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Senior football correspondent in Mexico CityPublished54 minutes ago12 Comments Thomas Tuchel has dismissed concerns over England's treatment in Mexico as they prepare to face the World Cup co-hosts - saying it had been "nicer than I expected" and that home fans were "friendly and respectful". Tuchel's side take on Mexico in a last-16 match that kicks off at 18:00 local time on Sunday (Monday 01:00 BST, live on BBC One, iPlayer and Radio 5 Live). On Saturday, the team were met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from fans as they left their hotel for training under enhanced security measures in Mexico City. Ecuador - beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the World Cup last 32 - lodged a noise complaint with Fifa after fans with loudspeakers, motorbikes and horns disrupted their sleep last week. As a result, members of Mexico's National Guard lined the entrance to England's hotel, while police officers in riot gear stood next to barriers on the road outside. "We had no issues tonight and I think Fifa took care of the situation," head coach Tuchel said. "We have security around the hotel so we expect a good night's sleep. "I don't want to talk about problems that don't exist yet. If they come, we will accept them. The best way to approach is to be relaxed and calm. "We have a six o'clock kick-off, so if we miss some hours of sleep we will have time to get some other hours in the late morning. "What I experienced until now was very respectful and emotional and very supportive to towards our teams so are very respectful towards everyone. We expect to be treated with respect and that was the case. "It was even nicer than I expected." Tuchel said he had felt the energy in Mexico City. "It just catches you straight away once you land here and saw the excitement and the emotions," he said. "This will be a proper World Cup match. We are in an iconic place, an iconic stadium and a massive knockout game. "It is a big stage and we feel it. It makes you sharper and brings the best out of you. It makes you feel alive." Another big talking point has been the altitude in Mexico City - with the Estadio Azteca 7,220ft (2,240m) above sea level. That means the Earth's barometric pressure is lower, making the air thinner and meaning less oxygen is taken into the bloodstream with each breath. This can lead to increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dehydration, and quicker and more intense fatigue. Tuchel said he had felt it since arriving on Saturday evening. "We feel it even if we don't train," he said. "I felt a slight headache through the day, for example. "I didn't sleep as well as the days before but nothing you cannot handle and that you cannot adapt. "The players felt it in the first minutes of the training session and the longer it went they could cope with it better. "It is just what it is. We cannot physically adapt, it is impossible. But we are here one day before to experience it at least. "It is not a coincidence Mexico starts their matches strong and aggressively as the first 15 to 20 minutes maybe the tougher. Once we overcome that, I think we are in a good place. "The players are kind of adapted - you know about the situation. We will take care of what we need to take care of. We need a strong performance and I feel we will have one." Why England won't fear Mexico or the Azteca - Shearer "Inside the bubble it was quite calm," Tuchel said. "The players were not aware there was a possible change of kick-off. "Just this example shows you to not lose your head - we cannot influence it. Three and a half hours later, you land in Mexico and the kick-off time stayed the same. It is not worth losing your head." "Altitude: it is what it is. Home crowd: it is what it is. We have the spirit, we have the commitment, we have the pure will and the glue in the team to overcome these things. We know what is coming. But that is the beauty of it." James doubtful for Mexico tie but Quansah fit again Why England won't fear Mexico or the Azteca - Shearer BBC offers 'Stay Up or Catch Up' for England v Mexico How to turn BBC Sport alerts on or off for England v Mexico

