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This Sunday, the round of 16 of the presents a doubleheader of great excitement: Brazil faces Norway at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, while Mexico hosts England at Estadio Azteca. The winners of both matchups will meet in the quarterfinals, making this day a crucial stage of the tournament.
Brazil vs. Norway
The Canarinha arrives as one of the top contenders for the title under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti, with a journey that included an initial draw against Morocco before securing two victories by 3-0 against Haiti and Scotland, and a comeback against Japan in the round of 16.
The main star of the Brazilian team is Vinícius Júnior, who has scored four goals in the tournament and has established himself as the undeniable figure of a national team that hasn't lifted the trophy since 2002.
In front of us, Norway arrives with the epic of their round of 16, when Erling Haaland scored in the 86th minute to eliminate Ivory Coast and secure a spot in this round. This marks the return of the Scandinavians to the round of 16 for the first time since France 1998, 28 years ago.
With Haaland as the offensive reference and Martin Ødegaard as the playmaker, Norway aims to make a significant impact in the championship against a Brazil that, despite its prestige, has not been invulnerable.
Mexico vs. England
El Tri is experiencing a campaign that already has historical significance. Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32 with goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, breaking a 40-year streak without a win in World Cup knockout matches and becoming the first CONCACAF team to eliminate a CONMEBOL opponent in the knockout stage.
With four victories in four matches and having not conceded a single goal, the Mexican team arrives at what could be the most important match in its recent history before its own fans at the Azteca.
Only on two previous occasions did Mexico reach the quarter-finals: in 1970 and in 1986, both as hosts. Surpassing that threshold—the so-called "fifth match"—is the major challenge that the Tri faces ahead.
On the other side, England needed a brace from Harry Kane to come back against the DRC and advance with more difficulty than expected. The forward has scored five goals in this World Cup and 13 in total in World Cups, a figure that surpasses Pelé's historic record.
The team of Thomas Tuchel has not shown its best version, but it has a squad full of immense talent that will seek to elevate its level against a Mexico that dreams of continuing to make history.
This Sunday’s matches will determine which two teams will meet in the quarter-finals: either Brazil or Norway, and either Mexico or England, in what promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the tournament's knockout stage.
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