World Cup 2026 Group Stages (Round of 48)
Group A: Mexico vs. South Africa 2-0
All in all, both teams under-performed. South African defence was indecisive
in clearance and that gave Mexico a freebie of a goal. It was the first game
of the whole tournament so it was understandable that Mexico would play
cautiously but their attack was not effective either. It looked like Mexico
would surely lose to an European team if ever that were to happen. South
Africa got forward but their shooting efforts were futile. They were clumsy
in some tackles that eventually led to 2 red cards. Mexico also committed
one deliberate and sloppy tackle near the box and that led to a red card as
well. It was a boring match.
Group A: South Korea vs. Czechia 2-1
Group B: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1
Canada was forward and dominant in attack but the finish was lackluster.
Meanwhile before the first hydration break, Czechia got a corner kick chance
to which they converted into a goal. But Canada kept knocking on the door
and the substitute Larin finally scored the equalizer in the 78th minute.
Canada should've had many more goals but couldn't capitalize on any of their
chances until the last second. Canada should've won but ended in a draw.
Group D: USA vs. Paraguay 4-1
Paraguay and USA both looked threatening in the beginning. USA looked quite
skillful and the quick passing allowed them to dominate the game. They
scored early on; although it was an own goal, the US deserved every credit
for the movement was threatening and a goal was inevitable. After their
first goal, they became more comfortable and the game was one-sided.
Paraguay was busy defending. The second goal from the Americans was not an
own goal but all resulted from good forward movement. It seemed like the US
team was almost playing around with Paraguay. Before closing the first half,
the Americans scored another to make it 3 nil. Late in the second half,
Paraguay got a chance and pounced on it to pull one back. In the last few
seconds of stop-itch time, the US showed individual skill prowess as the
inside right foot made its way to the back of the net to seal the already
predicted win.
Group B: Qatar vs. Switzerland 1-1
Group C: Brazil vs. Morocco 1-1
Surprisingly from the get-go, Morocco looked like the stronger team
with fast paced offensive movement. Brazil had some poor passing and they
looked too lax with the ball at times. Morocco had the first goal of the
game from a nice long pass that led to a one-to-one situation with the
striker and keeper and the striker lifted up the ball over the keeper to lob
into the net. Brazil was desperate to equalize but Morocco remained
threatening. However, what saved Brazil was the individual skill of Vinícius
Júnior. Vini was the one who made an excellent strike to tie it up one a
piece. Brazil gained a bit more confidence after that and got a little more
ball possession but they were still in threat. It was a stalemate in the
second half so the result remained unchanged.
Group C: Haiti vs. Scotland 0-1
Scotland dominating the game was expected and it was so in the beginning but
quarter way of first half, Haiti held their own in terms of ball possession.
Scotland ultimately succeeded in scoring first however from a play that
started from the center back and pressuring inside the box that led to a
deflection and an own goal. That fired up Scotland and they became more
threatening. When Haiti went up forward, it seemed like their finishing move
was lackluster. It was a fierce second half as Scotland wanted another goal
to seal the deal and Haiti wanted to equalize but both to no avail. So
Scotland barely won. Great effort from Haiti.
Group D: Australia vs. Turkiye 2-0
Turkiye was the favourite to win but there was a twist of events. The difference was who was on target or not; in this case, Australia made the goals and Turkiye directed the shots at the keeper. It was a fierce competition and Aussies prevailed at the top.
Group E: Germany vs. Curacao 7-1
Germany dominated as usual. Curacao looked focused but their final move was
interfered by Germany. Meanwhile, Germany's individual skill was impressive
which led to their first goal. The problem with Germany was the inaccurate passing at times. Before the
hydration break in about the 21st minute, Curacao went forward in a fast
pace and Germany couldn't stop them properly so that resulted in them
equalizing. Germany led the plays but Curacao was waiting to
counter-attack so the fast-paced game was exciting to watch. They were
tied but Germany kept bombarding Curacao with offensive movement and
Germany was able to add to their score from a corner kick and a header
connection. German's third goal was achieved from a penalty kick due to a
non-yellow card tackle in the penalty box. From the first play in the
second half, Germany scored another one. It was all Germany thereafter.