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2858 CommentsUpdated 4 July 2026 England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup after overcoming a scare to beat DR Congo in their first knockout fixture. The Three Lions were rescued by their captain Harry Kane, who scored twice in the last 15 minutes to secure a 2-1 win after Thomas Tuchel's side had gone a goal down. It means England are one step closer to reaching their third major tournament final of the decade. Monday, 6 July - 01:00 BST (live on BBC One and iPlayer, radio and online) England face a tough test in the last 16 as they have the daunting task of going to Mexico to play the tournament co-hosts at the Azteca Stadium. Mexico's competitive record at the iconic venue is 70 wins from 89 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats. They are also unbeaten in 10 World Cup games there. They have been in excellent form at this World Cup, too, with the tournament co-hosts having won all four games, scored eight goals and conceded none. Mexico are ranked ninth in the world and have not lost a competitive fixture since a 2-0 defeat by Honduras in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final in November 2024 - a run of 13 unbeaten matches. They produced a high-energy and intense first half against Ecuador in their last-32 match, establishing a two-goal lead after just half an hour against a side that had not conceded more than one goal in any match in more than two years. The Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, with that kind of altitude potentially causing shortness of breath, increased heart rate and fatigue for players who are not used to it. Five-time winners Brazil are in England's section of the draw and are potential quarter-final opponents. Vinicius Jr and Co topped Group C - knocking out Scotland in the process - but were unconvincing on the one occasion they were truly tested, drawing 1-1 with Morocco in their opening fixture. They needed an injury-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli to beat Japan 2-1 in the last 32, having earlier fallen behind. And Norway , who finished second behind France in Group I, have impressed in their first World Cup appearance since 1998. With Manchester City's Erling Haaland up front, they would pose a significant threat. He scored the late winner as Norway overcame Ivory Coast 2-1 on Tuesday in Dallas, taking him to five goals in three games in his first World Cup and 60 from 53 appearances for his country overall. If England reach this stage, they will be playing in Miami. We're getting a fair bit ahead now, but if England were to make it this far, they could face the defending champions. Perhaps the favourites to reach this stage would be Argentina , who won all three of their group games as Lionel Messi continued to deliver on the biggest stage of all in the month he turned 39, scoring five goals so far. They survived a huge scare in being taken to extra time by surprise package Cape Verde in the last 32, and will face Egypt in the next round. Also in this section of the draw are Colombia , who would face Argentina in the quarter-final if both nations win their next games. They topped their group, ahead of Portugal, having won two of their three matches. They face Switzerland in the last 16. The Swiss have grown into the tournament and won their first knockout game in 88 years in the round of 32. Reaching the semi-final would mean a return for England to Atlanta, where they beat DR Congo in their last-32 match. All 16 teams in the other half of the draw are potential World Cup final opponents for England. The strongest sides who England could not possibly face before the final include 2018 winners and 2022 runners-up France, 2010 victors Spain and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco. France and Morocco will meet in the quarter-finals if they overcome Paraguay and Canada respectively. Spain play Portugal in the last 16, with the winner playing USA or Belgium in the last eight. The final will be held in New Jersey in front of 82,500 fans. England sneak through - but who had a nightmare start? Player ratings United, free and brilliant - can anyone stop France masterclass?

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Switzerland end their 88-year wait for a win in the knockout stage of a World Cup as they beat Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver.

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World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico has reached the knockout stage. Here are the forthcoming games and where you can watch and listen to them in the UK. During the tournament, 54 matches will be shown live on the BBC, including the final on 19 July, with 92 games on BBC Sounds and every single match covered on the BBC Sport website and app. Everything you need to know about the World Cup

