6/18/2026
With every team playing their first matches this is what stood out to us in the opening round of World Cup play. While most of our coverage will be on the USMNT this is a re-cap of outstanding, surprising, expected and interesting play and notes.
Although we have watched most of the matches, we have not seen them all so no doubt we may have missed a play or two that deserves recognition.
Team USA plays great.
The US were on their heels in the first 3 minutes with Paraguay making good runs at goal. Then in the 7th a hard shot deflected off a defender into the goal and the momentum of the match swung to the US side and they never let up. Florian Balogun got the second goal of the match on a nice cross from Christian Pulisic in the 20th minute. Balogun added another goal 4 minutes into the first half stoppage time with an assist from Malik Tillman for the 3-0 halftime lead.
Paraguay got on the board in the 73rd when halftime sub Mauricio found the back of the net. The US answered back in the 2nd half stoppage time on a beautiful shot by Gio Reyna for the 4-1 final score.
The US got a scare with Christian Pulisic being subbed out at the half with a calf injury. Everyone is crossing their fingers he will be available against Australia, the other team to win in group D.
Biggest stunner of the first round.
Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw. The African nation making their World Cup debut and holding one of the favorites scoreless.
Best opening round match.
Japan and the Netherlands stand out. A highly competitive match that anytime Netherlands scored Japan found an answer. They ended in a 2-2 draw.
Teams from Africa playing Outstanding
Ivory Coast and Ghana get 1-0 wins to open the tournament. Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde, and Congo got first match draws. South Africa fell to Mexico in the first match of the tournament. Algeria lost to defending Champion Argentina. Senegal and Tunisia lost to a couple of perennial power houses France and Sweden.
The Stars are Shining.
The big names have shown up and most have performed brilliantly. Lionel Messi has to be mentioned first, his hat trick tied the overall record for goals scored in the tournament at 16. Messi is the only player with a hat trick in the first round of matches and keeps on moving closer and closer to being the Goat of Goats.
There have been 5 players to get a brace (2 goals scored). Erling Haaland (Norway), Florian Balogun(USA), Kylian Mbappe(France), Harry Kane(England) and Yasin Ayari(Sweden). While big names like Cristiano Ronaldo(Portugal) were held scoreless and Neymar’s ankle injury prevented him from making an appearance for Brazil.
Most Goals scored in 1st round
1 Germany 7
2 Sweden 5
3 United States 4
3 Norway 4
3 England 4
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