Welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast for day eight of the tournament, your catch-up on everything that unfolded overnight in North America.
From the biggest talking points to the moments that caught fire online, here is what you may have missed while you were asleep.
OVERNIGHT ACTION
Czechia 1-1 South Africa (Group A)
The match in Atlanta may not have produced a classic, but it did deliver one of the standout stories of the night. As Czechia and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in a contest short on quality, referee Tori Penso emerged as one of the most notable figures on the pitch.
The American official became only the second woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, and she handled the occasion with assurance. In a game that offered little in the way of flair, Penso looked composed and entirely comfortable on one of football’s biggest stages.
The American became only the second female referee to take charge of a men’s World Cup match and unlike the players around her, she looked right at home at this level.
Penso managed to adopt an attitude that eludes so many referees: she was the boss, but not the star. She allowed the game to flow where she could but acted decisively when South Africa threw in one wild hack too many.
When dealing with irritable players, she was polite but firm, using a smile rather than a frown to quell protestation. Penso will be in charge when Uruguay face Cape Verde in Group H on Sunday – crucial for both sides. She will hope to be given a game in the knockout stages.
Tori Penso put in a standout performance refereeing South Africa’s clash with Czechia
Penso started refereeing aged 14. Now 39, she could be forgiven for wondering if this really was the pinnacle of the game. If he managed to stay awake at home, Nigeria superstar Victor Osimhen must have wondered how South Africa finished above his own side in qualifying. Imagine being denied a place at the World Cup by such an ordinary team.
The Czech Republic were not much better. The sight of Pavel Nedved, perhaps their greatest player of modern times, in the crowd was a reminder of how good life used to be. Michal Sadilek gave them the lead by collecting Alexander Sojka’s clever touch in the sixth minute and firing beyond Ronwen Williams.
Pavel Sulc may not be so complimentary about Penso, however. When Thapelo Maseko’s shot struck the Czech attacking midfielder on the forearm in the closing stages, a penalty looked a harsh call. Yet VAR stuck with the on-field decision and Teboho Mokoena converted from the spot.
By then the Czechs should have been out of sight. Perhaps losing the flight of the ball in the floodlights, Patrik Schick allowed the ball to hit his shoulder when unmarked at the far post. It would prove a sign of things to come.
A win in their final game will probably be enough to send these sides through. Every other side in the tournament will hope to face them in the last 32.
Tom Collomosse
Czechia were the first on the scoreboard as both teams sought their first win of the tournament
But South Africa’s late penalty winner meant that the spoils were shared in Atlanta
Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group B)
It has been a testing week for the forty-somethings.
No, not those around the country who woke up on Thursday morning to realise they can no longer escape a hangover after a few midweek drinks watching England in the pub.
Edin Dzeko became the latest quadragenarian to falter at the World Cup after Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Luka Modric, 40, both had days to forget on Wednesday.
The big Bosnian striker has had a stellar and underrated career winning league titles in three countries – Wolfsburg, Manchester City and Inter Milan – but has failed to have a significant impact on the biggest stage of all with his nation.
Just being at the tournament, of course, is a mighty achievement for Bosnia, just their second finals after declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia.
But Dzeko, now playing for Schalke who have just been promoted back to the German top flight, will leave with regret that he could not help his team to a first World Cup victory since the final group game in 2014, when they were already knocked out.
They must end that wait on Wednesday when they play Qatar in Seattle needing to win after Switzerland scored three goals in 16 minutes to go top of Group B.
The rout started with an eye-catching volley from substitute Johan Manzambi, the Freiburg star who grew up as a goalkeeper idolising Manuel Neuer.
It was a deserved win as Switzerland cut through Bosnia like a hot knife through butter (maybe a Swiss army knife). Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye could have feasibly scored a hat-trick but they were guilty of squandering big chances until Murat Yakin rang the changes.
Manzambi’s energy altered the game before fellow substitute Ruben Vargas, of Sevilla, made it two on 84 minutes after Tarik Muharemovic was sent off four minutes earlier. The two scorers then combined for Switzerland’s third on 90 minutes, Vargas assisting Manzambi. Granit Xhaka added insult to injury by scoring a penalty with the final kick of the game.
Ermin Mahmic scored a thumping volley in stoppage time to pull one back but it was not enough for Bosnia, who must improve defensively if they are to qualify for the next round.
Lewis Steele
Johan Manzambi was an impressive addition to the side from Switzerland’s bench in the second-half
Canada 6-0 Qatar (Group B)
Canada claimed their first World Cup win in style with a 6-0 thrashing of nine-man Qatar in front of a raucous home crowd in Vancouver – although a serious-looking injury to Ismael Kone threatened to overshadow the result.
