England, Norway reach World Cup quarterfinals

LOS ANGELES — England survived a fierce Mexico fightback to reach the World Cup quarterfinals Sunday, while Norway shocked Brazil and a FIFA ruling involving United States striker Folarin Balogun sparked controversy off the field.

England defeated Mexico 3-2 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca after playing much of the second half with 10 men.

The round-of-16 match delivered the drama expected of a knockout game between two heavily backed teams, with England forced to withstand late waves of Mexican pressure.

Jude Bellingham appeared to put England in control after scoring twice in 98 seconds to give the Three Lions a 2-0 lead after 38 minutes.

Mexico answered through Julian Quinones to cut the deficit to 2-1 before halftime.

The game shifted again in the 54th minute when England defender Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card after a VAR review.

England responded despite the setback, stretching the lead to 3-1 through a Harry Kane penalty.

Mexico kept pushing and benefited from another contentious VAR review, with Australian referee Alireza Faghani awarding a penalty that Raul Jimenez converted to make it 3-2.

England’s tiring defense held firm to complete a hard-earned victory.

“It was a crazy game. We had the occasion, everything against us, but we found a way,” captain Kane said.

Bellingham, named man of the match, called it the “best night of my England career.”

“In big pressure moments in years gone by watching as a fan, as a kid, England probably would have crumbled but we stuck together until the last second,” Bellingham added.

England will face Norway in the quarterfinals next Saturday in Miami.

Norway advanced with a 2-1 upset of Brazil in another gripping knockout match Sunday.

Erling Haaland scored twice in the final 11 minutes at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to end Brazil’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup title.

Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland also played a decisive role, producing a standout performance and saving a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes.

“I dreamed of playing in the World Cup with Norway and taking them to the World Cup, but I never expected to win against Brazil, let’s be honest,” Haaland said. “I thought it was not possible to do some things, but I guess I’m wrong.”

Haaland’s brace lifted him level with Lionel Messi on seven goals for the tournament.

For Brazil, the loss extended a painful pattern against European opposition.

Brazil, which hired Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24-year World Cup drought, has now been eliminated by European teams in six straight tournaments.

The defeat was also Brazil’s earliest World Cup exit since 1990, when it was knocked out by Argentina in the last 16.

Off the field, FIFA’s decision to allow Balogun to play against Belgium in Monday’s last-16 match triggered uproar.

Balogun had received a one-match ban last week after being sent off in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia in the last 32 on Wednesday.

The forward, who has scored three goals in the tournament, had been dismissed after inadvertently treading on Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically carries a one-game suspension that cannot be appealed by the player’s team.

United States Soccer Federation officials had not attempted to challenge the sanction, and Balogun had accepted the punishment.

Two sources confirmed to AFP that FIFA’s decision followed a personal call from President Donald Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino urging a review of Balogun’s punishment.

Trump welcomed the reversal on Truth Social.

“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.

The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted angrily, saying it was “astonished” by the decision and “investigating all potential options”.

FIFA said Sunday that Balogun’s ban would be suspended for a year but did not provide a specific explanation.