Raul Jimenez scored his second World Cup goal to set Mexico up with a mouth-watering last 16 tie with England at the Azteca Stadium.
The Mexican sensation was at it again for the co-hosts in the first round of the knockout matches, while his Wolves teammates David Moller Wolfe, Jose Sa and Sasa Kalajdzic were also hoping to join him in the last 16.
Although the former two did, for Kalajdzic and Austria, their quest to the final came to an end at the hands of one of the competition’s favourites, Spain.
Raul Jimenez | Mexico 2-0 Ecuador
Mexico were back at the historic Azteca for their round of 32 clash with Ecuador, and Jimenez’s side continued their incredible record in the stadium by overpowering their South American opponents. The Wolves number nine had a headed opportunity to open the scoring early on but could only turn his effort wide before Julian Quinones found the net for the World Cup co-hosts on 22 minutes. However, the Wolves fans who had stayed up late to watch the match on Wednesday morning didn’t have to wait long for Jimenez to make it two for his country, as well as two for him at the tournament as he latched onto a Quinones pass just outside the box before lashing a shot with the outside of his boot into the top corner of the net. Having yet to concede a goal at the World Cup this summer, Mexico comfortably held out to secure the victory and passage into the last 16.
David Moller Wolfe | Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
David Moller Wolfe will join Jimenez in the last 16 after Norway overcame a scare in the form of Ivory Coast to become the first ever Norwegian side to win a World Cup knockout fixture. The Wolves defender played a key part in his team’s progression, with a great move in the build up to Norway’s opener on 39 minutes when his run into the box created space on the left for Antonia Nusa to curl his strike into the top corner. His former Wolves teammate Emmanuel Agbadou had a headed chance to get Ivory Coast back into the tie, before the equaliser arrived on 74 minutes through Amad Diallo. But as is often the case for Norway, Erling Haaland was his country’s hero as he pounced on the winning goal just moments before full time.
Sasa Kalajdzic | Spain 3-0 Austria
With his first touch after coming off the bench for Austria who had found themselves 1-0 behind in their last 32 clash with Spain, Sasa Kalajdzic almost put his country back on level terms. The Old Gold forward arrived onto the scene with just 30 minutes remaining in Los Angeles and rose highest from a cross into the box just a minute after coming on but his header flew just over the crossbar. Unfortunately for Kalajdzic, there was no last-minute salvage effort like he achieved last time out against Algeria, with Spain running out 3-0 winners to send Austria home.
Jose Sa | Portugal 2-1 Croatia
Jose Sa was once again an unused substitute for Portugal as his country secured their passage into the round of 16 after an entertaining second half against Croatia in Toronto. Following a goalless first half, the tie burst into life after the break, with Ivan Perisic opening the scoring for Croatia before Portugal turned the game on its head when Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot and Goncalo Ramos headed into the far corner of the net in added time. There was still time for some late drama as in the 13th minute of added time, Croatia thought they had snatched an equaliser through an own goal from former Wolves captain Ruben Neves, but the offside flag came to Portugal’s rescue and set Sa’s side up with a last 16 tie against Spain.
Coming up
Wolfe will be playing first in the last 16, with Norway taking on Brazil at 9pm on Sunday evening in New York/New Jersey, before Jimenez and Mexico face England four hours later, with their tie in Mexico City beginning at 1am on Monday morning. There is also Wolves interest in Portugal's clash with Spain – which takes place at 8pm on Monday evening – with Sa hoping to get his first chance at this summer’s tournament.
