Thanks for joining us for another day of World Cup coverage.

Here's a recap on some of the topics we have looked at today:

• Morocco see off Netherlands in dramatic shootout
• National holiday after Paraguay penalty shootout victory
• Will Nagelsmann last as Germany boss?
• 'Crafty Carlo' sparks Brazil into life
• Can anybody stop France going all the way?
• Haaland set to return for Norway
• Can Mexico make home advantage count?

Don't forget you can watch and listen to Ivory Coast v Norway on BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio 5 Live tonight, as well as keeping across all the action on the BBC Sport website.

We'll be back tomorrow for more football fun, including build-up to England's round of 32 tie with DR Congo.

See you then!

Chris Sutton
Former England forward

Image source, Getty Images

Everyone is talking about whether it will be England versus Mexico in the last 16, but Mexico have to get through this tie first - as do England against DR Congo.

Yes, Mexico are at home again but the high altitude won't bother Ecuador - they play their home matches in Quito, which is even further above sea level.

Ecuador don't concede a lot and will be full of confidence after beating Germany, but Mexico have had a great tournament so far and their feel-good factor - and their fans - should help see them through.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

AI's prediction: 1-2 after extra time.

Ecuador reached the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup by finishing third in Group E with four points and qualifying as one of the best third‑placed teams.

Ecuador's campaign started with a tight 1–0 defeat to Ivory Coast, putting early pressure on them.

Frustrations increased after a 0-0 draw with Curacao, which saw Curacao goalkeeper make a record breaking 15 saves from Ecuador's 27 shots.

The group stage ended in positive fashion after they came from behind to beat Germany 2-1, with a 77th minute winner from Gonzalo Plata.

The third-place finish leaped Ecuador into the knockout rounds for the first time in 20 years.

Image source, Getty Images

Mexico reached the 2026 World Cup round of 32 by delivering a flawless group‑stage performance that saw them top Group A with nine points.

The first game at this World Cup and for Mexico began with a controlled 2-0 win over South Africa, showing early defensive stability and sharp finishing.

The second match ended with a tight 1-0 victory over South Korea, which mathematically secured qualification with a game to spare.

Mexico then closed the group in style by beating Czech Republic 3-0 and made their home soil advantage count.

Mexico scored six goals, and didn't concede once in the group stage.

Are they the real dark horses?

Mexico played all three of their group‑stage games on home soil, in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

They will play their third game at the Azteca Stadium against Ecuador and are set to remain in Mexico City again if they reach the round of 16 - which could be against England.

Mexico reached the quarter‑finals, their best World Cup performance, in 1970 and 1986 - the two previous editions held on home soil.

In every tournament from 1994 to 2018, they were eliminated in the round of 16.

Gerardo Torrado is a Mexican football legend and the sixth most-capped player in El Tri‘s history, having made 147 appearances for his country and played in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Torrado told Fifa he sees "considerable potential" in Mexico’s team.

"What I see is a solid, balanced team. Aguirre has also involved almost his entire squad, reflecting healthy competition for places and the depth at his disposal," said Torrado.

"That can make all the difference at the World Cup, given the heavy workload players take on as the tournament progresses.

"Having finished top of the group, Mexico will have the home advantage, which could prove valuable,” he added.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Sutton
Former England forward

I am at this game, and it is a very tough one to call - although there will definitely be a few goals in it.

Erling Haaland is chasing the Golden Boot and was one of the players Norway rested against France when they were already through from a tricky group.

He will be hard to stop. But Ivory Coast carry a threat too, whoever they pick up front.

It could turn out to be a thriller and it might take penalties to decide it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2 after extra time. Norway to win on penalties

AI's prediction: 2-2 after extra time. Ivory Coast to win on penalties

Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande would prefer to join Paris St-Germain, as the French club aim to agree a deal with RB Leipzig in the coming weeks.

Liverpool had an initial bid of £69m, plus £17m in add-ons, rejected this month for the 19-year-old.

Leipzig are expected to demand about £129m for Diomande, who joined from Spanish club Leganes last summer on a five-year deal.

The club insist they are under under no financial pressure to sell, and are prepared to offer Diomande an improved contract to keep him for at least another season.

Image source, Getty Images

Ivory Coast qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time ever by finishing second in Group E.

The Elephants are one of the record nine African teams to reach the round of 32 and have won five of their last six games in all competitions.

Ivory Coast have won only one of their last five World Cup matches against European teams (W1 D1 L3).

Norway, meanwhile, have lost just two of their 19 matches against African nations in all competitions (W9 D8 L2).

Image source, Getty Images

Ivory Coast reached the World Cup round of 32 by finishing second in Group E with six points, marking the first knockout‑stage qualification in their history.

Their campaign opened with a last minute 1-0 win over Ecuador, followed by a narrow 2-1 loss to Germany.

They sealed their place as group runners-up with a composed 2-0 victory over Curacao, powered by a Nicolas Pepe brace.

At his first major international tournament, Erling Haaland has already scored four goals in two appearances against Iraq and Senegal, twice in both games.

All of his 10 shots at the World Cup have been first-time efforts, with seven of them on target.

He touched the ball just 42 times against Iraq and Senegal, the fewest of any Norwegian to complete both games, and is averaging a goal every 10.5 touches.

Haaland has now struck at least once in each of his last 12 competitive appearances for Norway.

“I’m just really good at scoring goals. I don’t know what I’m doing, but that’s just how it is,” said Haaland.

Will he be on the scoresheet again this evening?

Image source, Getty Images

Norway reached the World Cup round of 32 by finishing second in Group I with six points.

They opened with a dominant 4-1 win over Iraq, then followed it up with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Senegal, where Erling Haaland scored a brace to secure qualification with a game to spare.

With their knockout spot already confirmed, Norway heavily rotated their squad for the final group match against France, resting the likes of Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

The weakened side lost 4-1, but their earlier wins ensured they still finished as runners‑up behind France.

After already securing a spot in the round of 32, Norway boss Stale Solbakken decided to leave Erling Haaland on the bench in their 4-1 defeat to France.

“It would have made no sense to play [Haaland] and risk him getting an injury,” said Solbakken. “I have no regrets. I stand 100% behind the decision I made.”

Haaland is fully expected to return to the starting line-up against Ivory Coast and will be hoping to add to his four goals at the tournament and stay in the Golden Boot race.

Image source, Getty Images

On to the day's first tie, Ivory Coast v Norway...