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"I still talk to him," Ruben Neves says about Diogo Jota, his close friend and former Porto, Wolves and Portugal team-mate. It is a year since Jota, while a Liverpool player, died in a car accident in Spain, 11 days after marrying his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. His brother Andre Silva was also killed in the accident on 3 July 2025. "Few people know this," Neves, who is wearing Jota's number 21 national shirt at the World Cup, told Portuguese TV show, external Alta Definicao. "We have a WhatsApp group with Rute and Diogo, and it's still there, and we continue to talk there. "Whenever something special happens, I have the conversations archived on my WhatsApp so I can continue to send him messages." Jota, 28, was on his way back to Liverpool for pre-season when the car, a Lamborghini, left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle. He was making the journey to England by car and ferry as doctors had advised the forward, who celebrated winning the Premier League title two months earlier, against flying because he had undergone minor surgery. One year on from his passing, Portugal play Croatia in Toronto on Thursday evening (00:00 BST on Friday morning) for a place in the last 16 at the World Cup. It promises to be a highly emotional occasion for head coach Roberto Martinez, his players and staff, and the thousands of Portugal fans who have flooded into the Canadian city for the match. "Diogo is our sun and our light," says Martinez, who named Jota as an honorary 'plus-one' player when he announced his squad in May. "We want to win the World Cup for him." 'A symbol of hope & inspiration - Jota was a Portuguese hero' He became a symbol of hope and inspiration back home after going from his hometown club Gondomar to Pacos de Ferreira, then to Porto, Wolverhampton and finally Liverpool. Jota's path to stardom was highlighted as a rare case of an elite Portuguese footballer who never spent time at any of the big three academies - Benfica, Sporting and Porto. Just like at Liverpool though, his death has had a profound effect on the national team, for whom he scored 14 times in 49 appearances. As well as carrying the weight of expectation on their shoulders at this tournament, Portugal's players also carry the weight of grief for a team-mate who would have been among them this summer. While his ​absence has been felt deeply, Jota's memory lives on and his presence has been felt at this World Cup, from Houston to Miami. A black and white picture of Jota celebrating a goal for his country has been displayed on big screens as the Portuguese national anthem has rung out before matches. "Diogo was a player deeply loved by the Portuguese people," Miguel de Silva, the Portuguese-Canadian owner of the Amigos da Dundas sports bar, located in Toronto's Little Portugal neighbourhood, says. "I think what he brings to the Portuguese players will be something special. Just one more reason for them to win the match [against Croatia]." While fans have turned up for Portugal's matches wearing shirts with Jota's name on the back, players including captain Cristiano Ronaldo are wearing special wristbands during matches in tribute. The wristbands in Portugal's green and red colours are a gift from Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and carry the names of all squad members alongside that of Jota. "The story of the wristband ⁠is, when we went to meet with the prime minister, he offered us this wristband," says midfielder Vitinha. "They made ​sure that it was a wristband that we could wear on the pitch. It has all the specifics for us ​to be able to enter the pitch with it, with the name of all the players plus the special name of Diogo Jota." Vitinha appeared in the opening group game against DR Congo in Houston on 17 June, where Jota's parents Joaquim and Isabel were guests, and wiped away tears in the stands during an emotional tribute to their sons. "Representing Portugal at this tournament was a dream Diogo nurtured with everyone who loved him," Fifa president Gianni Infantino wrote on social media, external after meeting the couple. "While celebrating these moments of togetherness, we continue to keep Diogo and Andre in our thoughts." The funeral of Jota and his brother was held in Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on 5 July 2025. Neves helped carry Jota's coffin into the church, just hours after competing with Al Hilal at the Club World Cup in the United States. The midfielder has since had a tattoo on his left calf of him embracing Jota, who is wearing his 'Diogo J' Portugal 21 shirt. "I and the entire national team team will do everything we can to keep Diogo here with us, on our team," Neves added. "The day after the news, for me, is the most difficult day of my life. The most important aspect for me to be able to play was wanting to play for Diogo first." While Liverpool have revealed images of the new permanent memorial, external at Anfield in tribute to Jota and his brother, Portugal unveiled a bronze tribute, external at their training centre close to Lisbon. Martinez says Jota's death "hurts beyond football" but his spirit is a driving force at the World Cup. Portugal have struggled to fire at the tournament, winning just one of their three group games. However, the 2016 European champions will book a last-16 showdown with Spain or Austria if they defeat Croatia. "Diogo's dream is still with us and he sets the standards, he sets the light for the direction of this group," adds former Belgium boss Martinez. "Every day is difficult. When we are training, there are always moments when Diogo comes back into our memory. "I think the anniversary is just a moment that makes this game [Croatia], Diogo Jota's game. "Diogo will always be with us." England were 15 minutes from humiliation - the issues Tuchel must solve

