FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[Olatundespo]

South Africa is on a goal down and they need to try their possible best to get an equalizer. Czechia was able to get an early goal on the 5th minutes to be ahead of the game. Sadillek is the goal opener as he made a brilliant finish into the back of the post.

South Africa is struggling to get an equalizer but they haven't gotten that perfect moment because their opponent wouldn't give them that chance. SA has a lot of time to level the scoreline but currently, it's still 1-0.

South Africa are playing great after conceding a goal in the 6th minute of the match. I think they will soon reply the goal. The opponent team Czechia is playing a very defensive strategy now. South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico in their first match of the World Cup and to survive in the group stage they need to win this match because they will face a much stronger opponent in the next match. South Africa team needs to win today's match to win the next match against South Korea.

[Jatiluhung]

The second round will take place soon, it's the Czech Republic - South Africa match.

Image Source: Rollbit

In this second match, South Africa is again the underdog, I think they will have problem in this second match because the Czech Republic wants full points after they lost to South Korea. If I were betting on this match, I would definitely bet on the Czech Republic, having no real reason to pick South Africa after their poor performance in the first match.

From the start, I was convinced the Czech Republic would win this match. In their match against South Korea, we could see that the Czech Republic is actually quite strong. It’s just that South Korea was indeed a pretty tough opponent at the time. Meanwhile, South Africa really couldn’t do much in their match against Mexico. They only had 3 shots, 2 of which were on target, in their first match against Mexico. That’s why I’m confident the Czech Republic will win this match.

But I’m curious to see if I’ll be lucky enough this time or not. Because in the last few matches, I haven’t been very lucky. For example, I didn’t get it right in the Portugal vs. Congo match either. I hope the Czech Republic doesn’t let me down.

[Finebone]

South Africa are playing great after conceding a goal in the 6th minute of the match. I think they will soon reply the goal.

This is just fantasy because this south Africans team that came to the world cup will not get a single point in their three group games. Just look at how weak their defense is, because as early as 6th minutes they had already concede a goal, and since they are having more of the ball, they are not using it to do anything, so is this type of weak team you think can defeat South Korea that is one of the strongest in their group? No.

I expected them to lose this game and the last game against south Korea, which they in course in achieving that despicable record, because they might be the first team that is kicked out of the competition, and nothing is stopping that judging by how poor they are.

[SirLancelot]

Portugal needs to get rid of Ronaldo immediately. He isn't helping the team in any way. He was so ineffective yesterday and he was absolutely one of the factors in that point loss. 

They need a better teamwork than this. Ronaldo shouldn't be the target on the front line anymore. I respect his career a lot but he is just done now. Messi is making a much higher contribution to his national team now.

Roberto Martínez should not start Ronaldo. Ronaldo can no longer play as he did in his prime, and making him the focal point of the game will not help the team at all. Without meaning to downplay Ronaldo’s contributions to Portugal over the years. However, Portugal really should play as a team without relying on Ronaldo as their main pillar.

I’m confident that if Martínez benches Ronaldo in the next match, Portugal can win the game. Ronaldo should only be brought in during the final minutes if Portugal is already leading by more than three goals, as a gesture of respect for him in his final World Cup appearance.

After the first match of the World Cup, now it's clear Ronaldo's presence is going to be not positive for Portugal. They needed to have done better strategy with bringing him on the pitch in the second half; it could be better because this will allow their team to give better performance without his influence; otherwise, they can suffer badly.

Playing against a team like Congo and having no goals is surely a big setback. This is going to have an impact on their morale as well. Ronaldo is now having no guts as he did in the past, so he also needs to understand that in the interest of his country, a change in strategy will give better results to Portugal. Now they have two challenging games, and they need to win them as well.

[Frankolala]

After the first match of the World Cup, now it's clear Ronaldo's presence is going to be not positive for Portugal. They needed to have done better strategy with bringing him on the pitch in the second half; it could be better because this will allow their team to give better performance without his influence; otherwise, they can suffer badly.

Playing against a team like Congo and having no goals is surely a big setback. This is going to have an impact on their morale as well. Ronaldo is now having no guts as he did in the past, so he also needs to understand that in the interest of his country, a change in strategy will give better results to Portugal. Now they have two challenging games, and they need to win them as well.

It's unfair for you to judge Ronaldo with only his first performance when you don't even know how many matches he will play before the end of the world cup and how his performance will look like in his upcoming matches. It seems you guys have forgotten about who Ronaldo is all of a sudden because he couldn't score in his first appearance in the world cup.

