The Athletic has live coverage of Scotland vs Morocco and Brazil vs Haiti at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Do you have a favourite game of the World Cup so far? Could you order all of them? Well, that’s what we’re trying to do.
The Athletic is ranking every game, from worst to best. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.
Congratulations to Scotland on a first World Cup win in 36 years but a game with 44 fouls and four shots on target (from 24 attempts) was never going to rank too high here.
Desperation simply did not equate to risks and quality in these teams’ second group game. South Africa dominated possession after the Czech Republic’s early goal but struggled for cohesion at either end, while the Czechs sat deep but did not have much juice on the break.
The atmosphere in Mexico City was incredible, Julian Quinones was superb and Raul Jimenez’s goal was a reminder of the emotional weight the World Cup carries. But South Africa conceded through an error, attempted three shots worth 0.07 expected goals (xG) and offered little before and after their two red cards.
The Sead Kolasinac game! The Bosnia captain got himself an assist, made a goal-line clearance, and was partly responsible for Cyle Larin’s 78th-minute equalizer, which ensured Canada’s wastefulness didn’t stop them from earning a first World Cup point.
Ghana recorded zero shots in the first half and Panama, with 64 per cent possession, managed three. The second half, though, was a much better watch with a few big saves, a late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, and an even later Panama chance created by goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.
If one-way traffic had a definition…
Qatar offered nothing in attack or defence with 11 men and made multiple ridiculous tackles. Two of those brought red cards, with one seriously injuring Ismael Kone to cast a dark cloud over a dominant win.
The only blot on an otherwise solid week one for fans of the World Cup expansion. Livano Comenencia’s equaliser and Dick Advocaat’s emotional reaction were great but this was a muscle flex if ever there was one. Germany’s xG of 4.2 was the fourth-most by a team in the past three World Cups and the second-most of this edition (behind Canada’s 4.5 against Qatar).
Egypt did not look overly reliant on Mohamed Salah even though he assisted Emam Ashour. They posed a constant threat on the break against Rudi Garcia’s side, whose defensive organisation was suspect and they needed Romelu Lukaku — who played 64 minutes for Napoli in all of 2025-26 — to force an own goal for a point.
Uruguay scored from one of 27 shots, with their conversion rate of 3.7 per cent the second worst by a team in World Cups since 2018 (minimum one goal scored).
Saudi Arabia were well worthy of their point. They defended with numbers and a high line that caught their opponents offside six times. Only two teams have done better in the same timeframe: Spain against Costa Rica in 2022 (seven) and Saudi Arabia themselves in that famous win over Argentina one day earlier (10).
Switzerland had two-thirds of the ball, and Dan Ndoye alone matched Qatar’s shot attempt tally of six. Yet, they only had Breel Embolo’s penalty to show for it and let the game wander, with Miro Muheim’s 94th-minute own goal securing Qatar’s first World Cup point.
A historic result manufactured by an aggressive defensive strategy and the counter-attacking threat of Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu. DR Congo completed just 96 passes compared to Portugal’s 724 but still managed more shots (eight to seven) — talk about efficiency.
The Yan Diomande game! The RB Leipzig winger was electric on both flanks, almost single-handedly making up for both teams leaving their shooting boots at home. Ivory Coast’s depth ultimately won out, with Manchester United’s Amad coming off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner.
South Korea had eight shots in the first half, with plenty of free-flowing football, but they got just one of those on target. The two teams then had nine of 12 combined shots on target in the second half.
The Czech Republic channelled their inner Premier League influence to score from a throw-in, while Korea’s equalizer by Hwang In-beom came at the end of a 25-pass move.
A headline World Cup debut for Erling Haaland, who scored his signature backpost goal and then pressed Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan into gifting him a second. For Iraq, Aymen Hussein scored at either end in a forgettable showing.
South Korea did not have a shot on target for 86 minutes and could have equalized with their first effort on goal. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu kept them in the game after, gifting Mexico — who were booed for a flat first half — the winner. Football’s just like that sometimes.
The first half of this match was entertaining. Brazil struggled to cope with Morocco’s flair, movement and purpose in the first half and Ismael Saibari’s goal was just reward. A moment of genius from Vinicius Junior drew them level but has been somewhat forgotten given some of the tournament’s other star players’ exploits since.
