Russian skaters compete again as neutrals

On Sunday, Mexico and England face each other at the Azteca Stadium for a ticket to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. For the Tricolor, it is the opportunity to break a four-decade drought without reaching that stage.

The euphoria grows after four consecutive victories without conceding goals. No rival has been able to breach the Mexican defense. But England, runners-up in the last two European Championships, represents the biggest challenge.

Javier Aguirre, Mexican coach, knows it: “You are facing England, number 4 in the world, world champion… We will have to play an almost perfect match.”

The Aztec fortress

The support of the stadium is key. Since 1966, Mexico has only lost two official matches at the Azteca. In their three World Cups at home, they have eight wins and two draws. In this edition, three victories without goals against.

“There are a lot of emotions, stories behind it,” said Aguirre, who was part of the 1986 team. “I think the best is yet to come.”

The weapons of Mexico and the English threat

Aguirre relies on the attack with Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, and on defensive solidity to stop Harry Kane, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. The plan is to always keep an eye on him.

“Kane is a world figure. We will try to make sure he is not comfortable, that he always has someone on top of him,” Aguirre explained. He also highlighted Jude Bellingham and the English coach Thomas Tuchel.

Midfielder Gilberto Mora, 17, could be a surprise.

What if yes?

Expectations are moderate, but excitement grows. Mexico already broke a 40-year streak without winning in the knockout phase by beating Ecuador. Now, Azteca once again witnesses a match that could change history.

Colombia dreams big

Colombia continues ahead in the World Cup. With a goal from Jhon Arias in the first half, they beat Ghana 1-0 in the round of 32. The game was played in Kansas City and Néstor Lorenzo’s team showed solidity.

The Palmeiras midfielder assured: “We showed that we are a mature team, that knows how to play and that has a clear objective.” And he added: “We are going step by step, knowing that we can dream of reaching the last day.”

Now Colombia is the only one of the 48 teams that has competed in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Their next challenge will be against Switzerland on Tuesday in Vancouver. The ‘Yellow Spot’ has accompanied the team at each venue and is expected to fill the stands again.

Solid defense and confidence in attack

Colombia accumulates 355 minutes without conceding goals. Goalkeeper Camilo Vargas had a quiet night. However, coach Lorenzo regretted the lack of forcefulness: “We had to finish it six, seven times and we couldn’t.”

The positive streak has left behind the friendly defeats against Croatia and France in March. The team seems to have found its best version, with full-backs like Daniel Muñoz and Johan Mojica projecting themselves into the attack, and veteran James Rodríguez leading the creation.

The defensive duo Davinson Sánchez-Jhon Lucumí has ​​been key. Luis Díaz, despite not having scored, generates constant danger. His goal was disallowed for offside, but he promised: “I promise the people of Colombia to continue believing. I’m giving everything to achieve it.”

The illusion grows. Colombia wants to write its best World Cup chapter.

Morocco consolidates itself in the elite

Morocco is back in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. With a double from Azzedine Ounahi and a goal from Soufiane Rahimi, they beat Canada 3-0 in Houston. The Moroccan team is the first African nation to reach this stage on more than one occasion.

“We are no longer a surprise. Now people talk about Morocco as a contender,” said coach Mohamed Ouahbi. “This is just the beginning. We want to keep going.”

Ounahi leads the way to victory

The scoring opened until the 50th minute. Ounahi received a free kick from Achraf Hakimi and shot from outside the area into the lower right corner. In the 82nd minute, he doubled the lead with a shot inside the area after a pass from Brahim Díaz. Rahimi closed the account in added time.

Canada, co-host of the tournament, said goodbye after a historic participation. They achieved their first knockout win by beating South Africa in the previous round. Coach Jesse Marsch highlighted the level of his team: “I told them I was proud of them. We can play like this against the best, but we have to keep it up for 90 minutes.”

Marsch assured that Canada was better in several sections. Ouahbi responded: “In intensity they did well. Were they better? You have to have the nerve to say that when you lose 3-0.”

Road to quarterfinals

Morocco, sixth in the FIFA ranking, eliminated the Netherlands on penalties to reach the round of 16. They will now face France on Thursday in Boston, which hours before defeated Paraguay 1-0 with a goal from Kylian Mbappé.

Canada played without Alphonso Davies, who had a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, born in Canada to Moroccan parents, made three key saves to keep a clean sheet. Both teams had already met in Qatar 2022, with the Moroccan victory 2-1.

The match was physical, with eight yellow cards. Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari was injured in the 22nd minute.