Scotland, Morocco and Steve Clarke
20 June 2026

Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston after Ismael Saibari scored inside 70 seconds. Steve Clarke’s side failed to produce a shot on target and now need something from their final Group C match against Brazil.

Scotland felt aggrieved after penalty appeals involving John McGinn and Scott McTominay were rejected, while Issa Diop escaped with a yellow card for fouling Che Adams. Morocco defended their early lead and kept Scotland’s qualification hopes fragile.

Mexico and South Korea
18 June 2026

Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 in Zapopan to become the first team to reach the World Cup knockout stage. Luis Romo scored after a defensive mix-up between goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and Lee Gi-hyuk after half-time.

The result gives Mexico six points from two Group A games and guarantees first place before facing Czechia. Javier Aguirre’s side now stay on home soil, with a round-of-32 tie set for the Estadio Azteca.

Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Johan Manzambi
19 June 2026

Johan Manzambi came off the bench to score twice as Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 at the World Cup. The Freiburg midfielder broke open a tense match before Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka added late goals.

Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic was sent off after Manzambi’s opener, turning the match sharply in Switzerland’s favour. The win keeps Murat Yakin’s side in position to fight Canada for top spot in Group B next week.

Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Johan Manzambi, Ruben Vargas, Granit Xhaka
18 June 2026

Switzerland beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 after substitutes Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas transformed a tense Group B match. Manzambi scored twice from the bench, while Vargas added another goal and helped turn Swiss pressure into a decisive win.

Bosnia resisted until the second half but collapsed after Tarik Muharemovic’s red card for denying Breel Embolo. Granit Xhaka also scored from the penalty spot, giving Switzerland control of their knockout path before facing Canada.

Canada, Qatar, Jonathan David, Ismael Kone, Jesse Marsch
18 June 2026

Canada claimed their first men’s World Cup win with a 6-0 rout of Qatar in Vancouver, powered by Jonathan David’s hat-trick. The hosts moved top of Group B, but Ismael Kone’s serious-looking leg injury overshadowed the victory.

Qatar finished with nine men after Homam Al-Amin and Assim Madibo were sent off, leaving Canada in full control. Nathan Saliba replaced Kone and scored while holding his shirt, as Jesse Marsch’s side moved close to qualification.

South Africa, Czechia, Teboho Mokoena, Michal Sadilek
18 June 2026

South Africa kept their World Cup hopes alive with a late 1-1 draw against Czechia after Teboho Mokoena converted an 83rd-minute penalty. Michal Sadilek had given Czechia an early lead before they retreated into a defensive shape.

The result leaves both teams on one point and still able to reach the knockout stage with final-group wins. South Africa struggled to create clear chances, but Czechia’s passive second-half approach was punished by the late handball decision.

DR Congo, Portugal, Yoane Wissa, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Neves
17 June 2026

DR Congo earned their first World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Houston. Joao Neves gave Portugal an early lead, but Yoane Wissa equalised before half-time as Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score again.

Portugal dominated possession but created little, managing only one shot on target despite their attacking talent. DR Congo defended with discipline, threatened on counters and turned Wissa’s header into a historic result after more than five decades away from the tournament.

England, Croatia, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford
17 June 2026

England opened their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas. Harry Kane scored twice to match Gary Lineker’s England World Cup record, before Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford sealed the victory.

Croatia twice fought back through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa, exposing England’s defensive issues before half-time. Thomas Tuchel’s side responded quickly after the break, with Bellingham driving through to score and Rashford finishing late after Bukayo Saka’s assist.

Lionel Messi, Argentina, Algeria, Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo Nazario
17 June 2026

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup opener. The goals moved him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, matching the competition’s all-time scoring record.

Messi’s performance drew praise from Brazilian legend Ronaldo, who said the debate over football’s greatest player should end. Argentina avoided a repeat of their 2022 opening shock and began their title defence with a dominant win.

Lionel Messi, Argentina, Algeria, Lionel Scaloni
18 June 2026

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina opened their World Cup title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria. The goals moved him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, matching the all-time tournament record.

Messi brushed off recent fitness concerns to dominate the game and avoid a repeat of Argentina’s 2022 opening-match shock. The performance strengthened Argentina’s early momentum and reignited talk about another deep World Cup run.