When you Luis a Goal to Mexico

 7/26ths of the World Cup

  

 

Mexico and South Korea entered the second match of their campaign knowing that a victory would be enough to win the group and send them to the Round of 32. In 14 of their previous meetings they have met in a World Cup twice before. In 1998 Mexico eased their way to a 3-1 win. 2018 was closer, but still a match that fell to Mexico by the score of 2-1. This match was one where a goal was hard to come by. Luis Romo would score for Mexico in the 50th minute. He would be assisted by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Senggyu who would jump to catch the ball, trip over his teammate, and drop the ball to Luis's feet for the goal. Korea would chase the match, and come close to tying on a few occasions, but fail to earn a point. Mexico have won Group A and will see themselves through to the Round of 32. South Korea sit in a great position to advance, but must finish business against South Africa.

 

 

Two players found themselves with 24 points apiece, each with a perfect pick in a different match. Moving up from sixth place to fifth, thanks in no small part to his prediction of Canada defeating Qatar 6 goals to 0, the performance of the day goes to Historicus.

Tomorrow the action continues with 4 more matches as Groups C and D play their second group stage contests. Who will advance? Who will be eliminated? How will you fare?

 

 

Jonathan David earns Canada's First Hattrick and First Victory at a World Cup

 27/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Canada were disappointed to finish their first match of the 2026 World Cup with a draw. The elusive first World Cup victory would have to wait. Qatar were looking to keep the success of their first point earned at a World Cup going. The hosts of the 2022 World Cup, and the Co-Hosts of the 2026 World Cup were playing for only the second time. Their 2022 friendly ended in favor of Canada 2 goals to 0. Cyle Larin started things off with a goal in the 16th minute that erupted the crowd in the stands. Jonathan David would double the lead in the 29th minute, and put away a second goal 3 minutes into stoppage time of the first half. Qatar's only meaningful moment of the first 45 was Homam Ahmed's red card which sent them down to 10 mean for his challenge of Tajon Buchanon. The second half would be a identical to the first. It would start with Assim Madibo's red card for his challenge of Ismael Kone who come off due to injury. Nathan David would put a fourth goal away for Canada in minute 64. Mohamed Manai would then gift a fith goal to Canada by putting the ball into his own team's net. Jonathan David would then find his third goal in the 2nd minute of stoppage time of the second half. This was in many ways the Jonathan David show for the man so nice they named him twice.

 

 

Switzerland have just the Manzambi to Beat Bosnia and Herzegovina

 13/52nds of the World Cup

  

Switzerland were denied a victory by a late goal against Qatar. Bosnia and Herzegovina fought back to draw against Canada in their opener. Both teams looked to take their fate back into their own hands with a victory. The only previous meeting between the two was a friendly in 2016 won by Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 goals to nil. The match would be tight and close until the 74th minute when Johan Manzambi scored to put Switzerland ahead. Just 6 minutes later Tarik Muharemovic would earn a red card for a sloppy tackle on Breel Embolo. The Swiss would take advantage of the situation and score 3 more goals. Ruben Vargas would put one away in the 84th minute, followed by Johan Manzambi's second goal in the 90th minute. Granit Xhaka convert a spot kick in the 7th minute of injury time to make it 4-1 for the Swiss. Bosnia and Herzegovina would earn a meaningless goal in the 3rd minute of stoppage time thanks to the efforts of Ermin Mahmic. Switzerland have placed themselves well to make it to the Round of 32. Bosnia and Herzgovina find themselves with a patter of heartbeat, but life nonetheless in this tournament.

 

 

Teboho Mokoena leaves Czechia a little Sadilek

25/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

 

 Both Czechia and South Africa lost their opening games. They could each use a win to increase their chances of advancing in the World Cup. A loss would be a sure guarantee of an early exit. Their only previous meeting was at the 1997 Confederations Cup where they finished with a 2-2 draw. Michal Sadilek would give Czechia a lift in the 6th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead. Czechia would control more possession for the remainder of the match, but South Africa would find their moment in the 83rd minute. Teboho Mokoena would step up to the penalty spot. He would earn the chance after Thapelo Maseko's shot would be blocked by Pavel Sulc's hand. A most dubious act as Pavel is not the Czech goalkeeper. Teboho would convert the penalty giving South Africa hope that their tournament run is not over. Czechia were disappointed as their performance was good enough to keep South Africa from scoring in the run of play. Both teams have a difficult task in their final group match, but still everything to play for.

 

 

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.