Galarza, the Paraguayan way to Slay a Turkiye

 4/13ths of the World Cup

 

 

The only previous match between Turkiye and Paraguay occurred at the Copa Centenario in 1995. That match ended in a scoreless draw. Both sides would need at least the same result to keep their tournament hopes alive. Paraguay fell to the United States in their opening match 4-1. Turkiye dominated Australia in most statistics, but still fell to the Socceroos 0-2. The deciding action would come in the 2nd minute when Matias Galarza would score to put Paraguay ahead. Turkiye would chase the match but fail to find the all important goal, their second match without the important statistic. Not even gifting Turkiye a man proved helpful as Miguel Almiron received a red card in the 3rd minute of first half stoppage time. The second straight loss eliminates Turkiye from the World Cup, the second team sent packing. Paraguay has life, but will need to defeat Australia in their ultimate matchup of the Group Stage.

 

 

Three perfect picks of the day, including two by Tournament Leader IoannesNix. One performance was better, by 2 points. With 26 points on the day, a perfect pick in Morocco's 1-0 victory over Scotland, and jumping 2 spots from 4th to 2nd, congratulations to Musicus.

The action picks up on Saturday at 1:00 pm as Groups E and F complete their 2nd Group matches. Best of luck to all.

 

 

Cunha let somebody else Score, Brazil?

 31/104ths of the World Cup

  

  

Brazil were disappointed with their draw against Morocco. Haiti were equally disappointed with their narrow loss to Scotland. Neither side was locked into the Round of 32, but both were looking to make history. The two sides have met three previous times. Twice in friendlies, and again in the 2016 Copa America. Haiti have been outscored 17-1 in those matches. Brazil would win on the scoreboard with goals from Matheus Cunha in the 23rd and 36th minutes. Vinicius Junior would add a third goal in the 3rd minute of stoppage time of the first half. The action would commence in the second half, but neither side could find the back of the net. For Haiti, this was their best result against Brazil. They took almost as many shots as Brazil (6 to 7), and found the target on about an equal amount (2 to 4). Unfortunately, Haiti were not as clinical with their finishing as Brazil, and find themselves with the most dubious title of first team eliminated from the World Cup. Brazil sit with 4 points along with Morocco, and finish their Group Stage against Scotland with the hope of winning Group C.

 

 

Morocco of the same, only this Time they Win

15/52nds of the World Cup 

 

 

 Scotland entered their second match of the World Cup with 3 points under their belt after defeating Haiti. Morocco prepared to face Scotland coming off of their exciting 1-1 draw with Brazil. The two have met one time before, at the World Cup of 1998. On that day Morocco won 3 goals to 1. Both teams found themselves out at the Group Stage behind Brazil and Norway. Both teams had all to play for today. Morocco struck quickly in the 2nd minute thanks to Ismael Saibari. That would finish the only goal of the match placing Morocco briefly at the top of Group C, and Scotland 2nd. 

 

 

Australia find facing the United States no Day at the Beach

 29/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

The United States and Australia were both coming off victories in their previous matches. Their showdown today introduced both to the opportunity to clinch a spot in the Round of 32, and possibly find themselves top of the group. The United States have never met at a tournament, but have played four previous friendlies. The U.S. has fared better in those matches winning two, drawing one, and losing one. Australia hoped to drive past the U.S. Of particular note was the second start for Patrick Beach, ahead of Mathew Ryan, the veteran number 1 and captain of the team. There is still no word as to why he was benched, but his young replacement was looking to show he was up for the match. Unfortunately for Patrick, teammate Cameron Burgess would deflect the ball past Beach into Australia's net in the 11th minute to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Alex Freeman would put the U.S. up 2-0 in the 43rd minute just before the break. Australia couldn't muster up the performance to come back, and the U.S. couldn't find any more fire power to add to their tally. As it stands, the United States sit atop the group, the Round of 32 ensured, and a possible lock as Group winners depending on the result of Turkiye and Paraguay. Australia sit with 3 points and their future in their hands, or at the least their feat.

 

 

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.