World Cup LIVE: England warned in new Mexico statement, FIFA slammed for kick-off chaos

World Cup LIVE: England warned in new Mexico statement, FIFA slammed for kick-off chaos The World Cup is continuing to conjure up all sorts of news and headlines, with England preparing to face Mexico in their last-16 tie Hello and welcome to The Mirror's World Cup live blog with England currently preparing to face Mexico in a last-16 tie. The build up to that clash has been dominated by talk of the atmosphere and altitude in Mexico City but the headline soon surrounded the kick-off time potentially being changed due to forecasted thunderstorms. Reports emerged just over 48 hours before the scheduled 1am BST kick-off time that it would be brought forward. There was anger from both camps at such a suggestion with FIFA subsequently completing a U-turn on the proposal which will see the knockout tie get underway at the originally scheduled time. That will see the British government's decision to allow pubs to stay open for the game come into play. Thomas Tuchel's side face the co-host nation in the Azteca Stadium which is 2,240m above seal-level. The Three Lions will be hoping to overcome that obstacle and set-up a potential mouth-watering tie against Brazil in the quarter-finals. They could also meet Argentina on their way to the final, who have responded to two shock equalisers against Cape Verde to lead in extra-time. Colombia beat Ghana is the final round of 32 tie which means they will play Switzerland in the next round and potentially England later in the knockouts. Stay tuned as Mirror Football brings you all of the latest World Cup news and reaction. Key Events Despite worries over thunderstorms, The Athletic have claimed that fan safety was the primary concern of FIFA which led to discussions over changing the kick-off time. FIFA held an emergency meeting to discuss moving the game forward by six hours but opted to keep it at 6pm local time and 1am on Monday morning in England. Another 16 nations have now been eliminated with the remaining sides set to compete for eight spots. Here is the last-16 line-up in full: - Canada vs Morocco - Paraguay vs France - Portugal vs Spain - USA vs Belgium - Brazil vs Norway - Mexico vs England - Argentina vs Egypt - Switzerland vs Colombia There are some jubilant scenes on the pitch and in the stands with Colombia deserved winners. The Ghana players meanwhile, have fallen to their knees and are visibly emotional following their exit. There is the final whistle and that completes the line-up for the last-16 with Colombia taking the last spot! Colombia think they have gone two goals in front but Luis Diaz is denied by an offside flag. Thomas Partey loses possession and they break at speed with the Bayern Munich man sliding Jefferson Lerma's cross. However, the former is an offside position which has seen the goal disallowed. Ecuador have released a statement confirming their demands to FIFA following their World Cup exit at the hands of Mexico. The South American country were comfortably beaten by the co-host nation last month with action taken on their poor treatment even before the game was played. That started with their flight into the country being mysteriously delayed by several hours and continued at their hotel with civilians attempting to cause maximum disruption through fireworks and other loud noises. In the wake of those incidents and their 2-0 defeat, Ecuador have issued a new statement on Mexico, who are set to face England in the last-16. Part of their statement read: "The Federation filed a formal complaint with FIFA, requesting a detailed investigation into the events that occurred before and during the match—including all those that may have compromised safety and security issues for our fans and players. "This is the correct and official channel to clarify any situation related to a match of this magnitude." Colombia go into the break ahead and deservedly so, though Ghana have come back into the game more recently! Argentina captain Lionel Messi was full of praise for Cape Verde following their thrilling World Cup clash. It was a very tough game. They hadn't lost to Spain or Uruguay. We did the most difficult thing, which was to score the first goal. We thought that we would be able to play our game and be calm, but it was the opposite. We lost the ball, we were a bit behind, we couldn't press it well. They hit us with their weapons. We knew it would be difficult. This is a kill-kill game and no one gives you anything. We knew it wouldn't be easy.This is what sets this World Cup apart. It's all very even, very complicated, all the games are going to be very difficult. We suffered, while playing well and playing badly. The important thing now is to rest, think about what's coming and try to get positive things out of today's game.I think there are positive things beyond the pass, because we did good things. And we corrected the bad ones, which I think are also very important today. Colombia's early pressure has resulted in a goal with Jhon Arias unmarked at the back post to side-foot volley home a Luis Suarez cross. Colombia have been forced into an early sub here with Jhon Cordoba pulling up due to an issue in his groin. Luis Suarez has been introduced as his replacement. Just minutes later, Ghana have also been forced to make a change with Marvin Senaya suffering a hamstring injury. Alidu Seidu has come on in his place. We are underway in Kansas City in what is the final last-32 tie of the World Cup! Ghana will certainly pose a tough test for Colombia, however, with a fearsome frontline of Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams