Drew Blank

Brazil have five World Cup stars above their crest, but against Norway they still have no win. That strange record now follows Carlo Ancelotti’s side into a last 16 tie in New Jersey, where Erling Haaland turns an old statistical curiosity into a live tactical problem. Norway have beaten Brazil twice and drawn twice across four senior meetings. Their most famous result came at the 1998 World Cup, when Norway won 2-1. Brazil last faced Norway in a 1-1 draw in 2006, which means this streak has sat untouched for 20 years. The favourites arrive with greater depth and better…

Lionel Messi is 39 years old, surviving 120-minute knockout fights, and still scoring with the cold timing of a forward built for this stage. Argentina needed him again in a tense 3-2 win over Cape Verde, where his 29th-minute goal pushed him to seven at this World Cup and 20 across his World Cup career. That total has taken him beyond Miroslav Klose’s old benchmark of 16 and deeper into tournament history. Kylian Mbappé is still breathing down his neck with six goals. Harry Kane and Erling Haaland sit on five each, close enough to turn one big night into…

France has cruised through this World Cup with the confidence of a team that knows exactly what it is. That comfort is now under stress. A thigh injury will keep Aurélien Tchouaméni out of the lineup for the Round of 16 clash with Paraguay in Philadelphia, removing one of Didier Deschamps’ most important midfield pieces at the worst possible moment. Tchouaméni started 3 of France’s 4 matches at this tournament. France topped Group I with 3 wins from 3, then beat Sweden 3 to 0 in the Round of 32 to reach this stage. Manu Koné is expected to step…

Houston will host the most important match in Canadian men’s soccer history on Saturday, but the occasion is only part of the story. Jesse Marsch’s side has already delivered a landmark tournament, with its first World Cup point, first win, and first knockout victory all arriving in the same campaign. Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage-time goal against South Africa pushed Canada into the Round of 16 and gave the co-host a new place in the national sporting conversation. Morocco brings a different weight. The Atlas Lions were semifinalists in 2022, have grown into one of the most organized teams in the tournament,…

Lionel Messi’s pursuit of another World Cup is not a victory lap. Against Cape Verde in Miami, it nearly became the night Argentina ran out of answers. The reigning champions escaped with a 3 to 2 extra time win after a 111th minute own goal by Diney Borges, but the score barely captured the danger. Messi opened the match in the 29th minute with his 7th goal of the tournament and the 20th World Cup goal of his career. That milestone should have owned the night. Cape Verde refused to let it. Deroy Duarte pulled the debutants level after Ryan…