United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino embraces United States’ Folarin Balogun. (AP Photo)

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has thrown his full support behind FIFA’s extraordinary decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, insisting the ruling upheld the principles of “ethics and integrity” as the co-hosts prepare for a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash against Belgium.The decision, which also prompted US President Donald Trump to publicly thank FIFA, has become one of the most controversial talking points of the tournament, with Belgium threatening to explore legal options and several coaches questioning the precedent it sets.

‘Everyone should celebrate’: Pochettino defends FIFA ruling

Speaking ahead of Monday’s knockout encounter, Pochettino welcomed FIFA’s move to make Balogun available after the striker’s controversial red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.“I think everyone who really looked at the sport and trusts in ethics and integrity should celebrate that decision,” Pochettino told reporters.The former Argentina international argued that the United States had already suffered enough during its 2-0 Round of 32 victory, when Balogun was dismissed in the 64th minute after a VAR review.“We were punished enough against Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing with 10 men for 35 minutes after a decision that was completely unfair,” he said.Pochettino also said he was not surprised that President Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to seek a review of the incident.“I came from a culture, Argentina or Europe, that football, soccer is a religion, more than the religion,” Pochettino said. “If we keep going, pushing on, maybe one step more tomorrow you will see that the sport is magic, that the sport is amazing, is so powerful, unite people, unite a country like us.”

Referee Raphael Claus shows a red card to United States’ Folarin Balogun (R). (AP Photo)

Trump welcomes reversal; Belgium fume

According to reports, Trump called Infantino after the Bosnia match to request that FIFA review the red card shown to Balogun, who is the United States’ leading scorer with three goals at the tournament.Following FIFA’s announcement, Trump praised the governing body on social media.“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” he wrote.FIFA said the suspension had been lifted under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, placing Balogun on a one-year probationary period. Should he commit a similar offence during that period, the suspended sanction would automatically come into effect.The move appears to be the first time since the 1962 World Cup that a player sent off during the tournament has avoided serving the automatic suspension.

Belgium questions legality of decision

The Royal Belgian Football Association reacted angrily, describing itself as “astonished” by FIFA’s ruling and questioning its legal basis.While acknowledging FIFA’s reliance on Article 27, the RBFA argued that Article 66.4 of the Disciplinary Code clearly mandates an automatic suspension after a red card, noting that every other dismissal at this World Cup has resulted in a one-match ban.Belgium coach Rudi Garcia also mocked the timing of the decision.“I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the fifth of July was the first of April in Europe,” Garcia quipped, likening the ruling to an April Fools’ joke.The Belgian federation said it is exploring “all potential options” to protect “the fundamental principles of fair play,” while Norway coach Ståle Solbakken warned the ruling could create a dangerous precedent for future disciplinary decisions.

One of the tournament’s instant classics unfolded Sunday at the historic Estadio Azteca, where 87,500 screaming fans created a deafening atmosphere.

England weathered the storm, silencing the sea of green with a ruthless finishing display to escape with a dramatic 3-2 victory.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane combined to crush El Tri’s World Cup dreams. El Tri is a popular nickname for the Mexican men’s national team. 

WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32 SOCCER PREVIEW AS ENGLAND, BELGIUM AND USA ALL SEEK REGULATION WINS ON A PACKED DAY

England’s Harry Kane buries a penalty kick to score his second goal against Mexico. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) ((Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images))

In a stunning two-minute span in the first half, Bellingham struck twice, leaving Mexico’s defense completely shell-shocked.

But before halftime, Julian Quinones gave El Tri a lifeline. He buried a clutch goal, trimming the deficit to 2-1.

The second half was as electric as the first.

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In the 53rd minute, England went down to 10 men after Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card. Suddenly, the momentum appeared to swing in Mexico’s favor.

England’s Jude Bellingham clears the danger as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford celebrates the crucial defensive stop. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) ((Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images))

Instead of capitalizing on the numerical advantage, however, Mexico gifted England a golden opportunity.

Goalkeeper Raul Rangel recklessly brought down Anthony Gordon inside the penalty area, conceding a spot kick. Captain Harry Kane calmly stepped up and buried the penalty, restoring England’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Still, Mexico refused to fold.

In the 69th minute, the referee pointed to the spot once again, awarding Mexico a penalty after another frantic sequence inside England’s box.

Raul Jimenez confidently converted, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and setting up an edgy finish.

England’s Jude Bellingham (left) reacts after Mexico’s Julian Quinones scores their side’s first goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico. Picture date: Sunday July 5, 2026. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) ((Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images))

From there, England dug in, despite being down to 10 men. England absorbed wave after wave of Mexican pressure before hanging on for a gritty 3-2 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals against Norway.

England booked its place in the quarterfinals and handed Mexico its first-ever World Cup defeat at the Estadio.

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Traveling England supporters celebrated by belting out “Wonderwall” one more time.

