleasant in 2010. The Three Lions maintain a 6-2-1 all-time file.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 01: Harry Kane #9 of England celebrates scoring his group’s second objective throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Spherical Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Picture by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA by way of Getty Pictures)
(Eddie Keogh – The FA by way of Getty Pictures)
Sean Leahy
Can DR Congo discover a late equalizer?
Sean Leahy
Sean Leahy
Kane might have simply received it for England. Their relentless strain has been an excessive amount of for DR Congo. A second objective appeared inevitable.
The objective is Kane’s thirteenth all-time within the World Cup, breaking a tie with Pelé.
Sean Leahy
Sean Leahy
England lastly will get its breakthrough and clear up Lionel Mpasi. After getting poor service all through the match, Anthony Gordon chips a ball in direction of the six-yard field and Kane will get his head on the opposite finish of it to equalize.
Sean Leahy
Sean Leahy
Meschak Elia comes on for Nathanaël Mbuku.
Sean Leahy
Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon enter the match and change Noni Madueke and Marcus Rashford.
Sean Leahy
Lionel Mpasi has Jude Bellingham’s quantity right now. A deflected shot is as soon as once more pawed away by the DR Congo goalkeeper. England are gettinf their possibilities, however they’re making an attempt to attain towards a brick wall.
Sean Leahy
No modifications by both facet on the break. How for much longer will Thomas Tuchel wait till he feels subs are the way in which to assist discover an equalizer?
Sean Leahy
DR Congo has targeted on attacking Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence on the fitting facet.
Sean Leahy
Begin constructing the Lionel Mpasi statue.
If DR Congo finally ends up successful this one, the first-half saves by Mpasi will probably be remembered without end, together with three within the closing 10 minutes. England lead possession 59% and have fired eight complete photographs and 4 on the right track, however have but to seek out the again of the online.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 01: Jude Bellingham of England sees his headed effort saved by Lionel Mpasi of Congo DR throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Spherical Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Picture by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Pictures)
(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA by way of Getty Pictures)
Sean Leahy
Jude Bellingham sees one other header denied off the road by Lionel Mpasi. England may simply be on the board if not for the DR Congo goalie.
Sean Leahy
Harry Kane doesn’t draw a penalty as referee Adham Makhadmeh calls the England striker for a dive. VAR took a glance and confirmed the on-field resolution.