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Let me know if you agree by ranking them yourself at the bottom of the list. It speaks volumes of the man that Messi is that he did not step away from international football in 2022 after winning the World Cup at the age of 35. Now 39, Messi is obliterating record after record at this tournament. No man has scored more goals in World Cup history than Messi's 19, to go with eight assists. He has now scored in seven consecutive World Cup games. In 2014, he won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player when Argentina lost in the final to Germany. He won it again in 2022, leading his country to their first World Cup title since 1986. This is his sixth time playing at the World Cup, with his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo the only other outfield player to do so. Messi's next game will be his 30th for Argentina at a World Cup, in a career spanning more than 200 international caps. It will feel odd at the 2030 World Cup when, in all likelihood, he will not be playing. On Saturday, Modric, at the age of 40 years and 291 days, became the oldest player to record a World Cup assist. "He plays as if he were 20 years old. He was incredible. He's our leader and our best player," said Petar Sucic, his Croatia team-mate. And you only have to look at how Croatia have fared in the past two World Cups to get an understanding of his legacy. In 2018, Croatia stunned everyone to reach the final, where they lost to France, and last time around, they came third - with Modric's display across 120 minutes as a 37-year-old against Brazil in the quarter-final, a clear standout. For a nation of just under four million people, Croatia's recent World Cup runs are nothing short of remarkable. Only five players have made more than Modric's 22 appearances across five World Cups. He made bow in 2006 and he is another player to have played more than 200 times for his country. The World Cup remains the one major trophy that has eluded Ronaldo. No man has more international caps (231) or goals (145) than the 41-year-old, who made his Portugal debut in 2003. In 2016, he led his country to success at the European Championships but this is his sixth time at the World Cup and he is yet to better the run to the last four in his first appearance in 2006. Nevertheless, a record of 10 goals in 25 World Cup appearances is impressive and so is him becoming the only man to score at six World Cups - even if Portugal's emphasis to play around him is a constant talking point. Ronaldo knows this is probably his last chance of winning the World Cup. "I'm back," he said, after scoring twice against Uzbekistan last week. Back, but for how long? It would be easy to judge Neuer on his performances in recent weeks, which have been far from convincing, but there is a reason why Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann asked him to come out of international retirement. The Bayern Munich keeper is one of the greatest of all time. Neuer, 40, won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and the Golden Glove that summer. This is now his fifth World Cup and in that time, he has played for his country 23 times at the finals, since making his bow in 2010. A forgettable tournament this time round with Germany exiting in the last 32 may well tarnish Neuer's World Cup legacy but he will forever be remembered as a World Cup winner in 2014. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Neymar at a World Cup is Brazil's campaign at home in 2014. The then 22-year-old took on the weight of a nation scoring four goals in five games, before his tournament came to a crushing end, when he broke a bone in his back during the quarter-final. Brazil were then mauled 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. In 2018 and 2022, he scored twice in each of the tournaments, with Brazil exiting at the quarter-final stage. At 34, and against the odds given his injury problems since 2022, the chance remains to win a World Cup for his country and the tears that flowed from Neymar after his return for Brazil against Scotland spoke volumes. He may no longer be the main man but the boyhood dream is still a possibility for a player with eight goals and four assists in 14 World Cup games. De Bruyne was part of Belgium's Golden Generation that never truly delivered. A quarter-final exit in 2014 was followed by a semi-final defeat in 2018 before Belgium were knocked out of the group stage in 2022. Rudi Garcia's side take on Egypt in the last 32, knowing that a potential tie against the United States awaits. Now 35, De Bruyne is playing in his fourth World Cup and has scored in three of those, with four assists, in 16 appearances. It might come as a surprise that Van Dijk has only featured eight times for his country at a World Cup but the Netherlands did not qualify the 2018 tournament - the year when he moved to Liverpool. The Dutch were impressive in 2022, where they were knocked out on penalties by eventual winners Argentina in the quarter-finals. And in the space of three games this year, they had already scored as many goals as they did in five games in Qatar - although they had also conceded the same amount as in 2022 too. Van Dijk, the Netherlands skipper, opened his tournament with a goal but it ended with a penalty shootout defeat by Morocco in the last 32. At the age of 34 will this be Van Dijk's last World Cup appearance? When Egypt beat New Zealand to all but secure their place in the last 32, it was their first World Cup win since 1934 and Salah was integral to it with a second-half goal and assist. This is the 34-year-old's second time at the finals, with Egypt previously qualifying in 2018, to end a 38-year drought, before missing out in 2022. In Russia, a far-from-fit Salah scored twice but his nation lost all three of their group games. His overall World Cup tally is three goals and two assists in five games. Salah's Egypt face Australia on Friday for a place in the last 16 that could see the him come up against Messi. No South Korean player has scored more goals than Son (three) at World Cups or played more World Cup matches (13) than the 33-year-old. But this World Cup is already over for his country. The former Spurs player may get another go in four years time but he is no longer the force he once was, as shown by his group-stage displays, where he failed to score or get an assist. Son was dropped from the starting XI for the final group game. The South Korea captain has played in four World Cups and his highlight remains 2018, where he scored against Mexico and Germany but he and his countrymen have failed to come close to the standard set by the 2002 team that reached the semi-final on home soil. Before 2018, Senegal's solitary appearance at the World Cup was in 2002. With Mane they have qualified for the past three World Cups. The 34-year-old scored his only World Cup goal so far in 2018 but a knee injury kept him out of the 2022 tournament, when Senegal were eliminated in the last 16. That was after he scored the winning penalty against Egypt in a play-off to help his country qualify for the tournament in Qatar. Like Salah, it would be a stretch to see the former Liverpool player at the 2030 tournament. Senegal take on Belgium on Wednesday for a place in the last 16. What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFIFA World Cup 2026FootballMore on this storyPlay BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor game Everything you need to know about the World Cup

