World Cup 2026 - USA/Canada/Mexico

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

Swindon_Addick said:

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

Callumcafc said:

Well done South Africa, unexpected result gets them the last 32 match against Canada.

And a terrible result for Scotland. A South Korea win or draw would've meant that group was one third placed side Scotland would finish above. But Korea end up third with 3 points and a -1 GD so are above Scotland in the rankings.

There are still 4 or 5 groups where it's plausible that third place will get 1 or 2 points and finish below Scotland, but they're running out of options. South Africa finishing third and below them was a banker and that's gone thanks to SA's superb result. Clearly Brazil didn't want to be known as the team that allowed Scotland into the knockout stages.

Yes it's still possible but they need a lot of results to go their way.

There's also going to be a few games like Australia v Paraguay, Austria v Algeria, Egypt v Iran where a draw puts both sides through, so i wonder if we might end up seeing some 'tactical' draws in games. 

No shock that all 3 of those ended up as draws. Iran just missed out though, which will of course please the USA.

Interestingly pre-tournament there was a lot of talk that the format would probably mean teams only needed 3 points to progress, but we ended up with only 1 side (Senegal) managing to progress from 3rd place with 3 points.

Callumcafc said:

Only 2 out of 9 Asian teams qualified for the knockouts. Almost half the eliminated teams are from Asia. And one of those two teams is Australia!

Valley11 said:

Best set of games last night. Some cracking end to end matches and quality goals. Hopefully that continues as we reach the knockouts. 
That Jordan goal was a beaut. 
If England don't make it, which looks increasingly likely, then I'd like an Argentina v France final, the two most impressive sides so far. 
Would like to see Argentina win it for Messi. Their performances so far look like a procession for the GOAT. 

iaitch said:

soapboxsam said:

follett said:

Since Tuchel took over the best side we’ve played has probably been Senegal who tore our defence apart in a 3-1 win. I know it was a friendly but I’ve not seen enough from our defence since to suggest they can cope with a proper attacking side. DR Congo will probably be a lot tighter than a lot of people hope

Senegal definitely have higher class players and team than Congo but as always it creating and taking the chances if the opposition have a low block.

So Democratic Republic of Congo, AKA Zaire back in the day are the last 32 opponents for England and the pressure is cranked up as jeopardy is now added to the WC menu which was missing from the Group games where South Korea could lose 2 out of 3 but still get to the KO round.

Iran were the unlucky loser with 3 draws seeing them go home after Cape Verde finished 2nd with their 3 draws.
Iraq playing with 10 men and being out of their depth meant Senegal gave them a thrashing and the talented team from Africa finally arrived in this WC.

South Korea didn't qualify for the knockout stage.