Day of comebacks favours European sides as old teammates collide in historic clash

Day of comebacks favours European sides as old teammates collide in historic clash The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage has already lived up to expectations, delivering drama, controversy and no shortage of unforgettable moments. Belgium staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Cup history, fighting back from a two-goal deficit to overcome Senegal after extra time at Lumen Field in Seattle. Rudi Garcia’s men were trailing the Indomitable Lions by two goals heading into the last five minutes, only for a quick-fire double from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to bring the Red Devils back on level terms. When it looked like the tie would go to penalties, referee Said Martinez awarded a controversial penalty to Belgium in the 125th minute, with Tielemans beating Mory Diaw to send his side through to the round of 16. Stay with us as we bring you the biggest stories from the World Cup knockout stage. Kane spares England’s blushes Captain Harry Kane bailed England out of trouble in Wednesday’s nerve-wracking last-32 tie against DR Congo, helping his side overturn a narrow deficit in the last 15 minutes and secure a 2-1 victory at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Question marks were hovering over Thomas Tuchel’s head after England’s unenviable performances in the group stage, and Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener did little to ease the growing pressure. Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa spurned a golden chance to double Congo’s lead on the stroke of half-time, offering the Three Lions a lifeline, but they were not quick to take it. Instead, the Euro 2024 runners-up had to wait until the 75th minute to level the score, and who else but Kane to answer the call, rising highest to steer home a pinpoint cross and drag his team back from the abyss. Barcelona newcomer Anthony Gordon lifted a hopeful ball into the six-yard box, with the Bayern Munich striker beating Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi with a thumping header. England’s all-time top scorer then produced a moment of magic to turn the game on its head all by himself, unleashing a thunderbolt into the roof of the net in the 85th minute to complete the turnaround. Tuchel’s charges may have avoided a major upset in Atlanta, yet they’ll have to do much better if they’re to overcome co-hosts Mexico in the round of 16, especially considering the two sides are set to trade tackles at the iconic Azteca. Time for Barcelona prodigy to show what he’s made of Lamine Yamal scored in his first World Cup start as Spain obliterated Saudi Arabia 4-0 on matchday two, but that’s where his impact ended in La Furia Roja’s relatively uninspiring group stage campaign. Despite reaching the knockouts as one of only two teams to keep clean sheets in all three group matches, Spain often lacked creativity and cutting edge in the final third, a stark contrast to the fluent attacking football that defined their Euro 2024 campaign. Yamal, who was Spain’s standout performer in that tournament, arrived in North America with a minor injury, but now is the time for the 18-year-old sensation to remind everyone why he is widely regarded as one of football’s brightest stars. Luis de la Fuente’s side ended their Group H journey with a narrow 1-0 win over Uruguay, extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches, which bodes well as they face Austria at a World Cup for the first time since 1978. Though they lost on that occasion, the Iberian giants have remained unbeaten in their last five meetings with Das Team, who return to the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 1954 while chasing their first clean sheet at the tournament since 1982. Stopping Yamal may not be enough to register a long-awaited shutout. Real Sociedad long-serving stalwart Mikel Oyarzabal has been in scintillating form for his country, making an eye-catching 22 goal contributions across his last 15 international starts. Old teammates meet in career-defining clash Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric lined up together 222 times at Real Madrid, forming part of the most successful generation in the club’s history. However, the two football greats will renew acquaintances from opposite ends of the pitch when Portugal and Croatia lock horns in a mouth-watering last-32 tie at Toronto’s BMO Field. At 41, Ronaldo is fully aware that opportunities to lift the World Cup are running out, making this summer’s tournament perhaps his final shot at completing football’s ultimate collection of honours. Modric, who led Croatia to the 2018 final and inspired them to a third-place finish in Qatar four years later, is equally determined to seize what will be his last chance to crown a stellar international career with football’s most coveted prize. Only one of them will keep that dream alive after this match, adding another layer of intrigue to what could be one of the most emotional knockout fixtures in World Cup history. Ronaldo may not be ready to let go of his dream even if Roberto Martinez’s men fall short, but Modric has already announced that he will retire from international football once Croatia’s tournament life comes to an end. With legacies already secured and time no longer on their side, this showdown may ultimately come down to which icon can summon one more unforgettable moment on the grandest stage. All we can do is sit back and savour this historic encounter. Top football stories It looks like England will need a refund on tournament master Thomas Tuchel In a World Cup of chaos, France look unstoppable Tottenham agree £100m deal to buy Sandro Tonali from Newcastle Football Today features How the underdogs are faring at the World Cup Harry Kane rescues England with late double to sink DR Congo and book Mexico showdown Would a rejuvenated Juventus help ease Italy’s qualification woes? What to watch Ronaldo is already lagging well behind his arch-nemesis Lionel Messi and France captain Kylian Mbappe, with the Al-Nassr forward drawing a blank in two of Portugal’s three Group K matches. His brace against Uzbekistan briefly settled fans’ nerves, but after another near-anonymous performance in a scoreless draw against Colombia, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has a point to prove. Motivation will not be in short supply as Ronaldo aims to end a gut-wrenching eight-game drought in World Cup knockout fixtures, during which he mustered as many as 29 attempts on goal. The most prolific goalscorer in men’s international football has forged his reputation in these high-octane moments, and few would bet against him producing another historic display when it matters most.