A player-fan-writer's take on soccer
With four teams left in the tournament, 44 have been eliminated. The expansion to 48 teams has allowed impressive debutants but prices soared. VAR’s current role is ineffective, leading to officiating inconsistencies. France remains the favorite, and standout players like Mbappé and Bellingham emerged. Overall, the tournament has been intense and revealing.
Norway defeated Brazil 2-1, thanks to Erling Haaland’s two goals, advancing to the quarterfinals. Brazil struggled throughout the match, disappointing fans with weak performances. In another game, ten-man England held off Mexico 3-2, progressing to face Norway.
Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0 to secure the final spot in the Round of 16. Here are the matchups in the order they will be played
On the final day of Match Week 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic brace. England drew 0-0 with Ghana, while Croatia edged out Panama 1-0, eliminating the latter. Colombia secured qualification with a narrow win over DR Congo, leaving 25 teams vying for advancement.
Lionel Messi has set a World Cup goalscoring record with 18 goals, while Kylian Mbappé follows with 16. Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 to secure a spot in the Round of 32. France also qualified after a 3-0 win over Iraq, and Norway’s Haaland scored twice in a 3-2 victory against Senegal.
In recent World Cup matches, France defeated Senegal 3-1, with Kylian Mbappé becoming the all-time top scorer for France. Norway triumphed 4-1 over Iraq, led by Erling Haaland’s brace. Argentina secured a 3-0 victory against Algeria, where Lionel Messi celebrated his historic, record-breaking game.