PBP: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage PBP Thread

In case you wondered why DRC changed its name

 

Well, well, well

Portugal 1-1 Congo

edit: and just before the halftime whistle

 

Great ball, well placed header. But a huge mistake from Portugal, there was no one near him.

 

This has been a fun half, with Congo entirely up for the challenge. Less like a "hold on" result like Cape Verde got and more of an even situation.

 

DR Congo's keeper differs from Lionel Messi by just two letters. Ronaldo did not score on him.

 

The Iberian nations have not enjoyed their encounters with Africa in the 1st round.

 

That happened.

 

That first penalty attempt was awful, and OF COURSE it was one of those run-ups. Bailed out by the keeper moving a fraction of a second early.

 

That's a gorgeous goal from Croatia.

 

England have one tactic. Give the ball the Madueke.

 

England looks like a team coached by Thomas Tuchel.

 

So five megastars took the field the past two days. Haaland, Messi, Kane, Ronaldo, and Mbappe. Four of those guys scored at least two goals, one scored zero.

 

Another goal from a MLS player.

 

MLS representing!

Another last play of the half goal to keep things interesting for all of us.

 

MLS EFFECT

 

I’d be interest to see analytics on how often the team played the ball to Ronaldo, and how many touches he had.

 

Real Madrid 3-2 FC Dallas

 

Sudden outbreak of a goalkeeping clinic here. Wild stuff.

 

One MLS player off, another MLS player on.

 

I have to say, my home nations are off to a fairly good start - not one lost during the first round.

France & US (dual nationalities) - both won, as did England (childhood home)
Belgium (grandfather) and New Zealand (former home) - both tied



Pity Ireland (new home) didn't qualify.

 

I guess we're going to witness the spectacle of a hydration break during a rainstorm.

 

Game on in Toronto, by the colors of the teams,
Toronto fc vs Columbus

 

With Ghana's halftime goalkeeper substitution, players from 16 different league systems have appeared in this game. This appears to be a World Cup record.

 

Vamos Panama