Bottom Line Up Front
Today’s verdict: Friday belongs to the World Cup and the ballot — Mexico became the first nation into the Round of 32 and will host its tie at home, Brazil must beat Haiti tonight to recover, and Colombia heads to a Sunday runoff locked down by a dry law and closed borders. In Mexico City, the teachers’ strike showed its first real cracks.
Mexico are through. A 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara made El Tri the first team into the Round of 32, top of Group A. As group winner they host their last-32 match in Mexico City, while Brazil must beat Haiti tonight after a flat opener.
Colombia locks down for Sunday. A national dry law runs from Saturday evening to Monday midday, the decree closes land and river borders over the weekend, and phones are banned inside polling stations. De la Espriella leads the final legal polls.
Mexico City’s strike cracks. After 19 days, the government floated a tentative deal to clear the Zócalo and union leaders admitted exhaustion, even as the core pension demand stays unmet. A national assembly will decide the next move.
