Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day 19 at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.
For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.
OVERNIGHT ACTION
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco aet (2-3 pens)
What a Tuesday to wake up to. The final match overnight on Monday had everything as the Netherlands faced Morocco. It was the latter who were in the ascendancy for most of the game but somehow couldn’t break the deadlock in much part due to Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s brilliance, while they also hit the frame of the goal.
For all of their dominance, Morocco then fell behind to a Cody Gakpo strike on 72 minutes when he finished a slick counter-attack move. The goal was an emotional moment for Gakpo who announced on Saturday that he and his partner, model Noa van der Bij, had suffered a miscarriage for their second child (more on that lower down).
As Morocco pushed for an equaliser they deserved, Fulham defender Issa Diop thumped home a stoppage-time header, sending the game to extra-time and eventually penalties.
When the shootout came, it was originally advantage Netherlands when Neil El Aynaoui hit the crossbar but then Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert hit the post for the Dutch. Quinten Timber, twin of Arsenal’s Jurrien, dragged a penalty wide but Achraf Hakimi failed to capitalise and struck a post himself for Morocco. West Ham’s in-demand Crysencio Summerville then saw his spot-kick saved, allowing Ismael Saibari to be the hero for Morocco by sending Verbruggen the wrong way.
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Ismael Saibari (centre) was the shootout hero as Morocco beat Netherlands on penalties
Germany 1-1 Paraguay aet (3-4 pens)
There have been reports of discontent in the Germany camp and that all came full circle here. Julian Nagelsmann’s side hadn’t exactly set the World Cup alight, and went behind when Brighton’s Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead – but Kai Havertz equalised in the second-half.
They thought they had gone ahead again when Jonathan Tah headed in during extra time, only for his goal to be ruled out by VAR.
During penalties, Havertz missed first up, and Nick Woltemade had his spot kick saved by Paraguay’s giant goalkeeper Orlando Gill too. Paraguay blew two chances to win it through Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena, but Tah skied his penalty, and Jose Canale fired in the decisive kick for his first major upset of the tournament, which inflicted Germany’s first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat.
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Paraguay caused the first major upset of the World Cup as they beat Germany on penalties
VIEW FROM THE GROUND
The galleries I’ve been to these past few weeks have displayed art and images which tell the story of this country. The Menil Gallery in Houston and Seattle Art Museum most of all. But the Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles really was something else. The kind of experience which, three weeks on, still sticks in my mind.
It is a reminder, at the centenary of her birth, of how embedded sports were in the super-celebrity world she occupied. She married baseball’s Joe DiMaggio. But an insight, also, into how the profound psychological illness she contended with at a time when the media was obsessive in its pursuit of her.
Among the exhibits at the meticulously curated exhibition are examples of the ‘automatic’ stream of consciousness writing she produced from a psychiatric unit. It’s devastating. Those words which are actually legible reveal a desperately confused individual.
For those of us who report, the question of what constitutes intrusion is always there but ‘Marilyn – Hollywood Icon’ shows how things have improved. The world has changed.
Ian Herbert
The Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles caught the eye of Ian Herbert during his trip to the States
TEAM OF THE DAY
Thanks to Sofascore for the graphic.
CELEBRITY WATCH
Brazil’s golden generation have made a habit of turning up to their games this World Cup, and it was no different in Houston against Japan. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Cafu were among the names to watch on.
Golden State Warriors basketball star Jimmy Butler also watched on, while Jurgen Klopp was at Germany vs Paraguay on punditry duty for German TV.
The likes of Brazil legends Bebeto (second left), Ronaldo (third left), Cafu (fourth right), Roberto Carlos (third left), Oscar (second right) and Ronaldino (right) were all in attendance to watch their former side
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
Though Japan may have lost on this occasion, they have made a name for themselves as one of the most polite nations at the World Cup, with their players tidying the dressing room and fans cleaning the stadium.
