World Cupdate - Monday 15 June

Saturday 13 June

Switzerland had 68.2% possession, an xG of 3.24, and 26 shots.

Qatar had to make 32 clearances, including one off the line.

As we entered injury-time, Switzerland led just 1-0 through Breel Embolo’s 17th minute penalty.

We know the drill.

The Qatar captain seems to be one tough Khoukhi. I’ll get my coat.

[Note: there is the suggestion that Qatar’s late equaliser might have been an own goal. To aid my lame pun above, I have ignored this element of doubt!]

Sunday 14 June

Monday 15 June

Ivory Coast are back at a World Cup finals for the first time in 12 years. Prior to kick-off in Philadelphia in their Group E opener against Ecuador, they did not have fond memories of the last act of their 2014 World Cup in Fortaleza, Brazil. Needing just a point to qualify from Group C, they were tied at 1-1 as their final group game against Greece went into injury-time. Their opponents had to win or they were out. A late cross into the box and Greece striker Georgios Samaras hit the deck. Penalty!

A coolly dispatched penalty from the same player broke Ivory Coast hearts on 90+3. They have yet to make it out of the group stage but, after some momentous events in Philadelphia last Sunday, their prospects look a whole lot rosier at the 2026 World Cup!

They were up against an Ecuador side that were unbeaten in almost two years and were notoriously tight in defence - having kept 12 clean sheets in their last 19 games and only conceded 5 goals in 18 qualifying matches. As the clock ticked down in the second half, of course the game was poised at 0-0. Until Amad Diallo did this:

A 90th minute winner. 3 points on the board against their main rival for second place. Germany next up but finishing the group against Curacao and a real platform for progression.

And finally. The ‘cigar’ this time goes to Graham Potter’s Sweden. For context, their UEFA Group B World Cup Qualifiers record:

Slovenia 2-2 Sweden

Kosovo 2-0 Sweden

Sweden 0-2 Switzerland

Sweden 0-1 Kosovo

Switzerland 4-1 Sweden

Sweden 1-1 Slovenia

Their Nations League ranking offered salvation a shot at the play-offs. With the Graham Potter era well underway, they beat Ukraine and Poland (3-1 and 3-2 respectively) to earn a place in Group F at the 2026 World Cup. They enjoyed a dream first game against Tunisia where after just 84 minutes of football they had already matched their Group B Qualifying total of 4 goals.

On 90+6, enter Yasin Ayari - born in Sweden to a Tunisian father - to round off a spectacular start for the Swedes.