[savetheFORUM]

Ronaldo's performance was disappointing but I couldn't find any logical reason for it. Physically he looked fit enough but he didn't seem to be playing a leading role for his country and team. I bet on Portugal blindly based on Ronaldo's excellent performance.

Of course, it might not be right to blame him too much based on his performance in one match. I think he needs to be given more time to see how his form is in at least a few more matches. He is a legendary player in the world and I respect him. He should decide to retire before he gets into a really bad form.

Ronaldo's performance in the Saudi Pro League is completely at a different level, while playing in the World Cup surely needs more energy and skills. Even though there is no doubt about his experience and skills, the age factor is also having an impact on his performance. Just because of this, he failed to give any impression in the first game.

This is his 6th World Cup appearance for Portugal, but he has just 8 goals, meaning his history is also not ideal in this event. Now, after watching the first match, most chance management needs to be done with some changes about his playing time. Bringing him later or in the second half could be more effective because the team needs to play without him and surely give better encouragement.

[Inwestour]

Ronaldo's performance in the Saudi Pro League is completely at a different level, while playing in the World Cup surely needs more energy and skills. Even though there is no doubt about his experience and skills, the age factor is also having an impact on his performance. Just because of this, he failed to give any impression in the first game.

This is his 6th World Cup appearance for Portugal, but he has just 8 goals, meaning his history is also not ideal in this event. Now, after watching the first match, most chance management needs to be done with some changes about his playing time. Bringing him later or in the second half could be more effective because the team needs to play without him and surely give better encouragement.

The championship where Ronaldo plays is at a somewhat different level. He may be able to perform better there, but in national team matches it's obvious that he finds it harder to compete against younger players. Overall I think Portugal played a poor match, they focused heavily on ball possession, but most of the game was concentrated in midfield, and they created very few shots on goal. Under those circumstances, it was naturally much more difficult for Ronaldo to create anything in attack.

[CryptSafe]

South Africa are playing great after conceding a goal in the 6th minute of the match. I think they will soon reply the goal.

This is just fantasy because this south Africans team that came to the world cup will not get a single point in their three group games. Just look at how weak their defense is, because as early as 6th minutes they had already concede a goal, and since they are having more of the ball, they are not using it to do anything, so is this type of weak team you think can defeat South Korea that is one of the strongest in their group? No.

I expected them to lose this game and the last game against south Korea, which they in course in achieving that despicable record, because they might be the first team that is kicked out of the competition, and nothing is stopping that judging by how poor they are.

You sound so bittered with South Africa and your analysis on their  performance since the beginning of this tournament is likely a reflection of their actions and what they have done against their own people who are their African brothers. Maybe we could say that karma is hitting them so bad that it is affecting them in every quarters of their engagements and activities.

Anyways Czech Republic is not a walkover in football as they too play good football and looking at their lineups and also their performance,  you could tell they play good football and would likely end the match if South Africa does not step up their performance on the pitch.

[tiCeR]

...

France had an attacking spirit from the start, but Senegal's defenders were strong, so France could not expand their original meaning. The audience was bored with the French team's play in the first half, but within a moment, when Mbappe scored the first goal in the second half of the game, the audience was very excited and the gallery could be heard shouting France. However, the Senegalese players could not withstand the pressure for a while.
In the end, if they could have performed as before, the game might have remained goalless in this match. But within a moment, the French team's players created pressure and scored 3-1 in a row, here almost the gambler had bet more on the French team and they won very easily. The research for betting on this game was very easy.

They may have had an attacking spirit, but the number of attacks they were able to pull off was close to nonexistent. Therefore, it doesn't really matter what their spirit is. I saw that match with my own eyes and if everything went in favour of Senegal with a little bit more luck, Senegal who have had the lead because they deserved it and that lead would at least have been one goal, if not two goals.

It was Senegal that allowed France to pull the plug in the second half and as you remember, even then Senegal fought back and kept having chances. It was a close match until they got that demoralizing second goal against them. I think power was dwindling and they knew it would be hard to come back from that.

[Pumared]

Sadly for me and for a lot of people it seems like Cristiano Ronaldo is not in the top level anymore, when you see him you start to notice his level has dropped despite how good his image still is, is something super tiny but a fraction of a second in reaction and in aceleration is what makes the diference at the highest level, and it seems like he lose it right now.

