England squeeze through. Belgium somehow qualify and USA join fellow co-hosts Canada and Mexico in the Last 16
Well, let’s not pretend that was pleasant to watch or experience. A slow, careless opening to the match allowed DR Congo to score early that gave them belief and something to hang onto. It was the worst possible start and took until the first hydration break for anything to really change. After that we sped things up and started to create some chances although found the DR Congo goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi, in inspired form as he pulled off two top class saves from Jude Bellingham headers and then another after the break from a deflected shot that looked destined to nestle in the net. As time passed the feeling that it was going to be “one of those days” grew until Anthony Gordon was brought on and supplied a cross that (Sir) Harry Kane powered a header past Mpasi to level the tie. Ironically, Mpasi will be disappointed that he did not keep the header out. It was an easier save than his previous ones from Bellingham. Thankfully from our perspective he could not get enough on the header to push it round the post and parity was restored. 75 minutes gone. Kane then thumped home the winner with 4 minutes remaining and England had escaped.
Credit must go to DR Congo who played well and did not employ the low block as I thought they would. They were a constant threat on the break and really should have gone 2 goals ahead when Yoann Wissa struck the post just before half-time. That could have been curtains. Their performance is another example of how far African football has progressed in recent years. Surely a matter of time until an African nation wins the World Cup if they do not this year. Morocco co-host the finals in 2030. A great opportunity.
The match conjured up memories of England’s Last 16 tie versus Slovakia in Euro 2024 when we needed a 95th minute equaliser from Bellingham to salvage extra-time that day. Kane went on to score the winner in the extra period ad England eventually progressed to the final where they narrowly lost to Spain. The performance against Slovakia, another low block exponent, was shocking. I don’t think last night was as bad but an improvement has to be made if we want to progress further. Next up is Mexico at their home stadium, the Azteca in Mexico City, where they have only ever lost twice in competitive matches since they started playing there in 1966, the last being against Honduras in 2013. They have never lost a World Cup match there. The last time England played there was the infamous “Hand of God” defeat to Argentina in the World Cup quarter final in 1986. Other than a very talented Mexico side, the biggest issue is the altitude, 7220 ft above sea level. England will not have time to acclimatise before the match. Ecuador are used to playing at altitude but they were brushed aside by the Mexicans in their recent Last 32 tie. It is a huge advantage for the co-hosts. England will need to be very canny to try to keep the pace of the match slow to avoid burning out too quickly. Substitutions will also be key. They also need to play considerably better than in their previous 3 matches as well. Mexico like to start fast. We need to be ready for that, unlike last night. We may need to be the ones employing the low block this time!
If we were fortunate to progress, Belgium were incredibly lucky. They were completely outplayed by Senegal, 2 goals down with 4 minutes remaining. The oil tanker that is Romelu Lukaku these days was doing his best to drag the Belgians up the field but they still did not look like scoring until a good block on the edge of the Senegalese penalty area by Diego Moreira broke kindly to Thomas Meunier who crossed and Lukaku finished excellently. A lifeline but surely Senegal could see it out. Unfortunately, panic set in for them. Another cross from Leandro Trossard saw their goalkeeper rush out to try to punch the ball away but miss it completely allowing Youri Tielemans to head into the unguarded net in the 89th minute. 2-2. Extra time. The match looked to be heading for a penalty shoot out when another cross, from Moreira this time, flashed across the Senegal 6 yard box before being cleared. There was a coming together between Lamine Camara and Tielemans as the ball passed them. The on-field referee gave nothing but the VAR saw something and eventually sent the on-field referee to the pitchside screen. We all know what the outcome when that happens. Penalty awarded to Belgium which Tielemans expertly converted to see the Belgians through to the Last 16. Very harsh on Senegal. I did not think it was a penalty, or if it was then surely we would have loads each match. I really do not know what the VARs find. Harry Kane was fouled. Yes, he was looking for it and ensured there was contact but he was still fouled. Nothing given. VAR did not intervene. There was far less contact for the Belgian penalty yet they did intervene. I am lost for words, which is unusual for me!
I did not stay up for the USA v Bosnia and Herzegovina match. I expected the USA to win and they duly did although had to play the final 25 minutes with 10 men, with the score 1-0, after goalscorer Folarin Balogun was sent off for a poor tackle on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic. The visitors could not take advantage however, and the hosts added a second goal through a Malik Tillman free-kick in the 82nd minute to secure a 2-0 victory and set up a Last 16 tie against Belgium.
World Cup Prediction Competition 2026
Louis V holds onto top spot with 423 points ahead Gordon Annetts who remains 2nd on 421 points and Stuart Corbould 3rd on 418 points. Alan Dadswell is back up to 4th place with 407, Rebecca Corbould back up to 5th with 404, Tom Moir has dropped to 6th on 403 with Ian Clapinson and Jim Russell joint 7th on 402 with everyone else still well within touching distance and still ready to pounce if the top spots make any mistakes.
Incredibly tight and very exciting. Just how I like it!
Honourable mentions today go to Martin Wilson and Fiona Finnegan who both got England 2-1 DR Congo spot on. Plenty got the USA’s 2-0 win spot on. Credit to them as well.
Martin Blackwell, Milly Henley, Paul Lomas, James Oliver and Jamie Russell all had Belgium winning 3-2, the only problem being they predicted those wins to be against the Czech Republic, South Korea and Cape Verde. All still get 4 points for correctly predicting Belgium to win, scoring 3 goals though. Nothing for the Czech Republic or South Korea of course but James’ Cape Verde prediction may yet yield points.
PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.
