World Cup Day 5 . . .

Spain very disappointing so far against Cape Verde. It's 0-0 at half time.

Cape Verde keeper having a very good game . . . still 0-0. Spain must be thhinking about bringing Lamine Yamal on . . . injury or not.

Here comes Lamine Yamal . . . on for Merino.

Yamal makes an immediate impact but the chance he creates is wasted.

Spain have been nothing short of pathetic, players thinking they can dribble 3 defenders or shoot from 40 yards.

0-0 the final score.

Egypt 1-0 Belgium 40m

c'mon u underdogs

Belgium equalise in 60m ... boo

1-1 final score

Egypt were outstanding coming close to defeating the Bellboys

Saudi lead 1-0 at ht.

Another goalie blunder, fails to hold onto ball, ball drilled home by a happy ay-rab.

c'mon u underdogs

Uruguay equalise 79m ... 2nd half's been all the Urus

rankings U16 v SA 60

Cape Verde Islands 67 population 530,000

mAGNIFICENT SAVE IN 93m by SA goalie

ends in a draw

up next 85 ranked NZ v Iran 20

I'm surprised at Iran's high ranking hope the kiwis can take em

Game in LA

NZ 1-0 7min

luvly jubbly !!

20 min ... kiwis 1-0 & have had a few half chances since scoring ... more than holding their own against their more favoured opponents who defy me by responding & hitting the upright.

32m Iran draw level scrambling home a goal

match stats NZ 7 shots on goal Iran 5

Iran score but offside thank gawd & its halfies

54M lovely passing results in NZ second goal ... beauty.

2-1

63m Iran score... perfect cross meets perfect header

2-2

83m

Iran doing most of attacking since their goal but kiwis fight on

2-2 final score & off to mow me lawns

I've yet to watch the replay of the Spain game but I did watch the exciting game between Belgium and Egypt. What a corker, both sides played well but to mine eyes Egypt looked just a shade better in attack than Belgium. How about the substitute who leveled the score in the very first minute of his appearance? Lukaku was brilliant. All of the games I've watched so far have been exciting, teams attack with a lot more energy than in previous WC's.

I'll never forget the Brazil v Germany game with the crafty krauts blitzgrieging their hosts 7-1.

2014 ?

Brazil were absolutely clueless in defence, I think everyone watched in stunned silence.

ps Do you remember a poster with the nick 'Groenbloed"?

I do & you going way way back in message board history I think.

Just about to speak to him LOL

Tell u more l8ter

https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2026/jun/16/world-cup-2026-iran-new-zealand-in-pictures