With the opening weekend of the World Cup beyond us, it’s time for us to celebrate all the great games that we saw. Now, we may disagree with the best games but these were the ones that caught my eye and deserve some note. These aren’t in any specific order so don’t read too far into it, just enjoy!
United States vs. Paraguay
We’re going to start out a bit biased here but I also believe the United States deserve a lot of shine for their 4-1 victory over Paraguay. There was a lot to prove for this United States side, not only because they are a host country but because many fans weren’t sure what to make of this team especially after their spilt performances in the tune up games prior to the tournament. Though it’s only one game, the United States silenced some doubters; there no doubt about that.
The U.S. started off strong, early in the match with a lot of interchanging play, direct runs, and relentless attacking from the first whistle. They were really finding opportunities down the left side with Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson, who were lethal in attack. This all-out attack led to the game’s first goal (albeit an own goal) for the U.S. due to such strong pressure.
After all of that, Folarin Balogun would show what he was all about, grabbing a brace before halftime with two quality goals with assists from Christan Pulisic and Malik Tillman. He was a man possessed, roaming around the box and finding ways to really influence the game. The United States would cruise for a while into the second half and eventually, would give up a goal in the 73rd minute, due to some weak defensive play. However, they would fight back again and grab a goal at the very end of the match thanks to a beautiful trivela goal by Gio Reyna.
The United States are flying after this one and they should be. This was one of the most complete performances we’ve seen in a long time for the U.S. but the most complete we’ve seen under Pochettino. They need to carry this momentum into their match with Australia on Friday especially since the Aussies convincingly won their match 2-0 over Türkiye. All fans have to be hoping that Christian Pulisic is healthy, as he did leave the match at halftime with a calf injury. He did say he should be good to go for their next match.
Mexico vs. South Africa
I have to go a bit more biased here, as someone who was in the stands for this match it deserves to be talked about. Mexico, as one of the host countries, helped kick off the tournament against South Africa in Mexico City. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, with the whole city contributing to the amazing feelings. It was as if the whole city was pausing for the day and all eyes were on their team as they looked to kick off the tournament. The world was watching and Mexico knew it but they didn’t want to disappoint.
Turning our eyes to the game, Mexico came out with one of the strongest lineups in CONCACAF, with even more firepower on the bench. Raul Jiménez and Julian Quiñones led the line for Mexico with the two really displaying their class throughout the match. Quiñones got on the scoresheet early, scoring a quality goal in the 9th minute to put Mexico up and the place exploded with cheers, really showing the home field dominance that the host nation had in their venue.
However, Mexico would take their foot off the gas after that, displaying some disjointed play, slow balls, and overall no real desire to get forward to add on a second or a third. It allowed South Africa to inch back into the game but luckily for Mexico, South Africa couldn’t find a way to ripple the net. Mexico’s fortunes turned when they were fouled in the 49th minute and South African midfielder Sphelphelo Sithole picked up a red card bringing the South Africans down to 10 men. This would help Mexico grab their second goal in the 67th minute off a fantastic header from Raul Jiménez. The game would get a bit ugly to end, with another red card for each squad in the 84th and then 90th minute.
While South Africa didn’t have much fight in this one, especially after going down a man, the hosts deserved credit here; not only for getting the job done but also for creating an incredible opening moment to one of the best tournaments in the world.
Netherlands vs. Japan
This game is fresh in my mind but man, was it a scintillating game from start to finish. Personally, I had this one circled on my calendar when I saw the group stage matches come out and it did not disappoint. Both the Netherlands and Japan are my favorites to top the group so I truly felt like whoever could get all three points in this one would be the one in the driver’s seat going into the next group of games.