The Germans creatively found space and penetrated in the center in the box
to get another goal. Curaco looked hopeless in defence and let more space
to be open so Germany scored again.
Group F: Netherlands vs. Japan 2-2
Japan's defence system was well intact as they occupied spaces that
obstructed Netherlands from penetrating. Japan was too occupied on defending
and their counters didn't end in convincing finishes while Netherlands
couldn't find proper space and clear-cut opportunities to shoot so it was a
stalemate in the first half. All the goals came in the second half. If
Netherlands couldn't penetrate Japan's territory, they made up with
formidable long-range shots. Netherlands scored first with an excellent shot
by individual skill, then Japan caught up to tie it replying with their own
excellent screamer of a goal. Not long after, Netherlands were ahead again
with another beautiful shot. Japan then dominated possession and kept
knocking on the door. Eventually Japan equalized from a corner kick and a
header connection. At the last minute, Japan killed time so they could keep
the tie. It was the most exciting tie game of the tournament so far.
Group E: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador 1-0
It was a scoreless stalemate of a first half as Ecuador was offensive but
couldn't finish and Ivory Coast was busy defending and counter-attacking. In
the second half, Ivory Coast looked slightly more threatening but they were
neck and neck. As the game was nearing the end, Ivory Coast looked like they
were closer to a goal and they did indeed score in the 90th minute. In
stop-itch time, Ecuador was frantic to equalize and Ivory Coast's attack
continued to be fired up. At the last second, Ecuador got a corner kick but
to no avail.
Group F: Sweden vs. Tunisia 5-1
Tunisia was outclassed by the strong attacking Sweden.
Group H: Spain vs. Cape Verde 0-0
Spain mostly had the ball but Cape Verde held their own in terms of defence so it was difficult for Spain to penetrate or make goal opportunities. In the seldom instances that Cape Verde had counter chances, their finish were lackluster. Spain's final move was lacking as well so it remained scoreless in the first half. Second half wasn't any better. It seemed like Spain was frustrated because things were not going their way. Late in the second half, Yamal was substituted in to add more creativity on the right flank. He looked threatening as soon as he came in but to no avail. Spain kept trying to organize plays to create opportunities for goal but their shooting condition, especially Mikel Oyarzabal, was poor today. So it ended in a tie. It was a significant win for the World Cup first-timers Cape Verde that they didn't lose to a major team.
Group G: Belgium vs. Egypt 1-1
Belgium was careful in building plays while Egypt was fast paced and forward. In the 20th minute, Egypt made a surprise long-range shot and succeeded in an awesome goal. That boosted the confidence for Egypt. In the second half, the competition was tight as Egypt wanted more goals and Belgium needed to tie. There were some chances for Belgium but couldn't convert to goals. Late in the second half, Lukaku was substituted in and as soon as he went on pitch, he assisted in scoring the equalizer via own goal with authority. After tying, Belgium became more confident while Egypt looked rushed. In the end, both teams were in a rush but there were no more goals.
Group H: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay 1-1
Surprisingly, Saudi Arabia tried to keep ball possession but they were lacking individual skill that led to their efforts being overturned. Uruguay was also not impressive when it came to lobbing the ball aimlessly to the front at no man's land. Saudi scored the goal first from a rebound. In turn, Uruguay was in a rush to even the score but failed to do so in the first half. Uruguay mostly had the ball possession in the second half. Time was counting down and Uruguay was restless as they missed in their chances. They kept knocking on the door and eventually they also scored by rebound. Uruguay gave it their all but couldn't add to their score in the end.
Group G: Iran vs. New Zealand
Iran dominated in possession in the beginning but it was actually New Zealand that scored first early that started from the keeper's long kick. The momentum moved to New Zealand thereafter. But in the latter half of first half, Iran regained momentum and eventually equalized. It also seemed that the crowd was more on Iran's side as the cheers were louder. Each team took turns back and forth in attack and it was a nail-biting end to the first half.
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