I completely disagree. What's happening is that today in the Portuguese national team, he's not the only good player; there are other players in more offensive positions who stand out more than he does. Simple. He's practically retiring, but he's still dangerous; you know that if he has the opportunity, he'll score.

[9ja Amaka]

South Africa is on a goal down and they need to try their possible best to get an equalizer. Czechia was able to get an early goal on the 5th minutes to be ahead of the game. Sadillek is the goal opener as he made a brilliant finish into the back of the post.

South Africa is struggling to get an equalizer but they haven't gotten that perfect moment because their opponent wouldn't give them that chance. SA has a lot of time to level the scoreline but currently, it's still 1-0.

It's still 1-0 as at the time of making this post, and South Africa are not creating a lot of clear chances to even get something out of this match. This match is so important for them if they want to stand a chance of advancing to the next round, because of it stays like this, they are definitely out of the world cup. Although I don't see them progressing to the next round, but I still think they need to put in more effort to at least stand a chance, rather than losing their first 2 matches,  which will automatically seal their fate. Let's continue watching and see how it turns out, because football are full of surprises.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

No games that really interest me today although I may want to watch Brazil vs Haiti in the early hours. We might see a lot of goals in that game. Brazil are going to want to make up for being disappointing in the first game.

[jakdanyel]

The first matches in the group stage are over. So far considering the opponent too the team I'm impressed with the most is England I guess. Maybe you will say that there are some other teams that won with bigger scores.

But I don't know. I really liked England offensively yesterday. I had big doubts about them after seeing some stars not being called. But Tuchel is doing a pretty good job for now. They just need to defend better to concede less goals...  

[Bobrox]

It's still 1-0 as at the time of making this post, and South Africa are not creating a lot of clear chances to even get something out of this match. This match is so important for them if they want to stand a chance of advancing to the next round, because of it stays like this, they are definitely out of the world cup. Although I don't see them progressing to the next round, but I still think they need to put in more effort to at least stand a chance, rather than losing their first 2 matches,  which will automatically seal their fate. Let's continue watching and see how it turns out, because football are full of surprises.

Until 80th minutes Czechia still leading 1-0 from South Africa its the match result until the end make South Africa on difficult position for securing the next round ticket, South Africa looks dominance with ball possession and made 2 shots on target than Czechia not really dominance yet indeed already scoring one goals. If can secure three points its good games and have new hope for Czechia get next round ticket but have to win at last match by facing Mexico.

Today matches looks not any interested yet after this match have Swiss vs Bosnia, Canada vs Qatar and last today match Mexico vs South Korea likely is the only one interested matches, I am waiting for next tomorrow match and watching Brazil performance can get three points against Haiti after first games playing draw with Morocco.

[Ruttoshi]

South Africa are playing great after conceding a goal in the 6th minute of the match. I think they will soon reply the goal. The opponent team Czechia is playing a very defensive strategy now. South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico in their first match of the World Cup and to survive in the group stage they need to win this match because they will face a much stronger opponent in the next match. South Africa team needs to win today's match to win the next match against South Korea.

I don't see South Africa winning this match even though, they have just been awarded a penalty in order to put themselves back in the game. One of Czechia players has used his arm to block a shot that was going towards the goal post to give South Africa a penalty kick.

Mokoena has scored the penalty to level up the scoreline as 1-1. The penalty was professionally taken by Mokoena to put his team back in the game. They just need another goal to win this game.

[7788bitcoin]

I agree with your view that  Ronaldo did not perform well in this match. He was not involved in playmaking and was stood isolated without the ball and he was too slow in responding and reacting to the crosses that came his way.

The Portugal defense was also not that great either. They need to change their game plan completely if they want to be successful in this competition.

The England vs Croatia match is underway and Harry Kane has just scored a penalty.

I hope the coach learnt his lessons, repeating the same thing might be what will hinder them from progressing from the group stage, having another draw in their next game is not what they need to qualify, winning the next two matches is compulsory if they have interest in playing another round of the tournament.

Gone into the second half, both sides are 2-2 on the score line.

Portugal needs to completely change their game if they are to qualify for the next round. They need to fix the flaws in their defense and midfield. Ronaldo was basically a spectator in the match and he is now goalless in 10 international matches. This says a lot about the midfield players inability to pass the ball to one of the best strikers in the game.


England match was really interesting. In the first half their midfield and defense were struggling, but in the second half they completely changed their game and started attacking aggressively and hopefully they will continue like this in the future.

