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The teams continue to take important steps in their World Cup journeys as the second round of the group stage continues on Friday. Co-hosts USA and Australia will both be looking to build on impressive opening wins in Group D when they meet in Seattle. If the Americans win, support for the team in the country can only grow.
The focus will then shift to Group C when Scotland and its passionate fans return to the Boston Stadium after an opening win to take on a strong Moroccan side still hopeful of a long run. The third game takes us to Philadelphia, where Brazil will try to calm their nerves after an opening game when they take on a Haiti team that played fearlessly in their opening loss.
The night ends in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Paraguay and Türkiye will both be desperate for wins after disappointing Group D openers.
When: Friday 19 June at 15 A.M
Where: Seattle
TV: FOX
Current: Watch three days for free on FOX One
Group D returns to action on Friday for its second round of games. The best game of the day takes us to Seattle Stadium, where the USA take on Australia. It is the only match of the day with two teams each having three points from their first game.
The United States dominated Paraguay 4-1 last week in Los Angeles thanks to a nearly flawless first half that featured two goals from Folarin Balogun. But it was a total team effort from Mauricio Pochettino’s side as Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie won almost every midfield matchup. Christian Pulisic was a force driving the ball into the attack. Meanwhile, Alex Freeman, Tim Ream and Chris Richards were very effective moving out of the back line.
The concern for the U.S. team in this game centers on Pulisic, who was ruled out at halftime in the win over Paraguay after picking up a knock. The indication coming out of the US camp is that he should be able to play, but that won’t be clear until game day.
Nestory Irankunda in action for Australia. (Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Australia were one of the tournament’s most surprising teams through the opening games following their 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver. Türkiye had a huge advantage in possession, but Australia scored a counter-attacking goal in each half from its outside wings. In the first half it was Nestory Irankunda, 20, from the left side, and then in the second half it was Connor Metcalfe, 26, from the right side.
Manager Tony Popovic made key decisions that helped Australia win its opening game. His bravest move came when Popovic switched goalkeepers close to the first leg, partnering the inexperienced Patrick Beach of Melbourne City over established veteran Matthew Ryan of Levante in Spain’s LaLiga. Ryan is the most experienced goalkeeper in Australia’s national team history with 104 caps (many as team captain) and experience in three World Cups.
But the decision paid off as the young Beach was outstanding against Türkiye, making eight saves in the clean-sheet win.
Popovic also went with a very defensive 5-4-1 formation that helped his team contain Türkiye’s superior talent. Australia were smart and disciplined in their defence. Australia were out of possession 72-28% and outshot 30-9 but still won.
For Australia, it will be difficult to sustain it without managing more assets. The key for the Socceroos will be to stop the American team’s attacks from wide positions because Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest are key creators.
For the American team, it will be difficult to break down Australia. Balogun will not have nearly as much room to operate as he had against Paraguay. Then, of course, the American team must be smart with its transition defense.
The American team is the favorite in this game, but Australia is working exceptionally hard and has positive momentum behind it.
Player to watch
The American team attacks best from wide positions. Dest is normally a full-back, but Pochettino places him further up the field to take advantage of his dribbling and shooting abilities. There are questions about Pulisic’s health heading into this game, and that would make Dest even more important to the team’s right-side attack.
Scotland v Morocco
When: Friday 19 June at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Boston
TV: FOX
Current: Watch three days for free on FOX One
Friday’s second match takes us to the Boston Stadium, where Scotland take on Morocco in Group C.
Buoyed by a huge turnout from their supporters, the Tartan Army, Scotland made a strong return to their first World Cup in 28 years last week by defeating Haiti 1-0. It was a very difficult win for the Scots as Haiti were very strong during the last 25 minutes in their pressure to find an equaliser. Scotland defended well but were also fortunate that Haiti missed the chances they did.
Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay was outstanding in the win over Haiti and the Napoli veteran brings elite experience at the game’s highest level. Behind McTominay there is a rising generation of younger Scottish players who have big roles in this team. Against Haiti, AFC Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak was very effective.
Scotland will be heavy underdogs against a top 10 team in Morocco, coming off the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup. To win, or even draw, everything will have to go right for Scotland.
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Morocco had the tough challenge of facing Brazil in their opening game in New Jersey on Saturday. With both teams having realistic ambitions to make a long run at the World Cup, the game was hard-fought and even. The 1-1 result was an accurate reflection of the quality between the teams.
PSV striker Ismael Saibari gave the Moroccans the lead through an elegant chip over Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson on a play set up by Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz, typically Morocco’s most dangerous player.
But another area of strength for Morocco is the central midfield duo of Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi and Roma’s Neil El Aynaoui, who often got the better of midfield battles against Brazil.
Morocco have the edge in talent and are deserved favourites, but Scotland should be able to compete well through their organization and intense style.
