It's not a Chess Board for Czechia and Mateo, or Africa versus Korea for the Better South

 27/52nds of the World Cup

 

 

Mexico were guaranteed to finish as Group A Winners, but were looking to go perfect and pick up the 9 points. Czechia sat in 3rd place with 1 point coming into this match. They needed the best result possible as they could finish anywhere from 2nd to 4th in the group. Their only prior meeting was in 2000's Chinese New Year tournament where Czechia would be 2 goals to 1 better. Mexico would labor to find a goal, scoring in the 55th minute thanks to Mateo Chavez. Julian Quinones would double the lead in the 61st minute. If there was any doubt as to which team would win, Alvaro Fidalgo would score in the 4th minute of second half stoppage time. Mexico had their perfect opening to the World Cup, while Czechia's fate would be determined in the other match of Group A.

 

 

 

South Korea sat in 2nd place of Group A looking for a big victory over 4th place South Africa to book a spot in the Round of 32. South Africa started the World Cup would a terrible performance against Mexico. They rescued a point against Czechia thanks to an 83rd minute penalty converted by Teboho Mokoena. South Africa have never escaped the Group Stage, and their backs were to the wall. The two sides battled back and forth, but the victory came in the 63rd minute thanks to Thapelo Maseko. The victory shot South Africa to 2nd Place and a match in the Round of 32. South Korea fall to Third. South Africa will face Canada on June 28th for a spot in the Round of 16. South Korea await their fate hoping at least 4 third place teams have worse performances. 

 

 

 Two players with perfect picks on the day. The better perfect pick was the selection of Brazil to defeat Scotland 3-0. With a monstrous 32 points on the day, and extending her lead at the top of the board from 7 to 12 points, all hail Praeceptor!

Tomorrow 6 more matches played 2 at a time. Groups D, E, and F finish up the Group Stage and the Round of 32 will take more shape. Who will win, what upsets will there be, and how will your playoff bracket compare to reality?

 

 

Morocco Goals than Haiti can Score, or a Brazilian ways to Lose in Miami

 1/2 of the World Cup

  

 

Morocco and Haiti have never played football against each other before. Haiti already found themselves eliminated from contention for the World Cup. Morocco knew that they could not finish lower than 2nd in the group, but had their eyes on first place. A Yassine Bounou own goal would give Haiti the 1-0 lead. Achraf Hakimi would tie the match in the 39th minute. Haiti would score a proper goal of their own in the 43rd minute thanks to Wilson Isidor. Ismael Saibari would tie the match in the 5th minute of first half stoppage time. The second half would belong to Morocco with goals by Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine in the 78th and 89th minutes. Final score 4-2 for Morocco.

 

   

 

Scotland knew they could not finish last in the Group, but were determined to finish higher than third. Brazil knew they were through to the Round of 32, but were keen to finish Group Winners. This matchup would be the fifth between Scotland and Brazil at a World Cup. 1974 would finish a scoreless draw, but Scotland would lose meetings in 1982, 1990, and 1998. Unfortunately for the Tartan Army, Scotland's traveling fan base, their World Cup drought against Brazil would continue. Vinicius Junior would score in the 7th and 3rd minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-0 lead going into the half. Matheus Cunha would put the match out of reach with a 60th minute goal to seal a 3-0 victory. Brazil and Morocco advance as Group Winners and runners-up. Scotland finish 3rd and await to see if they've played well enough to move on.

 

 

Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Qatar score to Defeat Qatar, or Switzerland have the Manzambi to Beat Canada

 25/52nds of the World Cup

  

 

Qatar were eliminated after their 2nd match at the World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina knew they would have to play their part and hope for a big result in their favor between Switzerland and Canada to guarantee a trip to the Round of 32. In two prior meetings with Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina managed a draw and a loss. Playing when it matters brought the best out of them. Karim Alajbegovic made it 1-0 in the 29th minute. Mahmoud Abunada would score an own goal to give Bosnia and Herzegovina a 2-0 lead. Hassan Alhaydos would bring the match to a 1 goal deficit with a goal in the 42nd minute. Emin Mahmic would put the match away with a 3rd goal in the 80th minute. Victory for the Dragons.

  

 

  

Switzerland's only meeting with Canada was a friendly match that finished 1-3 in favor of Canada. The Cohosts of World Cup 2026 were set to face of with the Swiss for the Group Winner of Group B. Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi would score in the second half for Switzerland in the 46th and 57th minutes to give Switzerland a 2-0 lead. Promise David would score in the 73th minute for Canada to put the match within reach. Unfortunately for Canada, their time has run out in the match, but they still move on to the Round of 32 as the runners-up. Switzerland advances as Group Winners. Bosnia and Herzegovina will finish as one of the 8 best 3rd place teams. 

 

 

Daniel Mu-knows how to Win a Match

6/13ths of the World Cup

 

 

The first meeting of Colombia and Congo DR was a meaningful match. Colombia were looking to carry the momentum of their 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan to defeat Congo DR. The Congolese were looking to build off their 1-1 draw with Portugal. Late match pressure by Congo DR would prove to be too little. The moment of the match came when Daniel Munoz scored the only goal of the match in the 76th minute. Colombia have guaranteed their advancement to the Round of 32. Congo DR sit in 3rd place with all to play for in their final match.

 

 

There were no perfect picks on the day. The performance of the day is the result of 23 points. The player of the day increased her lead at the top of the table from 3 points to 7. For the second day in a row, Praeceptor has demonstrated her superior skills.

Tomorrow begins the last matchday of the Group Stage. Groups A, B, and C will play simultaneously two matches at a time. 6 matches to map out the Round of 32, and seal elimination for teams in 4th place. The points will come hot and heavy. We are just 4 days away from the playoffs. Good Luck to All!

 

 

 

When you need a Win, Call your Best Budimir

 47/104ths of the World Cup

  

 

Panama and Croatia each suffered losses in their first matches. Both teams knew another loss would end their hopes of winning the World Cup. The two sides had never met prior to tonight. With their backs against the wall, both sides were ready for battle. Panama out shot Croatia 8 goals to 6. Croatia were on target twice, while Panama only once. Two of those shots were saved, but not Ante Budimir's 54th minute strike which would prove to be the decisive goal. Croatia's victory leaves them with 3 points, 1 point behind both England and Ghana. A win against Ghana would guarantee them a place in the Round of 32. Panama's second loss eliminates them from competition and leaves them with a final match against England to play for pride. 

 

 

When the Goals have Ghana-way it's Hard to Score

 

 23/52nds of the World Cup

 

 

England and Ghana met in 2011 and battled to a 1-1 draw. England's second half explosion to defeat Croatia 4-2 looked to be the first and second gears they would need to win a World Cup. Ghana's last minute victory over Panama set this clash to be a battle for top spot and potential advancement to the Round of 32. England pummeled Ghana's goal, while the Black Stars were more than comfortable to sit back and defend. Of a combined 21 shots only 5 found the target to be saved by Ghanaian goalkeeper Benjamin Asare. Ghana sit second behind England only on goal differential. Both teams look to move on but have to wait for their 3rd matches.