A foolish Arsenal star was sent off in the latest World Cup controversy after not learning a lesson already dished out this tournament.
The Gunners ace covered his mouth when speaking to an opponent, despite strict new rules banning this behaviour. Also overnight, Kylian Mbappe continued his extraordinary goalscoring run and England learned who they will face if they can beat DR Congo.
England boss Thomas Tuchel has major injury concerns to deal with ahead of the Three Lions' clash with the African side in the Round of 32. With the full story on all of these issues, here's everything you need to know from Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in our daily World Cup round-up.
Thomas Tuchel is facing an injury crisis
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Thomas Tuchel is facing an injury crisis
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England double injury setback
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed both Jarrell Quansah and Reece James will be absent for England's vital World Cup knockout encounter against DR Congo.
The boss disclosed Quansah twisted his ankle during the 2-0 triumph over Panama, while James remains sidelined with a hamstring problem. It adds further fuel to criticism of the manager for not taking Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold to the tournament.
Having opted for the injury-prone James and Tino Livramento over the former Liverpool fullback, Tuchel then replaced the Newcastle defender with Chelsea centre-back Trevor Chalobah when Livramento had to fly home injured.
There is some good news for Tuchel however, as Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka is anticipated to be available to start.
Ecuador vs Mexico postponed
General view inside the stadium as lightning is seen during a weather delay before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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Lightning disrupted Mexico's match against Ecuador(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
The World Cup knockout showdown between Mexico and Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca was postponed by an hour owing to extreme weather conditions in Mexico City.
The pre-match preparations had to be hastily abandoned when severe thunder and lightning strikes were identified near the stadium.
Mexico successfully secured their spot in the World Cup last 16 with a convincing 2-0 win. First-half goals from Julián Quiñones and Wolves ace Raúl Jiménez made the difference as the hosts capitalised on their home advantage.
If England can overcome DR Congo, that could set up a potential mouthwatering Round of 16 clash next Monday at 1am, when the Three Lions would have to take on the hosts at their legendary Estadio Azteca stadium at high-altitude.
Mexico have never lost in tournament football at their home stadium in Mexico City and their only competitive defeats there have come in World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica in 2001 and, more surprisingly, Honduras in 2013.
Arsenal star sent off
Referee Slavko Vincic of Slovenia speaks to Ecuador's Piero Hincapie before sending him off
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Referee Slavko Vincic of Slovenia speaks to Ecuador's Piero Hincapie before sending him off
Ecuador's frustrations reached boiling point deep into added time when Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie was shown a straight red card following a heated exchange with Mexico's Santiago Gimenez.
The Gunners star was dismissed in line with strict new tournament rules for covering his mouth while speaking to his opponent. He became the second player at the 2026 World Cup to be sent off for covering his mouth.
Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was the first to fall foul of the new rule earlier in the tournament when he was dismissed against Turkey - but Hincapie didn’t appear to have learned any lessons from that incident.
Hincapie was seen arguing with Gimenez, before the pair squared up to each other and touched heads before the referee separated them. Giminez then told the official the Arsenal man had spoken to him with his hand over his mouth.
VAR sent the referee to take a look at the pitchside monitor and he returned to show a red card, much to the delight of the Mexico fans, as Hincapie left the field with a wry smile on his face.
Speaking on ITV, former Premier League midfielder Jobi McAnuff said: "If you are covering your mouth you are clearly saying something you shouldn’t be saying.
"It's a very clear instruction and players all know about it - you can't do it. Clearly he is saying something that he doesn't want to be seen to be saying which is why he has covered his mouth. I am all for it."
France demolish Sweden and Norway edge past Ivory Coast
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 30: Kylian Mbappe #10 of France celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Kylian Mbappe is scoring goals for fun(Image: Al Bello/Getty Images)
France cruised into the last 16 with a comprehensive win against Sweden.
Kylian Mbappe broke the Swedish first-half resistance to open the scoring, before Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target and Paris Saint-Germain hero Bradley Barcola doubled the lead early in the second half.
Mbappe then curled in a third goal, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches - with nine strikes, breaking a tie with Brazilian greats Leonidas and Ronaldo - as France set up a last 16 tie with Paraguay.
The Real Madrid ace has six goals in this year's tournament, bringing him level with Argentina's Lionel Messi.
Another goal machine, Erling Haaland, was on target in a 2-1 win for Norway over Ivory Coast. Antonio Nusa scored a brilliant curling effort to put Norway ahead just before half-time.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who surprisingly did not start, equalised after coming off the bench, but his City rival Haaland tapped home the winner with just four minutes left on the clock.
Norway will face Brazil in last 16 after winning a World Cup knockout match for the first time
FIFA clarifies Germany VAR decision
Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill was fouled before Germany's defender Jonathan Tah scored his disallowed goal
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Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill was fouled before Germany's defender Jonathan Tah scored his disallowed goal
FIFA's head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, has staunchly defended the contentious VAR ruling that saw Germany's late winning goal against Paraguay disallowed, a decision Die Mannschaft boss Julian Nagelsmann branded as a "scandal".
Jonathan Tah's goal was ultimately ruled out because German defender Waldemar Anton was deemed to have deliberately obstructed Paraguay's goalkeeper, Orlando Gill.
Collina clarified that while holding a position is permitted, intentionally moving to hinder an opponent without trying to play the ball will be severely penalised.