Their fans, though in despair, cleaned the ground one final time in Houston after defeat by Brazil, gaining plaudits from around the world.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
It was touched upon in the ‘Overnight Action’ section, but sometimes an image is more powerful than words and that is evident here after Gakpo’s goal for the Netherlands. It’s been an extremely difficult few days for the Liverpool forward following the news of he and Van der Bij’s miscarriage and his Dutch team-mates let him know they are supporting him throughout this.
After scoring, the 27-year-old fell to his knees and put his hands over his head. He was instantly mobbed by his team-mates, who gathered around and consoled him.
Cody Gakpo (bottom) was quickly mobbed and consoled by his Netherlands team-mates after scoring vs Morocco – just days after announcing that he and his partner had a miscarriage
STAT OF THE DAY
Martinelli broke Japan hearts yesterday, and his goal, via Opta, was the latest winning goal in normal time in the World Cup knockout rounds on record – which is since 1966.
No better time to score.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. Will Norway’s rotation policy pay off?
Stale Solbakken made 10 changes to his side against France, with qualification already secured and seemingly an easier side of the draw on offer.
He may well make 10 more changes here, reverting to his trusted army that got past Iraq and Senegal.
Rest versus rhythm. He better hope his decision pays off – and only a win here will suggest it did.
2. Will Mbappe get back on the score sheet?
France skipper Kylian Mbappe turned provider against Norway, picking up two assists as Ousmane Dembele stole the show with a fine hat-trick.
Don’t expect that to last too long, however. The forward is second in the Golden Boot race at the tournament, to only Lionel Messi, but will have hopes of chasing down his numbers at this tournament and World Cup history.
Assists are nice, but Mbappe is a goal scorer – and will be keen to ensure it’s not two games in a row without a goal for him.
France captain Kylian Mbappe turned provider against Norway, but will be keen to get back on the scoresheet today
3. A look at England’s potential opponents
If England can make it past DR Congo tomorrow, they will face the winner of Mexico vs Ecuador in the last 16.
We already have a good sample size to assess what the Three Lions could be up against at the weekend, with each of these sides having played three matches each. There is little doubt Mexico have been the better of the two sides, and they will again be a tough nut to crack in their homeland – which is where their last 16 match will be played too, should they get there.
Neither of these sides would be easy opponents for England. But, in a knockout game, it will be a good marker to show what Thomas Tuchel and Co may need to tackle.
TODAY’S GAMES
Ivory Coast vs Norway (6pm, Dallas, BBC)
Norway were happy to finish second to France in Group I, but now they have to make sure they get a result here – or it will all have been for nothing.
Expect Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland to come back into the side, with the likes of Yan Diomande – who wants to join Paris Saint-Germain – and the in-form Nicolas Pepe to star for Ivory Coast.
A very hard one to call – but we make Norway favourites due to their individual firepower and their goal scoring exploits so far this tournament.
Prediction: Norway win
Erling Haaland is set to return to the Norway side to face Ivory Coast after being rested for the defeat by France
France vs Sweden (10pm, New Jersey, ITV)
France return to action after thrashing a rotated Norway in their final group stage match to make it five from five, and will expect to breeze into the last 16.
Graham Potter’s Sweden were perhaps fortunate to progress from the groups, but do have firepower in the likes of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres up front, while Anthony Elanga is in good form too.
Still, the 2018 winners should be more than comfortable here and secure a comfortable victory in New Jersey.
Prediction: France win
Mexico vs Ecuador (2am, Mexico City, ITV)
As aforementioned, Mexico are tough to beat in Mexico, and they will have immense home backing here.
They are in better form, too, having won all three of their group games comfortably, meaning they are carrying some serious momentum.
Ecuador were given a second life when they beat Germany in their final group match, having lost to the Ivory Coast and only drawn against Curacao.
Their defence is solid, but Mexico will likely be too much for them here.
Prediction: Mexico win
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