Player to watch
Morocco’s teenage central midfielder is one of the best young players in this tournament. French-born Bouaddi, 18, was given the challenging task of starting against Brazil on his World Cup debut and he passed the test with flying colors as Morocco controlled the midfield for stretches. Currently at Lille, Bouaddi is likely to find himself at one of the best teams in the world very soon. But while helping Morocco draw with Brazil was an acceptable result, Bouaddi will need to help deliver a win against Scotland.
When: Friday 19 June at 8:30 PM ET
Where: Philadelphia
TV: FOX
Current: Watch three days for free on FOX One
On Friday night at the Philadelphia Stadium, Brazil and Haiti meet in a Group C match that on paper looks like a mismatch. But as Cape Verde has shown us, the World Cup is full of surprises and nothing is guaranteed.
Brazil played Morocco to a 1–1 draw in its opening match, and although many felt this result was typical of a match between two teams ranked in the top 10 of FIFA’s world rankings, the Brazilian media and Brazilian fans were not so understanding.
After the match, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti held a fascinating press conference, stating that the team were “anxious” and “the nerves were all over the place.”
But Ancelotti also admitted that: “There is a lot of pressure. It is natural. But I think little by little we will improve in that sense as well.”
In the end, the legendary Italian coach apologized to Brazil’s supporters for how the team played, saying: “I’m sorry we didn’t play as well as we hoped.”
(Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
With Brazil, the expectation is always that the team will fight, even if they have not been close to silverware for a long time. Brazil still has world class players like Vinícius Jr. who scored a great goal against Morocco.
Against Haiti, the questions surrounding Brazil are not about talent, but about mentality. Can this group handle the pressure? Can Ancelotti calm the nerves?
Haiti will be hoping that Brazil will continue to fight as this may be the team’s only chance to pull off a great game. Haiti lost its opening game to Scotland 1-0, which was the team’s best chance to secure a result at this World Cup.
Despite the loss, Haiti was very entertaining with his direct and fearless style. For long stretches, including the last 25 minutes, Haiti had Scotland on their heels, forcing the Scots into emergency defense on several occasions.
Against Scotland, Haiti’s best players were its central midfield duo of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Danley Jean Jacques, who were very influential in the second half. Against Brazil, goalkeeper and captain Johny Placide will almost certainly have to make big saves to cope with the unexpected.
Player to watch
The 32-year-old centre-back is Brazil’s captain and leader. If the problems surrounding the team are anxiety and pressure, the captain must help calm the team and get the players focused on the task at hand. Against Haiti, Marquinhos may not be tasked with defending a lot, but his leadership responsibilities will be critical.
When: Friday 19 June at 11 p.m. ET
Where: San Francisco Bay Area
TV: FS1
Current: Watch three days for free on FOX One
Paraguay and Turkey meet in Friday’s final game in what should feature two very desperate teams at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Both teams entered this tournament hoping to win, or at least finish in the top two of Group D. Instead, both Paraguay and Türkiye lost their respective starters with multiple goal deficits, and a loss or even a draw could set the stage for an exit from the group stage.
Türkiye were making their first World Cup appearance since 2002 when they finished third and had ambitious hopes heading into this month. Now it needs a win over Paraguay to keep those dreams alive. In its opening game, Türkiye were stunned by Australia despite holding a lopsided 72-28% edge in possession. Turkey also outscored Australia 30-9.
Türkiye was not just a victim of bad luck. Typically, most of its possessions lacked any ideas, and almost all of its shots were low-percentage opportunities. In the second half, Türkiye forced chances and made bad decisions.
(Photo by Dale MacMillan/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Arda Güler, 21, is one of Türkiye’s most important players as he is the key to Real Madrid’s attack. Güler had eight shots against Australia, among the most by a player in a single game at this World Cup so far. Almost all of his shots were from distance or were blocked as he didn’t have much space to attack.
Paraguay struggled to compete with the United States in the first half and eventually lost 4-1. After the break, Paraguay was noticeably improved, and this is the level the team needs to be at from the start against Türkiye.
Carlos Alfro’s team was heavily criticized by the local media for their efforts and the test will be to put the game behind them. This is still a team capable of beating very good teams, and during their CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, Paraguay achieved impressive wins over Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
In this game, Paraguay’s defense will have to mirror Australia’s approach of sitting deep and keeping an organized shape. It worked for Australia and it can work for Paraguay too. At their best, Paraguay have better defenders than Australia.
Player to watch
Paraguay’s captain and top centre-back is extremely skilled in South American football, winning everything with Palmeiras. As Paraguay look to force Türkiye into low percentage shots, Gomez will be key in keeping Paraguay’s defense fit and organised. Gomez is an emotional leader and the winner of this game between two frustrated teams could come down to who has the better leadership.