likely to cause problems... Following all of that chaos, it would be easy to forget that another World Cup match is on the horizon but there is one more round of 32 tie with Colombia taking on Ghana. The South American side are arguably the favourites with all of their big-hitters starting again after being rested for the goalless draw against Portugal. A World Cup classic has taken place in Miami. Which has seen the minnows of Cape Verde come within a whisker of creating the biggest shock in the tournament's history. Twice Argentina went ahead - and twice Cape Verde came back off the canvas with some punches of their own, including a sensational one from Sidny Lopes Cabral in extra time to make it 2-2. In the end a cruel own goal has kept Lionel Messi's dream of a World Cup double alive. While ending the one belonging to Cape Verde in truly heartbreaking fashion. Everyone had come to see the GOAT. But what unfolded on this astonishing evening in Florida, was a team of lions stealing the show. Argentina have offered deserved congratulations to their previously unheralded opponents at the final whistle. Before skulking off down the tunnel, knowing their air of invincibility no longer exists. Cape Verde have exposed the limitations and vulnerabilities of Lionel Scaloni's defending champions. Which will offer genuine hope to those in the same side of the draw as them, including England. The Cape Verde squad don't want to leave the pitch. They want to savour every moment of the occasion - even if it turned out to be a losing one. What a story they have provided at this tournament. They will be sorely missed - but given what's happened, never forgotten. These are some rather special full-time scenes with Argentina players celebrating while the Cape Verde stars are in tears... They have all been a joy to watch at this tournament and will be greatly missed. Argentina meanwhile, advance to the next round where Egypt will be their opponents. Argentina have beaten Cape Verde to reach the World Cup last-16 in a thrilling knockout encounter! Argentina lead again with Cristian Romero heading home a Lionel Messi corner. Surely this time the reigning champions can hold on this time... Another 15 minutes between these two nations has started and if it is anything like the first half of extra-time, we are in for a treat. What a breathless first 15 minutes of extra-time... Argentina surely thought it was done but Cape Verde just do not know when to quit and we now have another quarter-of-an-hour with the score still level. The Cape Verde star picks up the ball on the left, cuts inside and lashes an effort into the far corner. He jumps into the crowd following a legendary goal! OH MY GOD - THIS IS UNREAL. Cape Verde have equalised again and this is some hit from Sidny Cabral! Lisandro Martinez scores! A deep corner makes its way to the central defender and he smashes an effort into the roof of the net. Cape Verde have it all to do again... The first half of extra time has started and it certainly looks as though it will follow the template of the last 30 minutes which was Argentina pressure. Into extra-time we go. Argentina have continued pushing in the last 20 or so minutes but have not found a way past Vozinha which means we will have another half hour of football before a potential penalty shoot-out! Vozinha is keeping Cape Verde in this game.... After being beaten by Lionel Messi, he has since pulled out two great saves to stop the Argentina talisman from getting another goal. We have just had the hydration break and there are 15 minutes of normal time left for Cape Verde "to complete the greatest World Cup shock in history," as stated by Gary Neville on ITV. Well this was not in the script - Cape Verde have equalised! Deroy Duarte may have just written his name into history with a perfect close-range strike on the hour-mark which goes through two sets of legs and into the far corner. A GENIUS is at work in Miami. His name is Lionel Messi - and he continues to rip up the record books with relentless passion. Messi has scored again, to put Argentina ahead against minnows Cape Verde. But it could have been one of those mean Italian defence we grudgingly came to admire in the 1980s and 90s - and it still wouldn't have made a difference. Messi took a ball from Lisandro Martinez, before taking an exquisite touch with the outside of his boot and lifting the ball over Jose Vozinha. Sublime stuff. David Beckham, watching from the posh seats, looked suitably impressed. Messi has now scored in eight consecutive World Cup games, a run dating back to the last 16 in Qatar in 2022. He is also just the fourth man in history to score in five successive knockout games. To put this into perspective, Cristiano Ronaldo managed his first ever knockout goal against Croatia - and that was from the penalty spot. The Miami Stadium is jumping to the tunes of Messi. Almost 90 per cent of them wearing replica shirts have his name on the back. Having spent time with them in the stands, the passion of them is something to behold. Almost all the chants and songs revolve around Messi. You have to feel for the poor bloke traipsing up and down the stands trying to sell huge bags of popcorn. A snack the Argentines have no interest in. Now if he was flogging steak sandwiches, things would be different. The second half of Argentina vs Cape Verde is now in play! The half-time interval arrives and Argentina have a 1-0 lead thanks to a sublime goal from Lionel Messi. The defending champions are just 45 minutes away from booking a spot in the last-16, but Cape Verde will believe they still have a chance. All to play for in the second half.