[IceLincoln]

South Africa is on a goal down and they need to try their possible best to get an equalizer. Czechia was able to get an early goal on the 5th minutes to be ahead of the game. Sadillek is the goal opener as he made a brilliant finish into the back of the post.

South Africa is struggling to get an equalizer but they haven't gotten that perfect moment because their opponent wouldn't give them that chance. SA has a lot of time to level the scoreline but currently, it's still 1-0.

South Africa are playing great after conceding a goal in the 6th minute of the match. I think they will soon reply the goal. The opponent team Czechia is playing a very defensive strategy now. South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico in their first match of the World Cup and to survive in the group stage they need to win this match because they will face a much stronger opponent in the next match. South Africa team needs to win today's match to win the next match against South Korea.

Do you really think that with what South Africa has been playing they can win South Korea even if they win today?.. I’m disappointed by the result and how Czechia have played. They even started both Patrick Schick and Hlozek but have failed to win this. Though South Africa really improved in their game as they eventually got an equaliser. I think Czechia are not ready for this World Cup.
Switzerland vs Bosnia Herzegovina is what I’m anticipating to see, hopefully it’ll be a much more entertaining game.

[Zlantann]

You sound so bittered with South Africa and your analysis on their  performance since the beginning of this tournament is likely a reflection of their actions and what they have done against their own people who are their African brothers. Maybe we could say that karma is hitting them so bad that it is affecting them in every quarters of their engagements and activities.

Anyways Czech Republic is not a walkover in football as they too play good football and looking at their lineups and also their performance,  you could tell they play good football and would likely end the match if South Africa does not step up their performance on the pitch.

I don't think it's karma or any other superstitious actions that are affecting the South African team. From their performance, it is clear that they were not well prepared for this tournament. I was surprised that the Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, chose to adopt a defensive style in the game against Mexico. The cohost is not an attacking side or a top-class nation that should be feared. I expected the South Africa side to come out and play the game because they have good players that could terrorize the defense of Mexico.

In today's game, they are better in the attacks. They have created some chances that they failed to maximize. But they have better control of the ball and have the potential to get one point from this game. If they lose this match, they will become the first country to be knocked out of the competition. But thank God they got a goal from a penalty.

[allfriends88]

South Africa are playing great after conceding a goal in the 6th minute of the match. I think they will soon reply the goal. The opponent team Czechia is playing a very defensive strategy now. South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico in their first match of the World Cup and to survive in the group stage they need to win this match because they will face a much stronger opponent in the next match. South Africa team needs to win today's match to win the next match against South Korea.

I don't see South Africa winning this match even though, they have just been awarded a penalty in order to put themselves back in the game. One of Czechia players has used his arm to block a shot that was going towards the goal post to give South Africa a penalty kick.

Mokoena has scored the penalty to level up the scoreline as 1-1. The penalty was professionally taken by Mokoena to put his team back in the game. They just need another goal to win this game.

There's not enough time for South Africa to score one more goal to win the game, and it's coming to an end because as I type this, there are only a few minutes left. But South Africa did their best even though they had to share the points, I think they will be eliminated in this group stage because the last match will be against South Korea, but it is not impossible to fight for a place in the top 3, there is still a chance for them.

[juttsab@]

Jordan scored their first goal in the World Cup, and I think it's one of the most beautiful goals ever scored.
If Jordan had a good goalkeeper, we would be talking about very different things right now.
Despite falling 1-0 behind, Jordan didn't give up and launched effective attacks.

I would say that the worst goalkeeper so far has been the Iraqi goalkeeper, but the Jordanian goalkeeper was also very bad. I don't know if this is a situation specific to Middle Eastern countries, but their goalkeepers are very bad. Maybe it's because of the climate that the goalkeepers haven't developed here.

Austria won the match 3-1, but I don't think they put on a good performance. They played better football in the European Championship two years ago.
Stronger teams would easily beat Austria.

Austria won by 3-1 from Jordan in their World cup opener. In the first Half 64% of the possession kept by Austria , 0.27 xG , 1 big chance created and total of 6 shots. Schmid score 1st goal for Austria in the 21st minute . In the second half 62% of the possession kept by Austria 1.42xG, 3 big chances created and 5 shots . In the 50th minute olwan scored an equalizer . Al Arab made a mistake which lead to own goal in the 76th minute . In added time of the second half Austria won penalty and Arnautovic stepped up and scored 3rd for his nation . Schmid was named as player of the match.