Seventh heaven again for Germany
Germany registered seven goals in a World Cup game for a fourth time, dispatching spirited debutants Curaçao with ease to overtake Brazil as the highest scoring nation in the history of the World Cup (239 to Brazil’s 238 goals).
Minnows Curaçao did get their moment, though, with Zürich midfielder Livano Comenencia briefly levelling the scores in the first half, and sending the travelling Blue Wave (and many neutrals) in to raptures.
Kai Havertz scored twice but was overshadowed by second half substitute Deniz Undav, who’s three goal contributions (one goal, two assists) was the best showing by a sub since James Rodríguez did the same for Colombia back in 2014.
Isak and Gyökeres combine in Swedish rout
From not winning a game in qualifying, to getting through the playoffs by virtue of their showing in the last Nations League, to smashing five past Tunisia in their opening game of the tournament. It’s been some ride for Graham Potter’s Sweden!
This was their best World Cup result since they beat Bulgaria to claim third place at USA ‘94, the last time the tournament was held in North America.
This one will be memorable for the front pairing of Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres combining to set up each other’s goals either side of half-time.
Brighton’s Yasin Ayari scored two long range beauties, but being of Tunisian descent we saw an unusual non-celebration for the first, before uncontained joy won out following his second! And Mattias Svanberg’s VAR-awarded first touch effort, scored just 12 seconds after coming off the bench was the fastest goal ever by a substitute in World Cup history.
📰 Recap the 2-2 draw between Netherlands and Japan - The Samurai Blue are now unbeaten in 10 games against European opposition
Last minute winner for Les Élephants
Another substitute, and Friend of FotMob, Amad Diallo came off the bench to great effect for Ivory Coast as the African side picked up a first win for the continent at this World Cup.
Opponents Ecuador conceded just five times in their 18-game CONMEBOL qualifying campaign but were eventually undone in the very last minute of this one.
The South Americans hit the woodwork three times but could do nothing as Manchester United forward Amad converted from Wilfried Singo in the final minute
For more graphics like this, follow @fotmobapp on Instagram
The battle of the bench warmers: Who gets your vote as the FotMob Super Sub of the day?
It’s over to Groups G and H as eight more teams get their World Cup campaigns underway.
Belgium will look to seize the initiative when then face Egypt, with Iran vs. New Zealand the other game in Group G.
And in Group H, we’ll see Spain, another of the favourites, start against Cape Verde while Saudi Arabia take on two-time winners Uruguay.
Spain look to avoid Shark attack
Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks were, for a while, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the finals, until Curaçao stole their thunder.
The team from the formally Portuguese archipelago a few hundred miles off the west coast of Africa will hope to better Curaçao’s first result, although they too come up against a European heavyweight.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has been sweating on the fitness of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal but one of the games’ brightest talents has been deemed ready to go from the start.
Now it’s just up to de la Fuente to get the best out of what, on paper, looks to be one of the strongest squads at the tournament. There’s competition everywhere on the pitch, even between the three goalkeepers, and fans will be desperate to see them go deep in the tournament after Round of 16 exits at the last two finals.
Bielsa set to lead third different nation at World Cup
Marcelo Bielsa is set to become just the fourth manager in World Cup history to take a third different national team to the tournament. Cause for celebration you’d think, but this is Bielsa, and nothing is particularly smooth when you have the legendary Argentine tactician in charge!
Bielsa, who took Argentina to South Korea and Japan in 2002, and Chile to South Africa in 2010, has often clashed with the Uruguayan FA, and was critical of games’ governing bodies at the last major tournament involving Uruguay in the United States, the 2024 Copa America.
His feelings presumably won’t have improved following the permit delay that meant the team’s flight to Florida for today’s game against Saudi Arabia was heavily delayed.
The Egyptian king takes on Belgium’s Red Devils
Without a club at the time of writing, departing Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah will be looking to inspire his nation at what is his second World Cup.
Egypt first qualified for FIFA’s main event way back in 1934 but four tournament appearances later, the nation with a record seven AFCON titles are still waiting for their first ever World Cup win.
A result against Belgium would therefore be monumental. On a personal level, Salah needs to score twice to match Egypt’s all-time record of 69 international goals, a record held by the current coach, Hossam Hassan.
