The second round of matches in the Group Phase got underway yesterday with two matches in Group A and two in Group B. The only one that may live longer in the memory than the other 3 was the one involving co-hosts Canada as they thrashed Qatar 6-0. They were helped by 2 red cards for the Qatari side, one in each half, one for denial of a goal scoring opportunity, the other for a late tackle that resulted in Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone breaking his leg. The absence of replays was enough to confirm that it was a nasty injury akin to others down the years such as the one for David Busst of Coventry City. Don’t look it up! The Canadians were already superior before the first of the red cards however, and were running the Qatar defence ragged. It was ultimately a very one-sided match.
In the first match of the day the Czech Republic scored early and seemingly thought opponents South Africa were incapable to doing so themselves as they sat on their 1-0 lead. It was a dire watch but credit has to go to Bafana Bafana for keeping on going. They were rewarded with a penalty for handball in the 83rd minute which they dispatched to equalise at 1-1. This sparked off by far the best spell of the game as both searched for a winner. Chances for both sides and some desperate defending meant that neither succeeded and both had to settle for a point each. With both losing their opening matches, both will need victory in their final matches to have a chance to progress.
Switzerland v Bosnia Herzegovina was an even more dismal watch until the Swiss brought on youngster Johan Manzambi and the more experienced Ruben Vargas. Manzambi scored within minutes of coming on whilst Vargas actually crossed the ball rather than Ndoye who he replaced. Goals rained as with the Swiss running out 4-1 winners.
The late match saw co-hosts Mexico secure a place in the Last 32 with a 1-0 win over South Korea courtesy of an error from Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu who spilled the ball following a collision with team-mate Lee Gi-hyuk allowing Luis Romo the simple task of tapping home. Despite defeat, Korea, with 3 points from their opening match victory, are still in a strong position to progress themselves as well.
World Cup Prediction Competition 2026
After Czech Republic 1 South Africa 1; Switzerland 4 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1; Canada 6 Qatar 0; Mexico 1 South Korea 0
No change in overall leadership last night with Jamie Faulkner still top, now with 98 points but we have a new second placed challenger as Anna Lomas has climbed into that spot with 96 points. Peter Sarfas and Adam Wootton are joint third on 95 with Alan Dadswell and Peter Sage joint 5th on 92. Ian Clapinson and Vinny McG complete the prize places in joint 7th, both with 90 points. 87 points bar those.
Rebecca Jacobs and Louis V get the honourable mentions of the day by both getting the Swiss 4-1 win spot on. That did not look very likely for the first 70 minutes or so!
After Portugal 1 DR Congo 1; England 4 Croatia 2; Ghana 1 Panama 0; Uzbekistan 1 Colombia 3
We have a new leader overall as the first set of group matches come to a close. Jamie Faulkner has gone top on 85 points, ahead of Peter Sarfas back into second place on 83. Peter Sage is back up to third on 82 with Linda Lawrence moving into the prize places in joint 4th place alongside Edward Hitch, both on 80 points. Vinny McG is another moving into the prize places for the first time as he jumps to 6th equal with Lydia Hitch both on 78. Glynn Head completes the top 8 prize places on 77 points.
Tony Kenley gets a full honourable mention of the day today being the only person to get Portugal’s draw spot on. Andrea Palmer also gets a mention since she was the only other person, alongside Tony, not to predict a Portugal victory.
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