Arsenal star sent off as Mexico end 40-year drought

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World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way (All times AEST).

FULL TIME!

It's all over! The drought has ended!

Mexico have won a knockout match at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986!

Ecuador simply could not keep up with the hosts, who have now won four straight games without conceding a single goal in their home tournament!

It ends 2-0, Mexico will face the winner of England and DR Congo and Ecuador head home!

RED CARD

It's red for Piero Hincapie, and it's all over for Ecuador!

The Arsenal defender covered his mouth in an altercation with Santiago Gimenez and was pinned immediately, marking the second of its kind over the FIFA World Cup.

Miguel Almiron famously received the first during Paraguay's group stage match against Turkiye.

Down two goals and down to 10 men, Ecuador are destined for home.

HALF TIME

The co-hosts maintain a two-goal lead at the half and are on the brink of breaking their 40-year knockout drought!

Mexico have not won a knockout match in a FIFA World Cup since 1986, beating Bulgaria 2-0 at the Azteca.

It was also mean that if the US beat Bosnia, the 2026 World Cup would mark the first time in the tournament's history that all dual co-hosts have won a knockout match.

2-0 up over Ecuador, 45 minutes to play!

MEXICO DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!!!!!!

WOW!

MEXICO ARE FLYING!

Raul Jimenez with a BRILLIANT strike sends him into second on Mexico's all-time goalscoring list and, more importantly, puts his nation two up within 31 minutes!

It's a dominant showing, Mexico have two hands on the Round of 16.

2-0!

THE HOSTS LEAD!!!

JULIAN QUINONES BLASTS ONE HOME AND MEXICO LEAD ECUADOR!!!

A superb ball from Roberto Alvarado over the top finds Quinones who beats the offside trap, cuts back and FIRES into the top corner!

It's been all Mexico early, and as it stands, the co-hosts are heading into the Round of 16!

23 minutes in, Mexico 1-0 Ecuador!

MEXICO V ECUADOR DELAYED

The Round of 32 fixture between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City has been delayed by up to 30 minutes due to heavy rainfall and lightning in the area.

Players are out on the pitch now warming up. Start time is midday AEST.

The match was scheduled to kick off at 11am AEST but has been pushed back.

"Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador has been delayed," FIFA said.

"FIFA will follow the safety protocols established by the local authorities, and the match will start as soon as it is safe to do so. The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation."

BIG FLEX FROM FRANCE

Kylian Mbappé set another World Cup record with his ninth and 10th knockout stage goals as France dominated Sweden 3-0.

He started the day on eight goals in the knockout phase, equal with Brazil pair Ronaldo and Leonidas, but soon went straight past them and now sits alone on 10.

The French superstar scored twice in New York to take his 2026 tournament tally to six goals, level with Argentina's Lionel Messi.

His overall World Cup total now sits at 18 goals, just one in arrears of record holder Messi.

Bradley Barcola also found the back of the net while Michel Olise provided two assists. He now has five for the tournament which is the most at a World Cup since 1994.

Olise now has Pele's record of six at the 1970 World Cup in his sights.

Didier Deschamps' Les Bleus, the World Cup favourites, will meet Paraguay in the Round of 16 in Philadelphia on July 5.

HOLLAND COACH QUITS

Not even 24 hours after his side were shockingly dumped out of the world Cup on penalties, Holland coach Ronaldo Koeman has quit...

The Netherlands were beaten on Tuesday (AEST) by Morocco in the round of 32

“Last night, I made the decision to conclude my tenure as head coach of the Dutch national team.

“When I look back on my career, I feel primarily pride and gratitude. I have had the privilege of working at Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV, Valencia, AZ, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton, FC Barcelona, and, of course, two periods with Oranje.

“Clubs and people who have shaped me and given me memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

“That is precisely why it hurts that my time with Oranje ends this way.

“We all dreamed of a World Cup in which we would make history. That did not happen.

“No one is more disappointed about that than I am.

“As head coach, you bear that responsibility. I have always felt it and will always continue to feel it.

“Moreover, the past few years have made me realise once again that there are more important things than football. Football has been my life, but health is priceless.

“When someone you love with all your heart is fighting a tough battle, your perspective changes.

