Colombia find themselves over the Munoz

8/13ths of the World Cup

  

 

Uzbekistan qualified for their first World Cup since gaining freedom from the USSR. Their debut would be the first meeting with Colombia. The South Americans enter their 7th World Cup, and first since 2018. The action would pick up with Daniel Munoz chipping the ball over Uzbek goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov for a 1-0 lead. Uzbekistan would show they have resolve by tying the match in the 60th minute via Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Colombia would right their ship just five minutes later via Luis Diaz making it 2-1. Jaminton Campaz would seal the deal with a goal in the 9th minute of stoppage time to earn Colombia 3 points. Thus concluded the first third of the Group Stage. All teams have played their first match. All teams still have everything to play for.

 

 

Three players had perfect picks on the day, but one stood out over the other two. With a whopping 31 points over 5 matches on the day, and correctly picking Ghana to beat Panama 1-0, the performance of the day goes to IoannesNix who has extended her lead at the top of the group. Congratulations!

Tomorrow begins the second round of matches in the Group Stage. Some teams may find themselves on the verge of elimination, or outright eliminated after this week of competition. How will your brackets fare? Only time will tell.

 

 

 

Ghana Yirenkyi in Second Place ahead of English Showdown

 23/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Ghana enter their 5th World Cup and 2nd in a row looking to match or beat their Quarterfinal run in 2010. Panama enter their 2nd World Cup, finishing dead last in 2018. This match would see plenty of action back and forth but only one man would have what it takes to find a goal. In the 5th minute of stoppage time, just as the match was closing, Caleb Yirenkyi would give Ghana just their 6th victory in a World Cup. Sitting ahead of them is England, whom they will play next. Panama find themselves momentarily in the 3rd place hoping to fare better against Croatia.

 

 

Croatia Hope for Baturina Luck Next Time

11/52nds of the World Cup

 

 

England enter their 8th straight World Cup having finished 4th 8 years ago, and being dumped out in the Quarterfinals of 2022. Croatia enter their 4th straight World Cup, having finished as Runners-up in 2018 and 3rd Place in 2022. The two teams have met 9 straight times in a World Cup, UEFA Nations League, or UEFA European Championship. There is nothing friendly about these two teams meeting up. Harry Kane would kick off the scoring by taking a penalty shot in the 12th minute twice. The first shot was saved by Dominik Livakovic, who was deemed to have come off his line early. In the retry, Kane would bury the ball in the net to give England a 1-0 lead. Martin Baturina would strike in the 36th minute to draw the match level. Harry Kane would then take it upon himself to score the 2nd goal for England putting them back ahead. Croatia would draw the match again thanks to Petar Musa in the 5th minute of stoppage time. The second half would fall England's way as Jude Bellingham in the 47th minute and Marcus Rashford in the 85th would put the game away 4-2 in England's favor.

 

 

When you Wissa upon the Congolese Star

 21/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Portugal entered their 7th straight World Cup coming off an exit in the Quarterfinals of 2022. Cristiano Ronaldo became only the second player to compete at 6 World Cups. The fourth favorite odds to win this tournament had to go through Congo DR. The African team are in their first World Cup as Congo DR. They played once in 1974 under the moniker of Zaire but failed to score a goal or earn a point. After Lionel Messi's thrashing of Algeria 3 to 0, many fans were looking for something big from CR7. The scoring opened up early with Joao Neves scoring the go ahead goal in the 6th minute. Congo DR held steadfast and were able to find the equalizer in the 5th minute of stoppage time thanks to Yoane Wissa. The two teams would battle, but neither could break the deadlock. Congo DR earned their first point at a World Cup, and the dream that their tournament may not stall at the Group Stage.

 

 

Jordan Olwan a Rematch against Austria

 5/26ths of the World Cup

  

 

Austria have not qualified for a World Cup for 28 years. Jordan have never qualified for a World Cup before. The two met for the overnight red eye main event. While many, perhaps all, of us were sleeping, these two teams played in a match that had a little of everything. Action started in the 20th minute when Romano Schmid would score to put Austria up 1-0. Just a half hour later, Ali Olwan would score Jordan's first goal at a World Cup to tie the match. Jordanian Yazan Alarab would score the next goal in the 76th minute. Unfortunately, he would put the ball in his own net. Marko Arnautovic would put the nail in the coffin of Jordan with a goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time. Just like that Austria pick their first victory at a World Cup since 1990.

 

 

Algeria have a Cleanliness Problem, and its very Messi

 19/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

The Defending Champions Argentina entered today's match with only one prior meeting against Algeria in their history. That was a 4-3 victory in 2007. The Champs are currently in their 13th straight World Cup having won 3 times in that span, and finishing 2nd twice. Algeria enter their 5th World Cup and first in 12 years, though their last trip in 2014 saw them progress to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history. Unfortunately, they ran into one living legend Lionel Messi calmly dancing his swan song at the World Cup. He's the first player to see action in 6 World Cups, having bested Cristiano Ronaldo only because of the match schedule. (Ronaldo will tie that record tomorrow). One thing Messi has never done at a World Cup is score a hattrick. That feat was achieved today with goals in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minute. Algeria looked like a fine side, even threatening Argentina's goal on several occasions. There is no shame for Algeria as they faced possibly the greatest football player to ever live. 

 

 

No perfect picks today, but the players all did much better then yesterday. Two players finished on 21 points for the day. Unfortunately, only one can have the performance of the day. Missing out on 1 goal as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 compared to her prediction of 3-1, and edging into 1st place by a single point (the first lead change of the tournament), congratulations to IoannesNix. The King (or Queen?) in the North!

 

Tomorrow we see 4 more matches as Groups K and L commence their tournament. Everyone will have played one match by the end of the day. After that, we may start to see eliminations come for teams. Hopefully your picks won't be one of them.

 

 

Aymen, you must be Hussein to Switch Sides for Norway

 18/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Iraq and Norway have never met on a football pitch. For Iraq, this is only their second appearance at a World Cup. The last time was in 1986 in Mexico. They failed to make it out of the Group Stage. Norway are making only their 4th appearance at a World Cup. The last in 1998 where they were eliminated in the Round of 16. This match was the first of the tournament to feature two players to score two goals in different ways. Erling Haaland made his long awaited World Cup debut by scoring the first two goals for Norway. The first in the 29th minute to give them a 1-0 lead. The second in the 43rd minute to give Norway a 2-1 lead. Aymen Hussein would score in between Haaland's goals to tie the match in the 39th minute. Norway would pull further ahead with Leo Ostigard's 76th minute goal. Aymen Hussein would score a second goal. This, an own goal in the 6th minute of stoppage time. Iraq have a hard road ahead of them, but Norway are sitting pretty.