Haaland Sends Norway Through, France and Mexico Complete Dominant Day

It was a day that rewarded the bold at the 2026 World Cup. Three matches, three victories for the favourites, and a collective statement that the tournament's upper tier is beginning to sort itself from the rest. Norway, France, and Mexico all claimed three points, but the manner of each win told a different story.

In Dallas, Norway edged past Ivory Coast 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in what the headlines made plain was a dramatic finish. Ivory Coast gave the Scandinavians a genuine contest and led at some point during the tie, only for Norway to find a way through. The result sends Norway into the last 16 and ends Ivory Coast's World Cup campaign.

At MetLife Stadium, France made it look effortless. A 3-0 victory over Sweden was a performance that underlined just how comfortably this French squad operates when things click. With pace and creativity across the forward line, France look like genuine contenders to go deep in this tournament and will enter the knockout stage as one of the teams everyone else will want to avoid.

Mexico's 2-0 win over Ecuador at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City was the result that ignited the loudest celebrations of the day. Playing at home, the hosts delivered for a passionate crowd, and the victory sent the streets outside into scenes of jubilation. The result advances Mexico from their group in front of their own supporters, a moment that will live long in the memory for those who were there.

With the round of 16 picture sharpening, Norway, France, and Mexico now have time to rest, reflect, and prepare for the knockout stage. The next round will demand more, but on this evidence, all three sides have plenty left to give.