Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day 22 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
Switzerland 2-0 Algeria
Switzerland won their first World Cup knockout game for a staggering 88 years.
The 20-year-old Johan Manzambi again lit up a match in this tournament, with the Newcastle-linked rising star producing a sensational run to tee up Breel Embolo’s opening goal just 10 minutes in.
They then landed the killer blow on Algeria 48 seconds after half-time when Leeds star Dan Ndoye took advantage of dreadful defending to slot home. Vladimir Petkovic then held their opponents at a distance to see out a thoroughly professional win.
Switzerland will remain in Vancouver for the third successive game and face a winnable tie against either Colombia or Ghana in the last 16.
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The 20-year-old Swiss star Johan Manzambi (right) again impressed for his country
Portugal 2-1 Croatia
A forgettable first half was followed by a second 45 full of chaos, drama and heartbreak as Portugal progressed to the last 16.
Ivan Perisic put Croatia in front shortly after the restart before Cristiano Ronaldo – who was later substituted – finally scored his first World Cup knockout goal from the penalty spot following a VAR intervention.
It was far from the last involvement from the VAR, however. Goncalo Ramos netted a superb header in stoppage time but Croatia thought they had forced another 30 minutes as the clock struck 103 when Josko Gvardiol steered home at the back post, only for the referee to be sent to the monitor because of a possible offside.
Espen Eskas then confirmed Luka Modric and Co’s worst nightmare. Mario Pasalic was adjudged to have got a touch on the ball by the new ‘Snicko’ technology while in an offside position before Gvardiol’s finish and the goal was ruled out, breaking their hearts and sending Ronaldo’s men through to a crunch last-16 clash with Spain.
The Snickometer, more commonly used in sports like cricket, detects any motion or impact to judge contact on the Adidas Trionda ball which has a microchip that feeds information back to the VAR booth. FIFA have been using it since 2022.
READ LEWIS STEELE’S VERDICT HERE
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The Snickometer in the ball was used to detect the faintest of touches by the Croatia player, meaning his team-mate was in an offside position so the late goal was ruled out by VAR
VIEW FROM THE GROUND
The World Cup will be overtaken by celebrations for America’s 250th birthday this weekend. Here in Dallas, the FIFA flags on the Main Street lampposts are now dwarfed by those promoting a 250th anniversary Block Party, crash barriers for which are also already in place.
The World Cup does not suddenly become an irrelevance, though. Its timing is propitious at a time when the columnists and commentators are reflecting on exactly what the US is celebrating on this anniversary. Last Sunday’s New York Times opinion section cover story posed that very question – ‘What are we celebrating?’ – and the main piece, by Thomas L Friedman, argued that ‘brotherhood’ has been, or at least should be, the ultimate ambition of these United States. Bigger than wealth or cities or production or wealth.
It’s been so hard to discern that ambition under a Trump administration which has divided so many and sowed such discord among people and nations. It would be naive to make too many claims on a football competition, whose sustaining benefits can be short-lived, but this World Cup of many nations, continents, colours and people has brought the same spirit of unity and humanity that it always does. ‘With brotherhood, everything is possible. Without it, nothing good is sustainable,’ Friedman wrote. For these few brief weeks, the World Cup has reminded us of that.
By Ian Herbert
The World Cup will be overtaken by celebrations for America’s 250th birthday this weekend
TEAM OF THE DAY
CELEBRITY WATCH
Hollywood superstars Penelope Cruz and her husband Javier Bardem would have been delighted with what they saw as they took in Spain’s victory over Austria in Los Angeles.
Cruz, 52, and Bardem, 57, were both born in Spain and were spotted looking rather happy with their nation’s performance while sitting in the VIP section of the SoFi Stadium.
The Oscar-winning duo, who married in 2010, may yet be smiling on July 19 with Spain among the favourites to lift the trophy – although they are on formidable France’s side of the draw.
PS: Did you know Bardem played for the Spanish national rugby team at a junior level throughout his youth.
Hollywood couple Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem watched as Spain beat Austria in LA
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
Drake curse, what Drake curse?
