Saturday, June 27
Matchday Recap โ June 27
Final set of teams punch their ticket.
Match 67 โ ๐ต๐ฆ Panama vs ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ England (0-2)
Match synthesis:
England completed a professional 2โ0 victory over Panama to finish atop Group L with seven points, extending their unbeaten tournament run without ever needing top gear. The Three Lions controlled possession, created the better chances, and struck once in each half to leave Panama chasing shadows. Panama exit the tournament without a point but earned respect for their commitment throughout. England now head confidently into the knockout stage, where sterner tests and genuine title ambitions await.
Predictions:
66 of 72 poolsters called the England win, and 24 had the score exactly right.
Kudos to (๐ฅ = hot pick): Adam Lyn, Adrian C ๐ฅ, Andrew R, Catherine H, Damien L ๐ฅ, David R ๐ฅ, Franklin Leonard ๐ฅ, Gerald H, Greg Lawrence, Ian M ๐ฅ, Jackie C, Jakub K ๐ฅ, Jamel Banton, Joe O'Leary ๐ฅ, Kiran Dhupa, Matthew Z ๐ฅ, Mehdi L, Mike H ๐ฅ, Moises R, Ran I ๐ฅ, Sam W ๐ฅ, Shayne S, Sheldon L, Tom Hulme ๐ฅ
Match 68 โ ๐ญ๐ท Croatia vs ๐ฌ๐ญ Ghana (2-1)
Match synthesis:
Croatia edged Ghana 2โ1 in a proper Group L scrap, the kind of match that makes fingernails disappear and calculators come out. Ghana fought with pride and threatened to crash the party, but Croatiaโs tournament muscle showed when it mattered. They managed the big moments, found the goals, and held on under pressure. For Ghana, it was heartbreak with honor. Both advance.
Predictions:
39 of 72 poolsters called the Croatia win, and 12 had the score exactly right.
Kudos to (๐ฅ = hot pick): Alexandre Mayor, Cheryl Andros, Damien L, Duvaughn Henlon, Franklin Leonard, Greg Lawrence, Matthew C, Maxwell D, Moises R, Steven Whittingham, Umang Desai, Yoav Itzik
Match 69 โ ๐ฉ๐ฟ Algeria vs ๐ฆ๐น Austria (3-3)
Match synthesis:
Austria and Algeria delivered proper Group J drama, playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw that left calculators smoking and nerves finished. Austria twice looked ready to take control, with Christoph Baumgartner pulling strings and Marcel Sabitzer driving the tempo. But Algeria refused to bow, answering with pace, pride, and just enough chaos to keep the group alive. Riyad Mahrez rolled back the years with a moment of class, while Algeriaโs late equalizer sent their supporters into full voice. Nobody won, but everybody suffered.
Predictions:
20 of 72 poolsters called the draw. Nobody nailed the exact score.
Match 70 โ ๐ฏ๐ด Jordan vs ๐ฆ๐ท Argentina (1-3)
Match synthesis:
Argentina hardly broke stride in a 3-1 victory over Jordan, completing a perfect Group J campaign despite resting most of their regular starters. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martรญnez put the defending champions in control before Jordan finally breached Emiliano Martรญnezโs goal through Mousa Al-Tamari, ending Argentinaโs shutout streak. Then came the inevitable: Lionel Messi entered from the bench and curled home a trademark free kick, becoming the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Argentina now march confidently into a Round of 32 showdown with Cape Verde.
Predictions:
68 of 72 poolsters called the Argentina win, and 8 had the score exactly right.
Kudos to (๐ฅ = hot pick): Catherine J, Cheryl Andros, Edward Sharp, Jaiden Banton ๐ฅ, Kyle Kellier, Lennox J, Shawn Banton, Shayne S
Match 71 โ ๐จ๐ด Colombia vs ๐ต๐น Portugal (0-0)
Match synthesis:
Colombia and Portugal somehow made 0-0 feel like theatre. In Miami, Colombia brought the noise, the pressure, and most of the better chances, but could not find the finish. Portugal improved after the hydration break, with Bruno Fernandes forcing Camilo Vargas into a sharp save, while Davinson Sรกnchez had a late header ruled out for offside. Still, Colombia topped Group K with seven points and now face Ghana. Portugal finish second and get Croatia.
Predictions:
22 of 72 poolsters called the draw, and 1 had the score exactly right.
Kudos to (๐ฅ = hot pick): Duvaughn Henlon
Match 72 โ ๐จ๐ฉ DR Congo vs ๐บ๐ฟ Uzbekistan (3-1)
Match synthesis:
DR Congo turned panic into history, coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and reach the knockouts for the first time. Eldor Shomurodov gave Uzbekistan early hope, but the Leopards roared back after halftime. Yoane Wissa buried a penalty, Fiston Mayele put Congo ahead, and Wissa returned in stoppage time to finish the job. From 1974 memories to Atlanta glory, Congo now get England. Uzbekistan go home winless, but not without a fight.
Predictions:
38 of 72 poolsters called the DR Congo win. Nobody nailed the exact score.
Standings โ Top 15 and ties
Leaderboard after 72 of 72 group stage matches ยท full standings โ
| # | Name | Correct | Exact | ๐ฅ | Total pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Whittingham | 51 | 8 | 10 | 271 |
| 2 | Crowd W | 46 | 12 | 8 | 267 |
| 3 | Jon Steitz | 47 | 13 | 9 | 266 |
| 4 | Andrew R | 50 | 11 | 7 | 264 |
| 5 | Sam W | 44 | 11 | 11 | 259 |
| 5 | Franklin Leonard | 46 | 10 | 9 | 259 |
| 5 | Ian M | 46 | 10 | 9 | 259 |
| 8 | Moises R | 46 | 9 | 9 | 253 |
| 9 | Tom Hulme | 41 | 12 | 10 | 252 |
| 10 | Edward Sharp | 44 | 11 | 9 | 248 |
| 11 | Matthew Z | 43 | 10 | 9 | 247 |
| 11 | Cheryl Andros | 45 | 8 | 10 | 247 |
| 11 | Jamel Banton | 47 | 7 | 8 | 247 |
| 14 | Chat GPT | 44 | 11 | 7 | 246 |
| 14 | Nico B | 44 | 7 | 10 | 246 |
Biggest movers
6 matches๐ผ Most points
- 1Chat GPT+37
- 2Duvaughn Henlon+34
- 3Franklin Leonard+33
- 4Jaiden Banton+30
- 5Cheryl Andros+30
๐ Biggest climb
- 1Chat GPTโ20 spots
- 2Duvaughn Henlonโ19 spots
- 3Jaiden Bantonโ17 spots
- 4Cheryl Androsโ13 spots
- 5Joe O'Learyโ13 spots