Co-hosts Mexico sent Ecuador packing with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday. /FIFA
The World Cup is becoming increasingly intense as the tournament progresses towards the round of 16, with 23 of the 48 participating teams now eliminated.
Sixteen teams bowed out at the group stage, 12 of them after finishing bottom of their respective groups.
The fourth-placed sides were the Czech Republic, Qatar, Haiti, Turkey, Curaçao, Tunisia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Panama.
Iran, South Korea, Scotland and Uruguay were also knocked out after finishing as the four third-placed teams with the worst records in the group stage.
At the knockout stage, South Africa, Japan, Germany and the Netherlands became the first four nations to be eliminated after losing in the round of 32.
On Tuesday, Ivory Coast became the latest African side to exit the competition after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Norway despite producing the better overall performance.
The Elephants registered 14 shots compared to Norway's nine, with five on target against Norway's three.
They also won 14 corners compared to Norway's three. Although both teams were caught offside twice, the Ivorians enjoyed superior possession (52 per cent), committed fewer fouls (six compared to seven) and did not receive a single card, while Norway picked up one yellow card.
However, Ivory Coast were slightly inferior in passing, recording 86 per cent pass accuracy compared to Norway's 89 per cent, while completing 375 passes against Norway's 481.
Norway opened the scoring in the 39th minute through Antonio Nusa before Amad Diallo levelled in the 74th minute with a superb strike after beating two defenders.
The match appeared destined for extra time, but Erling Haaland restored Norway's lead in the 86th minute after a defensive lapse left him unmarked inside the six-yard box, allowing him to tap home from a cross delivered from the right flank.
In the early Wednesday fixtures, France comfortably eliminated Sweden with a 3-0 victory as talisman Kylian Mbappé scored a brace to move level with Argentina's Lionel Messi as the tournament's joint leading scorers with six goals each.
France dominated the contest, recording 25 shots, 13 of them on target, compared to Sweden's eight, with only three on target.
Les Bleus also enjoyed 61 per cent possession, completed 523 passes with 91 per cent accuracy, while Sweden managed 39 per cent possession, 326 passes and 81 per cent pass accuracy.
Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico sent Ecuador packing with a 2-0 victory in a match that saw Piero Hincapié sent off in stoppage time for covering his mouth while speaking to opponent Santiago Giménez.
The dismissal was enforced under a newly introduced rule designed to prevent players from concealing abusive or discriminatory remarks during confrontations.
Hincapié confronted Giménez and covered his mouth with his hand. Giménez alerted the referee and, following a brief VAR review, the official produced a straight red card.
Later on Wednesday, DR Congo will be looking to cause an upset and progress to the last 16 when they face England at 7pm at Atlanta Stadium.
Reigning African champions Senegal will also be aiming to reach the last 16 when they take on Belgium at Seattle Stadium from 11pm.
So far, Morocco are the only African side to have progressed beyond the knockout stage after edging the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties on Tuesday.
The match was decided in the shootout after the teams were locked at 1-1 following extra time.
As it stands, Messi and Mbappé lead the race for the Golden Boot with six goals each, followed by Haaland on five.
France's Ousmane Dembélé and Brazil's Vinícius Júnior are joint fourth with four goals apiece.
