The China Mail - Haaland fires Norway into last 16 as France, Mexico look to advance

Norwegian star Haaland swept in an 86th-minute winner in Arlington, Texas, to slam the door on Ivory Coast's hopes of a fightback after Amad Diallo had equalised for the Africans following Antonio Nusa's opener for Norway.

The Norwegians -- beaten in both of their previous opening knockout round appearances in 1938 and 1998 -- will face Brazil in the last 16 on Sunday with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

Manchester City striker Haaland will head into that meeting brimming with confidence after taking his tally for the tournament to five goals, one behind top scorer Lionel Messi on six.

Ivory Coast's Diallo came within a whisker of grabbing an injury time equaliser, but his curling free-kick destined for the top corner was saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.

The victory was a vindication for Norway coach Stale Solbakken, who had faced stinging criticism after benching Haaland and fielding a second-string team in their final group game, a 4-1 thrashing by France, last week.

Later Tuesday, France will aim to seal their place in the last 16 when they take on Sweden in New Jersey while co-hosts Mexico bid to continue their journey in front of a fervent crowd at the Estadio Azteca when they take on Ecuador.

Sweden must find a way of containing France's star-studded attacking line-up, which includes not only Kylian Mbappe, who has scored four times already in this tournament, but also Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, scorer of a hat-trick in the win over Norway in the group stage.

- 'Quality all over' -

Completing the French trio is Michael Olise, whose runs at defenders have been creating havoc.

With attacking swagger and midfield flair, Les Bleus appear well-placed to reach their third final in as many World Cups.

The only question mark might be their defence -- and Sweden have their own high-profile forward line who will try to unlock it, although Premier League duo Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have not fully fired yet at this tournament.

Sweden coach Graham Potter said his team would have to produce something special to beat France.

"They have quality all over... They have won the World Cup before and they have a fantastic manager," Englishman Potter said Monday.

"An exciting challenge awaits us, and we will have to play the game of our lives, clearly."

Mexico meanwhile have the added bonus of knowing that if they beat Ecuador, they will remain in their capital city to face the winner of the tie between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On a dramatic day of action Monday, Paraguay stunned Germany in a penalty shootout of high drama after holding them to a 1-1 draw after extra time in Foxborough.

"This qualification is for all Paraguayans who believed in us," coach Gustavo Alfaro said -- and Paraguay's president called a national holiday to celebrate.

In Germany there was soul-searching about the slide of the four-time champions since they last won the tournament in 2014.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann has shouldered much of the blame, with German football magazine Kicker calling the defeat a "damning indictment and proof that Germany is drifting further and further away from the world's elite in football".

Morocco won their own shootout to eliminate the Netherlands after an enthralling contest in Monterrey as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved the Netherlands' fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville.

Then striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning effort for the Atlas Lions.

And Brazil came from behind to overcome Japan 2-1 to advance to Sunday's date with Norway.

U.Chen--ThChM