The second half, however, included both teams combining for eight shots and 117 possessions lost.
At 39, Lionel Messi might not be the best player in the world anymore, but this was evidence that mileage can be made up for with intelligence. His performance had all the classic elements — passes from deep, quick one-touch plays and three left-footed goals — and a foul for which he should have been booked and could have been worthy of a red card.
Sweden scored their five goals from just 1.3xG, the second-highest overperformance (+3.7) across the past three tournaments behind England’s 6-1 win over Panama (+3.9) in 2018. Yasin Ayari had his own goal-of-the-tournament competition, and Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both scored from each other’s assists.
There was the first sighting of a football ‘snicko’ and this game led to Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi being axed, too. Welcome back to the World Cup, Herve Renard.
For 74 minutes, this game was goalless, but part of the joy of World Cups comes from substitutes actually making their mark. They did, making this the first game in World Cup history to feature five goals scored after the 70th minute.
Enter 20-year-old Johan Manzambi and 62-cap veteran Ruben Vargas with Switzerland struggling to pick the lock. The duo scored a goal apiece, Vargas set up Manzambi for Switzerland’s third and there was still time for a Bosnian thunderbolt from another substitute, Ermin Mahmic, and a Granit Xhaka penalty.
Austria under Ralf Rangnick play fluid, relentless football but Jordan made a decent fist of their first World Cup match, creating nine chances despite having just 37 per cent possession and matching Austria’s 11 shot attempts. They reacted well to going behind and equalized, and it took Austria an own goal from a set piece and a 102nd-minute penalty to win.
Colombia were one of the most entertaining teams across World Cup qualifying but were made to work hard by a disciplined Uzbekistan in the first half. Daniel Munoz’s goal was cancelled out in the second half, but Luis Diaz added to his assist with the go-ahead goal.
Uzbekistan went close to an equalizer before Jaminton Campaz scored in stoppage time, immediately followed by a shot at the other end that thundered back off the crossbar. Entertaining stuff.
This would have evoked annoying memories of the 0-0 draw against Morocco in 2022 and 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018 for Spain. They struggled to up the ante without Lamine Yamal and could not break down a disciplined, shapeshifting defence.
For Cape Verde, Vozinha was excellent at snuffing out the few good chances Spain created on his way to becoming an Instagram phenomenon after one of the World Cup’s great results.
6. Group I, France 3-1 Senegal
Senegal could and should have scored first, having disrupted France’s rhythm. They didn’t and Kylian Mbappe punished them first before Bradley Barcola’s chipped finish moments after coming on. Senegal did not even get to celebrate a late consolation, with Mbappe thumping the ball home brilliantly from distance.
This is his stage and he put down an early marker.
A perfect example of the immaculate vibes generated when a host team, backed by a boisterous crowd, absolutely coasts to victory. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie looked like Serie A regulars, Folarin Balogun’s finishing was on song and Gio Reyna put to rest any doubts about his selection by channelling his inner Luka Modric.
Before Messi, Mbappe, Haaland and Harry Kane, there was Elijah Just.
Two excellent goals, facilitated by some classic No 9 hold-up play from Chris Wood, meant New Zealand led twice. Iran responded both times in a classic cat-and-mouse game that included 31 shots, 12 on target and a near-even possession split (51 to New Zealand and 49 to Iran). Really good fun.
The adrenaline from a smash-and-grab of this kind is difficult to match. Turkey attempted 30 shots, 12 of which were blocked — both the highest by a team across the past three World Cups — while Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach was excellent.
Australia had just nine shots but nearly matched Turkey’s xG of 1.36 (with 1.18). Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe’s goals were top-drawer.
Tense, engaging and a first sight of two top teams playing at full tilt for 90 minutes. This game is one of the reasons the best teams in a group should play on the first or second matchday, when the jeopardy and desperation are more palpable.
Penalty (and a retake)? Check. Set-piece goal? Check. Two well-taken equalizers? Check. Lengthy passing sequence ending in a solo goal? Check. Barrage of attacks prompting one save after another? Check. Goal on the counter? Check.
This game, unlike most England outings in recent tournaments, delivered in emphatic fashion.
