USA thump Paraguay whilst co-hosts Canada rescue a point against Bosnia and Herzegovina
The USA began their World Cup campaign with an impressive and dominant win over Paraguay with former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, now of Monaco, striking twice before the break as the US built up a 3-0 advantage by half-time. Their dominance continued in the second half although it was Paraguay who scored next against the run of play to reduce the deficit. They could not build on that however, and the US completed their excellent evening when Giovanni Reyna scored their fourth goal deep into stoppage time. Certainly a very convincing win for the Americans which suggests they too could ruffle feathers and go deep into the tournament. Whether the majority of the US population care or even notice is another matter! For Paraguay, a re-think needed before their next match against Turkey but such is the nature of the tournament that a single win may prove enough to qualify for the Last 32. The -3 goal difference is not in their favour though.
Earlier, Canada secured their first point at a World Cup Finals tournament, having lost all 3 group matches at both the 1986 and 2022 tournaments, but needed a 78th minute equaliser from Southampton striker Cyle Larin to do so as he finished well, aided by a deflection. It was a deserved goal for the other co-hosts after dominating the second half. Their visitors had a taken the lead in the 21st minute from a classic corner routine where Jovo Kovic headed home a flick-on from Sead Kolasinac, another former Arsenal player. Canada felt hard done by where they thought the Bosnian goalkeeper should have been sent off in the second half when, whilst punching clear a through ball his follow through struck Canadian striker Oluwaseyi. Personally I did not think it was a red card. I am not sure what the goalkeeper could have done and his momentum inevitably meant he made contact with the on-rushing Oluwaseyi. The important point was that he made contact with the ball first before the player. Wayne Rooney did not agree but that surely just strengthens my point! Sorry Wayne. It is a decent point for both sides.
Friday 12th June 2026
South Korea 2 Czech Republic 1
My correspondent in the US tells me that this was a very entertaining match and watching the highlights it would seem so. South Korea were the better side throughout, especially after a dominant first half. The Czech Republic looked obdurate in defence and dangerous from set pieces and long throws (are they Arsenal in disguise? 😉). Indeed, it was from along throw that the Czech’s opened the scoring in the 59th minute though captain Ladislav Krejci of Wolverhampton Wanderers. At that stage it looked as though South Korea were going to regret all their first half missed chances but to their credit they kept plugging away and Hwang In-Beom equalised on 67 minutes. Chances at either end followed as both looked for a winner. Tomas Soucek thought he had done just that when heading in from a free-kick but he was marginally offside and the goal was disallowed. To add further disappointment for him and his teammates South Korea went down the other end and scored a legitimate goal themselves, Oh Hyeon-Gyu the goalscorer having just come on for Son Heung-Min. 2-1 it finished.
Korea look a decent side and will ruffle some feathers potentially. The Czechs look good from set plays but offered little otherwise but you can win matches scoring just from set plays so do not discount them yet.
Mexico 2 South Africa 0
The opening match of the tournament saw co-hosts Mexico play South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. As opening matches go it wasn’t too bad to watch. They can often be dull, cagey affairs with neither side wanting to make any errors. I think the early goal for Mexico helped since it meant that South Africa had to be more positive which in turn allowed Mexico more space to work with in the South African final third. Being honest, the visitors never really looked like scoring and their cause was not helped by the sending off of defender Yaya Sithole early in the second half for denying a goal scoring opportunity. Mexico doubled their lead midway through the second half through Raul Jimenez to effectively kill off the game. The drama did not end there though as two further red cards, both harsh, resulted in the match ending with 10 against 9. South Africa were further reduced with 10 minutes remaining before Mexico also had a player sent off for, supposedly, denying a goal scoring opportunity although that was extremely harsh. The match ended 2-0 to the hosts.
World Cup Prediction Competition 2026
After USA 4 Paraguay 1 and Canada 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
28 people correctly predicted Canada’s 1-1 draw but no-one had the USA winning 4-1. That latter result ended a highly impressive opening from Phil Dibley, Simon Freeland, Lydia Hitch and John Spencer who each got the first three scores spot on. I have not known 4 people achieve that before. Of those 4, Simon, Lydia and John also correctly predicted the US win with Simon’s and Lydia’s 2-1 predictions taking them joint top on 30 points each. John’s 2-0 prediction leaves him 1 point behind on 29. Phil’s 1-1 prediction leaves him 4th on 25 with a large number of people close behind.
At the bottom only 1 player remains on negative points, Julia Servi with her first entry. Her second entry is doing considerably better at least.
Still very early days so plenty of time and matches for things to change.
After South Korea 2 Czech Republic 1
15 people correctly predicted 2-1 with 5 people now having both matches spot on as they all get my first honourable mentions of the day – Simon Freeland, Phil Dibley, John Spencer, Lydia Hitch and what looks like an Arsenal supporting rat who goes by the name of Roland. Of course he does! Certainly a rat who knows his football.
Those 5 all lead jointly overall, Group A and most spot on predictions.
After Mexico 2 South Africa 0
In the Prediction Competition no less than 46 people correctly predicted the 2-0 win to take a joint early lead overall, in Group A and the most spot on predictions in the Group Phase.
Rather unexpectedly, the first red card competition also kicked off. South Africa was the correct prediction. As is often the case, more than 1 person predicted this, in fact 8 did – David Blount, John Faulkner, Amanda Freeland, Tom Hubbard, Tony Kenley, Glynn Head, Rob Kelly and Leo Knop. The tie-breaker for this situation is the person who scores most points on the matches involving that country. John, Amanda, Tom and Tony all scored 8 points and thus co-lead that bonus competition at present. David, Glynn and Rob scored 5 points. Leo scored -1. At least 2 more matches to come for South Africa so time for things to change.
PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.
