Richard stretches to 71 as the title race tightens to three

Two more R32 ties completed the round’s middle. Nichola’s France demolished her own Sweden 3-0 - France into the last 16 in style, Sweden out - and Pete’s Norway edged Emily’s Ivory Coast 2-1, a timely lift that hauls Pete back to second on 51 after yesterday’s penalty heartbreak with the Netherlands.

Richard’s Mexico then beat Ella’s Ecuador 2-0 to reach the last 16 and stretch the lead further. The table: Richard 71, then Pete 51, Emily 50, Henry 48, Sophie 48, Nichola 42, Ella 42 and Tega 39 - Richard now twenty clear. Still to come today, a double-header of the same rivalry: Pete’s Belgium v Henry’s Senegal, and Henry’s England v Pete’s Congo DR.

Odds watch

A word for anyone refreshing the odds through the day (hello, Mark): they re-simulate hourly, and the top of the World Cup title board is a genuine three-way scrap - Argentina (Richard) ~24%, France (Nichola) ~22% and Spain (Ella) ~20% - all within four points, so which one reads as “favourite” flips from run to run. France briefly topped it this morning after their 3-0; the latest run has Argentina nudging back in front. In the sweepstake market itself, Richard is the clear favourite at ~3.49 (29%), his Mexico win firming him up, with Nichola (~4.6) and Ella (~4.9) locked together just behind. The steady counterpoint stands: Pete’s Norway lifted him to second on the table, but his price sits at ~33 - Norway banks points, not silverware.