Game Recaps

The USA advances from Group B — 3 biggest takeaways from narrow 1-0 victory vs. Iran

The United States men’s national team triumphed against Iran with a nervy 1-0 victory on Tuesday to clinch a Round of 16 game against the Netherlands. The USA gave American fans several heart attacks along the way, but this is a massive accomplishment for the team.

The USA grinded out a tough one but ultimately came out on top. The magic moment came from none other than Christian Pulisic who put his body on the line to score the game-winner.

USA player ratings vs. Iran: 3 guys who inspired, 2 who weren't at their best

The United States held on for dear life and beat Iran 1-0 Tuesday to advance to the World Cup round of 16 while eliminating Team Melli. It looked like it would be a comfortable evening after Christian Pulisic put the U.S. up 1-0 in the 38th minute and with the Americans winning every individual duel on the pitch, but Iran dominated the final 20 minutes searching for an all-important equalizer. 

Casemiro's strike of rare purity confirms Brazil's place in the round of 16

DOHA - Doha’s Stadium 974 thrummed to the samba beat on Monday night as Brazilian fans brought Latin American swagger to this patch of Qatar and Casemiro fired Brazil into the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup finals with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland.

The midfielder’s spectacular 83rd minute goal sent Brazil through with a game to spare and lit a touch paper to a contest that up to then had struggled to smolder.

USMNT's Ghana scouting report #2: Mohammed Kudus is going to be a problem

When Ghana, the youngest team at the World Cup, eventually meets the USMNT, the second-youngest, in the World Cup semifinals, it's clear that the juvenile inconsistencies of both will allow one team to shine in the opening 45 before the other side comes storming back in the second half.

Watch: Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar humiliates defender and keeper with stunning goal

The only thing that makes a spectacular comeback better is when it's started with a stunning goal. Needing a moment to act as the catalyst, to give the Indomitable Lions a kick back into contention, Vincent Aboubakar provided that spark with a silky solo goal to put Cameroon within one against Serbia. 

Germany blows golden last-minute opportunity to defeat Spain in shocking fashion

Germany still has a chance to advance out of the group stage, however it will be an uphill battle as the 2014 World Cup champions tied Spain 1-1 on Sunday. German fans will be disappointed not to come away the three points as their team botched several big chances.

In the final moments of the game Leroy Sané broke free toward Spain’s goal. In the middle he had Niclas Füllkrug as an option or he could shoot. Instead, he did this.

Leroy Sané Chance vs. Spain

Canada said they'd 'F' Croatia up, but it was Croatia doing all the 'F-ing'

After vowing to f**k Croatia up Sunday, Canada manager John Herdman could only watch in horror as his side showed its extreme World Cup naivety in a 4-1 defeat to the 2018 runners-up. 

Canada — the leading side in Concacaf during qualifying — is now the second to exit the tournament, following quickly in the footsteps of the host nation Qatar.

Abdelhamid Sabiri scores outrageous free kick as Morocco beats Belgium

Belgium has been stunned by a moment of Moroccan magic, that puts the African nation top of Group F. Midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri scored a ridiculous free kick from the most unlikely of angles to get Morocco’s winner against the highly favored Belgians.

Watch: Costa Rica shocks the world with late winner over Japan

Los Ticos were in a world of hurt after their opening match, losing 7-0 to a well-oiled Spain side. The Costa Ricans were sentenced to death by passing as Luis Enrique’s side completed a staggering 1,045 passes in the match, but their performance against a Japan side that shockingly beat Germany on matchday one was more than laudable, grabbing a winner in the 81st minute while also keeping the Samurai Blue off the score sheet. 

Messi y los tres errores que dejaron a México con un pie fuera del Mundial

Un segundo de genialidad de Lionel Messi y un hermoso chanfle de Enzo Fernández dejaron a México conectado a un respirador artificial en Catar.

El plan de Gerardo Martino era maniatar, frustrar y jugar con la desesperación de una Argentina que si perdía quedaba fuera del Mundial. Y aunque por momentos, el partido parecía ir de acuerdo al libreto imaginado por el Tata, bastó un pequeño rayo de libertad de Messi para demoler la resistencia y exponer los errores detrás de la estrategia diseñada por el entrenador de la selección mexicana.

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