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World cup weekend wrap
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup officially kicked off with South Africa against Mexico at the Mexico City stadium on Thursday night last week. A total of ten matches was played during the weekend hosted throughout the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. This article is meant to be a highlight reel of some of the key matches throughout the footballing weekend.
Brazil vs Morocco: 1-1
First up we have Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil and controversial AFCON champions Morocco that played to a 1-1 stalemate at the New York New Jersey stadium. PSV forward en route to Bayern Munich Ismael Saibari opened the scoring in the 21st minute, lifting the ball over Brazilian goalkeeper Allison Becker thus capitalizing on the miscommunication from the Brazilian shot-stopper and his defenders Gabriel and Marquinhos.
Morocco attacked Brazil ferociously, registering 12 shots in the first 30 minutes. Brazil star Vinicius Junior levelled matters for Brazil with a shot from close range just before half time that secured the point for Brazil. Raphina and Paqueta missed chances that could have secured three points for brazil. For a Brazil side that went into the match as favourites boasting a star-studded squad, it was a subpar showing and how far they will go in the tournament will hinge on how quickly they turn things around and shape up tactically. Up next Brazil are set to face Haiti on 20 June while Morocco are set to face Scotland on the 19 June.
Haiti vs Scotland: 0-1
Scotland enjoyed a slender 1-0 victory over Caribbean nation Haiti at Gillete Stadium to top a group C that also includes Brazil and Morocco. The victory was a landmark victory for Scotland who last featured in the world cup for the first time in 28 years. Aston Villa captain John McGinn was the lone scorer of the fixture, giving Scotland the lead in the 28th minute with a deflected shot. Haiti’s performance was not enough to avoid defeat from Steve Clarke’s team. Scotland are bound to face Morocco on Saturday. Haiti got to the world cup despite the trials and tribulations that prevented them from playing the qualifiers at home.
Haiti, ranked 84th features in the world cup for the first time since 1974 where they lost all three group games. Haiti’s next match is against Morocco on Friday.
Germany vs Curacao: 7-1
Germany asserted dominance over debutants Curacao with a 7-1 score line that is not foreign in the world cup in a group E clash on Saturday at Houston stadium. On the scoresheet were Nmecha, Havertz, Musiala, Brown, Undav and Schlotterbeck. The lone goal by Curacao was scored by Livano Comenencia. Experience prevailed over the island nation which are relatively novices at the world stage. Germany led by Julian Nagelsmann are quite under the radar but they might as well emerge as potential winners, having been champions of the 2014 edition being a side that boasts a squad jam-packed with star players.
Die Mannschaft will be looking to put on a competitive showing in the tournament after suffering disappointingly early exits in the 2018 and 2022 editions. Next up Germany face Ivory Coast in Toronto on the 20th of June while Curacao are due to play Ecuador in Kansas City on the 21st of June.
Netherlands vs Japan: 2-2
Japan and Netherlands played to a 2-2 stalemate on Sunday the 15th of June at Dallas Stadium in a group F clash that also includes Tunisia and Sweden. Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk headed home in the 51st minute to give the Dutch national team a lead and it would be Nakamura 6 minutes later for Japan with a deflected shot to level matters. Crysencio Summerville curled a shot into the bottom corner just after the hour mark to give Netherlands the lead once again.
The Dutch failed to hold onto their lead after Daichi Kamada’s deflected shot made for Japan’s 2-2 leveller at the death to secure a point for the Asian side. Netherlands are poised to face Sweden on Saturday while Japan are set to face Tunisia the following day.
This is how other nations fared:
Australia vs Turkey: 2-0
Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: 1-1
South Korea vs Czech Republic: 2-1
USA vs Paraguay: 4-1
Qatar vs Switzerland: 1-1
Sweden vs Tunisia: 5-1
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador: 1-0
