World Cup Daily: Matches and storylines for July 6
Monday's about as packed with narrative as you can get in this World Cup: Spain and Portugal tangle to advance UEFA's fortunes, and then the U.S. takes on Belgium.
There's now one guaranteed European team going to the 2026 World Cup semifinals.
On Sunday, two Western Hemisphere powers — Brazil and Mexico — fell to their European opponents to further shape the quarterfinals with a North Sea battle and a Mediterranean Sea battle.
First, in the Brazil-Norway match, Bruno Guimaräes was stuffed on a penalty attempt less than 15 minutes in, then Erling Haaland scored in the 79th and 90th minute to power Norway to the win. Neymar got a consolation PK conversion late to get Brazil on the board, but there wasn't enough time for an equalizer at that late stage.
Then, Mexico and England played a truly wild match that saw England go up 2-0 on a pair of Jude Bellingham goals, Julián Quiñones getting one back for Mexico, and then English defender Janell Quansah getting a red card for an out-of-control slide tackle early in the second half. The teams would trade PK goals a bit later, but Mexico couldn't find an equalizer, and went out in the Round of 16 once again.
On Monday, Spain plays Portugal to advance another European team to the quarterfinal, and then the U.S. plays Belgium in a repeat of the 2014 Round of 16. A bizarre development unfolded on Sunday; Folarin Balogun's red card in the Round of 32 match, that was going to keep him out of Monday's match, was not quite rescinded, but put on pause for a year's probationary period, and the Trump Administration seeming;y took credit on Truth Social, while multiple media outlets reporting they actually did get involved. (Which is quite unusual.)
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Canada 1, South Africa 0
Monday, June 29
Brazil 2, Japan 1
Paraguay 1(4), Germany 1(3)
Morocco 1(3), Netherlands 1(2)
Tuesday, June 30
Norway 2, Côte d'Ivoire1
France 3, Sweden 0
Mexico 2, Ecuador 0
Wednesday, July 1
England 2, DR Congo 1
Belgium 3, Senegal 2
United States2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
Thursday, July 2
Spain 3, Austria 0
Portugal 2, Croatia 1
Switzerland 2, Algeria 0
Friday, July 3
Argentina 3, Cabo Verde 2
Colombia 1, Ghana 0
Egypt 1(4), Australia 1(2)
Round of 16
Saturday, July 4
Morocco 3, Canada 0
France 1, Paraguay 0
Sunday, July 5
Norway 2, Brazil 1
England 3, Mexico 2
Monday, July 6
Portugal vs. Spain, 2 pm, Jerryworld
United States vs. Belgium, 7 pm, Seattle
Tuesday, July 7
Argentina vs. Egypt, 11 am, Atlanta
Switzerland vs. Colombia, 3 pm, Vancouver
Quarterfinals
Thursday, July 9
France vs. Morocco, 3 pm, Foxborough, Mass.
Friday, July 10
Portugal-Spain winner vs. United States-Belgium winner, 2 pm, Inglewood, Calif.
Saturday, July 11
Norway vs. England, 4 pm, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Argentina-Egypt winner vs. Switzerland-Colombia winner, 8 pm, Kansas City
Where to watch
There are U.S. watch parties all over town, but if you're backing Belgium, Celis Brewery can be your headquarters.
What to read
The ever-cheerful Thomas Tuchel is grousing about the refs even though it's his team that advanced over Mexico.
Austin FC has a sixth straight Decision Day that doesn't impact its playoff chances. But its opponent from the Pacific Northwest has many scenarios to get into the postseason.
Brad Stuver was a surprising opening day starter in 2021, en route to becoming a six-year fixture in goal. For the last five years, he's been measurably one of MLS' best.
The 17-year-old Finnish youth international midfielder has officially signed with Verde through the 2030-31 season. What does it mean for a team that's most definitely rebuilding?
Austin FC let in four goals, making it the worst of Damian Las' six starting outings this season. However, Micah Burton and Ervin Torres connected on a goal that portends good things for the future.
There's now one guaranteed European team going to the 2026 World Cup semifinals.
On Sunday, two Western Hemisphere powers — Brazil and Mexico — fell to their European opponents to further shape the quarterfinals with a North Sea battle and a Mediterranean Sea battle.
First, in the Brazil-Norway match, Bruno Guimaräes was stuffed on a penalty attempt less than 15 minutes in, then Erling Haaland scored in the 79th and 90th minute to power Norway to the win. Neymar got a consolation PK conversion late to get Brazil on the board, but there wasn't enough time for an equalizer at that late stage.
Then, Mexico and England played a truly wild match that saw England go up 2-0 on a pair of Jude Bellingham goals, Julián Quiñones getting one back for Mexico, and then English defender Janell Quansah getting a red card for an out-of-control slide tackle early in the second half. The teams would trade PK goals a bit later, but Mexico couldn't find an equalizer, and went out in the Round of 16 once again.
On Monday, Spain plays Portugal to advance another European team to the quarterfinal, and then the U.S. plays Belgium in a repeat of the 2014 Round of 16. A bizarre development unfolded on Sunday; Folarin Balogun's red card in the Round of 32 match, that was going to keep him out of Monday's match, was not quite rescinded, but put on pause for a year's probationary period, and the Trump Administration seeming;y took credit on Truth Social, while multiple media outlets reporting they actually did get involved. (Which is quite unusual.)
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Monday, June 29
Tuesday, June 30
Wednesday, July 1
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Round of 16
Saturday, July 4
Sunday, July 5
Monday, July 6
Tuesday, July 7
Quarterfinals
Thursday, July 9
Friday, July 10
Saturday, July 11
Where to watch
There are U.S. watch parties all over town, but if you're backing Belgium, Celis Brewery can be your headquarters.
What to read
The ever-cheerful Thomas Tuchel is grousing about the refs even though it's his team that advanced over Mexico.
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