Group A's General Discussion Thread

what's happening here?

 

that's absurd

 

This awful match is finally over.

I loved every minute of it though.

 

can only get better from here, verdad?

 

One can only hope.

 

Im scared for the refereeing in this WC. I hope they dont steal the show from the soccer players.

 

To be fair the only one that was questionable and debatable was Mexico’s but I can understand why it was given.

Both of South Africa’s red cards were absolutely correct though.

 

The third red was harsh but that was an idiotic tackle.

 

Honestly this game played out just as I expected, minus the 3 red cards.

South Africa are very weak and I warned you all of that at the start. Mexico definitely the best team in this group but I did have a lot of concerns about them in general and today proved my concerns.

This Mexican team was pressing like individuals and not very organized as a team when pressing and trying to win the ball back. Some vulnerability in defense too, and doesn’t seem to have the best mental strength or best attacking and finishing to capitalize on advantages. This team should be able to win the group fine; but I don’t fancy their chances much after that depending on who they face. My bracket pre-tournament says Ivory Coast and I think Ivory Coast would be favorites against Mexico.

South Africa though, I give them credit for trying and going out with possession football, but the gap in quality was noticeable and their clearances were just horrendous. No communication at all, and these players especially defensively were all over the place, and clearing out of panic mode rather than with structure and organization.

 

Nigerians must have been embarassed watching that game.

 

Yep.

Nigeria chocked their first matches during the qualification.

 

I think they were all harsh.

1. South African player didnt really take the Mexican player down. It looked like he dove and tangled his feet with the defender.

2. South African attacker was bodychecked/basketball pick (which is a foul against defender) he then used his arm to get past him and it hit defenders head.

3. Clear foul but not necessarily a clear goal scoring opportunity.

 

I tend to agree with you on most accounts. Maybe we're the only ones? That's fine.

 

I was embarrassed watching them at the last afcon. Yeah they had to cheat their way to the WC just to crap the bed. They played 2 extra home games because Lesotho and Zimbabwe didnt have FIFA approved stadiums and played their home matches in SA. Then used an utterly disgraceful field that somehow passed inspection in their home match against Nigeria (despite the fact SA has many quality pitches)

I expected Mexico to win but actually thought SA would put up a better fight. Honestly I think the intimidating atmosphere and the altitude effected them because they were very sloppy.

Mexico pressed at times but it was a very low tempo match. It's the altitude.

2-0 against by far their toughest match, especially given the 2 red cards isn't the worst result. If rhey can turn things around mentally they can still do something.

 

I'm not sure if it was the altitude and players were already gassed or just the pressure of being the first match but both teams were absolutely scared of going forward after min 60 or so

 

I'm pretty sure it's was the altitude. I've seen enough of these kind of matches to be pretty sure of that.

Crazy atmosphere though.

 

The starting line-up for the opening #FIFAWorldCup 2026 match against Korea.

🇨🇿 Kovář – Chaloupek, Hranáč, Krejčí – Coufal, Souček, Sojka, Zelený – Šulc, Schick, Provod. 

Kick-off at 4:00 CEST. https://t.co/TjvZRhWEY1

— Czech Football National Team (@ceskarepre_eng) June 12, 2026

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: South Korea XI vs. Czech Republic! 🇰🇷✨ pic.twitter.com/mTII8r43Ip

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) June 12, 2026

 

Going to be interesting to see what the atmosphere is like in Guadalajara tonight.

 

2 teams who really don't want to lose. Hopefully there's an early goal and we see lots of attacking intent. We'll see.

 

I voted for Czechia in the poll since I like them, but that is more like very wishful thinking, hahaha.

Looking forward to the match, let's go.