The co-hosts were aided throughout by some poor Qatar defending and red cards to defender Homam al Amin and midfielder Assim Madibo – the latter for a challenge which appeared to leave Kone with a broken leg.
After both sides exchanged chances to open the scoring, Canada went ahead in the 15th minute through Cyle Larin and very quickly made it two when Juventus forward David’s volley flew past the outstretched hands of Qatari goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada.
The second half began in nightmarish fashion for both sides as Madibo was sent from the field for an aggressive challenge on midfielder Kone, who was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious leg injury.
Substitute Nathan Saliba brought some joy back for Canada in the 65th minute, finding the back of the net from a free-kick and immediately rushing to his bench to raise a jersey with Kone’s name and number on the back.
The result was rudimentary from there, with a Mohamed Manai own goal and a late hat-trick for David extending the lead for the host nation.
Ismael Kone is carried off on a stretcher having broken his leg against Qatar
Mexico 1-0 South Korea (Group B)
Mexico became the first country to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup with a 1–0 win over South Korea.
Luis Romo scored the only goal of tense encounter in Guadalajara to ensure the co-hosts reached the last 32.
Neither side generated many chances in a dour first half, with Mexico registering only three shots as the teams went in goalless.
Romo scored in the 50th minute after capitalising on a loose ball spilled by South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu after a collision with defender Lee Gi-hyuk in the penalty area.
A brilliant double save from Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel in the 87th minute preserved the lead after he stopped a close-range header from Cho Gue-sung and then denied Yang Hyun-jun on the rebound.
READ ISABEL BALDWIN’S REPORT HERE
The fans outside the fan festival watched on a big screen as Mexico beat South Korea
VIEW FROM THE GROUND – CRAIG HOPE’S ENGLAND LATEST
England left Dallas with three fitness concerns. Here’s what we know…
Firstly, Harry Kane. The captain walked past me in the mixed zone at AT&T Stadium with strapping on his left calf, an area that has troubled him this year.
The good news is that Kane is okay and it is nothing more than cramp. The slight worry is that he did feel the need for the bandages given his importance to the team.
What about the vice-captain? Declan Rice was taken off in the 73rd minute against Croatia and was clearly limping. Thomas Tuchel says that was a precaution and Rice says he’s ‘good as gold’.
His Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka will not be ready to start the next game against Ghana. No need to panic, though, it was always likely that he would need a little bit of extra time to recover from a lingering Achilles problem and if he can impact from the bench like he did in Dallas, all will be well.
TEAM OF THE DAY
PICTURE OF THE DAY
The horrible looking injury to Ismael Kone was a shocking moment for both the Sassuolo midfielder and his Canada team-mates.
The players were seen around him looking distraught after Kone suffered a broken leg.
He underwent surgery on Thursday night and managed to give a thumbs up to the crowd in Vancouver.
The unity of the Cana team was on full display later in the game when Nathan-Dylan Saliba poignantly held up Kone’s shirt in tribute after scoring for his side.
Nathan-Dylan Saliba holds up the shirt of injured team-mate Ismael Kone after scoring
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
Canada boss Jesse Marsch and his Qatar counterpart Julen Lopetegui had a toe-curling handshake after the game.
Lopetegui locked Marsch in, seemingly lecturing him about something while the former Leeds boss stood stoicly still for a while.
Then right at the end it looked as though Marsch had had enough, throwing his arms performatively in the air and walking away. Shades of Thomas Tuchel’s infamous handshake with Antonio Conte all those years ago.
There was a long, awkward handshake between Jesse Marsch and Julen Lopetegui
PS. For fans of Mexico’s supportive duck, who sported a Mexican jersey in a surprise show of patriotism, consider the latest member of the Tartan Army.
While marching through Providence on Thursday, the pipers and marchers were accompanied by their own duck, tiny Saltire flying, and with a gold medal pinned to its feathers.
CELEBRITY WATCH
Canada’s opener may have had a celebrity sheen provided by Wrexham co-owner and proud Canadian Ryan Reynolds, but can he touch his president, Mark Carney, for joy?
The former head of the Bank of England and current head of state could hardly contain himself when his nation scored their opener – and was keen to show off his wife Diana Fox’s kit when Jonathan David provided the side with their second goal.
Mark Carney was delighted to watch Canada’s second match in Vancouver against Qatar
He was doubly pleased to show off his wife Diana Fox’s Jonathan David kit after the Juventus star scored the second
STATS OF THE DAY
After a season as the missing piece in midfield to burnish Sunderland’s Premier League credentials, Granit Xhaka is doing the same thing for the Switzerland side he leads in North America.
Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Xhaka was the midfield general the Swiss needed, completing 116 touches – 19 more than his closest rival – and 95 passes, putting him 15 passes clear of the rest of the pack.
