Weekend Review: Bookies bouncing as Brazil hammered by Haaland

Bookmakers were left thrilled as Norway (7/2) sent five-time World Cup winners Brazil home and Cape Verde held Argentina to a draw (6/1) in 90 minutes in the Round of 16.

Brazil squandered their chance to take a first-half lead when Bruno Guimarães missed from the spot. They were punished when Erling Haaland found the back of the net twice in the final 11 minutes.

Holders Argentina survived a scare when they edged past Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time. With the score 1-1 after 90 minutes, punters were left scratching their heads as the African minnows continued to defy expectations.

Lisandro Martínez gave the reigning champions the lead minutes into extra time, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to score with a curling effort from outside the box. An own goal from Diney Borges sent Argentina into the Round of 16.

Joining them there will be England (3/2), who beat Mexico at the Azteca despite being reduced to 10 men. A brace from Jude Bellingham in the space of two minutes put the Three Lions ahead.

But they were pegged back when Julián Quiñones found a way past Jordan Pickford just before half time/in the 42nd minute.

Jarell Quansah was sent off to give the hosts a glimmer of hope, before Harry Kane restored England’s two goal advantage.

Raúl Jiménez scored from the spot himself to set up a nervy finish, only for Thomas Tuchel’s side to hold on and set up a fixture against Norway.

Commenting on the action, Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: “A thrilling 3-2 last 16 win at the Azteca against Mexico has given Tuchel’s side a quarter-final to look forward to after a beyond-dramatic encounter.

“Norway lie in wait for Saturday’s quarter-final after that sensational humbling of World Cup royalty in Brazil.

“Two goals from Erling Haaland, who else, sent Neymar into international retirement and coach Carlo Ancelotti stressing it was time for a ‘new cycle’ for the Seleção, with him presumably remaining at the helm.”

The manner in which England won “was about as bad as it could have been”, remarked FDJ United’s Ali Gill.

“Five goals, Kane on the scoresheet, Bellingham on the scoresheet, favourites winning, both teams scoring, it had the lot.

“Away from that, the heroic effort from Cape Verde against world champions Argentina was a joy to watch, particularly from the trading room, while France only putting one past a horrible looking Paraguay was another fantastic result.

“In perhaps the biggest ‘upset’ of the round, Norway were well latched on to against an underwhelming Brazil at a healthy price, and that one actually went very much the way of the punters all told,” he added.

In Formula 1, Charles Leclerc won at Silverstone with a British trio of George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris finishing behind him.

Kimi Antonelli still sits atop the drivers standings with 179 points, Russell in second with 154, while Mercedes still lead the constructors table with 333 points – 78 points ahead of Ferrari.

BOYLE Sports’ Brian O’Keeffe said: “In Formula 1, Silverstone served up a championship plot twist – Kimi Antonelli still heads the Championship market but his car trouble and points-free finish has opened the door just enough for the chasing pack to smell blood.

“George Russell and Lewis Hamilton both made the most of the chaos with podium finishes – even if late safety car drama cost Hamilton second place.”

At Sandown, Constitution River took the Eclipse Stakes by three lengths, beating Gethin and Saddadd with ease.

The win saw his odds to win the Juddmonte International at York drop to 5/2, with Ombudsman still the favourite at 11/10.

Firkins said: “Sandown’s Eclipse Stakes was won by Constitution River in the manner of a very good colt on Saturday by three lengths, and will surely have the likes of the Juddmonte and the Arc on his dance card for Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore.”