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.

 

 

Sweden Score a Tunisia Goals

 3/26ths of the World Cup

  

 

Sweden and Tunisia have met on five occasions in friendly contests. Sweden won two contests, the two drew one match, and Tunisia came away victorious once. Those matches were in the distant past as the two teams haven't played each other since 2003. For Sweden, they may be the least deserving team to qualify for the World Cup given their winless campaign in the group stage of UEFA Qualifying. Tunisia qualified from their group without losing a match. If the world was fair, this would be an easy win for Tunisia. As it is, a side which only managed 4 goals in 6 qualifying matches of their group, put 5 goals past Tunisia. Omar Rekik would find the back of the net for Tunisia to make the match 2-1 in favor of Sweden. The combined efforts of Yasin Ayari, Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, Mattias Svanberg proved to be too much for Tunisia. 

 

  

While there were no perfect picks today, the performance of the day goes to a player who racked up 19 points and moved 3 spots up in the standings. Congratulations to Scriptor.

Another day is in the books. Tomorrow the Tournament rolls on with four more matches as Groups G and H kick off. 

Sleep Well my Crias,

 

 

Ecuador Amad at Cote d'Ivoire

 11/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador have never played a football match. Coming into this tournament, this contest was going to be a battle of two defensive units. Ecuador recorded 13 clean sheets out of 18 matches in CONMEBOL Qualifying. Cote d'Ivoire didn't allow a single goal in 10 qualifying matches in their group in CAF Quailfying. There was only one goal in this match, and it came at the 90th minute. Amad Diallo plays hero giving Cote d'Ivoire 3 points to sit 2nd behind German on Goal Differential. Can the Elephants continue their fine form? Can Ecuador turn things around and escape the Group?

 

 

In Honor of the New York Knicks, Netherlands and Japan Play to a Draw

 2/52nds of the World Cup

 

 

The Netherlands and Japan met for only the second time at a FIFA World Cup. The previous meeting in 2010 resulted in a 1-0 victory for the Dutch. They would go on to finish Runners-up to Spain in the Final. Japan would lose in the Round of 16 to Paraguay on penalties 3-5. The last time these two teams met was a friendly in November of 2013 that finished a 2-2 draw. Netherlands came out first trying to match their 2010 performance when Virgil Van Dijk scored in the 50th minute. Japan would fight back courtesy of Keito Nakaumura in the 57th minute. Oranje would take the lead again in the 64th minute as Cyrsencio Summerville scored the go ahead goal. Japan is known for the skill of their ping pong players, and their football players are just as skilled. Daichi Kamada would make it 2 goals to both sides in the 88th minute, just in time to share a point apiece.

  

 

Curaçao Wow, but let in Germany Goals

 9/104ths of the World Cup

 

 

Germany have been eliminated from the last two World Cups at the Group Stage. Curaçao have never played a match at a World Cup. They became the smallest nation to take the field, and to score a goal. The two teams had never met before, and Curaçao will be glad to have Germany in the rearview mirror. Germany opened the scoring in the 6th minute thanks to Felix Nmecha. Curaçao stunned the world by scoring an equalizer via Livan Comenencia in the 27th minute. The match would turn one sided after that, as Germany would score 6 more goals via Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz via a penalty kick, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav, and a second by Kai Havertz. The last time Germany won a World Cup match by 7 goals to 1 was in 2014. They eliminated hosts Brazil in the Semifinals on their way to winning the whole shebang. Is this a sign of things to come?

 

 

Australia went to Canada to see about a Turkiye, and Irankunda Little, and Met(a)calfe

 1/13ths of the World Cup

 

 

The United States' victory over Paraguay meant that Australia and Turkiye needed a win not to get left in the chasing pack. Australia have never made it past the Round of 16 at a World Cup. Turkiye, though only at their 3rd World Cup, finished in 3rd place in 2002. Head to Head, Australia had not beaten Turkiye ever, losing both friendlies played in May of 2004. This warm evening in Vancouver would tell a different tale. Nestory Irankunda would score the opening goal in the 27th minute to put Australia ahead. Turkiye would dominate the match in many statistics such as their 30 shots to Australia's 9, 90% passes completed to Australia's 74%, 8 corners to Australia's 5, and 13 free kicks to Australia's 7. Australia was also contending with the mysterious absence of Mathew Ryan, the experienced goalkeeper and captain of the team who found himself observedly unhappy to be starting on the bench. In his stead was 22 year old Patrick Beach who was able to keep a clean sheet against the Turkish onslaught. it was Connor Metcalfe who put the nail in Turkiye's coffin for the night with a goal in the 75th minute. Australia trail the United States only on goal differential. Turkiye sit currently in third for the same reason. 

 

 

With the only perfect pick on the day thanks to Scotland's 1-0 victory over Haiti, our outstanding performance goes to a competitor who has started slowly but may be heating up. Jumping up 2 spots with his daily high of 12 points, congratulations to Historicus.

 

 

The next matches will start in roughly one hour. If you watched Australia and Turkiye to the end, I hope you get to take a nap. If not, be ready for the 4 matches that are up and coming.