Switzerland versus Bosnia is also the focus of our second stat, with its 4-1 scoreline making it the first match to see five goals scored all after the 70th minute.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. A Tim Cahill or Michael Jackson celebration?
Australia’s breakout star Nestory Irankunda opted not to go for his trademark Michael Jackson dance celebration when he scored in the opening win over Turkey.
He paid homage to his hero Tim Cahill by copying the ex-Everton man’s iconic corner-flag boxing routine.
Will he repeat the trick if he scores against the USA or revert back to showing off his dance moves?
2. Boston pubs, brace yourselves
The Tartan Army are out in force once again with the Scots taking on Morocco in Boston.
The sheer scale of their drinking has astonished local pub and bar owners, who have been drunk dry in some establishments.
More than 20,000 members of the Tartan Army have travelled to Massachusetts and Noelle Somers, chief operating officer at Hennessy’s Bar told the Boston Globe: ‘We’ve been here for over 30 years and we’ve never seen anything like it.’
Demand for lager has been four times higher than a typical US holiday period.
3. Are Brazil ripe for an upset?
Yes, Cape Verde’s 0-0 with Spain was phenomenal, but would Haiti beating Brazil top it?
It could be a trickier game in reality than on paper for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who fought to a draw with Morocco in their first encounter.
The Brazilian media and public are not the most forgiving lot and will demand not just a win over Haiti but the kind of performance that makes their rivals for the tournament stand up and take note.
TODAY’S GAMES
USA vs Australia (8pm, Seattle, BBC)
There are few better ways to start a home campaign with an emphatic win, and that’s exactly what Mauricio Pochettino’s USNMT did with their thumping victory against Paraguay to kick-off the competition Stateside on Saturday.
But the Socceroos also gave their fans reason to be cheerful, stunning Turkey with a thunderous 2-0 win that has added an extra level of intrigue ahead of this big-beast clash in Group D.
For Australia to get on the front foot in front of lively, and biased, US crowd, they might again look to the breakout star from their first match, Nestory Irankunda, the ‘next Jude Bellingham’ born in a refugee camp in Tanzania.
Irankunda leapt on the end of a blistering counter-attack to provide Australia’s first after 27 minutes, and the men from Down Under will again look to hit their opponents quickly and then lock up their impressive defensive.
But their hope of snatching all three points remains only an outside chance: the USA are thick with quality, and their opener appeared to suggest that Pochettino has uneven talents like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie cooking with gas.
Prediction: USA win
Scotland vs Morocco (11pm, Boston, ITV)
Scotland fans at home and abroad were swinging from the rafters are their opening win against Haiti gave the Tartan Army their first World Cup finals win in 36 years.
But while a draw will secure their qualification from the thorny Group C, playing for one against a team as strong as Morocco might prove painful for Steve Clarke and Co.
The Atlas Lions held Brazil to a draw in their opener, and might have thought they deserved more, as by far the stronger side for large swathes of the match – and might not wait for a win against Haiti to secure their own future in the knockout stages.
Prediction: Morocco win
The Tartan Army were left on Cloud Nine after their opening win against Haiti but Morocco might prove formidable opponents
Brazil win continue to go with Neymar Jnr, who is still recovering from a calf injury he travelled to the camp with
Brazil vs Haiti (1.30am, Philadelphia, ITV)
Fans of the Selecao will have to wait one more game to see the longed-for Neymar Jnr, after the superstar was ruled out as he continues to recover from the calf injury he travelled with. But even without the forward, Brazil will hope to avoid what would be an almighty scare with relative ease.
The opener against Morocco, although up against a strong team, wasn’t without its frustrations, with fans on social media calling for Carlo Ancelotti to inject some energy into the side with the inclusion of Real Madrid teenager Endrick.
Should Ancelotti decide to roll the dice, Haiti would be likely opposition to try out a reshuffle: playing at their first World Cup finals in 52 years, defeat to Brazil – and a win for Morocco against Scotland – would mean the Red and Blues are knocked out before their third match. But beating big beasts like Brazil would represent the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
Prediction: Brazil win
Turkey vs Paraguay (4am, Santa Clara, ITV)
Neither of the remaining Group D teams covered theirselves in glory on matchday one, leaving both Turkey and Paraguay hungry to give their fans something to cheer about.
The former were left rueing missed chances, quite literally. Turkey had 30 shots on target against Australia, converting none of them, despite dominating possession on the night.
But as awkward as Turkey’s misfiring might have been, it had nothing on Paraguay’s early capitulation, with Gustavo Alfaro’s side conceding three goals before the half-time whistle.
Thereafter, things got a little tighter, and Paraguay will hopefully avoid making the same mistake twice. Which could mean things get a little cagey in Santa Clara, as both teams desperately look to get their first points on the board.
Prediction: Draw
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