{"id":744930,"date":"2026-07-05T17:11:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T17:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/744930\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T17:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T17:11:15","slug":"meet-the-defining-soccer-rivalry-on-display-in-todays-world-cup-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/744930\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the defining soccer rivalry on display in today\u2019s World Cup action"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n I think this is the most exciting day of fixtures since the 2026 World Cup began. We have tournament heavyweights, dark horses, superstar players and one of the most incredible stadiums in the world to talk about in today\u2019s offering.\n <\/p>\n

\n Brazil, England, Norway and Mexico will all hope to follow France and Morocco into the quarterfinals and avoid the heartbreak felt by Canada and Paraguay yesterday.\n <\/p>\n

\n But first, let\u2019s focus on a rivalry that\u2019s been bubbling away for a couple of seasons now. One that sees arguably the best defender in the world come up against the best attacker.\n <\/p>\n

The Main Thing: It\u2019s almost time for Erling Haaland and Gabriel to face off<\/p>\n

\n When it was clear Brazil would face Norway in the Round of 16, those in the know instantly thought about two players and one ongoing rivalry.\n <\/p>\n

\n In the blue corner we have Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalh\u00e3es and in the red corner we have Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland. With those two on the same pitch, we can expect fireworks.\n <\/p>\n

\n Both are familiar foes, clashing on several occasions when playing for their club teams in the Premier League.\n <\/p>\n

\n For Arsenal, Gabriel is the immovable object at the back. He\u2019s a wily and aggressive player who seems to find motivation in physical battles with the striker he\u2019s marking. Then you have Manchester City\u2019s Haaland, a colossus of a man with a personality just as big. He\u2019s the natural-born goalscorer that fans are willing to pay thousands to watch.\n <\/p>\n

\n The pair has engaged in some titanic battles in the league, with the rivalry often tipping over into the realm of hostility. There is no doubt the two players have huge respect for one another, but I can\u2019t imagine they\u2019re on each other\u2019s Christmas card list.\n <\/p>\n

\"Erling<\/p>\n

\n The tensions started to properly show back in 2024, when Haaland threw the ball into the back of Gabriel\u2019s head while celebrating a late Manchester City equalizer. The two had been battling all game and the Norwegian got the last laugh on that occasion.\n <\/p>\n

\n Five months later, the roles were reversed. This time, Arsenal popped City 5-1 and Gabriel very much enjoyed laughing and celebrating in Haaland\u2019s face. It started a feud that\u2019s rumbled on ever since.\n <\/p>\n

\n Just a few months ago in April, Gabriel was lucky not to be sent off after appearing to throw his head towards Haaland. Much to his credit, the big Norwegian didn\u2019t fall to the ground, so his rival was saved a potential red card.\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s just a fantastically prickly relationship in general. They\u2019ve squared up to each other countless times, pushed each other around and genuinely been great entertainment whenever they\u2019ve come face to face. They\u2019ve also taken little jibes at each other off the pitch \u2013 all in what appears to be good humor.\n <\/p>\n

\n What makes the rivalry even better is that both are at the very top of their game. Gabriel has become one of the most reliable defenders in world soccer, while Haaland is simply extraordinary.\n <\/p>\n

\n Today marks a new and an international chapter in the love-hate relationship. Whoever gets the better of the other might determine which country heads into the quarterfinals and which team\u2019s World Cup dream is over.\n <\/p>\n

\n Given Haaland has already scored five goals in what is his first World Cup, Gabriel will have his hands full. Time to kick back with a box of popcorn.\n <\/p>\n

\"Vinicius<\/p>\n

\n When? 4 p.m. ET\n <\/p>\n

\n Where? New York\/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA\n <\/p>\n

\n By CNN\u2019s Emile Nuh\n <\/p>\n

\n Brazil\u2019s quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup crown continues against Norway.\n <\/p>\n

\n Carlo Ancelotti\u2019s side opened with an underwhelming 1-1 draw against Morocco but responded with two 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland to top Group C on goal difference.\n <\/p>\n

\n The Round of 32 was far less routine, but Brazil\u2019s 2-1 comeback victory over Japan<\/a> \u2013 sealed by Gabriel Martinelli\u2019s dramatic 95th-minute winner \u2013 showed the Sele\u00e7\u00e3o is up for a fight.\n <\/p>\n

\n This game also pits two of the tournament\u2019s standout players against each other, as Real Madrid star Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior has shone for Brazil with four goals and one assist and Manchester City\u2019s Haaland is firmly in the Golden Boot race with five goals.\n <\/p>\n

