Mexico broke a four-decade drought in the knockout stages of the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador yesterday.Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscriptionGet exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored within nine minutes in the first half to send the co-host through to the round of 16, the country’s first knockout win at the tournament since 1986.The result sparked massive celebrations in Mexico City, with thousands of fans taking to the streets.The team will play another home match on Sunday against the winner of today’s match between England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Also in action yesterday, Norway won a close-fought contest against the Ivory Coast, thanks to Erling Haaland’s winner in the 86th minute to seal a 2-1 victory.The Vikings will meet five-time champion Brazil on Sunday.Tournament favorite France swept Sweden aside 3-0.
The French will play Paraguay in the round of 16 on Saturday.PreviewThe U.S., brimming with confidence after topping its group, enters the knockout round against Bosnia-Herzegovina as the favorite.But history is against the Americans, having never beaten a European side in the World Cup knockouts before.While the U.S.
made it to the semifinals at the inaugural tournament in 1930 by winning its group, its only win in a knockout round came in 2002, when it beat rival Mexico 2-0 before losing to Germany in the quarterfinals.The U.S.is 1-13-7 against European teams since 1990, with the only win coming in 2002 in the group stage opener against Portugal.
The Americans are winless in their last 13 matches against European squads at the tournament since then.Ranked 61st, Bosnia lacks the pedigree of many of those past European opponents and only managed a solitary win in the group stage against soccer minnow Qatar.Auston Trusty of the United States celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the match between Türkiye and the USA at...