England, Belgium and USA favored as World Cup last-32 ties continue
Opta gives England, the United States and Belgium the edge, while Argentina prepare for a debutant Cape Verde side chasing an upset.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
The World Cup last-32 round continues Wednesday with England, Argentina, Belgium and the United States trying to move into the next phase. The matches matter because the bracket is beginning to take shape after seven teams already secured places in the round of 16, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
England will face DR Congo for the first time, with Thomas Tuchel’s team favored to advance. Opta’s supercomputer gives England a 73.9% chance of winning in 90 minutes, compared with 11.3% for DR Congo and 14.8% for a draw.
Opta puts England’s overall chance of reaching the last 16 at 82%, with DR Congo at 18%. Al Jazeera reported that England’s only previous World Cup knockout match against African opposition was a 3-0 win over Senegal in 2022.
Belgium meet Senegal in Seattle in their first competitive match against each other. Opta gives Belgium a 45.6% chance of winning in 90 minutes, Senegal a 27% chance and the draw a 27.4% chance, based on 25,000 simulations.
The United States also enter as strong favorites against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Opta’s model gives the co-hosts a 67.5% chance of winning in regulation time, Bosnia and Herzegovina a 14.3% chance and the draw an 18.3% chance; the USA’s overall chance of advancing is listed at 76.6%.
Argentina warned over Cape Verde test
Argentina face World Cup newcomers Cape Verde after winning all three group games against Algeria, Austria and Jordan, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Lionel Messi has scored six goals at the tournament.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters Cape Verde are a difficult opponent and said his players cannot treat the match lightly. Cape Verde reached the knockout stage in their first World Cup appearance after drawing 0-0 with Spain and 2-2 with Uruguay, Al Jazeera reported.
Cape Verde President Jose Maria Neves told the BBC that his country can beat Argentina 1-0 and said the team is playing to win. He also said Cape Verde has a chance to create another historic moment against Messi and the defending champions.
Who is already through
Seven teams have advanced from the round of 32, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Canada beat South Africa 1-0, Brazil defeated Japan 2-1, Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and Morocco did the same to the Netherlands after another 1-1 draw.
Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1, France defeated Sweden 3-0, and Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0. South Africa, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Sweden and Ecuador have been eliminated.
Other developments
Mexico’s win over Ecuador came after the match was delayed by an hour because of stormy weather, Al Jazeera reported. Julian Quinones scored and assisted Raul Jimenez, and Mexico remained unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca.
France advanced behind two goals from Kylian Mbappe against Sweden. Al Jazeera reported that Mbappe now has 10 World Cup knockout-stage goals and 18 World Cup goals overall, one behind Messi’s record.
The Royal Dutch Football Association said Dutch players Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville received racist abuse online after missing penalties against Morocco. Ronald Koeman has left as Netherlands manager after that elimination, according to Al Jazeera.
The Ecuadorian Football Federation has filed a complaint with FIFA over what it called off-field incidents before the Mexico match. Al Jazeera reported that videos showed Mexico supporters outside Ecuador’s hotel with chants, music, vehicle horns and fireworks.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.