4 hours ago
12
Key events
Have to admit I missed this headline from last week but it was not widely reported, so here goes:
Argentinian officials have supplied US authorities with a list of 13,000 parents, requesting that they be prevented from attending World Cup matches as they have not paid child support.
“Those who fail to meet a responsibility as fundamental as feeding their children must face the consequences,” said Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri. “If they do not provide for their children, they will not be allowed into the stadium.”
There were some overnight quotes from England manager Thomas Tuchel regarding the 9pm BST kick-off against Ghana. You can read them here.
Tuchel has also been talking about Jude Bellingham, who will become England’s youngest player to hit 50 caps if he features against Ghana.
There is no doubt that a game and competition like this brings out the best in him but it needed improvement, the connection between Jude and Harry, the connection between Jude and Declan (Rice) and Elliot (Anderson). It needs improvement and needed improvement and it’s a big step.
Jude played fully into our idea and was fully committed to the team idea and team spirit and to play in full cohesion with everyone else. He was very important, super reliable.
Hello everyone! Very much channeling the energy of this man today. Don’t try and bring me down. It’s England Day. Alexa, play Tubthumping.
And that’s it from me. Thanks all and allow Michael Butler to guide you onward into day 13 of the World Cup.
All this Messi talk and not a single word yet on his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Well, here we go. After a disappointing draw with DR Congo and even more disappointing showing from CR7, Portugal have the chance to get back on track and flex their muscles against Uzbekistan.
But should the statuesque and oldest outfield player ever at a World Cup be starting? Probably not if this seriously talented team have designs on going all the way. But he will likely fancy his chances and start himself against Uzbekistan.
Miguel Dantas shared his passionate take on Ronaldo’s future with the national team last week.
How much?!
I have just received a PR email in my spam folder suggesting a beer at Boston Stadium, hosting England v Ghana later, is £13.45 ($18). Can this be confirmed? Have Scotland fans caused dynamic pricing on a pint? 1-0 if true.
Guardian columnist and 2014 World Cup winner Philipp Lahm weighs in with his thoughts on the tournament so far. Big love for the Tartan Army (naturally), less big love for the affect the expanded event will have on players and a strong take on what the future of the World Cup should be.
World Cup Daily dig in on Messi
Wrap your earphones around the World Cup Daily podcast as Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Alexander Abnos and Mark Langdon to chop up Leo’s heroics, France’s barnstorming win and there may also be a look ahead to England v Ghana. Enjoy!
Our man in the camp David Hytner goes under the hood (nailed it) of England’s preparations for the Black Stars.
Thomas Tuchel shares his view on what Ghana will bring in Foxborough: “I expect more ball possession. I expect Ghana to rely on counterattacks because they are very physical, very fast and dangerous.”
Moving seamlessly to today’s action, England are back to it later in Boston. Thomas Tuchel is calling for his defenders to be a little stronger after keeping Croatia in the game last week. Can they do it against Ghana? This England supporter has some faith as the Black Stars failed to have a single shot in the first half of their opener against Panama. But there I go tempting fate. Sorry, everyone.
Outside of Argentina running away with Group J, only a few hours ago Algeria came alive with a second-half comeback to hand Jordan an early exit from proceedings. Ahmed Benbouali and Amine Gouiri bagged the goals to put Algeria level with Austria on three points after a 2-1 win in Santa Clara.
Kudos to this French supporter weathering the storm in Philadelphia. That is some seriously heavy rain!
To round out the striking sensations there is of course Erling Haaland. The Norwegian bulldozer came alive in the second half with two superbly taken efforts that left Senegal with just a little too much to do. They gave it a good go though. Ismaïla Sarr grabbed a double of his own in a 3-2 humdinger.
PS: Martin Ødegaard’s delicate through ball for Haaland’s first goal was also rather nice.
Kylian Mbappé was equally impressive as France picked Iraq apart amid a two-hour storm break in Philadelphia. Two more goals from Mbappé puts him joint-second with Miroslav Klose with 16 at World Cups at the age of 27. I reckon he might score a fair few more you know. Sorry, Miroslav!
The Guardian’s Pablo Iglesias Maurer dives into everything Messi with boots on the ground as history was made at Dallas Stadium (aka Jerry World) last night.
The great one on his exploits: “It feels special, but like I’ve always said it does. Like I’ve said other times, I enjoy playing, having a good time on the pitch. I wasn’t necessarily having one on the penalty, but with luck we were able to work through that situation, take the advantage and leave with three points.”
And Argentina head coach and fellow Lionel … Scaloni: “I have no words to talk about Leo, it makes us all a bit tired. I’m so happy with his performance. He scored again. The team suffered and at times we created difficulties today. When Leo becomes active everyone activates.
“When the team was having a tough time without possession of the ball he worked, he managed to steal the ball, you could see his level of commitment and there is a reason for that. He has commitment, this is what he generates.”
There is only one place to start. Lionel Messi. Still completely unstoppable at 38 years old and one imagines still completely unstoppable at 39 years old when he celebrates his birthday tomorrow. What a treat to strike out alone at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring table before your big day.
“He’s the best,” said teammate Julián Alvarez after Argentina’s talisman ran rings around Austria with both goals in their 2-0 win in Group J. Hard to argue really.
Preamble
Hi and hello football fans! Hm, turns out these guys Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland aren’t a flash in the pan after all. Each of them put in another iconic shift yesterday to lift Argentina, France and Norway into the last 32 after two games. Messi is now the leading all-time World Cup goalscorer with 18 while he also leads the tournament’s Golden Boot chart with five and Mbappé and Haaland sit right behind on four. Entirely believable, Jeff!
Now what’s going on today then. Hmmm. Ooh a classic will he, won’t he when Portugal take on Uzbekistan later. Then a midnight special between Panama and Croatia. And the return of DR Congo in the late game when they take on Colombia.
Wait, what’s this? Eng-ger-land v Ghana at 9pm BST. Thomas Tuchel’s charges are back in action in Group L. Oh my gaawwwd!
Welcome to World Cup 2026 – day 13!