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England’s Jude Bellingham (10) celebrates after scoring his second goal (AP Photo)

England survived a hostile atmosphere, a second-half red card and relentless late pressure to defeat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday, booking their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. The victory sends the Three Lions into the last eight for the third consecutive World Cup, where they will meet Erling Haaland’s Norway in Miami Gardens on Saturday with a place in the semi-finals at stake. In one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament, Jude Bellingham proved the difference with two goals in the space of just 98 seconds during the first half before Harry Kane converted a crucial penalty despite England playing with 10 men. The match, played in front of more than 80,000 spectators at the iconic Azteca Stadium, also featured a weather delay of nearly an hour before England emerged victorious in one of the toughest environments of the competition. Mexico entered the contest unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at the Azteca, including three victories during this tournament, but England ended that remarkable record. Bellingham silenced the home crowd in the 36th minute by powering home a header before striking again just two minutes later after being set up by Kane, putting England firmly in control. Mexico refused to fold, with Julián Quiñones reducing the deficit in the 42nd minute to ensure the hosts remained firmly in the contest heading into half-time. The momentum appeared to swing decisively in Mexico’s favour nine minutes after the restart when England defender Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for a dangerous challenge on Jesús Gallardo. Quansah became only the fourth England player to be sent off at a FIFA World Cup and the first since Wayne Rooney’s dismissal in 2006. Ray Wilkins in 1986 and David Beckham in 1998 are the only other England players to have received red cards at the tournament. With England reduced to 10 men, head coach Thomas Tuchel responded by replacing Bukayo Saka with John Stones to reinforce his defence. Despite the numerical disadvantage, England struck again in the 60th minute when Anthony Gordon was brought down inside the penalty area by Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel. Kane calmly converted from the spot for his sixth goal of the tournament and the 14th World Cup goal of his career, drawing level with West Germany legend Gerd Müller for fifth on the competition’s all-time scoring list. Kane’s sixth goal of the tournament also moved him to within one strike of Golden Boot leaders Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. The England captain also made unwanted World Cup history later in the contest by conceding a penalty, becoming the first player since at least 1966 to both score and give away a penalty in the same World Cup match. Raúl Jiménez converted with a trademark stutter-step run-up to cut England’s lead to 3-2 and set up a tense finale. Mexico threw everything forward over the final 21 minutes, along with 11 minutes of stoppage time, but Jordan Pickford and England’s defence withstood wave after wave of pressure to preserve their narrow advantage. The defeat extended Mexico’s frustrating World Cup record in the knockout rounds. El Tri have now been eliminated in the round of 16 eight times since reaching the quarter-finals while hosting the 1986 tournament. Their only other appearance beyond the last 16 came when they hosted the World Cup in 1970. Despite enjoying a one-man advantage for much of the second half and receiving passionate backing from the home crowd, Mexico were unable to find a decisive equaliser as England marched into another World Cup quarter-final.

AEW fan-favorite Adam Cole has been away from the Tony Khan-led promotion’s programming for almost a year now. In the midst of his ongoing absence, the company’s official social media handle recently wished the multi-time former champion on a significant personal occasion.

Adam Cole was initially scheduled to defend his TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher last year at All In: Texas. However, ahead of the pay-per-view, news broke that The Panama City Playboy would be unable to compete in the Globe Life Field Stadium due to his health issues. The Paragon member appeared in person during the event as well to relinquish his TNT Title in the middle of the ring, cutting an emotional promo to inform fans that he had to step away from action indefinitely, and thanking them for their years of support.

Cole has not competed since he and his long-time teammates Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly defeated the Don Callis Family’s Kyle Fletcher and RPG Vice in a trios bout on the July 10 edition of AEW Collision. It has been speculated that the former WWE superstar may be effectively retired from the squared circle, with a report from this past April claiming that the Jacksonville-based promotion did not have any creative plans for him at the time.

While he remains on hiatus, Cole celebrated his 37th birthday this week on Sunday (July 5). AEW’s X/Twitter profile posted a graphic for the star several hours ago to wish him on the happy occasion.

“Happy Birthday @AdamColePro !”- posted the company’s X handle.

Sportskeeda joins All Elite Wrestling and the rest of the wrestling world in wishing Adam Cole the happiest of returns for his birthday.

AEW “Founding Fathers” The Young Bucks’ latest update on Adam Cole

During a live QnA session on the official channel of their renowned YouTube show Being The Elite from this past June, The Young Bucks provided a health update on their long-time ally and friend, Adam Cole. The Jackson Brothers noted that the former AEW TNT and WWE NXT Champion’s recovery was progressing on a day to day basis, and that the latter was actually seeing improvements.

“Adam, we love you. It’s step by step. He’s just trying to take it day by day. He’s having improvements, which is good. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He’s the best person I’ve ever met in wrestling business,” he said. [H/T – Drainmaker’s X]

It remains to be seen whether and when Cole might return to All Elite Wrestling.