Twice behind. Twice level. Iran did not get the win, but they refused to lose twice over. Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 16, 2026, in their Group G opener at the World Cup. Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand, in the 7th and 54th minutes, … Read more
Ten saves. One goal conceded. A point that, by the numbers, Saudi Arabia had no business taking home. Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on June 16, 2026, in their Group H opener at the World Cup. Abdulelah Al-Amri put Saudi Arabia ahead in the 41st minute, … Read more
Twenty-three seconds. That is how long Romelu Lukaku needed on the pitch to change this match, and he did not even touch the ball. Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on June 16, 2026, in their Group G opener at the World Cup. Emam Ashour put Egypt ahead in the … Read more
Twenty-seven shots. Seven on target. Zero goals. Spain managed to lose this match without actually losing it. Spain drew 0-0 with Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 15, 2026, in their Group H opener at the World Cup. The European champions finished with 2.10 expected goals to Cape Verde’s 0.20, a … Read more
1.33 expected goals. Five actual ones. Somebody forgot to tell Sweden that the numbers were supposed to matter. Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 15, 2026, in their Group F opener at the World Cup. Yasin Ayari scored twice, either side of strikes from Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and … Read more
Three times the woodwork said no to Ecuador. Once was enough for Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 15, 2026, in their Group E opener at the World Cup. Substitute Amad Diallo scored the only goal in the 90th minute, finishing a Wilfried Singo cross … Read more
Two minutes. That is all the time Japan needed to turn a loss into a draw that felt like a win. The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on June 15, 2026, in their Group F opener at the World Cup. Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville scored for the … Read more
The smallest nation ever to play at a World Cup scored a goal that will be remembered forever in Willemstad. The other six goals belonged entirely to Germany. Germany beat Curacao 7-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on June 15, 2026, in their Group E opener at the World Cup. Felix Nmecha opened the … Read more
Thirty shots. Two goals conceded. Zero points to show for it. Somewhere in that gap is the entire story of Türkiye’s return to the World Cup. Australia beat Türkiye 2-0 at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, on June 14, 2026, in their Group D opener at the World Cup. Nestory Irankunda scored in the 27th … Read more
One deflection. Thirty-six years of waiting. That is how thin the gap was between Scotland and history. Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on June 14, 2026, in their Group C opener at the World Cup. John McGinn’s deflected effort found the net in the 28th minute, and it was enough … Read more