Norway Knocks Brazil Out of World Cup; Mexico vs. England Delayed

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Mexico vs England: Kick-off delayed by an hour

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By Simon Smale

The BBC is reporting that kick-off will be delayed due to severe weather.

They are saying that it will only be an hour, so 7:00pm in Mexico City, which is 11:00am AEST.

How key will Harry Kane be?

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By Simon Smale

Make no mistake, England would have been in desperate straits had Harry Kane not powered home two good goals against DR Congo last time out.

His teammates called him "ridiculous" and England's "hero".

The 32-year-old has scored 72 goals in 62 games for club and country since last August.

The BBC reports that he has outperformed his expected goals tally by 22 — which is insane (and probably unsustainable).

The BBC says that no player overperformed their xG by more than six in the Premier League season just gone.

He will have to be on song again here in as hostile an environment as he or any of his teammates will have ever encountered.

But is the attack going to be the issue for England? Or the defence?

Read my analysis of the desperate 2-1 win over DR Congo here.

Questions over crowding the referees

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By Simon Smale

Apart from the increasing theatrics evident in this World Cup and some real nastiness coming out , I think it is more concerning that the referees are being harassed to a totally unacceptable level including being manhandled at times. FIFA could fix this in a second by implementing a no-go zone around the officials of say 1 metre (not pedantically but clear) and enforceable by cards. If we want to encourage juniors to take up refereeing seeing the current ‘threat’ level is not on.

- Phillip

Nice warm welcome for England ...

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By Simon Smale

Three changes for England, Mexico unchanged

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By Simon Smale

Here we go then, team news is in for our second game of the day.

England

England has once again has to shuffle its defence as Jarell Quansah starts at right back in place of Djed Spence.

Quansah had suffered an ankle injury in the group-stage win over Panama.

England have had to make multiple changes at at fullback this tournament already.

Spence started at left-back against Ghana and was a sub in the victories over Croatia and Panama.

First choice right-back Reece James has missed the past two matches after suffering a hamstring problem late on against Ghana, with the Chelsea captain a doubt to feature again at this tournament, should England get through.

Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon also come into England's starting lineup in three changes for Thomas Tuchel's side.

Mexico

No changes for the hosts. What a luxury.

Was kick-off set to be changed for the Mexico-England game?

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By Simon Smale

It was going to be changed, but in the end it's stayed the same.

FIFA reportedly spoke with the Mexican and English football federations about altering the kick-off time in an attempt to avoid potential inclement weather — storms are predicted for this evening's match.

According to the BBC, worries about the players' readiness and travel logistics involving spectators prompted the decision to leave the game time unchanged.

The kick-off is slated for 6:00pm local time in Mexico City.

That's 10:00am AEST for us on the Australian east coast, and 1:00am in England.

FIFA discussed moving up the kick-off six hours to noon at Azteca Stadium, which would be 7:00pm in the UK (and 2:00am for us).

Mexico's 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the Round of 32 on Tuesday in Mexico City was delayed due to rain.

France's group-stage match with Iraq on June 22 was paused under tournament safety rules when lightning strikes were detected within eight miles of the stadium, resulting in an automatic 30-minute delay to play.

England defeated the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-1 on Wednesday in Atlanta to advance to the round of 16.

Had FIFA moved up the England-Mexico match, it reportedly might also have moved the kick-off time for Brazil's Round of 16 match with Norway to avoid a potential overlap with the contest in Mexico City.

- with Reuters

Thunderstorm warnings in Mexico City

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By Simon Smale

Let's just nip down to Mexico for a moment, where our next game today is due to take place, with kick-off set for 10:00am AEST.

Well, we hope it will be then ...

A shelter-in-place order has been issued due to thunderstorms in the area around the Azteca Stadium, FIFA said.

People working on the pitch were asked to move into the tunnel while a message on the stadium screen warned that severe weather was approaching the venue.

Displays outside the venue read: "Thunderstorm activated, please take your seats."

Fans travelling to the stadium were seen seeking refuge under bridges and awnings.

FIFA had considered bringing the match forward but decided to maintain the original kick-off time despite concerns that the weather could force further changes, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Friday.

Local media had also reported that the fixture could be moved to 12:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) because of the weather forecast.

Mexico's round-of-32 match against Ecuador earlier this week was delayed due to rain.

- with Reuters

Manchester City pretty happy

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By Simon Smale

It may have come to your attention that Erling Haarland has Braut on the back of his shirt for Norway but not for Manchester City.

Braut is his mother's maiden name and Haaland has her name on the back of his shirt when representing Norway.

Gry Marita Braut was an elite heptathlete in the 90s.

Brazil vs Norway full-time stats

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By Simon Smale

A quick word on Neymar

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By Simon Smale

You can tell a lot about someone in how they respond to defeat or victory.

I think we were all reminded a lot about Neymar today.

Yelling in the face of Nyland after getting a soft penalty in junk time was absolutely classless.

I have no way of knowing this as the cameras didn't show it, but am sure that Nyland didn't say anything when Neymar was performatively crying on the pitch at full time.

Heartache and ecstasy

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By Simon Smale

Haaland impossible to stop

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By Simon Smale

He was superb today.

The stats say he wasn't beaten in the air once.

Viking row led by Haaland

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By Simon Smale

Pretty awesome scenes in New Jersey as Erling Haaland leads the Viking row.

Great performance from Haaland

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By Simon Smale

What a result! So happy for Haaland and the rest of the team. What a pity it’s taken this long for such an incredible finisher to get his chance in the biggest stage there is!

- McG

He is now level on seven goals at this tournament with Kylan Mbappé and Lionel Messi.

That's some company to be keeping.

FT: Haaland at the double as Norway eliminates Brazil

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By Simon Smale

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway sensationally knocked Brazil out of the World Cup with a 2-0 win in New Jersey.

It is the first time Brazil has not reached the quarterfinals of the tournament they have won a record five times, since they lost to Italy at the 1990 tournament.

Bruno Guimarães missed a penalty in the first half for Brazil, Ørjan Nyland making a superb save, one of many he made throughout the contest.

Haaland scored the opener with 11 minutes remaining, a perfectly placed header from a sublime cross.

His second came on the stroke of full time, a brilliant low shot that he fired towards goal at an improbable 120km/h.

Brazil scored a late penalty as consolation, Neymar Jr passing into the net 10 minutes into stoppage time.

But Norway, who have never lost to Brazil in five attempts, beating them in both World Cup meetings, will advance to the quarterfinal in Miami.

90+12' Referee has a word with both teams

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By Simon Smale

Interestingly, we're still playing.

Stunning.

The referee tells both teams to calm down.

Would be easier if he just blew for full time to be honest.

90+10' Brazil score!

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By Simon Smale

In the 10th minute of the seven additional minutes.

Neymar smiles cutely as he scores, but there's no urgency from him to go and get the ball, he's far more eager to have a word with Nyland.

I'm sure Nyland will send him a postcard from Miami.

Really classless from a well-beaten team.

90+9' Penalty Brazil!

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By Simon Smale

Leo Østigård has caught Casemiro with an elbow as he jumps up.

It's a penalty apparently?!

It's all a bit confusing out there but I believe it's a penalty.

Neymar is going to take it.

He is having a long conversation with Nyland as he sets the ball.

90+7' It's all getting a bit unsavoury out there

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By Simon Smale

Brazil's players all flood in after a Norwegian challenge.

Vinícius Júnior, in particular, is pointing in the face of the assistant referee aggressively.

Some subs have got involved from Brazil too — there's no need for this.