MISTY, WATER-COLOURED MEMORIES
The Geopolitics World Cup has begun to fade from memory, giving way to the usual July routine of pre-season friendlies and transfer rumors. Yet, it’s still an opportune moment to revisit the remarkable 48-team, 104-match, 308-goal spectacle that has captivated us for the past six weeks. Here are 48 reasons to celebrate this year’s World Cup, leaving geopolitics aside.
The opening match between Mexico and South Africa featured an astonishing three red cards, ITV showcasing their studio’s Manhattan skyline, and a duck celebrated as a national hero. Germany appeared formidable as they netted seven goals against Curaçao, whose lone goal sent Telemundo commentators into a frenzy. Vozinha and Cape Verde sparked curiosity about Spain, with the giant goalkeeper’s impressive performances enabling his mother to witness his journey on the field.
Another seasoned player, Lionel Messi, scored six goals in the group stage, briefly becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer. Cristiano Ronaldo had a disappointing start, then seemed to bounce back before disappearing again. Scotland’s supporters made a far greater impact on the tournament than the team itself, establishing Boston as their spiritual home. England showcased an exhilarating display of attacking football against Croatia, an intensity that was not replicated thereafter, while Anthony Barry channeled the spirit of a frustrated lower-league manager during his half-time interviews.
As we take a hydration break, Mauricio Pochettino accidentally knocked over a Powerade bottle. Poch excelled in his role as a middle-aged actor portraying a World Cup coach, and for a brief moment, the US team appeared to be genuinely competitive before faltering, the specifics now lost to memory. Co-hosts Canada achieved their first-ever World Cup victory in a spectacular fashion, overwhelming Qatar with six goals, who also faced two red cards. Miguel Almirón was also sent off for covering his mouth while speaking, a move that did not save Turkey, which was eliminated after just two matches despite launching 1,057 shots on goal.
In Group E, Japan maintained a tidy presence both on and off the pitch, while an inconsistent Sweden oscillated between victories and defeats, including a 5-1 loss. Herve Rénard made an unexpected appearance, and Ecuador’s “Kevin carried the love of the game on his sleeve, there’s no question about that, and that carried right on to the fans, to the players,” Sebastián Beccacece, caught the eye, while Marcelo Bielsa could only watch in dismay as Uruguay crumbled in real time. Riyad Mahrez left everyone puzzled by giving Algeria a 3-2 lead against Austria, who swiftly equalized, compounding Iran’s misery after VAR denied them a dramatic winner against Egypt.
It’s time for another hydration break, this one sponsored by the sweet nectar of goals. Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral delivered the tournament’s standout goal and celebration against Argentina, who responded with their own extra-time magic courtesy of Julián Alvarez. Haiti’s Wilson Isidor and Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov joined the ranks of forgotten World Cup heroes, while Egypt’s brilliant counter-attack against Argentina was heartbreakingly disallowed. Their fiery manager, Hossam Hassan, reacted passionately.
The knockout phase introduced a more intense atmosphere, with Germany eliminated by Paraguay’s crafty tactics and the Netherlands thwarted by a Morocco team that lived up to expectations. The match between Portugal and Croatia was a dramatic spectacle, while Belgium seemed more inclined to squabble among themselves than to mount a comeback against Senegal. The Battle of the Azteca was a thrilling encounter, where England players threw themselves at every opportunity, Javier Aguirre provided the best touchline moment of the tournament, and Harry Kane lost his voice. Brazil’s shaky journey was abruptly ended by Erling Haaland’s ruthless accuracy as Norway navigated through with near-perfect coordination, with Haaland dominating both defenses and social media controversies. Neymar, on the other hand, earned the Mark Corrigan award for achieving victory in the most minimalistic fashion.
As we moved into the quarter-finals, Kylian Mbappé commanded the game as France appeared momentarily invincible, while Spain conceded a goal that made Charles De Ketelaere an eternal trivia answer. Breel Embolo’s unnecessary dive was caught in 4K resolution, England benefited from a bit of divine assistance against Norway, Gabriel Clarke stirred the pot, and Danny Murphy continued the sobering narrative involving Bob the Cat. The semi-finals can be encapsulated in two key moments: Lamine Yamal turning Lucas Digne’s mind inside out and seven defenders failing to prevent Enzo Fernández from scoring. Oh, England!
The match of the tournament occurred during the third-place playoff, a chaotic contest won 6-4 by England, as Mbappé padded his stats on the way to claiming the Golden Boot. The final, however, was far less entertaining, with Wayne Rooney aptly summarizing the disorganized half-time show, while Fernández’s foolish second yellow card illustrated Argentina’s lackluster efforts. Yet, the most significant moment is undoubtedly the one that clinches victory, so hats off to Ferran Torres.
After a tournament filled with tedious celebrity-spotting, it was refreshing to witness Javier Bardem and Carlos Alcaraz genuinely celebrating Spain’s triumph, followed by Keyne Yamal making the pitch his personal playground. Looking ahead, Luis de la Fuente’s red-and-gold army will be co-hosting the next tournament, where we may need to compile 64 remarkable moments. We’ll begin preparations, while you can start making your predictions for 2030.
KEVIN KEEGAN (1951-2026)
In the past 24 hours, tributes have poured in for Kevin Keegan following his passing at the age of 75. His playing career was extraordinary; he remains the only British player to have been twice named European Footballer of the Year. He secured three league titles with Liverpool, claimed the European Cup, won the Bundesliga with Hamburg, and proudly represented England for a decade. However, his influence as one of football’s early celebrity figures extends beyond accolades, evident through his television appearances, commercials, and even a top 40 hit. His tumultuous managerial career is often recalled for his infamous confrontation with Alex Ferguson in 1996. Ferguson remarked on Tuesday, “That period at Newcastle was of emotion, it was excitement. They brought these great players to the club too and they added to it, and it gave Newcastle – I think – their best ever team.” Alan Shearer succinctly expressed his sentiments: “My hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss.”
For a deeper dive into Keegan’s illustrious career as a player and manager, check out Rob Draper’s heartfelt tribute, Richard Williams’s obituary, and Louise Taylor’s exploration of his three eras at Newcastle, along with his life captured in photos.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“As time goes by, you realise there is something much bigger than just a result. For years, this group has represented the team in the best possible way. It teaches that competing isn’t just about winning; it’s about giving your all for the jersey and never giving up. It has been a privilege to be part of a group that always stepped up, competed at the highest level, and defended these colours with pride, humility, and commitment” said Enzo Fernández, who, despite Argentina’s performance in the GWC final, emphasizes the team’s efforts without fully grasping the concepts of “pride” and “humility” as they return home.
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FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
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“President Trump confused (yesterday’s Football Daily)? Maybe that was due to someone informing him that Spain, whom he has consistently criticized for inadequate defense spending, actually had the best one of all the GWC participants,”
wrote John Myles.
“Despite your rather mixed review (yesterday’s Football Daily), I thought the GWC was quite enjoyable. My main focus was the Golden Boot race. Forget match quality or results. With so many elite scorers racking up goals, it was fascinating to see who would emerge victorious. For a time, one of my countrymen, Elijah Just, had the audacity to be in the mix with his three goals for New Zealand. Exciting,”
wrote Rod de Lisle.
“So the third-place game was 90 minutes of pointless action and the final was a shot-for-shot remake of the 2010 version? How fittingly American,”
commented Rowan Sweeney.
