Norway, Haaland celebrate World Cup victory over Ivory Coast
USAT’s Jon Arnold breaks down the win for Norway over Ivory Coast as they progress to the round fo 16 stage of the World Cup.
Sports Seriously
Editor’s note: The Mexico-Ecuador game has been delayed due to inclement weather. Keep up with the Mexico-Ecuador game once it gets going with our live blog, here.
MEXICO CITY — Raúl Rangel walked onto the pitch at Estadio Azteca for warmups, took a knee at the goal line, pressed the Trionda to his forehead and closed his eyes in prayer.
After he subbed out late in Mexico’s 3-0 rout of Czechia to give Memo Ochoa his proper send-off and close out the group stage, “Tala” is back on goal for El Tri against Ecuador on Tuesday night.
Rangel emerged as one of the biggest heroes of the group stage in Mexico’s second match against South Korea in Guadalajara, when he made as incredible a double save as could be seen to preserve a late lead.
In the 88th minute, Korea forward Cho Gue-Sung received a cross in the box and fired a header on goal. Rangel was right there to get a stop with his right foot as he dove to the ground. The ball went right to Yang Hyun-Jun for the follow, but Rangel was somehow able to get back up to a seated position, stick his right arm out and get a hand on the ball milliseconds before it could cross the plane.
After Rangel’s miraculous game-saving play was confirmed via replay, Estadio Akron broke out into another chorus.
“Olé, Olé, Olé! Tala! Tala!“
Mexico went on to win 1-0, clinching its group outright for the first time since 2002.
“Congratulations to the fans here in Jalisco,” manager Javier Aguirre said. “They’ve treated us since we got here in a fantastic way, and today you saw the passion of the people. The push it gives you.”
Rangel has been an integral part of Mexico’s defense, along with the back line, which has yet to concede a single goal through three matches. El Tri has only allowed two goals in all of 2026.
See More: https://www.ubirataonline.com.br
