Like Spain before them, France looked a bit sluggish in the first half of their opening match against Senegal. Unlike Spain, however, they woke up in the second half and put in a performance that confirmed they should be serious contenders for the title, not least with the strength on their bench. Senegal had hit the woodwork and missed some very presentable chances in the first half which they were left to rue by the end. France should have had the opportunity to take the lead just before the hour when Kylian Mbappe was brought down in the penalty area but the on-field referee gave no penalty initially and again after been told to review on the pitch side monitor. It looked a clear foul to me so I am not sure why the referee disagreed but at least he was confident enough to do so. Despite that disappointment, Mbappe did put the French ahead shortly afterwards with a tidy finish from an exquisite pass from Michael Olise. Bradley Barcola came off the bench to add a second following a period of French pressure. That looked to have sealed the win but Senegal halved the deficit in the 4th minute of 8 added on to seemingly give the French a potential nervy close to the match. Their response was to immediately go up the other end where Mbappe thrashed in a 30 yarder to seal it again at 3-1. Game truly over this time.
In the same group, Norway and Iraq faced each other in Boston. This was an even affair throughout the first half but the Iraqis conceded within a minute of the first hydration break with Erling Haaland inevitably the man to score as he bundled in an excellent cross from David Moller Wolfe. Although the hydration breaks are needed due to the hot and humid conditions, their timing has been the subject of some debate with sides often gaining or losing initiative. It certainly did not help Iraq but to their credit they forged an equaliser in the 39th minute when Aymen Hussein placed a powerful downward header past Nyland in the Norway goal. Norway re-took the lead just 4 minutes later though after a horrible mistake from the veteran Iraqi goalkeeper Hassan who dawdled on a back pass too long and allowed Haaland to charge down his attempted clearance, the rebound going straight into the net. 2-1 to Norway at half-time. The Norwegians were the stronger side in the second period and finally secured the points when Leo Ostigard headed home a Martin Odegaard corner in the 76th minute. An own goal in the 96th minute rubbed further salt into the wound as the matche ended 4-1.
Group J then kicked off with two overnight matches. The first saw defending champions open their defence in confident fashion as they beat Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City. It was also a special night for Lionel Messi who marked his 200th match for his country with a hat-trick to move him level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup Finals tournaments (both on 16) as well as becoming the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Finals (taking that accolade from long time rival Cristiano Ronaldo). Of course, some people have said that Messi could have marked the occasion in a completely different manner after he was fortunate to escape a red card after raking his studs down the calf of Algerian defender Aissa Mandi. He did not even receive a yellow card. Players have definitely been sent off for similar offences so he was lucky that the referee did not take any action. After that he stole the show.
The second match in group J featured Austria against another country making their debut in the tournament, Jordan. Once again the new boys gave a good account of themselves and, after falling behind midway through the first half, found an equaliser just after half-time to pull level at 1-1. The match was evenly poised before the Austrians re-took the lead courtesy of an own goal by Yazan Al Arab from a corner in the 76th minute, the 4th of the tournament so far in just 20 matches. Marko Arnautovic added a third from the penalty spot deep into added time to seal the victory for Das Team.
Tuesday 16th June 2026
Spain held by debutants Cape Verde
We may not have had the goals of the previous day but that didn’t stop the excitement as World Cup favourites, Spain, were held to a goalless draw by debutants and minnows Cape Verde, equivalent of a National League side holding Manchester City. I say Manchester City since they play a similar style to Spain. The African side were well organised and ran their socks off. 40 year old goalkeeper Vozinha gained 5 million followers overnight after his exceptional performance. Whatever happens next they have left their mark on the tournament. As for Spain, a minor blip. Argentina lost their opening match in 2022 but went on to win so no panic yet for the Spaniards.
That defeat for Argentina in 2022 was inflicted by Saudi Arabia and they were looking to repeat that feat against another South American giant, Uruguay, and they very nearly did, leading 1-0 until the 80th minute at a sweltering Miami. The inaugural World Cup winners salvaged a point through the late Maxi Araujo strike, one of 28 attempts on goal.
Draws were definitely the theme yesterday as Belgium also had to rescue a point late against a good looking Egypt side. Like Spain, the Belgians lacked a traditional No.9 and struggled to break down Egypt’s excellent defence. As soon as they brought on Romelu Lukaku they equalised within a minute. Lukaku did not get the final touch but his presence forced Mohamed Hany to put through his own goal. Unfortunate for him but his side did hold on for an excellent point.
I confess that I thought Iran v New Zealand was not likely to be a thriller. It had 0-0 written all over it I thought but as is often the case, I was completely wrong. The match ended 2-2 with the Iranians twice drawing level after Motherwell’s Elijah Just had twice given the Kiwi’s the lead. Chances for both sides to win before both had to settle for a point apiece. Why are these exciting matches played in the middle of the night here? Oh well, at least we can view the highlights.
World Cup Prediction Competition 2026
After France 3 Senegal 1; Iraq 1 – 4 Norway; Argentina 3 Algeria 0; Austria 3 – Jordan 1
With matches coming thick and fast at the moment things can change fast as well although Phil Dibley has managed to hold onto top spot albeit now level on 74 points with Edward Hitch. Jamie Faulkner is now just 1 point behind the top two in 3rd place with 73 points. Glynn Head has dropped to 4th with 69 points ahead of Peter Sage and Peter Sarfas joint 5th on 58 points. 7th= are John Spencer and Juliette Hitch both on 65 points. It remains tight behind them.
Leo Knop gets my honourable mention of the day as the only person to get Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq spot on for a big 10 points. Mike Smith, Gail Richer and Tony Kenley also get a mention for getting Austria’s win spot on. 17 people got France’s win spot on and 29 people the same for Argentina’s win.
After Spain 0 Cape Verde 0; Belgium 1 Egypt 1; Saudi Arabia 1 Uruguay 1; Iran 2 New Zealand 2
Four draws yesterday, two of which were not expected resulted in modest scoring, indeed some hefty negative points scored on the Spain match but since virtually everyone scored negative points not too much damage done. Zero was a decent score on that match. Overall, Phil Dibley returns to the top of the table with 55 points. Glynn Head has climbed into second place with 54 points with overnight leader Edward Hitch dropping to third on 52. Dean Russell sits 4th with 51, Jamie Faulkner 5th on 50, Peter Sarfas 6th on 48, Simon Freeland 7th on 47 and Peter Sage (not the new Crystal Palace manager) 8th on 46. Behind them it is very close with no-one truly out of contention, even Helen Abbott who has taken over at the foot of the table. A couple of correct predictions has seen previous occupant Julia Servi move up 47 places. As I said yesterday, things can change very quickly in this competition.
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