The 39-year-old Canadian musician and mogul was in the stands supporting Portugal in his home city of Toronto.
The teams Drake supports, has bet on or publicly backed have an uncanny knack of losing, no matter which sport he leans into.
And with his flag planted firmly in the Cristiano Ronaldo corner, surrounded by friends in Portugal shirts, Roberto Martinez’s men would have been forgiven for feeling slightly uneasy.
But they need not have been worried, Drake was seen celebrating Ronaldo’s goal with his signature ‘where she at’ gesture in footage that went viral online after he was shown on the big screen and the Portuguese are safely through.
Drake was seen celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal for Portugal against Croatia
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez finally heeded the cries and urges from fans by substituting Cristiano Ronaldo. Safe to say the 41-year-old star wasn’t exactly happy about the decision.
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to being taken off 10 minutes from time in Portugal’s win over Croatia
STAT OF THE DAY
Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to making history. The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar is already the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer, and became the first player to find the net at six World Cups during the tournament in north America.
Ronaldo is now also the oldest to ever feature and score in the World Cup knockout stages, at 41 years and 147 days, after starting the match against Croatia and finding the net from the spot.
According to his sister, Katia Aveiro, the Al-Nassr star is set to retire from international football after the tournament. He still has a chance to go out in style after Portugal’s dramatic win over Croatia.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player to feature in a World Cup knockout match
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. Will Egypt’s talisman Mo Salah be fit to face Australia?
Fans back in Egypt would have grimaced at the sight of the former Liverpool star being forced off with a hamstring injury in the draw with Iran.
Salah did not look comfortable as he sat with an ice pack on the bench and has been assessed in recent days. Reports in Egypt suggest he will start against Australia but his exact condition remains to be seen.
Egypt’s supporters, both at home and those who have travelled to north America, will be desperately hoping to see Salah line up for the anthems before kick-off. Without him, beating the plucky Aussies will be a whole lot harder.
Egypt are sweating on the fitness of star man Mo Salah, who went off injured against Iran
2. The Cape Verde fairytale continues
Few stories have been as heartwarming as African minnows Cape Verde reaching the knockout stages against all the odds.
Cape Verde progressed from a group including European champions Spain and South American giants Uruguay but the tests don’t come tougher than Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Bookies have priced Cape Verde as long as 16/1 to cause what would be one of the greatest World Cup upsets in history and continue their fairytale story. Unlikely, of course, but the reigning world champions should not take them lightly.
3. Messi mania in Miami
Hordes of fans follow Lionel Messi everywhere he goes but fewer places in the world can claim to love the Argentinian star as much as Miami.
Messi returns to the city where he plays his club football for the last-32 clash with Cape Verde, with Inter Miami owner David Beckham set to be among those in the stands to watch the 39-year-old.
Security has been beefed up and extra police laid on in anticipation of chaos in the city as people aim to get a glimpse of one of the greatest ever.
Miami is braced for Lionel Messi mania as the Argentinian star returns to the city where he plays his club football
TODAY’S GAMES
Australia vs Egypt (Dallas, BBC One, 7pm)
Both sides head into the match in Dallas targeting a first victory in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
The Socceroos have lacked an attacking threat in their performances so far, relying on defensive solidity and counter-attacks in finishing second in Group D.
Egypt went unbeaten in reaching the last 32 and will be confident of carrying on their historic run, even if Australia sit just two places below them in the FIFA world rankings. An intriguing contest awaits.
Prediction: Egypt win
Argentina vs Cape Verde (Miami, ITV, 11pm)
The World Cup holders are huge favourites to progress but Cape Verde proved in the group stage that they can be a tough nut to crack.
Messi will not only be hoping to take his country a step closer to retaining their crown but he also has his eye on the Golden Boot – a prize, remarkably, that he has never won.
The Argentinian hero has six goals so far and sits joint-top of the standings with Kylian Mbappe, whose superb double in France’s win over Sweden moved him level with Messi, with Erling Haaland and Harry Kane one back on five.
Prediction: Argentina win
