World Cup Daily: Matches and storylines for July 5
After a July 4 in which France and Morocco triumphed, the World Cup sets up for another quarterfinal matchup on Sunday, as Brazil takes on Norway and Mexico hosts England.
Soccer has been more beautiful than it was on Saturday, and depending on the heated takes I'm seeing so far, perhaps you'd say more beautiful than the new leaked Austin FC third kit (which I'm leaning toward liking).
First, Canada had more chances — at one point besting Morocco 51% to 1% on Futi's amusing "Deserved Win" match meter — but let in a goal starting a downhill slide and an eventual 3-0 loss, followed by an alarming Jesse Marsch post-match press conference in which he asserted Canada was the better team. (Also, Alphonso Davies wasn't activated for this match, though Jayden Nelson did get on as a late sub to show off his speed and skill.)
Then, on a Philadelphia afternoon with 95-degree temperatures and humidity in the 42% range, France met a Paraguay team thoroughly committed to uglying it up, and Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev was thoroughly committed to letting them. Astonishingly, France beat Paraguay 3-0 in yellow cards, including one to Michael Olise for being near Matias Galarza as Galarza threw himself to the ground as if Olise had struck him. Tantashev did award a penalty kick, however, for a blatant ankle kick in the box, and Kylian Mbappé converted for what would stand as the lone goal in the 1-0 win.
Now, France and Morocco get to relive their 2022 semifinal showdown on Thursday. Today, Norway and Brazil get the action started mid-afternoon, and then Mexico and England play (possibly as thunderstorms loom) in the evening. The winners of those contests play Saturday in the quarterfinals.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
Austin FC can't win Copa Tejas on Saturday night, but can certainly lose it facing FC Dallas in Frisco. We talk about outperforming one's xG, a new goalkeeper, and playoff hopes with a Toros expert.
Next Eleven is an Austin FC program created to use the power of soccer to encourage development in young people. Ilie Sánchez and Jorge Alastuey spoke to students Wednesday as club ambassadors.
Facundo Torres has been performing at close to the level you'd expect a designated player to be performing at. But for a good stretch of the season, he was (perplexingly) not.
Austin FC interim head coach Davy Arnaud insists his team is playing the same way each match. But Sunday's win over Vancouver required some unusual grit and timely goals.
Soccer has been more beautiful than it was on Saturday, and depending on the heated takes I'm seeing so far, perhaps you'd say more beautiful than the new leaked Austin FC third kit (which I'm leaning toward liking).
First, Canada had more chances — at one point besting Morocco 51% to 1% on Futi's amusing "Deserved Win" match meter — but let in a goal starting a downhill slide and an eventual 3-0 loss, followed by an alarming Jesse Marsch post-match press conference in which he asserted Canada was the better team. (Also, Alphonso Davies wasn't activated for this match, though Jayden Nelson did get on as a late sub to show off his speed and skill.)
Then, on a Philadelphia afternoon with 95-degree temperatures and humidity in the 42% range, France met a Paraguay team thoroughly committed to uglying it up, and Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev was thoroughly committed to letting them. Astonishingly, France beat Paraguay 3-0 in yellow cards, including one to Michael Olise for being near Matias Galarza as Galarza threw himself to the ground as if Olise had struck him. Tantashev did award a penalty kick, however, for a blatant ankle kick in the box, and Kylian Mbappé converted for what would stand as the lone goal in the 1-0 win.
Now, France and Morocco get to relive their 2022 semifinal showdown on Thursday. Today, Norway and Brazil get the action started mid-afternoon, and then Mexico and England play (possibly as thunderstorms loom) in the evening. The winners of those contests play Saturday in the quarterfinals.
To prepare, English sandwich chain Greggs has discontinued its Mexican-themed sandwiches ahead of Sunday's showdown (but resuming them on Monday). That'll show Mexico!
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28
Monday, June 29
Tuesday, June 30
Wednesday, July 1
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Round of 16
Saturday, July 4
Sunday, July 5
Monday, July 6
Tuesday, July 7
Quarterfinals
Thursday, July 9
Friday, July 10
Saturday, July 11
Where to watch
This seems like a good day to get to Takoba.
What to read
Here's a debate about Paraguay's antics.
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
Read Next
Foreign Exchange: Three questions with Big D Soccer's Drew Epperley
Austin FC can't win Copa Tejas on Saturday night, but can certainly lose it facing FC Dallas in Frisco. We talk about outperforming one's xG, a new goalkeeper, and playoff hopes with a Toros expert.
Captains, meet the Next Eleven: Ilie Sánchez and Jorge Alastuey visit Walnut Creek Elementary
Next Eleven is an Austin FC program created to use the power of soccer to encourage development in young people. Ilie Sánchez and Jorge Alastuey spoke to students Wednesday as club ambassadors.
The curious case of Facundo Torres and the missing middle of his season
Facundo Torres has been performing at close to the level you'd expect a designated player to be performing at. But for a good stretch of the season, he was (perplexingly) not.
'We keep trusting what we're doing': Austin FC revels in a rare win over the Whitecaps
Austin FC interim head coach Davy Arnaud insists his team is playing the same way each match. But Sunday's win over Vancouver required some unusual grit and timely goals.