Some will look at this match in the first half and tell you it was boring but I don’t agree. The first half was a great way to display what each team was looking to do coming into this tournament. The Netherlands wanted to display their silky-smooth interplay, with Frenkie de Jong orchestrating from the midfield spot. He was involved in every build-up, was directing on the field, and was finding ways to connect with the forward line constantly. Cody Gakpo was doing his best to get past the right wing back and right sided center back for Japan with his pace and tactical ability, while Donyell Malen was looking for ways to get involved in the box. Japan on the other hand, were certainly at a talent disadvantage compared to the Netherlands but what they lacked in top end talent, they made up for in composure and chemistry that was on full display throughout the game.
The Netherlands would get the scoring going in the 50th minute off a Virgil van Dijk header, giving the Netherlands the lead they deserved up to that point. But Japan wouldn’t be denied and they would come back a few minutes later to tie the game 1-1 off a great goal from Keito Nakamura, a player who was up and down the field all match for Japan. In the 64th minute, the Netherlands answered again, this time from a strike by Crysencio Summerville after combining with Ryan Gravenberch. After all that back-and-forth and a plethora of subs for both sides, Japan would not be denied and they would get the equalizer in the 88th minute stunning the Dutch crowd and the Netherlands team. This game had all the pieces you wanted it to and then some. It truly felt like a knockout round match from start to finish.
Brazil vs. Morocco
How could I go through the whole weekend and not talk about this matchup? Morocco is my dark horse to win the tournament and they went toe-to-toe with the Brazilian giants in this one. The crowd was strongly in favor of Brazil but Morocco didn’t let that get to them. While the scoreline makes it seem like it could have been a boring game, it was nothing of the sort.
The first half had a lot of the action with Morocco getting on the board first in the 21st minute. Morocco didn’t get a ton of attacking opportunities in the first half but when they did, they made sure they could take advantage of it and they finally broke through. It was a great interplay between Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari, who was wreaking havoc on Brazil’s defense. However, as often happens, Vinícius Júnior would not be denied as he would get the equalizer 10 minutes later after an amazing individual effort to slot the ball home. Brazil would continue to take wave after wave of attacks towards the end of the half, resulting in two of Brazil’s players receiving a yellow card.
Due to the way the first half ended, Ancelotti made two subs to start the half ensuring his two players that were on a yellow didn’t get into trouble. Brazil ended up making four subs before Morocco would make a single one, really trying to find a way to get another goal against Morocco. But neither team would break, with a whole lot of bending, and the match would end 1-1. This was another match that could easily have been a knockout stage match and I imagine we’ll see these teams in that round later in the tournament. They both earned it from this performance, that’s for sure.
Quick Hits
- South Korea 2-1 Czechia: I liked this game more than I expected to. Both teams really went after it in the second half, with both having a slew of chances in the first half that led to no end product. However, in the second half, both teams came out flying with the first goal finally coming in the 59th minute from Czechia off a great header from a long throw. Ladislav Krejcí just towered over the South Korean defense. But just a few minutes later, South Korea would equalize after a great through ball from Kang-In Lee into In-Beom Hwang who chipped it home to draw the scoreline level. Finally, in the 80th minute, South Korea would take the lead with a great low driven cross to Hyun-Gyu Oh who put it home to give South Korea the win. Both teams had some wasted chances but South Korea had many that could have gone in. This team is going to cause trouble in their group that’s for sure.
- Qatar 1-1 Switzerland: This game was dominated by Switzerland when you look at the possession stats and chances created but even after the goal they scored, Switzerland found it difficult to put Qatar away in this one. While the Swiss got their goal early (a penalty kick in the 17th minute) they really didn’t have much more than half chances the remainder of the game. After giving up the penalty kick, Qatar just kept themselves in the game by defending well and finally got their equalizer in second-half stoppage time off a Swiss own goal. Qatar found a way to stay in the match and they deserve the point.
- Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador: This match had a gnarly end to it and while it was dominated by Eduador to start (and around the end of the first half, Ivory Coast held their own throughout the match. They played tough and stout in defense but found ways to break when transitioning. It finally rewarded them at the end of the match where Amad Diallo would score in the 90th minute, stunning the pro-Ecuador crowd and leading to the win. It was a great result against the second best team coming out of South America.
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