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Steve Clarke says it was an easy decision to step down as Scotland head coach because he always planned to depart if they did not qualify for the knock-out stages. The 62-year-old told his players on Saturday night, at their hotel in Charlotte, that he was ending his seven-year reign after it was confirmed that the Scots had failed to get out of a group containing Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. The shock announcement came exactly a month after he signed a new four-year contract that would have incorporated Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup. A request from the BBC to interview Clarke was declined and, instead, the Scottish Football Association released its own on You Tube, external and the former head coach – heavily criticised in some quarters following back-to-back defeats by Morocco and Brazil – said he was leaving "just because that's the feel". Pampered, protected & primed - so why didn't Scotland players perform? "Signing the contract before [the World Cup] was a case of trying to give a little bit of comfort to the players knowing that we could continue the journey. "I always had in my head that, if we didn't come out of the group, which is something that we've tried to do across three tournaments now, I always had in my head that if that didn't happen then it was probably the right time to step away. "Obviously if we'd managed to get that extra point and got out of the group then I'd probably have stayed on and tried to do another tournament." Asked if it was an easy decision, a philosophical Clarke said: "In some respects it was easy because I already had in my head what I wanted to achieve as a head coach. I'd also ticked all the boxes. "I wanted to go to a major tournament with my country. I did that with the Euros. The first Euros [in 2021] was a little bit not the Euros because it was Covid affected. "The second Euros was great. The tournament didn't go as we wanted, but getting to Germany was fantastic. My lifelong ambition was to do a World Cup with my country. I've done that, so not a bad time to step aside." Clarke told his players of his decision at 19:00 local time on Saturday, immediately after Scotland's exit from the tournament was confirmed. "It's obviously an emotional moment when you tell your players that you're stepping away after such a journey together," he said. "I think seven or eight of them have been with me from the start, right the way through. It was very important to me that the players knew first, and obviously just before I went into the meeting I had to tell my captain [Andy Robertson] because I knew that he'd want to say a few words back to me." Despite the backlash to Scotland's group-stage performance, Clarke is adamant he had a "brilliant" World Cup experience. "I said I was going to enjoy it," he said. "Coming out for the Haiti game with the Scotland fans there in their thousands and my family in the stands was just the best moment. "The next two games were tough. We played difficult opponents. Morocco and Brazil, both of them can go really deep in the tournament and we competed with them, no matter what other people might say. We competed, both games were competitive. "We showed a lot of character and we played some good stuff. We didn't find the quality in the final third of the pitch, but I could maybe say that across the whole seven years we've always been chasing and trying to find that quality in the final third of the pitch - and I hope my successor manages to do that." Assessing his time in charge, a "100% proud" Clarke believes he achieved his goal "to change the mentality round the group" and give them belief that they can compete at the highest level. "We'll become part of Scottish folklore as we move forward," he predicted. "People will be talking about some of these matches, some of these occasions right into the next century. "Everybody keeps saying this core group's finished. They're not finished yet, because they can all make it for Euro 2028." Everything you need to know about the World Cup

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Giovani Lo Celso scores a fantastic free-kick on his World Cup debut to give Argentina the lead against Jordan.

