Key events
And another! Norway are heading through. There’s gonna be a lot of rowing routines on the floors of New York bars tonight.
And there’s been a goal in New Jersey, and you’ll never guess who got it:
Rain easing off in Mexico
David Hytner
3.38pm local time/10.38 BST, 5.38pm ET: The rain has massively eased off. Still a bit of thunder to be heard. But feels like we should be OK. (Please read usual disclaimer).
Today’s other big World Cup story: you know how we were all saying how Donald Trump had been mercifully invisible at this tournament …
At the moment there are no suggestions the kick-off will be delayed, although play cannot begin until 30 minutes has passed since lightning was detected within an eight-mile radius.
“Perhaps the Carpenters had it right when they wrote Rainy Days and Mondays,” writes Samuel Dodson, “given the scheduled start time of this match is supposed to be the way those of us in the UK kick off the working week – but all this talk of thunder and lightning is, to quote Queen, very very frightening. What are the chances this storm pulls a Barbra Streisand and rains on our parades and postpones the match?
“And if it is postponed, what advice do you have for those brave enough to venture to the pub in the early hours who may be faced twiddling their thumbs – other than, of course, brainstorming inevitable weather-based football pun headlines? (Although here’s hoping a Hurri-kane force blows this Mexico team away).”
Pubs can technically only stay open till 5am BST, so a delayed kick-off could mean they’re turfing out well lubricated punters just as extra-time’s about to start.
Queiroz quits as Ghana head coach. Bad news for bus-parking fans, with Carlos Queiroz announcing on Sunday he was leaving his job as Ghana coach after they were eliminated from the World Cup at the last-32 stage, AFP reports.
The much-travelled Quieroz, who coached Iran at the last World Cup in Qatar, said: “I leave this journey with pride in what we achieved, but also with the healthy dissatisfaction of those who always wanted more.”
Queiroz urged Ghana to push forward in the future, saying: “The future of the Black Stars will not be built only on the pitch.”
The former Real Madrid coach and Manchester United assistant coach added: “Reaching a higher level should never be the destination – it should be the beginning of even greater ambitions.
“Black Stars success must start off the field, by creating the best possible environment to prepare, protect and develop Ghana’s extraordinary football talent.”
Quieroz was only appointed in April when Otto Addo was dismissed.
In other parts of the World Cup-verse … chances, including a penalty, are being missed, and no goals have been scored. Tom Lutz is at the helm for Brazil v Norway.
England team latest
Jacob Steinberg
Jarell Quansah is expected to start for England at right-back after recovering from a twisted ankle. Djed Spence has a sore calf and is not ready to start, but should be in the squad. Reece James has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue.
Right-back is the big problem position for Thomas Tuchel although he has issues in other areas. Who to play on the wings? None of the wide players have convinced. This time it’s expected to be Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon who get the nod.
Stormy preamble
David Hytner
Evening/afternoon/morning all. This is it. The biggie for England (so far). And I must I’m afraid greet you with reports of thunderstorms in the Mexico City area. Our man on the spot, David Hytner, files this:
The first incredibly loud claps of thunder were heard here at the Azteca at 240pm local time – so a little over three hours before the scheduled kick-off time of 6pm. And it is now absolutely hosing it down with rain. This was very much forecast; hence, the farcical too and froing on Friday afternoon about bringing forward the kick-off by six hours, which ultimately proved impossible. Journalists and photographers have just been told to stay indoors at the stadium media centre. Maybe it is good that the storm has started slightly earlier than advertised giving it more time to clear before 6pm. Then again, I really do not know whether this is true!