“Despite her own illness, my wife Bartina supported and encouraged me every day to complete my work as national coach. That is a testament to incredible strength.

“I am more grateful to her for this than I will ever be able to put into words.”

Koeman had been at the helm for the Netherlands since 2023 and had held the position for two years prior to that from 2018.

After their exit, Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic took aim at Koeman for stealing the Netherland's football identity.

"This defeat is Koeman's fault because I didn't recognise this Dutch team. He lost with an identity that is not the Dutch identity," he said as a pundit on Fox Sports. "That makes me angry.

"I was always taught: attack, attack, attack. This is not the Dutch identity. Today, Koeman looked like an Italian coach, playing not to lose, whereas the Netherlands always play to win. If you lose, at least lose with your own identity and don't change it.

"This wasn't the Netherlands I'm used to seeing. You could also tell by the way they played that they didn't feel comfortable. The possession was gone, the attacking football was gone... It just looked really bad, and that was all on Koeman. I didn't like it at all, absolutely not."

THREE FOR FRANCE!

Kylian Mbappe has levelled up with Lionel Messi for goals at this World Cup! They sit on six apiece.

That's also World Cup goal No.18 for the Frenchman which puts him in clear second for overall and one behind the Argentine.

The level at which France have played today is terrifying. I know Mbappe has two of the goals but Olise has been HUGE.

There won't be any records broken today on the all-time front - Mbappe and Olise both substituted - smart from Deschamps.

FRANCE DOUBLE UP!

Another sublimely well set up goal from France and the first touch from Olise is just perfect, through to Barcola who seals the deal. Sweden look totally and utterly lose.

How do they find a way back into this?

FRANCE HAVE SCORED!

They could have been 5-0 by now they've had that many chances but Mbappe has broken the deadlock in the first minute of added on time in New York. It's a bloody stunning goal. You just cannot give this man an inch in the six-yard box. He's danced around the Swedish defence, made them looks fools before a perfect finish into the top left.

Sublime football from France right now.

Mbappe is now on five goals for the tournament - joint second with Haaland in the golden boot and they are one behind Messi.

ECUADOR LAUNCH OFFICIAL COMPLAINT

You've got to hand it to the Mexico fans, they really will do anything for their team.

In a bid to give the co-hosts as much of an edge as possible for their round 32 clash against Ecuador, fans in their hundreds descended on the opposition hotel and played music, honked car horns, chanted, played drums and trumpets in a bid to keep the players up and distracted.

The Ecuadorian football federation has taken issue with the sabotage and made an official complaint to FIFA for "unsportsmanlike behaviours".

"Regarding some extra-football incidents before the round of 16 match, the Ecuadorian Football Federation has filed a complaint with the organizers," a statement said.

“This behaviour goes against the principles of fair play, equity, and unity a World Cup should represent.

“The FEF respectfully urges the relevant authorities to address these events and take measures to protect our players, staff, and fans.

“We hope these unsportsmanlike acts do not tarnish the celebration uniting two brother countries, and that respect, fair competition, and fair play prevail.

“Ecuador will always respond on the pitch.”

FRANCE ALL OVER THIS

Mbappe has had a goal disallowed for off side and another strike has come off the post.

Feels like it's only a matter of tie for the French here. Sweden have barely had any posession.

HAALAND CREATES HISTORY

Erling Halaand was over the moon after helping Norway reach the Round of 16 for the first time.

“It’s history, it feels unbelievable,” the striker told FIFA post-match. “We managed to qualify for the first time in 28 years, we managed to go through the group stage and now we’ve managed to go through to the next round and meet Brazil in New York.

“It’s incredible, so now everything is a bonus. Now we can play with our shoulders down and just enjoy it because I don’t think we’ll ever have this feeling again.”

NORWAY GO THROUGH!

Who else but Haaland? An 86th minute winner secured his side a showdown with Brazil in the last 16 and Ivory Coast are heading home.

It was by no means the greatest match of his career, he barely touched the ball before the first hydration break, but if there is one thing you can be certain of with Haaland, it's that he only ever needs one chance,

His 60th international goal means progression to the last 16 for the first time in Norway's history.