England Edged Croatia 4:2, but Set Pieces Decided Everything

The 2026 World Cup began the way the Balkans wanted least - with a Croatian defeat. England won 4:2 in Group L, and Jude Bellingham scored one of the goals in the second half, when Tuchel's team woke up after a poor start. Croatian international Petar Sucic wouldn't concede the opponent's superiority after the match: "They weren't better than us, the set pieces decided it." And he's right - the two goals Croatia conceded from corners and free kicks are exactly what you drill all week, and yet there's always someone not in the right place. The question is as old as football itself: why do the national teams with the most experience fall most easily on the most rehearsed situations?

Messi Scored a Hat-Trick Against Algeria, Then Wept

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 3:0 win over Algeria in the opener, with all three goals his. But more than the play, it was the tears after the first goal that drew attention - the legend who has it all wept on the pitch in front of millions. It's easy to call it marketing, but a man of 38-39 who knows this is his last World Cup has no need to act. Argentina look terrifying, and Messi still plays like someone who doesn't want the party to end. How many World Cups can you play before you realize every next one is a gift, not a right?

Ronaldo Back at the Center, Portugal Struggle Without a Goal From Him

While Messi shines, Cristiano Ronaldo opened his story with a 1:1 draw against DR Congo - a result that in Portugal sounds like a defeat. Thierry Henry told him straight: the team has to score goals, not wait for everything to go through him. Coach Roberto Martinez tried to spin the negative into a positive: "Better to slip up now than when it matters more." The standard coach's line after a weak showing, which sounds wise until you realize no one planned to slip up on purpose. Ronaldo is officially the oldest player in a starting lineup in World Cup history - a record that impresses, but doesn't fill the net.

Liverpool Outran Newcastle for Munoz's Signature

While the national teams fight at the World Cup, the clubs aren't sleeping. Liverpool activated the buyout clause of winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna for 40 million euros and will soon complete the transfer, writes "The Athletic." The surprise is that just last week everyone linked the Spanish international to Newcastle - and then a club with a thicker checkbook and a more attractive showing came along. That's how the market works: one leads the negotiations, another takes the signature. Newcastle were once again left watching someone better positioned snatch the player from under their nose.

Ivana Knol Once Again Steals the Cameras From the Croatian Stands

Not everything at the World Cup happens on the pitch. Croatian fan Ivana Knol, famous since Qatar 2022, once again became a talking point of her country's match against England - this time in a provocative outfit with Croatian flag motifs. A story every World Cup has: while some analyze tactics, others count clicks. She's neither the first nor the last who'll make bigger news from the stands than some players on the pitch. The only question is whether that says more about her or about the fact that the media decide to run it on the front page.