23/26ths of the World Cup
Mexico entered their Round of 16 with many hopes. They hoped to be the first co-host of World Cup 2026 to make it to the Quarterfinals. The previous 2 times Mexico hosted the World Cup, they were eliminated in the Quarterfinal Round. This could have been there journey to get further than they ever have before. It would also be their last match played in Mexico, as win or lose the remaining matches are all scheduled for the United States. England haven't won a World Cup in 60 years. Their best finish in the last 44 years is 4th place, which they achieved twice. What could they achieve today? At first, it didn't seem like much. Mexico came out looking the better side for much of the 1st half. Just when England seemed resolved to sit back and defend the Mexican attach into halftime, the Three Lions sprang into action. A quick counter attack led to Jude Bellingham's 36th minute goal. Just 2 minutes later Jude would score his second to give England a 2-0 lead. Their momentum would be lost as Julian Quinones would strike one back just before halftime in the 42nd minute to take Mexico into the half trailing 1-2. The 2nd half would be action packed. In minute 54, Jarell Quansah would earn a red card for a violent tackle on Marcelo Gallardo. His tackle with studs up resulted in his leg rolling over the top of the ball and clattering into Marcelo Gallardo's shin. With 36 minutes to go Mexico would be ahead 1 man. All seemed to be well when England would earn a penalty kick. Anthony Gordon would break away after a ball trying to get to it and score as Mexican Keeper Raul Rangel would run out, dive, and take out Gordon's legs. Up stepped Harry Kane who struck the ball to the left of goal beyond the outstretched hands of Raul Rangel. Up 3-1, England would not have time to rest. Harry Kane would become the first player in World Cup history to score on a Penalty Kick, and then give a Penalty Kick to the opposing team in the same match. Kane's leg came up under Brian Gutierrez's in an attempt to clear the ball from inside the penalty box. Raul Jimenez would send Jordan Pickford to the wrong direction before firing a goal into the right side of the net. 21 minutes of regulation, and 11 minutes of stoppage time proved to be not enough to save El Tri. England survive and move on to the Quarterfinals to face Norway. Mexico will always wonder what could have been, especially with a man advantage.
There were no perfect picks on the day. Five players correctly picked Mexico and England to face off, and selected England to win. Only one of those players correctly picked Brazil to face Norway. Though he picked Brazil to win that match-up it proved enough to earn him 80 points on the day. Reclaiming the lead from 2nd place by just 6 points, congratulations to Scriptor.!
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