\n Haaland was rested for Norway\u2019s final group game against France, as wins over Senegal and Iraq had already secured qualification. But he returned to score the late winner in a 2-1 win<\/a> over Ivory Coast in the Round of 32.\n <\/p>\n

\n If the R\u00f8de, Hvite, Bl\u00e5 are to pull off an upset, their prolific No. 9 will almost certainly be the difference-maker.\n <\/p>\n

\n The winner will face either co-host Mexico or England in the quarterfinal on July 11 in Miami.\n <\/p>\n

\"Canada<\/p>\n

\n \u201cI\u2019d rather be us than them. As good as Morocco is, I\u2019d rather be us.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n Jesse Marsch, Canada head coach, after the team\u2019s loss to Morocco\n <\/p>\n

\n The words of Canada manager Jesse Marsch after his side was beaten 3-0 by Morocco in the Round of 16 yesterday.\n <\/p>\n

\n Marsch was very passionate and clearly very proud of his team after the defeat, and rightly so. Canada, a little unlucky to lose so heavily, has made history this summer after making the knockout rounds for the first time and will have undoubtedly spread joy and inspired a new generation in the country.\n <\/p>\n

\n Still, it\u2019s a hard sell to say you\u2019d rather be a Canada fan this morning. After all, Morocco\u2019s World Cup dream is still alive and kicking.\n <\/p>\n

\n Our CNN Sports colleague Don Riddell spoke with United States midfielder Diego Luna, who missed out on 2026 World Cup selection, about Folarin Balogun\u2019s controversial red card in the USA\u2019s Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.\n <\/p>\n

\"<p>CNN<\/p>\n

Balogun teammate talks disappointment of red card\n <\/p>\n

\"<p>CNN<\/p>\n

Balogun teammate talks disappointment of red card<\/p>\n

2:42<\/p>\n

Mexico vs. England<\/p>\n

\n When? 8 p.m. ET\n <\/p>\n

\n Where? Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), Mexico City, Mexico\n <\/p>\n

\n By CNN\u2019s Emile Nuh\n <\/p>\n

\n Mexico has been one of the standout teams of the tournament and enters this game brimming with confidence.\n <\/p>\n

\n El Tri comfortably topped Group A after notching three wins without conceding a single goal, before beating Ecuador 2-0 in the Round of 32, meaning the Mexican defense is yet to be breached at this tournament.\n <\/p>\n

\n Javier Aguirre\u2019s side is also playing its fifth straight match on home soil \u2013 and fourth at the Estadio Azteca \u2013 and victory here would see Mexico into just its third World Cup quarterfinal, matching its best-ever finish from 1970 and 1986 when it also served as tournament host.\n <\/p>\n

\"Mexico's<\/p>\n

\n England has been far from its best but still won Group L, before edging past DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 thanks to a crucial late brace from captain Harry Kane.\n <\/p>\n

\n But this will be the Three Lions\u2019 toughest test yet.\n <\/p>\n

\n As well as the 2,200-meter (7,350 feet, nearly 1.4-mile) altitude, the Azteca also holds painful memories for England, which was knocked out here by Argentina in the 1986 quarterfinal thanks to both the deviousness (the \u201cHand of God\u201d) and unique brilliance (the \u201cGoal of the Century\u201d) of Diego Maradona in the span of five minutes<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n

\n Thomas Tuchel\u2019s side must overcome the weight of history if it\u2019s to book a quarterfinal spot against Brazil or Norway in Miami on July 11. There had also been what appears to be a last-minute attempt to move the game up earlier in the day. But after a bit of a short soap opera between FIFA and the two federations, the 8 p.m. ET kickoff has been confirmed.\n <\/p>\n

\"General<\/p>\n

\n As well as the heat, the humidity and the altitude, England will also have to battle Mexico\u2019s ridiculous record at the Azteca Stadium.\n <\/p>\n

\n To keep its title dreams alive, the Three Lions will have to do something no one has ever done before: beat Mexico at the Azteca in the World Cup. El Tri has played 10 times at the venue so far across three editions and remains unbeaten \u2013 eight wins and two draws.\n <\/p>\n

\n Mexico\u2019s all-time record at the Azteca is even more impressive, but you have to consider the quality of its opponent in a lot of those matches. A little digging makes it slightly less incredible that it\u2019s lost only twice in official matches at the stadium, per the Associated Press<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n

\n Above anything else, this is one of the world\u2019s greatest soccer arenas. It\u2019s steeped in so much history and has played host to some of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport. Yes, it\u2019s been revamped over the years, but from all accounts, it\u2019s still kept hold of its original spirit and atmosphere.\n <\/p>\n