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Harry Kane praises Jude Bellingham's ability to thrive when he has the freedom to "attack the game" after the midfielder set up a goal for the England captain, and scored one himself, in the 2-0 win over Panama to win Group L at the FIFA World Cup.

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The prize money available at the 2026 World Cup is a record-breaking $871m (£662m). But in April they approved a further increase to the pot, by increasing the base participation prize and the preparation fee, bringing it to the new total. The prize money is split into performance-based rewards and non performance-based financial support. Contact formContact formPerformance-based prizesThe further teams progress in the tournament, the more they are rewarded financially. These payouts will form $703m of the $871m on offer in the prize pot, with the remaining $168m (£152m) being paid out among teams regardless of performance. The remaining money will be spread evenly across all participating teams in the form of: This means each team is guaranteed at least $12.5m for taking part in the tournament when combined with the minimum $10m qualification fee. Preparation money is to contribute towards costs such as training camps and travel for squads pre-tournament. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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England's World Cup campaign began with an impressive win over Croatia and a frustrating draw with Ghana. As the Three Lions prepare to take on Panama on Saturday (22:00 BST), we want to test your knowledge of the players who have made the most appearances for England at World Cups. After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device. What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026England Men's Football TeamPlay more quizzesQuiz: Name every nation at the 2026 World Cup Which World Cup team are you? Take our quiz World Cup quiz: Name every player in England's squad World Cup quiz: Name every player in Scotland's squad

