The goals keep coming as Turkey and Tunisia become first sides to be eliminated
Quite a bit has happened since my last update on Friday. Mexico, the USA, Germany and the Netherlands have all secured a place in the Last 32 with a match to spare. Only the Netherlands are yet to also clinch top spot in their group as well. Mexico beat South Korea 1-0, the USA beat Australia 2-0, Germany came from behind to beat the Ivory Coast 2-1 and the Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1 to secure those qualifications. All were good matches as this World Cup Finals continues to entertain.
Brazil saw off Haiti 3-0 in a comfortable victory but still lacking the flamboyance and flair associated with the Canarinho but with 4 points from 2 matches they should be safe for qualification to the Last 32. Haiti remain without a point and need to beat Morocco in their final match to have any chance of progression.
In the same group, Scotland fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat by the aforementioned Morocco which leaves them in 3rd place in the group still needing at least a draw against Brazil to ensure qualification. I have to say that this was not a great watch. Morocco scored after just 71 seconds but then went into their shells as the match wore on. Scotland grew into the match but failed to really trouble the Moroccan goalkeeper. They had a couple of penalty shouts which the ardent fans will claim they were robbed but both would have been soft although I have seen softer ones given. If they can avoid a similar disastrous start against Brazil then they are capable of eeking out that much needed draw. Failure to do that then even a narrow defeat may still seem them sneak through.
Turkey became the first country to be eliminated as they lost 1-0 to 10-man Paraguay. The Turks had 32 attempts at goal to add to the 30 they had against Australia in their opening match. No goals scored though which has cost them. Paraguay were down to 10 men just before half-time after ex-Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron made history by becoming the first player to receive a red card for covering their mouth while talking to an opponent. Daft.
Tunisia also made an early exit from the tournament following their second heavy defeat, this time 4-0 to Japan. The change of head coach made no difference to the north African side. Japan’s win though will almost certainly see them through.
Lots of talk regarding the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 countries and whether it would add more very one-sided matches. That was always a danger but a number of the debutants and other smaller footballing nations have acquitted themselves very well, the latest being Curacao – the smallest nation ever to feature at a World Cup Finals tournament – as they held much fancied Ecuador to a goalless draw, their goalkeeper equalling the record of 15 saves in a match. It was a scrappy match in truth but fascinating to see whether the minnows could hold on. That they did. They are unlikely to progress further but have justified the expansion which allowed them and others the opportunity to participate in the tournament.
World Cup Prediction Competition 2026
After Tunisia 0 Japan 4
A lot has happened in the Prediction Competition as well with Peter Sarfas taking over top spot overall on 132 points. His lead is 7 points over joint second placed Alan Dadswell, Jamie Faulkner and Peter Sage all on 125. Adam Wootton sits 5th on 121, Dean Russell is 6th on 117 with Ian Clapinson, Gordon Sarfas and Bella Hitch joint 7th on 115 each. Still very tight behind the prize places and things can continue to fluctuate quickly.
At the bottom, Cathy Clapinson has taken over that prestigious position on 48 points. An England v Scotland final could change all that however!
PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.
