Turgid. Probably the best word to describe England’s performance last night. They did enough in the end but did little to make me feel they can really challenge the main contenders for the World Cup. They do tend to play better against better opposition but the optimism following the second half against Croatia has gone. DR Congo next for the Three Lions. Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in the other match in Group L to seal runners up spot behind England, leaving Ghana third. All three qualify. Croatia’s win also finally confirmed Scotland’s exit from the tournament.
Groups J and K also finished last night as the Group Phase concluded. Argentina made it 3 wins from 3 as they saw off Jordan 3-1. Austria and Algeria served up an exciting final match which ended 3-3. Both sides led in the match with Algeria seemingly getting a winner in the 93rd minute, a result that would have seen Iran qualify, only for Austria to equalise in the 96th minute to qualify themselves at the expense of Iran, who are eliminated. If this was a contrived draw it was very convincing. In Group K, Colombia secured top spot as they drew 0-0 with Portugal, a surprisingly entertaining game for 0-0. The DR Congo trailed Uzbekistan 1-0 at half-time and were victims to another very odd VAR decision which cost them an equaliser. They shrugged any disappointment off to score 3 second half goals to secure a Last 32 tie against England.
World Cup Prediction Competition 2026
Jordan 1 Argentina 3; Algeria 3 Austria 3; Colombia 0 Portugal 0; DR Congo 3 Uzbekistan 1; Panama 0 England 2; Croatia 2 Ghana 1
More prize winners from outside the top prize places overall. Group J was won jointly by Peter Sage, Mark Reynolds and Marcus Hards all with 52 points. They split the £20 prize – £6.67 each. Group K was won by Adam Bozdag with 40 points. Group L was won by Craig Stryker with 48 points. Both win £20 each. Congratulations to each of them.
The end of the Group Phase also ends the “Most spot on predictions in the Group Phase” bonus competition during which the lead changed hands on a number of occasions. 10 people ended with 10 spot on predictions and 6 people on 11, both very good scores but the winner with 12 spot on predictions is Gordon Annetts. He wins £30. Congratulations to Gordon.
With Scotland’s exit finally confirmed last night it means the most points scored on Scotland matches has also finished with Gail Richer taking the prize with 24 points. Gail wins £20. Congratulations.
Overall, more changes. Long time leader Peter Sarfas has been deposed and finds himself in joint 7th place now alongside Adam Wootton both on 355 points. Above them sit Dean Russell and Jen Smith joint 5th, both on 356, Gordon Annetts 4th on 357, Alan Dadswell 3rd on 360, Stuart Corbould now 2nd on 364 with new leader Louis V on 366.
We now enter the Knockout Phase where you can only score points on teams you have correctly predicted to reach the round being played. No-one has correctly predicted all 32 sides to reach the Last 32 but plenty have 31. The lowest is 25 but 4 of the top 5 are down to 29 so hope yet for the chasing pack.
Honourable mentions today go to Martin Blackwell who correctly predicted the goalless draw between Colombia and Portugal, plus Andrea Palmer and Gail Richer for correctly predicting Argentina beating Jordan 3-1.
A final honourable mention to Mark Lander and Rod Jacobs for deciding to ignore the cost of tickets and drive down from Ohio to Atlanta, Georgia to watch England’s next turgid match. Then drive back again. Dedication indeed.
PLEASE INVITE ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART.