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3 CommentsUpdated 32 minutes ago When people talk about Spain winning this World Cup, of course they point to Lamine Yamal as being the key. But you cannot win a World Cup on your own, especially this one with an extra game, probably some extra time in the knockout rounds, plus the heat and all the travelling as well. So, the important thing for La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente is that, along with Lamine Yamal, he has the team and the squad he needs for the next month. When Spain won the 2024 European Championship, De la Fuente used all 23 outfield players in his squad during the seven matches. Everyone will have to be ready this time too. As players, you always want to play every game but in any tournament like this you never know when the crucial moment can come for you to make the difference. For Mikel Oyarzabal at Euro 2024, that moment came when he came off the bench to score the winner in the final against England. His 'golden' goal was the only one he scored in the Euros and, while Oyarzabal played in every game in that tournament, he only started one - the last group game against Albania when we had already secured top spot. But, when he was needed, he was ready and since then he has not stopped scoring for Spain. He is 29 and is not celebrated like Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane as one of the best centre-forwards in the world, but he had a strong season with Real Sociedad in La Liga and he has an incredible record with the national team. I have heard people say that Spain are missing a really elite number nine but with Oyarzabal, we have someone who we know can score the big goals, when it matters. We appreciate him, even if he is not seen as a superstar by others. He used to play more on the wing but in the past couple of years he has transitioned more into a striker who can go in both directions, making runs past defenders or dropping deeper to link play. Oyarzabal is also still able to go wide when needed, finding the spaces left when teams are attracted to Yamal, and his movement and intelligence makes him so effective. He is doing a great job. After two goals and an assist in the first half against Saudi Arabia he will be full of confidence, and I like our other options up front too. Ferran Torres was not as clinical when he came on for Oyarzabal in that game but I still feel he is in good form, while Borja Iglesias offers a different kind of striker profile. Iglesias is someone people might know a little bit less, because he does not play in the Champions League with Celta Vigo, but if you've seen him you will understand why he is important for the squad. He is someone who can be a bit more of a target-man, occupying the centre-backs. He has not been used yet at this World Cup but I am sure at some point there will be a game where Spain will need his qualities, depending on the opposition. I know exactly what I am talking about because I had to mark him during my last match as a professional, less than a month ago in Vigo. Normally with Spain we talk mostly about how good we are offensively but, when I go through our squad, there are important players everywhere. I see a team that is solid and compact, and who have not conceded a goal yet. There are much harder tests to come than Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia but I feel we are good enough defensively to win this World Cup when we face the bigger teams. Unai Simon has been with Spain for such a long time and has all the experience you could ask for. We have some amazing options for goalkeepers, with David Raya and Joan Garcia, but I understand why Simon is the number one. He is a big character as well as being so experienced in major tournaments. if Spain really want to get far at this tournament, they will need to be consistent and solid at the back, so to have a goalkeeper who can give confidence to the whole team will be really important. At centre-back, Aymeric Laporte is another player who has the personality you need in the dressing room and the pitch, and our captain, Rodri, is such a big player for the same reasons. Rodri can dictate the game - he is so strong physically that he controls everything, and with his quality he is the connection between the defenders and the attack, with and without the ball. How good we are defensively is linked to the possession we have - the more we have the ball, the more we are in control. Against Cape Verde we were making more fouls when we lost the ball which meant we were less fluid at winning it back and attacking, but against Saudi Arabia it was different. We recovered the ball high up the pitch which is important to stop counter-attacks - the intensity was really good and meant we were less exposed. That pressing is a key aspect of Spain's game. We put a lot of players high into the opposition half which is a risk, so you have to try to win the ball back as quickly as possible. These guys I have been talking about are all leaders but of course the person they look to most is the coach. A lot of the players have been with De la Fuente for a long time, playing in Spain's youth teams, so he is like a father figure to them. He knows them very well and also they know he will be calm and will support them. That again is key in a long tournament like this where you know that there will be some games where you cannot be at your best. We saw that already with the draw against Cape Verde which no-one expected but then the way the team reacted against Saudi Arabia was exactly what was needed, and now we need more of the same against Uruguay to make sure we win the group. The squad is very close and you need that bond so you can stick together to face the challenges when a tough result like that arrives. That's the key to making it to the later stages. We won the Euros under De la Fuente two years ago so they have the belief, but you can see the team is still improving and growing together now. Some of the players arrived at this World Cup needing to build up their fitness, including Lamine Yamal. The team is better with him in it, and the more he plays, the more expectation grows, but we also know everyone else will play their part.

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Brian Brobbey scores for the second game in a row as Netherlands defeat Tunisia 3-1 to top Group F, setting up a match against Morocco in the last 32 at the World Cup.

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Japan demonstrate their class on the ball with an easy-on-the-eye team goal to take the lead against Sweden in their World Cup Group F battle.

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BBC Sport and British YouTube collective the Sidemen will team up to produce a World Cup watchalong for Germany's group game against Ecuador on Thursday on YouTube and BBC iPlayer. Germany have already qualified for the knockout stages, and Ecuador could still secure their spot with a win. As well as being available on BBC Football's YouTube channel, the watchalong will also be on Sidemen's MoreSidemen YouTube channel. Four members of the Sidemen (Tobi Brown, Simon Minter, Ethan Payne and Josh Bradley) will host the pre-match build-up from 20:45 BST before providing their own commentary and analysis through the game. The watchalong and World Cup game will only be available to UK viewers. "Millions of fans now follow football through creators, streams and social platforms alongside traditional broadcasts. This is about bringing those worlds together," Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said. "The Sidemen have built one of the biggest communities anywhere online and we're excited to work with them on something that has never been done before at a World Cup. "It's a chance to reach audiences in new ways while still delivering the live action that matters most." Ecuador v Germany is also live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with radio commentary available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. The other final group game in Group E, between Curacao and the Ivory Coast, will also kick off at 21:00. Best World Cup stadium? BBC Sport experts have their say What do Scotland need to make World Cup knockouts? How Pochettino has US believing they can be World Cup winners Everything you need to know about the World Cup