Colombia seeks to seal its pass to the round of 32 against Congo

The phrase that unifies Mexico. Since the team beat Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32 – its first victory in a direct elimination match in 40 years – a question has resonated in the streets, cafes and newscasts: “What if?”

The origin is in a viral video recovered by Efraín Juárez, Pumas coach, when he asked: “What if yes, what if the Pumas are champions?”. Now, “what if” is the mantra of the tricolor fans.

The illusion grows. Mexico will face England in the round of 16, a duel that many call an early “final.” Lawyer Carlos Mejía sums it up:

“Mexico is going to play with a world power and the entire table is set for it to achieve a historic milestone. For us it is a final, because from here, if we advance, we go to Miami, Atlanta. The goal is New York (host of the final).”

The echo in the streets. The seller Nicolás Calixto, dressed in a jersey and scarf from El Tri, explains:

“It has already become our motto. It’s like at first doubts, but… What if it happens? The question really is, why can’t Mexico be champion?”

Younger players adopted the phrase on social networks. Even coach Javier Aguirre joked when asked: he said that he had not heard it until shortly before and that he would scold his children for not telling him.

The festive atmosphere has infected international visitors. The British Andrew Doyle, who follows the English team from Dallas, says:

“In the United States they enjoy the tournament, but in Mexico they understand the real emotion of soccer. They live it with more passion. Mexicans see this as a final and it really is. It will be the last game in Mexico and they are enjoying it to the fullest. I think they have a good chance, it will be very even.”

Midfielder Erik Lira already warned: “We are not going to settle for anything. The ceiling is very high.” An entire country bought the illusion and dyed avenues, shops and parks green.

The change in schedule for the round of 16 match between Mexico and England not only affected English fans. It also generated a strong reaction from Javier Aguirre, coach of the Mexican National Team.

Reaction of the Mexican coach

Originally scheduled for 6:00 p.m., the match will take place at noon at the Mexico City Stadium. Aguirre, known as Vasco, did not hide his annoyance.

“Not at all, zero, name… no advantage, on the contrary, I tell you it’s all designed for, since that day in Ecuador we commented, we knew the schedule, we knew the venue, we didn’t know the rival, it’s true, but at the end of the day, they do break my mother a little bit. We have no choice but to abide by what FIFA says,” declared the tricolor helmsman in an interview with Grupo Formula.
Aguirre said he was “pretty pissed” because the change affects his planning prior to Sunday’s game at the Coloso de Santa Úrsula.

“Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, seems silly, but it is not. Today 60 people are working here so that these 26 friends go out on Sunday to win the game, I mean, it is not a minor thing. The truth is that the change is quite important and I tell you, I can understand reasons and arguments, but he did not consult me and yes, I am quite angry,” he asserted.

The coach described the news as “a kick in the stomach” and pointed out that it forces the entire work plan to be readjusted. “I don’t like it at all, obviously we will abide by what FIFA says, but I, especially me, don’t like it at all, nor do my players,” he concluded.

Aguirre finished with a laconic “swallow water and garlic”, making clear his disagreement with the decision of the governing body of world football.

Victory from the eleven steps

Egypt achieved a historic victory in the World Cup by beating Australia in the penalty shootout. The final score was 4-2 from the eleven steps, after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Hossam Abdelmaguid took charge of the decisive shot. His penalty sealed the Egyptians’ passage to the next round. The match, played on Friday, represented the first time Egypt has won a knockout stage in the tournament.

The substitute goalkeeper could not stop the shots

Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan entered extra time in place of starter Patrick Beach. However, he failed to save any of the four Egyptian shots. Australia accumulates its third defeat in World Cup kill-kill instances and still has not advanced beyond this phase.

Egypt celebrated its fourth participation in the World Cup. This victory marks a milestone for the African team, which had never before made it past a direct knockout in the tournament.