\n The home advantage might make Mexico the favorite against England. That just wouldn\u2019t be the case in almost any other stadium in the world.\n <\/p>\n

The pubs \u2013 and schools \u2013 are staying open in England<\/p>\n

\n CNN Sports\u2019 Glen Levy fills us in on a great night for English pubs and a tough morning for English school children.\n <\/p>\n

\n Back in England, the country which supposedly gave football to the world, everyone is clearly keeping calm and carrying on during this World Cup run. And while the pubs are staying open late for Sunday night\u2019s England vs. Mexico match, life goes on as normal for a nation of children who would have hoped to watched their heroes.\n <\/p>\n

\n The first problem for the football-mad nation is the Round of 16 match isn\u2019t taking place on Sunday night due to pesky time zones. Instead, try 1:00am local time Monday on for size, which might be the worst possible time of the week for a game to take place. And that is presenting plenty of problems, most notably for people to enjoy watching the game at their local pub.\n <\/p>\n

\n Nobody understands trying to placate the public quite like politicians, and thus outgoing United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer is allowing pubs to stay open until 5:00 a.m. on Monday.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cFootball might be coming home but we\u2019re making sure fans don\u2019t have to,\u201d Starmer said on Thursday, which was a subtle reference to the \u201cThree Lions\u201d song that has soundtracked England fans\u2019 continued pain over the years.\n <\/p>\n

\"England<\/p>\n

\n But while pub-going fans may well be nursing a later than usual Monday hangover, spare a thought for the country\u2019s children, many of whom will be desperate to watch their heroes from home and then ideally spend the rest of Monday dreaming about Harry Kane and co lifting the trophy.\n <\/p>\n

\n But as things stand, England\u2019s youngsters aren\u2019t getting a much-needed assist. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson holds the view that watching the game does not necessarily mean kids should miss school.\n <\/p>\n

\n Understandably, England head coach Thomas Tuchel has implored parents to \u201cwrite an excuse for school and let them watch football,\u201d noting \u201cthere\u2019s so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years. Let them watch.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n (Starmer disagreed, with his spokesperson saying children \u201cshould be in school on Monday,\u201d but did concede that \u201cobviously parents can make their own decisions.\u201d)\n <\/p>\n

\n By the looks of it, the score going into the match is Pubs 1-0 Schools. Can Tuchel\u2019s plea result in beers and cheers all around?\n <\/p>\n

\"Paraguay's<\/p>\n

\n Now, I understand that Paraguay couldn\u2019t just go toe-to-toe with France in yesterday\u2019s Round of 16 clash \u2013 a tie it eventually lost 1-0<\/a>. And, of course, it has every right to get physical and aggressive with the French players in order to throw them off their game. After all, the Albirroja were huge underdogs.\n <\/p>\n

\n But what happened in yesterday\u2019s match was definitely crossing the line.\n <\/p>\n

\n On more than one occasion, the Paraguayan players launched into tackles that could have hurt the recipient. Midfielder Mat\u00edas Galarza was the main culprit. Twice, the 24-year-old lashed out at a French player off the ball; he looked intent on causing chaos.\n <\/p>\n

\n Incredibly, Galarza didn\u2019t pick up a yellow card. If you watched the game, you\u2019d agree that should be impossible. He could have had about five. What\u2019s even more remarkable was not a single Paraguay player was shown a yellow card during regular time, and yet France picked up three.\n <\/p>\n

\n No wonder many on social media were questioning what on earth the referee was watching. In truth, he totally lost control of the game.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cI had never played a match like this, with so many hits,\u201d France midfielder Manu Kon\u00e9 said after the win. \u201cI mean, cheap shots, shoves in the back. So, yes, it was complicated.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s ironic that the only goal came through a penalty for what was a very accidental foul, initially not given by the on-field referee, may I add. But even before Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 was allowed to take the spot-kick, Paraguay\u2019s players were trying to get under his skin. Defender Gustavo Vel\u00e1zquez was even busy trying to scuff up the penalty spot. Naturally, no yellow card was given for that\u2026\n <\/p>\n

\n Paraguay has done brilliantly to get this far and fully deserved to reach the Round of 16, but it was a sad and undignified way to bow out of what was a brilliant summer for the team.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I think this is the most exciting day of fixtures since the 2026 World Cup began. We have…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":744931,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[403,99],"class_list":["post-744930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-soccer","tag-soccer","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/744930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=744930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/744930\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/744931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=744930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=744930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=744930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}