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≡ FIFA WORLD CUP ≡
Thursday marked the start of the second round of games in the group stage, with two absolute routs in Group B.
● Group A: Czech Republic 1, South Africa 1 ● The Czechs got going right away in this game in Atlanta with a terrific cross from the right side of the field in the sixth minute by striker Adam Hlozek that found midfielder Alexandr Sojka at the top of the box. He popped it down to midfielder Michal Sadilek, who fired a hard shot back to the right of the South African goal that got between the defenders for a 1-0 lead.
The half ended that way, with South Africa controlling possession at 63% and both sides with five shots.
South Africa kept pushing in the second half, but the Czechs were better on offense; at the break, possession was down to 61%, but the Czechs had an 11-8 edge on shots.
The South African frustration was palpable, but they finally got a break in the 81st, when midfielder Pavel Sulc was called for a “hand ball” penalty when striker Thapelo Maseko‘s shot hit him in the right arm, inside the box. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena took the penalty and slammed the ball into the left side of the net without issue, to tie the game.
Both sides rushed forward in the final minutes and the seven minutes of stoppage time, but it ended 1-1 and both teams maintain a chance to advance (both now 0-1-1: 1 point). South Africa ended with 62% of possession and its late flurry gave it a 17-14 shots edge.
● Group A: Mexico vs. South Korea ● This game is Guadalajara (MEX) starts at 6 p.m. Pacific time, with a report posted after conclusion.
● Group B: Switzerland 4, Bosnia & Herzegovina 1 ● This was a tightly-played match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with the Swiss in control of the ball and the Bosnians looking for counterattack possibilities.
Both defenses held through the first half, 0-0, with the Swiss at 69% possession and a 4-3 edge on shots, with a better Bosnian attack after the hydration break.
A spectacular moment of the second half came in the 55th, as Swiss striker Dan Ndoye blasted a bicycle kick at Bosnian keeper Nikola Vasilj from just a few yards away, but the keeper saved it with a lightning punch. As spectacular as the exchange was, Ndoye was called for offsides.
The offenses were more able in the “third period” with five total shots and a good strike from Bosnian defender Amar Dedic, whose rifled shot from distance required a concentrated save from Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel. The Swiss had an 8-4 edge at the hydro break.
The Swiss pressure built after the break and finally paid off in the 74th, as a cross into the box was blocked, re-sent and headed for a clearance. But it stayed in the middle of the box and substitute midfielder Johan Manzambi – who came in for Ndoye just three minutes earlier – went into the air and crushed a right-foot volley into the upper part of the net for the 1-0 lead!
Bosnia’s problems were increased in the 80th, as Swiss striker Breel Embolo was streaking forward with the ball on a breakaway and was comprehensively tackled just before the box by defender Tarik Muharemovic, earning a red card, and leaving the Bosnians to play with 10.
With the man advantage, the Swiss clinched in the 84th, as Embolo sent a cross just inside the box from right to left and midfielder Ruben Vargas smashed the ball back to the right and into the net for the 2-0 lead. Vargas passed back into the middle of the box and an onrushing Manzambi slammed it in for 3-0 in the 90th.
Off a Bosnian corner, the ball was punched out, but Bosnian sub midfielder Ermin Mahmic ran onto it back near the top of the box and ripped it forward for a goal at 90+3 to cut the lead to 3-1. A foul was called on a late tackle in the box vs. midfielder Djibril Sowat at 90+5 and the penalty was converted by midfiedler Granit Xhaka at 90+5 for the 4-1 final.
The Swiss ended with 62% possession and a 13-5 shots edge. Switzerland is now 1-0-1 in the group (4 points) with Bosnia 0-1-1 and one point.
● Group B: Canada 6, Qatar 0 ● The crowd at B.C. Place in Vancouver was roaring from the start at B.C. Place and they were rewarded early with good Canadian chances and a special goal in the 16th from star scorer Cyle Larin.
A cross from the right side of the field to just beyond the top of the box by defender Alistair Johnston found forward Jonathan David, whose sharp shot was saved by Qatar keeper Mahmoud Abunada. But the rebound popped out and Larin was in the middle of the box to volley it home for the 1-0 lead.
Canada had 69% possession at the break and a 5-2 lead on shots at the hydro break. And then Canada saw more magic in the 29th, as a hard shot from beyond the box by forward Tajon Buchanan was blocked, but it came free, rolling into the middle of the box and was smashed home by striker Jonathan David for a 2-0 lead.
It got worse for Qatar in the 33rd, as Buchanan was rolling toward goal and was pushed down from behind by Qatar defender Homam Ahmed for a red card ejection and a Canadian free kick just behind the 18-yard box.
Canada broke down the Qatar defense again in the 48th, on a cross from Johnston from the right wing to the top of the box to the left of goal, where Larin headed it toward goal and after being saved, the ball came out and David essentially touched it in for the 3-0 lead just before half.
The Canadians had 67% possession and a 14-2 shots edge at the half. In the 51st, as Canadian midfielder Ishmael Kone was injured from behind on a challenge for the ball in the Qatar end by defender Assim Madibo, and was stretchered off, waving to the fans. Madiro received a red card, so Qatar played with nine.
It was 4-0 off a free kick curled around the wall by midfielder Nathan Saliba in the 64th, who then waved Kone’s jersey to the crowd. Canadian possession was up to 74, and 17-2 on shots. There was an own goal against Qatar in the 78th as a drive by sub striker Jacob Shaffelburg was hit by midfielder Mohamed Manai. David got a hat trick at 90+2, , picking up a blocked shot in the box and slamming it in.
Canada finished at 78% possession and 33-2 on shots. The Canadians scored a total of two goals in their six World Cup matches (0-6) prior to 2026 and one in its opener, a draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina. Now, Canada has a World Cup win and they will play the Swiss for the group win on Wednesday (24th).
≡ PANORAMA ≡
It was noted that the red card handed to Qatar defender Homam Ahmed against Canada was the fifth in the World Cup so far, and a sixth was given to Assim Madibo later. Only four were issued during the entire 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Nine were issued in 2014, 16 in 2010 and the all-time record of 28 in 2006.
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It was reported that an employee of the Estadio Banorte – Azteca Stadium – in Mexico City was arrested Wednesday after trying to “rent” his World Cup accreditation on social media for the equivalent of about $150 U.S. online.
Authorities were contacted by an organizing committee staff member about the offer and a 24-year-old man was taken into custody when he appeared to “reactiviate” his credential.
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The Kraft Sports and Entertainment group, owners and operators of Gillette Stadium where the World Cup matches are being held, has sued the Town of Foxborough, Massachusetts over $953,640 in fees it paid, claiming the Town “repeatedly misusing its state-granted licensing authority unlawfully to extract funds from Plaintiffs.”
Foxborough repeatedly stated it would not grant a license for the World Cup matches without ensuring reimbursement of all of the costs associated with the World Cup and said in a statement:
“The Town, through its licensing authority, has an obligation to ensure that the costs associated with private events are borne by the entities that conduct and benefit from those events, rather than by Foxborough taxpayers.
“As part of the 2026 Entertainment License issued by the Select Board, the Town implemented provisions requiring Kraft Sports + Entertainment to reimburse the Town for vital public safety and other municipal services necessary to support events held at Gillette Stadium. These services are intended to protect public health and safety and ensure that the Town is adequately prepared to manage large-scale events.”
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