Do you know who would have won almost all of those aerial duels for #England ? Harry Maguire

Fortune favors the bold … #Argentina  had to chase the game, but the intensity of their pursuit is astounding. Tuchel lost his nerve and #England  retreated too early and too deep. Messi will get the plaudits, but this is about an incredible collective spirit.

Kane had been dropping deep in attempt to execute one of those plays a few times. Was afforded too much space that time. A bit of fortune, too. Gordon smart in his movement. Molina turned off for a split second. Early crosses have been a welcomed feature of this World Cup.

England’s players need to keep their wits about them. Argentina will try to draw them into retaliation. Fernandez should already be booked.

Truly remarkable that a terribly coached Portugal gave Spain more of a game than France.

To win, is one thing. To make France look pedestrian, is another. Formidable Spain.

Barcola had been tracking back the whole game. Doué just falls asleep.

I cannot think of many players more befitting Atletico Madrid than Morten Hjulmand. He’ll be beloved by fans and Diego Simeone.

While I’m a VAR proponent, I do feel like we’ve crossed the threshold where video reviews are becoming too intrusive. However, I’m ambivalent as to whether the Embolo decision falls under that category. After all, dives should be punished, and incorrect bookings rescinded.

Written in the stars, wasn’t it? Courtois out injured, and Lammens poorly beaten. Merino the best center-mid number 9 in world football.

Well done to #Belgium  for committing enough numbers to make that attack count. You can’t beat better teams without taking risks. #Spain  could have hurt them had they coughed up the ball with so many players camping out in the attacking third. But the gamble proves rewarding.

Some teams just don’t know how to quit. Argentina is one of them. Fight till the very last millisecond. Admirable.

Everything that guy touches … rots

Beyond his incompetent team management, Roberto Martinez has also aided and abetted in the tainting of Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy with Portugal.

Roberto Martinez is corrosive to golden generations

Not surprised to see Leão benched. Flashes of attacking brilliance don’t make up for defensive liabilities. Neto will at least track back. Hoping João Felix woke up with a chip on his shoulder. If Mendes & Cancelo don’t offer verticality, Fernandes & Vitinha won’t orchestrate.

Very few players, if any, came into this World Cup with as much pressure on their shoulders as Jude Bellingham. Monstrous performance. Silenced his detractors. Jordan Pickford’s saves and command of his air space, also superb.

Gallardo lucky he didn’t have his leg planted. RED!

That the World Cup is now being dragged into a culture war by poorly informed, blowhard simpletons is tragic.

Don’t tell me that this is the BS that is going to derail the #USMNT . Let’s hope they’re well insulated from this.

Historic #Norway ! From Dark Horse to contender. Berg’s inclusion in XI has transformed balance in Norway’s midfield. Berge’s responsibilities simplified, while Ødegaard liberated to orchestrate & sparkle. Bobb & Schjelderup dynamic off bench. Nyland & Haaland, protagonists.

Gabriel just got posterized!

Galarza is worth the price of admission

Canada threw caution to the wind far too early in the second half, but this score line doesn’t reflect the difference between the two team. Morocco were clinical. No Saibari, no problem.

Bold start by Canada. Didn’t expect him to, but glad Marsch hasn’t deviated from his usual game plan. Morocco have so far been incapable of circumventing the counterpress. Wouldn’t be surprised if they continued to launch the ball forward to force Canada into building from back.

Keep thinking about that astonishing match, last night. How Cabo Verde has resonated so deeply with us - tapped into an almost primal collective imagination - and underscored why the World Cup is not only the greatest, but also a necessary sporting event.

This was a, “where were you when” match. Cabo Verde will forever be the darlings of the 2026 World Cup.

Holy Schmidt! At an Argentine spot and half the patrons celebrated that goal.

Raphael Claus would have shown Nestory Irankunda a red.

Algeria would definitely beat Switzerland at 5-a-side.

Algeria are missing a player like Islam Slimani.

On #Portugal ’s individuals: Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes & João Neves were tremendous. Renato Veiga continued to grow. Rafael Leão had flashes, but was an infuriating defensive liability. Bruno Fernandes is an enigma far from being solved. Cristiano Ronaldo…

Portugal wins in spite of Roberto Martinez. While the Spaniard had the 🍒 to pull Cristiano Ronaldo, his substitutions were baffling and chaotic. Fractional decisions the theme of the night. Croatia denied by 3 (3, right?) tight offside calls. Cristiano suffered the same fate.

If this is to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance with Portugal…may it dazzle and gobsmack his detractors.

Someone needs to take the phone away from Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister.

Austria’s not pressing and not sitting in a low block. Not sure what they’re attempting to do, but space in between lines is enormous and allowing Spain to have a field day.

As of today, Malik Tillman is on my World Cup Best XI. Baller. #USMNT

Disparity in quality b/w the #USMNT  & Bosnia & Herzegovina is immense. We knew that. But B&H have played into US hands by attempting to play through the press. Finding Dzeko only way out, but B&H won’t commit numbers to battle for 2nd balls. Only a disaster would rob US of a win.

Don’t know about you, but I’m ordering myself some Harry Kane Sketchers football boots ⚡️

Ecuador’s biggest problem was always going to be having to chase the game after conceding first. Conceding a second was the death knell for a team that seldom proved capable of scoring multiple goals. Credit to Mexico, though - aggressive, energetic, efficient. Look out, England.

Michael Olise is box office. That pass - under duress - through the eye-of-the-needle - perfectly weighted.

One of the best parts of this World Cup has been the neutral Mexican fans who adopt a foreign World Cup nation as their own.

Greatest. Sport. On. The. Planet.

This camera angle is not working for me

The football gods have a sick sense of humor.

Nobody ever recognizes Bebeto. World Cup winner and father of the “baby birth” celebration.

I’m convinced there’s a direct correlation between how passionately you sing a national anthem and how likely you are to win a World Cup.

Portugal’s performance betrayed all its shortcomings. The reality is that this is not a squad capable of contending for a World Cup. That said, there’s more than enough quality to play better, and we all know the reasons why that’s not going to happen. Should still beat Croatia.

Mobility v immobility in the attacking 3rd. That’s what resonates with me the most. #Portugal

That ball recovery time stat that just popped up was telling. Colombia twice as quick to win it back from Portugal.