All 48 teams participating in this year’s FIFA World Cup officially played one match apiece after Wednesday’s action concluded.
The World Cup then returned to Groups A and B on Thursday for the second run of group play matches.
Here’s a look at the day’s schedule, results and updated Group A and B tables.
Thursday’s Schedule and Results
*qualified for knockout phase
Mexico are officially the first team to qualify for the knockout rounds after clinching Group A on Thursday.
El Tri won 1-0 over South Korea behind Luis Romo, a moment that will probably be more acutely remembered for Kim Seung-Gyu’s blunder in goal:
This was hardly the most thrilling match of the World Cup, with South Korea actually holding a thin edge in xG (0.69-0.48), holding more possession (58 percent) and taking more overall shots 9-8. Mexico held the advantage in shots on goal, however (4-2), and didn’t make the sort of game-changing blunder haunted South Korea.
So the hosts are moving on as the top team out of Group A, while South Korea will try to secure a second-place finish when it faces South Africa. It wasn’t pretty, but the job is done.
Canada scored six goals. Qatar had two red cards. Zero mercy was shown.
The Canadians—seemingly unhappy with some rash Qatari challenges—poured it on Thursday, beating their counterparts 6-0 behind Jonathan David’s hat trick and goals from Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba and a Mohamed Manai own-goal.
It was a potentially costly afternoon for the Canadians, however, after Ismael Kone appeared to suffer a severe leg injury following Assim Madibo’s ugly challenge. Madibo was given a straight red and tensions flared up both following the incident and after the game.
Given their massive advantage in goal differential, Canada are guaranteed to win Group B with a draw or win over Switzerland on Wednesday, June 24. As it stands, a place in the knockout rounds is virtually assured, while Qatar will likely need a victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina to stay alive in the tournament.
Czechia 1, South Africa 1
Czechia scored the quickest goal of the tournament yet in the sixth minute after midfielder Michal Sadílek’s left-footed strike.
Following a quick throw-in, Adam Hlozek sent a cross toward Alexandr Sojka, who tapped the ball to Sadílek for the goal.
Czechia’s 1-0 lead looked as if it might stand. However, a handball in the box led to a golden opportunity for South Africa.
Whether the handball was worthy of the call is up for debate.
South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena took advantage of the chance in the 83rd minute.
As far as notable match stats go, South Africa possessed the ball 61.9 percent of the time. They also had four shots on goal and 17 shot attempts vs. Czechia’s three shots on goal and 14 shot attempts. Both teams had five corner kicks apiece.
Both teams will play their final group play match on Wednesday, June 24 at 9 p.m. ET. Czechia will face Mexico in Mexico City, and South Korea will play South Africa in Guadalupe.
Switzerland 4, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
This match was tied at zero going into the 74th minute, but Switzerland scored three goals in 16 minutes to put this contest away.
Johan Manzambi scored goals in the 74th and 90th minutes after substituting into the match just two minutes prior to his first score. In between, Rubén Vargas netted a goal in the 84th minute.
Bosnia and Herzegovina avoided being on the wrong end of the clean sheet when Earmin Mahmic scored three minutes into injury time.
However, Switzerland ended the match by scoring on Granit Xhaka’s penalty kick.
Bosnia and Herzegovina played with 10 men from the 80th minute onward after Tarik Muharemović received a red card.
Switzerland dominated this match outside the goal count. They had seven shots on goal and 13 shot attempts to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three shots on goal and five shot attempts. Switzerland also had seven corner kicks (to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three) and had possession 62.3 percent of the time.
Both teams play next on Wednesday, June 24 at 3 p.m. ET. Switzerland will play Canada in Vancouver, and Bosnia and Herzegovina takes on Qatar in Seattle.
