Brazil-Norway and Mexico-England top World Cup round of 16 slate
Opta rates Brazil as a clear favorite against Norway, while England faces a tight test against cohost Mexico in Mexico City.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
The World Cup round of 16 continues Sunday with Brazil facing Norway in New Jersey and cohost Mexico meeting England in Mexico City, according to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press. The matches will help set the quarterfinal field after Morocco and France advanced on Saturday.
Brazil plays Norway at 20:00 GMT at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Al Jazeera reported. Mexico then hosts England at Mexico City Stadium at 00:00 GMT Monday.
Opta favors Brazil despite Norway history
Opta’s supercomputer gives Brazil the stronger chance to beat Norway, according to Al Jazeera. Across 25,000 pre-match simulations, Brazil won inside 90 minutes in 53.6% of scenarios, Norway won in regulation in 22.4%, and 24% of simulations were level after normal time.
Al Jazeera reported that Norway have avoided defeat in all four previous matches against Brazil in all competitions, winning twice and drawing twice. That record includes Norway’s 2-1 victory over Brazil at the 1998 World Cup.
England faces Mexico in a close projection
Opta projects Mexico-England as one of the tighter round-of-16 games, Al Jazeera reported. England won in normal time in 40.6% of 25,000 simulations, Mexico won in 31.5%, and 27.9% finished tied after 90 minutes.
England’s only previous World Cup meeting with Mexico came in 1966, when England won 2-0 in the group stage with goals by Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt, according to Al Jazeera. England later won that tournament, their only World Cup title.
Al Jazeera reported that England have won their last four matches against Mexico outside the World Cup, all in friendlies between 1986 and 2010. Mexico, however, brings home advantage into Sunday’s game, with Al Jazeera noting the team’s strong record at Mexico City Stadium.
Mexico are trying to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years, Al Jazeera reported. The cohosts have lost only two official matches at Mexico City Stadium since it opened in 1966, with the most recent defeat coming against Honduras in a 2013 World Cup qualifier.
Former Mexico forward Hugo Sanchez told Al Jazeera the stadium’s impact has been central to the national team’s record there. Mexico have played 10 World Cup matches at the venue across the 1970, 1986 and 2026 tournaments, winning eight and drawing two, according to Al Jazeera.
Morocco and France move on
Morocco beat cohost Canada 3-0 on Saturday to reach a second straight World Cup quarterfinal, Al Jazeera and AP reported. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice as Canada’s tournament ended.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his team improved after halftime, particularly in challenges and second balls, according to Al Jazeera and AP. Al Jazeera reported that Canada had controlled much of the first half and that Morocco did not produce a first shot until the 28th minute.
France also advanced Saturday with a 1-0 win over Paraguay, Al Jazeera and AP reported. Kylian Mbappe scored the decisive penalty in the 70th minute after a VAR review determined Desire Doue had been fouled in the box.
Mbappe said France were willing to match Paraguay’s physical style, according to Al Jazeera and AP. France coach Didier Deschamps questioned the referee’s management of the match, saying his team received three yellow cards while Paraguay continued to foul.
Remaining round-of-16 fixtures
- Brazil vs Norway: Sunday, New York New Jersey Stadium, 20:00 GMT.
- Mexico vs England: Sunday, Mexico City Stadium, 00:00 GMT Monday.
- Portugal vs Spain: Monday, Dallas Stadium, 19:00 GMT.
- USA vs Belgium: Monday, Seattle Stadium, 00:00 GMT Tuesday.
- Argentina vs Egypt: Tuesday, Atlanta Stadium, 16:00 GMT.
- Switzerland vs Colombia: Tuesday, BC Place Vancouver, 20:00 GMT.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.