Key events13m agoEngland get hostile welcome in Mexico City2h agoKlopp confirms talks over Germany job3h agoPreamble3h agoCape Verde out after classic with ArgentinaThiago RabeloIt is Brazil v Norway tomorrow. I do not think Gabriel Margalhaes will be too excited about facing Erling Haaland again. It should be a fine battle.Thiago Rabelo takes a deep dive into Carlo Ancelotti and what he has brought to Brazil.
double quotation markAncelotti has not been afraid to make important decisions, such as leaving Neymar out of the starting XI. The 34-year-old is not the player he once was, nor is he fully fit. But other, less experienced managers would not have cared about that; they would still have picked Neymar plus 10 other players. Under Ancelotti, however, Neymar has played only 14 minutes at this World Cup, against Scotland, and did not feature against Japan. Neymar, in turn, has understood his role in the squad. He knows he is no longer Brazil’s star player. That status now belongs to Vinícius Júnior.
England get hostile welcome in Mexico CityEngland received a hostile welcome as they arrived at their Mexico City hotel ahead of Sunday night’s World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico.England had been hoping to keep their location undisclosed after Mexico supporters used loud speakers, horns and motorcycles to try to disturb the sleep of Ecuador’s players before their last-32 tie, which the co-hosts won 2-0 on Wednesday night.But when England’s coach arrived at their hotel, hundreds of fans were already there, with many booing while others chanted “Mexico”. At least one supporter within the crowd could be seen holding up an England shirt.Security has been increased outside the hotel after events earlier in the week, which led to complaints from Ecuador’s football federation. There has also been an increase in security in the city after four people died during the celebrations that followed Mexico’s win over Ecuador.Thomas Tuchel’s men take on the co-hosts in a mouth-watering clash at the Azteca, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm local time (1am Monday BST).Fifa had considered moving kick-off forward due to a forecast for storms in the region but, after five-and-a-half hours of uncertainty on Friday evening, the decision was made to stick with the original schedule. Both England and Mexico had voiced opposition to rescheduling the game less than 48 hours before kick-off. PA MediaThe England team bus arrives at their hotel in Mexico City. Photograph: Eduardo Verdugo/APMarc Guehi considers Mexico favourites for England’s World Cup last-16 clash at the Estadio Azteca.The reward for Wednesday’s 2-1 comeback win against the Democratic Republic of Congo is Sunday’s mouthwatering last-16 tie in Mexico City.A hostile atmosphere and high altitude await Thomas Tuchel’s men in Mexico, where England defender Guehi makes the Euro 2024 runners-up underdogs against the World Cup co-hosts.“We know they’re a good team and they’ve got the fans on their side, so it’ll be going into the cauldron,” the England defender told Fifa. “But it’ll be a fun test. I’d say they’re kind of favourites. They’re at home and they know the environment a lot better. They haven’t conceded so far and have got a perfect record.“You come to these competitions to play against top teams, in top atmospheres. It’s a match we’re all looking forward to.”Marc GuehiAlexander AbnosAlexander Abnos on why this USA team is worth celebrating.
