Before the USMNT vs France match on Saturday in Lyon the stadium PA played the Gloria Gaynor classic “I Will Survive.” You had to wonder if the kids Dave Sarachan opted to play could survive against the most valuable World Cup squad. The kids did one better than survive — they tied the team many consider a World Cup favorite 1-1.
Mexico vs Denmark served as the final World Cup tune-up for El Tri ahead of a huge match against Germany a week from Sunday. While the team’s fought to a deadlock in the first half, two goals in the second sunk Mexico and sent El Tri to Russia with a defeat on Saturday in Brøndbyvester, Denmark.
Serbia isn’t exactly going into the World Cup with high expectations — no one will confuse the squad with heavyweights such as France, Germany or Brazil. But what the Eagles did to Bolivia on Saturday in their final World Cup warm-up match shows they won’t be an easy out in Russia. The match served as a Serbia World Cup preview of sorts, with the team eviscerating Bolivia 5-1.
It’s terrifying, really. Saudi Arabia thought it was set up well defensively, with the ball nearer to midfield than its own goal. But three touches later from three different Germans and the Saudis were picking the ball out of the back of their net. The ruthless nature of Germany vs Saudi Arabia on Friday perfectly illustrated just how strong the defending champions still are.
It wasn’t the style that the USWNT will be looking to impose on nations exactly one year from now in France (qualifying willing), but a set piece delivered by Megan Rapinoe and finished by Alex Morgan, who now has five goals in her last three international appearances, was enough to see the U.S. over China in Sandy, Utah on Thursday night.
A strong crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium also got to see the return of Amy Rodriguez and watch Crystal Dunn play in pretty much every position on the field.
England traveled to Leeds for its World Cup send-off match against Costa Rica Thursday, and 20-year-old Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford wasted no time in delighting a capacity crowd at Elland Road.
Rashford was just a 16-year-old when Costa Rica and England played to a 0-0 draw in Belo Horizonte back in 2014 (England were already eliminated at that point following defeats to Italy and Uruguay), but the Mancunian played like a man possessed to open the proceedings today.
Hope Solo has often been a figure of division throughout her playing career, and she has only added to that with her latest remarks. Solo believes that the joint bid consisting of the United States, Mexico and Canada should not win the hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup.
Mexico is through to the final of the prestigious Toulon Tournament, and it’s 19-year-old striker Eduardo Aguirre who’s captured the headlines in France. Only one player has managed more than two goals throughout the tournament, and that’s Aguirre — he’s got SEVEN.
*WARNING: READ THIS OR YOU WILL BE BUTT HURT*
I too know the obvious favorites based off the readily accessible odds that are available to everyone. But upsets do happen at the World Cup. In fact, they happen every single tournament. Every. Single. Time.
So if you want to see traditional power rankings with all the countries lined up entirely how you’d expect them to be, go to ESPNFC or something. Have fun reading that.
In terms of glamour, no group stage game comes close to matching Portugal vs Spain on June 15 at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi. This is, after all, a meeting between the last three European Champions (Spain in ’08 and ’12, Portugal in ’16), and a clash between arguably the world’s best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, and a who’s who of talent concentrated at the mega clubs of the world’s two best domestic leagues.