All 2026 World Cup Host Nations Eliminated in the Round of 16

2026 FIFA World Cup: Major Highlights and Surprises

According to Главком: The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to deliver unexpected twists. In the second round of the knockout stage, pivotal matches reshaped the tournament landscape. England secured a dramatic 2-3 victory over Mexico, becoming the first team to defeat the Mexicans at the Azteca Stadium during a World Cup-and they did so while playing with a man down. Jude Bellingham emerged as the hero, scoring a brace. The English squad is now focused on reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.

Other Key Matches

Another major storyline unfolded in the clash between Norway and Brazil, where the Norwegians triumphed 2-1. Erling Haaland, who also netted a brace, continues to dazzle with his performances, having scored 7 goals in the tournament from just 12 shots. His scoring streak for the national team now spans 14 matches, during which he has found the net 27 times. Brazil, on the other hand, set an unwanted record for the lowest possession in a match, managing just 34% against Norway. Despite Brazil's elimination, Carlo Ancelotti did not resign, while Neymar announced his retirement from international duty.

Argentina's comeback against Egypt was another sensation of the round. The match ended 3-2, with Argentina trailing 0-2 until the 78th minute. Lionel Messi missed a penalty, but his team snatched victory thanks to goals from Romero, Messi, and Enzo Fernández. This marked the latest comeback in World Cup history where a team two goals down won without needing extra time.

Belgium also turned heads with an impressive 4-1 victory over the United States. This match took place amid the Balogun controversy. Lionel Messi, who has now scored 21 goals in World Cups, continues to lead the scoring charts. He broke Diego Maradona's record for most assists in World Cup history and also became the player with the most matches played in the tournament-31 appearances.

In the Round of 16, all three host nations-Canada, Mexico, and the United States-were eliminated. Canada fell 0-3 to Morocco, while Portugal edged Spain 1-0.

Zlatan Ibrahimović: 'They were playing some kind of nonsense.'

Belgium became the talk of the tournament, with many saying 'Belgium saved the World Cup.'

The events of the 2026 World Cup highlight the tournament's unpredictability and fierce competition. The early exits of football giants like Brazil and Argentina's incredible comebacks prove that no match can be taken for granted. This edition has witnessed not only sporting achievements but also emotional moments that will leave a lasting mark on football history.

As the tournament progresses, notable records continue to be shattered, particularly by iconic players like Messi. His recent achievement adds to the drama of the World Cup, especially with major teams facing unexpected exits. For a deeper look at how Messi is rewriting history amid Germany's surprising downfall, check out this article on Messi's historic milestone.