World Cupdate - Monday 15 June
Early twists in Groups B and E.
Saturday 13 June
Switzerland had 68.2% possession, an xG of 3.24, and 26 shots.
Qatar had to make 32 clearances, including one off the line.
As we entered injury-time, Switzerland led just 1-0 through Breel Embolo’s 17th minute penalty.
We know the drill.
The Qatar captain seems to be one tough Khoukhi. I’ll get my coat.
[Note: there is the suggestion that Qatar’s late equaliser might have been an own goal. To aid my lame pun above, I have ignored this element of doubt!]
Sunday 14 June
Monday 15 June
Ivory Coast are back at a World Cup finals for the first time in 12 years. Prior to kick-off in Philadelphia in their Group E opener against Ecuador, they did not have fond memories of the last act of their 2014 World Cup in Fortaleza, Brazil. Needing just a point to qualify from Group C, they were tied at 1-1 as their final group game against Greece went into injury-time. Their opponents had to win or they were out. A late cross into the box and Greece striker Georgios Samaras hit the deck. Penalty!
A coolly dispatched penalty from the same player broke Ivory Coast hearts on 90+3. They have yet to make it out of the group stage but, after some momentous events in Philadelphia last Sunday, their prospects look a whole lot rosier at the 2026 World Cup!
They were up against an Ecuador side that were unbeaten in almost two years and were notoriously tight in defence - having kept 12 clean sheets in their last 19 games and only conceded 5 goals in 18 qualifying matches. As the clock ticked down in the second half, of course the game was poised at 0-0. Until Amad Diallo did this:
A 90th minute winner. 3 points on the board against their main rival for second place. Germany next up but finishing the group against Curacao and a real platform for progression.
And finally. The ‘cigar’ this time goes to Graham Potter’s Sweden. For context, their UEFA Group B World Cup Qualifiers record:
Slovenia 2-2 Sweden
Kosovo 2-0 Sweden
Sweden 0-2 Switzerland
Sweden 0-1 Kosovo
Switzerland 4-1 Sweden
Sweden 1-1 Slovenia
Their Nations League ranking offered salvation a shot at the play-offs. With the Graham Potter era well underway, they beat Ukraine and Poland (3-1 and 3-2 respectively) to earn a place in Group F at the 2026 World Cup. They enjoyed a dream first game against Tunisia where after just 84 minutes of football they had already matched their Group B Qualifying total of 4 goals.
On 90+6, enter Yasin Ayari - born in Sweden to a Tunisian father - to round off a spectacular start for the Swedes.
