The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and it’s in full-swing with many teams’ first matches over and others are starting theirs shortly.
On Friday night, the United States grabbed all the headlines with a fantastic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles, setting multiple records for the national team in its World Cup history.
But what’s going on with the rest of the World Cup? There’s plenty of important games for bettors, fans and interested viewers looking to learn more about the beautiful game.
Every couple of days, there will be a non-USA World Cup roundup recapping the tournament. This is the beginning of that series:
Where: Estadio Banorte, Mexico City, Mexico
What happened: For the first time since 1998, three red cards were given in a World Cup match as 10-man Mexico beat nine-man South Africa.
Mexico got things started early after a poor turnover in front of goal by the South African defense. Julián Quiñones took advantage of the opportunity with a beautiful finish through the goalie’s legs just outside the 18-yard box for the 1-0 lead in the ninth minute as the home crowd erupted.
The home team had multiple stellar opportunities before its second goal, including a breakaway that ended in a red card for a South African defender. In the 67th minute, Raúl Jiménez got his head on a beautiful cross from the right side for a quality finish and a 2-0 lead.
A red card for each team was given in the closing minutes, but Mexico’s victory was secured nonetheless.
Ramifications: Mexico is in the lead of Group A with three points and the best goal differential. South Africa has work to do in last in the group with the worst goal differential. Both teams have to play South Korea and Czechia to finish the group stage.
Where: Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico
What happened: South Korea dominated possession, but still had to rally to secure three points.
The game was tied at the half despite the South Koreans having much better chances in the first half. Despite this, it was Czechia that scored first, with Ladislav Krejcí getting his head on Vladimír Coufal throw-in, guiding the ball into the back of the net from inside the 18-yard box in the 59th minute.
South Korea responded with a chipped through ball to a streaking Hwang In-Beom, who settled himself and curled the ball around the keeper diving at his legs and into the open goal in the 67th minute to tie the game.
Czechia almost scored again with a header off a free-kick, but the goal scorer was offside. In the 80th minute, Oh Hyeon-Gyu, a substitute, finished the game-winning goal for South Korea off a nice cross from the right side.
After scoring first, Czechia had multiple opportunities from close range for the equalizer, but couldn’t convert.
Ramifications: South Korea moves into second in Group A behind Mexico because of goal differential, while Czechia is in third in Group A. Both teams have to play Mexico and South Africa to finish group play.
Where: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
What happened: A goal in the last 20 minutes of play meant the home squad came away from its first match with a point.
Each team had chances early, but it was Bosnia-Herzegovina that struck first in the 21st minute for the 1-0 lead. Jovio Lukic got his head on a corner kick from the right side just enough to flick the ball into the net with a crowd of players around him.
There were heart-stopping chances on both sides after that, but it was Cyle Larin for Canada in the 78th minute for the equalizer. He received a pass at the top of the 18-yard box with a defender on his back. Larin turned and placed a beautiful ball into the right side of the net.
Ramifications: Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina are tied with Switzerland and Qatar for first in Group B with two ties in the group’s two games
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
What happened: Not all ties are created equal in soccer, and Qatar will echo that statement.
Qatar was rated as one of the worst teams in the World Cup, but found a tying goal in stoppage time to stun Switzerland. Both teams had chances early on, but it was a foul by Qatar goalkeeper, Mahmoud Abunada, inside the 18-yard box that resulted in a penalty kick. Breel Embolo finished from the spot in the 17th minute to give Switzerland the 1-0 lead.
Switzerland continued to pressure Qatar at the end of the first half with shots. Four minutes into stoppage time in the second half, Qatar’s chances were realized. Miro Muheim headed in a corner from the left side for the equalizer.
Ramifications: Switzerland and Qatar are tied for the lead of Group B with Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
What happened: The most anticipated game to date didn’t disappoint, with two first-half goals. Two of the top-10 teams in FIFA’s world rankings faced off, and Morocco was the first team to find the back of the net.
A beautiful through ball was played from midfield, down the middle toward goal to a sprinting Ismael Saibari, who chipped the ball around Brazil’s keeper and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.
About 10 minutes later, Vinícius Júnior had the response for Brazil. The star got the ball deep on the left side, cut back toward goal and finished with a beautiful strike into the top right corner to tie the game.
Both teams had threatening moments in the second half, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Ramifications: Morocco is in second place and Brazil is in third place in Group C after the tie. Both teams have to play Scotland and Haiti to finish the group stage.
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: Scotland hadn’t been in the World Cup since 1998, and it made the most of it with its first World Cup win in 36 years.
With plenty of fans making the trip, Scotland threatened in the first half before John McGinn found the back of the net in the 28th minute. He was in the perfect place to settle a save that rebounded out to him, then he fired a shot that took a few deflections before finding the back of the net.
There were a few chances to put the game away, but Scotland held on for a legendary win.
Ramifications: Scotland is in first in Group C, while Haiti is in last.
For more information on the United States’ latest win, click here.
Note: The Turkey vs. Australia wasn’t finished by the time this article was written.
