They were held up by an electric storm but, after it had cleared, Mexico simply kept the lightning bolts coming. El Tri have broken a hex that had gnawed at the nation’s football psyche for years, winning a World Cup knockout game for the first time since 1986, and the head turner will be the manner in which it happened. Javier Aguirre’s players cut …

The legendary Spanish ace reignited an old rivalry by snubbing Roger Federer and instead selecting Novak Djokovic in a top 10 list.

Julian Quinones times his run to perfection before rifling home a fierce shot to give Mexico the lead against Ecuador in their round of 32 World Cup match.

Mora is one of world football’s hottest prospects and was superb in Mexico’s last-32 victory

Former DRC defender Gabriel Zakuani is better placed than most to have a view on Wednesday’s game, and feels it won’t be as straightforward as some thinkIt took Gabriel Zakuani less than five seconds to turn down an offer to co-commentate on the showdown between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and England in the last 32 of the World Cup. The former …

The Socceroos have never gone to spot kicks in a men’s World Cup but can turn to strategies as they prepare for the last-32 clash with Egypt⚽️ How and where to watch the Socceroos games in Australia⚽️ Full Socceroos coverage | Player guideGermany know it. So do the Netherlands. The pain of the penalty shootout is the cruellest fate in football, the …

Despite the chances of victory in normal time being 73.9%, Sébastien Desabre has changed his approach for stronger teams such as EnglandEngland head into their match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) expecting to win. Opta rates their chances of victory in normal time at 73.9%. Yet the tactics deployed by the DRC manager, Sébastien …

England manager Thomas Tuchel had revealed that his team will follow his predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate's penalty shootout blueprint at the World Cup.

France boss Didier Deschamps urges caution despite watching his side dismantle Sweden to leave Les Bleus fans dreaming of winning the World Cup.

JACK GAUGHAN: Thomas Tuchel has this intelligence that alarms the very best in class, forces them to second guess themselves. This is what England and the FA have at their disposal.

Cadan Murley is set to beat Noah Caluori in the race to partner Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in England's backline against the Springboks.

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: I saw two shootouts in Boston on Monday night. Unfortunately, the one that will stay longest in the memory didn't involve Paraguay and Germany or any of their penalties.

Rudi Garcia railed against criticism of his side, who face Senegal in the last 32 with a spring in their step after the 5-1 hammering of New ZealandBelgium had just beaten New Zealand 5-1 to secure top spot in Group G and, at least in theory, an easier last-32 draw, but Rudi Garcia was evidently irked. In response to the first question in a curt post-match …

Serena Williams loses on her singles return to Wimbledon - but what can we expect next from the tennis legend?

With comeback tour likely to continue, can legend roll back the years and do the impossible?

Kylian Mbappe becomes the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup knockout matches with after scoring twice as France crusie past Sweden 3-0 to set up a last-16 tie with Paraguay.

The US have used outside companies, including one measuring players’ brainwaves, to help them determine who will shoot in a shootoutWho would the US need to beat to win the World Cup?There is perhaps nothing more polarizing in the game of football than a penalty shootout. But however you feel about them, you can’t deny the drama involved, which was on …

The shadow of Iceland 2016 is all the warning England should need not to take for granted a winnable-looking first knockout game of the tournamentIt was the 10th anniversary last Saturday of the Iceland debacle. Kolbeinn Sigthórsson’s winner sliding underneath Joe Hart’s dive, Wayne Rooney chugging away in midfield, Harry Kane taking corners, and Roy …

Gary Neville says France are "a level above" any other team at the World Cup after they cruised to a 3-0 win against Sweden in the round of 32.