Segun Oluwaniyi

Two African teams in the last 16, matching the high point of 2014. Well done to Morocco, best team in their group by a distance, tbh, and can certainly beat Germany or whichever team advances 2nd from that group. Lukaku looks exactly how I do when I play on weekend mornings. Every ball just bouncing off him at ridiculous angles, no control over the ball or composure whatsoever.

I am hoping that FIFA follow their example of realising a summer World Cup in Qatar was impossible, and fix this idiotic format. Three team groups make absolutely no sense. Instead of the drama, excitement, and permutations we have seen the past two nights with simultaneous matches, there will be dead rubbers, allegations of collusion, and teams that are essentially eliminated after playing one match. 48 is a workable number if you just double the current format of the AFCON and EUROs. Even just having 64 teams would make much more sense. FIFA have attempted to expand the number of teams without increasing the number of matches, it is just foolishness. One aspect of 2026, I am very excited by is a World Cup with unique stadiums and a different "look". Since in 2010, 14, 18, and 22 the majority of the stadiums were either built or renovated in a way that was purpose-built to hold World Cup matches and they all look quite similar as a result, tbh. Specifically, the last two look identical to me, the only visual cue that a match was in Qatar rather than Russia is the empty VIP seating and number of people in Arab dress. Matches in NFL stadiums and Azteca will be an improvement in that regard.

These last two days are decreasing life expectancy across the North American continent. Martinez should have sent Mexico through!

Messi's finishing has been poor in this match, but some of the passes he has played have been incredible. Neither Poland or Mexico really deserve to go through it feels like, both have been poor and below the expected level. This is the only tournament where it would seriously make sense to just hold a shoot out to separate teams rather than fairplay or any of that nonsense. With the tiny distances, it could be set up in 1.5 hours.

Messi has always been below average with penalties for whatever reason. Bizarre when he is probably the most accurate shooter in history. This Acuna has been given perfect service a couple of times and done nothing. Very wasteful.

That is a penalty, but it is rare to see penalties like this.

France have had very easy and boring groups in the past three World Cups.

England, Italy, and Ghana all made serious errors letting this Musah boy go play for the the US. He wasn't raised there nor are his parents American and he would have a part to play for all of those teams. One of the best midfielders I have seen in this tournament for any team, tbh.

Iran have defended alright outside of falling asleep for the goal, but their play with the ball has been disastrous. Slow, weak, giving it away for no reason. Great half for the US.

Continuation from the first two matches for the US. Started with great energy and pace, but need more goal threat and need to take advantage of their early superiority because Iran are solid and will be more dangerous once the US counterpress tires. Would be nice to have a player that can win an aerial duel, it that is this Wright boy, then so be it.

It seems wrong to have all the defenders come out after the first header and also have a man on the post? As though they mixed the tactics of defending the corner? GOAL!! We are back!!

That is shameful from Valencia.

Europeans took this stereotype because of Cameroon in 1990 and I assure you they have never stopped playing this way. They are unique among the African teams. Serbian players look exhausted especially Mitrovic. Looks like the heat is affecting them.

If this result remains the same, Germany have a good chance of going through even with a loss to Spain today.

Unless Wales take the lead, Iran will defend the 0-0 with their lives when they play this USA team without any quality centre-forwards. There is no incentive to attack. That could be a very frustrating and difficult game.

Benelux countries at this tournament both look in a good position to go through at this point, but they have played rubbish. Mendy's foolishness and Canada's wastefulness the saving grace. Win for Ecuador is a bad result for my adopted homeland of Senegal, but they would have earned it.

I am actively watching this match to laugh at Ghana's defeat and I still think the penalty was a disgraceful decision. It is objectively just incorrect.

Belgium are not in this match at all. Disorganised defensively, second to every ball low energy all over the pitch. Easily the worst "contender" thus far. Only poor decisions from Canada in attack have kept this 0-0.

Zielinski and Zalewski are very exciting players in Serie A. This team is just set up to play negative football with these players. This is the least talented El Tri I can remember watching. Very little attacking quality. This has been the worst match of the tournament by a distance thus far.

No idea why Wales did not start Moore. The US looked questionable defensively once there was a player there to engage with them. Zimmerman just gave away two points with that challenge, for no reason whatsoever. Very frustrating. US did not create enough chances with their dominance, either.

Come on, man. I even stay here legally now, I am American. I sang the anthem word for word. U-S-A!!

My fellow Americans, I don't mean to discredit the boy, but are we seriously meant to believe that from the pool of anyone born from roughly 1984 to 2007 in all 50 states + various territories and expatriates abroad, the best striker available for the World Cup is Josh Sargeant? I cannot believe this to be the case. The US is very strong in midfield and wide positions at the moment, but the strikers, keeper, and defenders are below their usual standard, imo. There is enough in this team to beat Wales and make the knockout stage if we play well, though.

If things play out well for you, there may not be a "better team" until the quarterfinals. USA, Wales, and Senegal/Ecuador are decent teams, but a level below England. They are very difficult to score against and generally one of the most organised teams at this level under this manager, that is all I meant. He has led this team for several years and throughout two World Cups, two Asian Cups, and qualifiers, this is just not a team that concedes multiple goals, unless they are pushing forward in desperation. Even his Egypt side was like this.

I do not know if this is the quality of England, or just poor play from a team with serious turmoil in their country, but I have never seen Iran under Queiroz treated like this. This is historically one of the most difficult sides to play against in international football and they are being abused all over the pitch.

That is the exact penalty that helped spur England's run to the semifinals four years ago, so I guess the rules have changed in that time.