The 2026 FIFA World Cup’s knockout stage saw England, the United States, and Belgium advance to the Round of 16 after overcoming challenging matches. England managed a comeback victory against DR Congo with a 2-1 win in Atlanta. The team, led by captain Harry Kane, who scored both goals, successfully turned the game around after initially trailing. This victory means England will now face Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium. England had previously topped their group with wins over Panama and Croatia, alongside a draw with Ghana.
In Santa Clara, the United States secured their advancement by defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0. Folarin Balogun put the Americans on the scoreboard first, but later in the match, he received a red card, forcing the team to continue with only 10 players. Malik Tillman extended the lead with a well-placed free-kick, ensuring a spot for the U.S. team in the next round with a resilient defensive performance.
Belgium delivered one of the most thrilling comebacks of the tournament in their matchup against Senegal in Seattle. After falling behind 2-0, Belgium rallied to secure a 3-2 victory after extra time. Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored crucial goals to equalize, with Tielemans later converting a penalty, awarded after a VAR review, to seal the comeback win.
With these victories, Belgium will face the United States in the upcoming Round of 16. Meanwhile, England is set for a highly anticipated clash with Mexico, as the World Cup’s knockout stage intensifies.