World Cup Daily: Matches and storylines for June 21
Spain and Belgium will look to overcome opening draws to help define their groups. We'll be looking for Cabo Verde to continue their feel-good story.
Considering transitive properties, with Netherlands beating Sweden 5-1, and Sweden beating Tunisia 5-1, Tunisia must be pretty bad in this World Cup. Of course, if you stayed up late and watch Japan dismantle Tunisia — Hervé Renard's Tunisia – by a 4-0 scoreline, you got that on your own.
That's part of what happened Saturday, which necessarily muddied Group F and put some outsized importance on the upcoming Japan vs. Sweden match. Also, in Group E, Denis Undav came through as a supersub with a pair of goals — one quite late — to foil Ivory Coast's upset draw bid. And Curaçao! Thanks in large part to former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room, the tiny island nation — with its anthem declaring it "a boulder in the sea" — drew Ecuador 0-0. That's right: the hipster dark horse pick of this World Cup has one point and no goals whatsoever through two matches.
Here on Sunday, we get Spain and Belgium trying to shake off opening draws and the glory of the continuing Cabo Verde story.
Also, Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!
(With my father having passed away during the previous World Cup, just days removed from the U.S.'s whimpering exit from the tournament, I'm grateful to have such a joyous World Cup now to offset those memories, and that a World Cup is once again part of Father's Day rather than during a desultory winter.)
Group G
Predictions
Projected winner: Belgium (10)
Projected runner-up: Egypt (28)
Projected 3rd-place team: Iran (22)
Projected 4th-place team: New Zealand (83)
Past matches
Belgium 1, Egypt 1 (June 15, 2 pm)
Iran 2, New Zealand 2 (June 15, Inglewood, Calif.)
Today's matches
Belgium vs. Iran: Sunday, June 21, 2 pm (Inglewood, Calif.)
New Zealand vs. Egypt: Sunday, June 21, 8 pm (Vancouver)
Future matches
Egypt vs. Iran: Friday, June 26, 10 pm (Seattle)
New Zealand vs. Belgium: Friday, June 26, 10 pm (Vancouver)
Most compelling narrative
All four teams drew in their opening matches. Can Belgium rise above by beating Iran, or will another team get the inside track with a win?
Player to watch
Romelu Lukaku came on as a sub against Egypt and instantly transformed the match. How much of an influence will he have on Sunday's match against Iran?
Group H
Predictions
Projected winner: Spain (3)
Projected runner-up: Uruguay (18)
Projected 3rd-place team: Saudi Arabia (59)
Projected 4th-place team: Cabo Verde (63)
Past matches
Spain 0, Cabo Verde 0 (June 15, Atlanta)
Saudi Arabia 2, Uruguay 2 (June 15, Miami)
Today's matches
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia: Sunday, June 21, 11 am (Atlanta)
Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde: Sunday, June 21, 5 pm (Miami)
Future matches
Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia: Friday, June 26, 7 pm (Houston)
Uruguay vs. Spain: Friday, June 26, 7 pm (Guadalajara)
Most compelling narrative
Spain could not score against Cabo Verde; presumably, La Roja will be able to against the Saudis, though they've been tough against better-on-paper opponents.
Player to watch
Lamine Yamal got limited minutes in the opener. How much will he be needed, and how much of a difference will be able to make? (He looked lively in his time against Cabo Verde, but couldn't deliver a goal.)
Where to watch
I may see you at Meanwhile if you venture out there.
What to read
Here's a good breakdown of the Japan-Tunisia match, including an obligatory Hervé Renard in white button down with buttons left unbuttoned photo, just how close Japan was from scoring a second goal in the 10th minute, and details on what completely insane and fun Round of 32 matchup might be awaiting Japan.
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 has a sixth straight Decision Day that doesn't impact its playoff chances. But its opponent from the Pacific Northwest has many scenarios to get into the postseason.
Brad Stuver was a surprising opening day starter in 2021, en route to becoming a six-year fixture in goal. For the last five years, he's been measurably one of MLS' best.
The 17-year-old Finnish youth international midfielder has officially signed with Verde through the 2030-31 season. What does it mean for a team that's most definitely rebuilding?
Austin FC let in four goals, making it the worst of Damian Las' six starting outings this season. However, Micah Burton and Ervin Torres connected on a goal that portends good things for the future.
Considering transitive properties, with Netherlands beating Sweden 5-1, and Sweden beating Tunisia 5-1, Tunisia must be pretty bad in this World Cup. Of course, if you stayed up late and watch Japan dismantle Tunisia — Hervé Renard's Tunisia – by a 4-0 scoreline, you got that on your own.
That's part of what happened Saturday, which necessarily muddied Group F and put some outsized importance on the upcoming Japan vs. Sweden match. Also, in Group E, Denis Undav came through as a supersub with a pair of goals — one quite late — to foil Ivory Coast's upset draw bid. And Curaçao! Thanks in large part to former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room, the tiny island nation — with its anthem declaring it "a boulder in the sea" — drew Ecuador 0-0. That's right: the hipster dark horse pick of this World Cup has one point and no goals whatsoever through two matches.
Here on Sunday, we get Spain and Belgium trying to shake off opening draws and the glory of the continuing Cabo Verde story.
Also, Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!
(With my father having passed away during the previous World Cup, just days removed from the U.S.'s whimpering exit from the tournament, I'm grateful to have such a joyous World Cup now to offset those memories, and that a World Cup is once again part of Father's Day rather than during a desultory winter.)
Group G
Predictions
Past matches
Today's matches
Future matches
Most compelling narrative
All four teams drew in their opening matches. Can Belgium rise above by beating Iran, or will another team get the inside track with a win?
Player to watch
Romelu Lukaku came on as a sub against Egypt and instantly transformed the match. How much of an influence will he have on Sunday's match against Iran?
Group H
Predictions
Past matches
Today's matches
Future matches
Most compelling narrative
Spain could not score against Cabo Verde; presumably, La Roja will be able to against the Saudis, though they've been tough against better-on-paper opponents.
Player to watch
Lamine Yamal got limited minutes in the opener. How much will he be needed, and how much of a difference will be able to make? (He looked lively in his time against Cabo Verde, but couldn't deliver a goal.)
Where to watch
I may see you at Meanwhile if you venture out there.
What to read
Here's a good breakdown of the Japan-Tunisia match, including an obligatory Hervé Renard in white button down with buttons left unbuttoned photo, just how close Japan was from scoring a second goal in the 10th minute, and details on what completely insane and fun Round of 32 matchup might be awaiting Japan.
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.
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