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.

 

 

So much Mbappe a Hanson Concert almost Broke Out

 17/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

The only match played between France and Senegal was at the 2002 World Cup. France entered the tournament as the defending champions. Senegal were relative minnows in comparison. That did not hold them from fighting their hardest and winning the match 1-0 thanks to a goal by Papa Bouba Diop. 24 years later France is no longer defending champs, but the Runners-up of World Cup 2022. Senegal are no longer minnows, but the non-reigning champions of Africa. (They were winning 1-0 over Morocco in the final, when they left the field and refused to return in protest of the referee's decisions. Morocco was awarded the victory as Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the match.) France would take the lead in the 66th minute as Kylian Mbappe would score. Bradley Barcola would double the lead in the 82nd minute. Senegal would fight back with a goal form Ibrahim Mbayer in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Kylian Mbappe would score his second goal in the 6th minute of stoppage time. The ghosts of 2002 are on their way to being exercised. The 2002 French side found themselves last in their group and eliminated after 3 matches. Could the 2026 French side make their 3rd straight final and with their 2nd Championship in 3 attempts?

 

 

New Zealand would have Just Enough to Win, but the Opposition Iran it Back

 2/13ths of the World Cup

 

  

Iran have never progressed beyond the Group Stage of a World Cup. New Zealand have never won a match at the World Cup. The two met for the third time in their history. Iran hold the advantage with a draw in a friendly and a victory in the AFC-OFC Challenge of 2003. Elijah Just would put New Zealand ahead in the 7th minute. Iran would equalize in the 32nd minute with a goal by Ramin Rezaeian. In a moment of Deja Vu, Elijah Just would again put New Zealand up 2-1 in the 55th minute. Iran selected to use a different goal scorer to draw for the second goal as Mohammad Mohebi would find the back of the net nine minutes later. 

 

  

The day ended with 4 draws which was good for the teams competing. No one took a loss today. That was bad for the contestants as everyone picked a winner for each match. 8 competitors across 4 matches earned a combined 18 points. With such a poor performance, there will be no Player of the Day. Fear not, tomorrow sees 3 new matches and another attempt to impress.

 

Giving Maximiliano Effort just to Earn a Draw

 15/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

The first time that Uruguay met Saudi Arabia in a World Cup was in 2018. Prior to that, Uruguay had never defeated Saudi Arabia. A loss and a draw in friendlies was washed away with a 1-0 victory that day. Their second meeting at a World Cup happened today. Saudi Arabia jumped on their opportunity to return the days when they troubled Uruguay. Abdulelah Alamri would score in the 41st minute to give Saudi Arabia the lead. Uruguay would chase the match from then on, bringing attack after attack. They would find the third draw of the day when Maximiliano Araujo would be the cup of relief running over by scoring in the 80th minute.  

 

 

When You Feel Egypt because You Scored an Own Goal

 7/52nds of the World Cup

  

 

 

Belgium and Egypt faced off in their first match of World Cup 2026. In 4 previous meetings, all friendlies, Egypt had the edge winning 3 matches. Belgium was only able to win 1 of those matches. What would happen today? Belgium would find fortune and walk away with a draw without scoring a goal. Emam Ashour opened the scoring to put Egypt ahead in the 19th minute. In the 66th minute Belgian sub Romelo Lukaku would come streaking down the center looking for a low cross when the foot of Mohamed Hany would deflect the ball into Egypt's own net. One goal, and 1 point each. There will be everything to play for when Iran and New Zealand meet later in the day.

 

 

The Collective Vozinha of Cape Verde

 1/13th of the World Cup

 

 

 Spain are the reigning Champions of Europe. They have won a World Cup as recently as 2010. They have never faced off against the former Portuguese colony of Cape Verde. Today the minnows from the African Atlantic had a daunting task ahead of them. There was no doubt that Spain would bring an onslaught of offense in their bid to win big at the start of this World Cup. There is only one player that became the darling and standout of this match. At 40 years old, the Cape Verdean Goalkeeper Vozinho proved to be more than Spain could handle. Of Spain's 23 shots, only 8 were on target. All of them were saved by Vozinho. Assuredly the whole Cape Verde team worked hard defensively to assist in keeping a clean sheet, but the experienced keeper stood as an iron curtain with strength, determination, and calm. A single point for both teams, and a historic moment for the small island nation.