Eleven became seven

Manchester City's presence at the 2026 World Cup has been reduced after the Round of 16. The club began the tournament with 18 players across 12 nations – the largest representation of any club side. Seventeen of those made it out of the groups. Now, after the first knockout round, seven remain.

Six Blues have been sent home: Nathan Ake and Tijjani Reijnders (Netherlands), Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol (Croatia), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria) and Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) all saw their tournaments end at the group stage.

Another three departed in the Round of 16: Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes (Portugal) and Omar Marmoush (Egypt).

Haaland doing Haaland things

Erling Haaland dragged Norway past Brazil with a 2-1 win, scoring twice in the final 11 minutes. His first was a header from an Andreas Schjelderup cross; his second a left-footed strike from outside the box, again supplied by Schjelderup. That's seven goals in four matches for the 25-year-old – including three braces – and he sits joint-second with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.

England survive Mexico scare

England edged past Mexico 3-2 in a chaotic contest. Jude Bellingham scored twice inside two minutes before Julian Quinones pulled one back. The Three Lions then went down to 10 men after Jarell Quansah's red card, but Harry Kane converted a penalty to restore the two-goal cushion. Kane then conceded a spot kick himself, which Raul Jimenez tucked away. It finished 3-2.

City's Nico O'Reilly, Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson all started. O'Reilly made three defensive contributions and one clearance, completed 93% of his passes and won four ground duels before being replaced by Djed Spence in the 74th minute. He also picked up a yellow card. Anderson had 39 touches, eight defensive contributions and three clearances in his 75 minutes. Guehi played the full 90, recording seven defensive contributions, five clearances and four recoveries, and was also booked. James Trafford, a City academy graduate, was an unused substitute.

Rodri goes the distance as Portugal exit

Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat against Spain, with Mikel Merino's stoppage-time goal settling it. Rodri played the full match, completing 93% of his passes, making one key pass, winning four tackles and four ground duels. Dias had 55 touches, three defensive contributions, two clearances and four recoveries. Nunes didn't get off the bench.

Doku features as Belgium progress

Belgium beat USA 4-1, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and assisting another. Jeremy Doku came off the bench in the 67th minute, registered one key pass, won eight ground duels and completed three successful dribbles.

Cherki still waiting for a start

France edged past Paraguay 1-0, Kylian Mbappe converting a 70th-minute penalty. Rayan Cherki came off the bench in the 84th minute. The 22-year-old has now appeared in all five games without once being named in the starting XI.

Marmoush gets minutes in Egypt defeat

Egypt took a 2-0 lead against Argentina but lost 3-2. Omar Marmoush was an unused substitute before replacing Mostafa Ziko in the 80th minute. Lionel Messi scored and assisted as Argentina turned it around, with Enzo Fernandez netting the winner in stoppage time.

What's next

France face Morocco in the quarter-finals. The standout tie sees Spain meet Belgium, meaning Rodri and Doku go head-to-head for a place in the semi-finals. Norway and England are also set for a meeting, which will pit Haaland against City teammates O'Reilly, Guehi, Anderson and Trafford.