Raul Jimenez scored his second goal of the World Cup to give Mexico a mouth-watering round of 16 tie with England at Estadio Azteca.
The Mexican sensation was back for the home side in the first round of knockout matches, while his Wolves teammates David Moller Woolf, Jose Sa and Sasa Kalajdzic were also looking to join him in the last 16 matches.
Although the first two, Kalajdzic and Austria, made it, their push for the final came to an end at the hands of one of the competition favorites, Spain.
Raul Jimenez | Mexico – Ecuador 2:0
Mexico returned to the historic Estadio Azteca for their Round of 16 clash with Ecuador, with Jimenez’s side continuing their incredible record at the stadium by beating their South American opponents. Wolves number nine had a chance to open the scoring early on but could only fire a shot on target before Julian Quinones scored for the World Cup hosts in the 22nd minute. However, Wolverhampton fans who stayed up late watching the match on Wednesday morning didn’t have to wait long for Jimenez to score two goals for his country, as well as two for him in the tournament, as he latched on to Quinones pass just outside the box before firing the outside of his boot into the top corner of the net. Without conceding a single goal at this summer’s World Cup, Mexico held strong to secure victory and progress to the round of 16.
David Moller Wolf | Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway
David Moller Wolf will join Jimenez in the round of 16 after Norway overcame the Ivory Coast scare to become the first Norwegian team to win a World Cup knockout stage. The Wolverhampton defender played a key role in his side’s progress, making an excellent move in the build-up to Norway’s first goal in the 39th minute when his shot into the box created space on the left for Antonia Nusa to fire into the top corner. His former Wolves team-mate Emmanuel Agbadu had a chance to bring Ivory Coast back to a draw before Amadou Diallo equalized in the 74th minute. But, as often happens in Norway, Erling Haaland became the hero of his country, scoring the winning goal moments before normal time.
Sasha Kalajdzic | Spain – Austria 3:0
With his first touch after coming off the bench for Austria, who had trailed 1-0 in their last 32 matches against Spain, Sasa Kalajdzic almost brought his country back to an even playing field. The Old Gold forward burst onto the scene with just 30 minutes remaining in the Los Angeles match and rose highest after crossing into the box just a minute after coming on, only for his header to sail just over the crossbar. Unfortunately for Kalajdzic, there was no last-minute rescue effort as he did last time out against Algeria as Spain ran out 3-0 winners to send Austria home.
Jose Sa | Portugal 2-1 Croatia
Jose Sa was once again an unused substitute for Portugal as his side secured progress to the last 16 after an entertaining second half against Croatia in Toronto. After a goalless first half, the tie came alive after the break with Ivan Perisic opening the scoring for Croatia before Portugal turned the game on its head when Cristiano Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot and Goncalo Ramos headed into the far corner of the goal in stoppage time. There was still time for some late drama, like in ’13.th A minute into stoppage time Croatia thought they had leveled the score through an own goal from former Wolverhampton captain Ruben Neves, but an offside call came to Portugal’s rescue and helped Sa’s team play in the last 16 with Spain.
Soon
Wolfe will play first in the round of 16, with Norway taking on Brazil at 9pm on Sunday night in New York/New Jersey, before Jimenez and Mexico face England four hours later, with their draw in Mexico City starting at 1am on Monday morning. Wolves are also interested in Portugal’s clash with Spain at 8pm on Monday night and Sa is hoping to get his first chance at the tournament this summer.