Rise of a Football God-Chapter 479: FIFA World Cup 2026 [10]
(GROUP G:)
(Germany 4-2 Colombia)
(Venue: Lumen Field, USA)
(Date: June 15, 2026)
Germany and Colombia played out a thriller at the Lumen Field in USA, Luis Diaz dazzling with his performance for the Colombian national football team, while Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz stole the headlines on the night.
And yet, it was not the last World Cup encounter of the night.
There was still another Group G encounter.
(GROUP G:)
(Iraq vs Honduras)
(Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, USA)
(Date: June 15, 2026)
(Time: 20:00)
Iraq took on Honduras at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in USA.
Both nations held nothing back, eager to give their all to get all 3 points in the game as they started with their best lineup and left it all on the pitch.
Honduras had the advantage early on but against the run of play, Iraq stunned their opponents with a moment of individual brilliance from their striker, Hussein, who did it all from a counter.
1 counterattacking chance was all he needed to beat his man, and keep on running without looking back before slotting past the goalkeeper into the bottom left corner of the goal.
1-0 to Iraq in the 41st minute.
The first half came to an end 1-0.
Second half seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw, gifting the win to Iraq when Honduras exploded in the final minutes of the game.
Honduras scored 3 goals within the final 10 minutes of the game.
Their star player, Alvarez who played in attacking midfield on the night got the important equalizer in the 81st minute of the game, making it 1-1.
Just 3 minutes later, in the 84th minute, their defender, Maldonado rose highest from a corner kick, planting a powerful header that beat the Iraq goalkeeper for the 2nd time in 4 minutes.
And then, in the 90th plus 2 minutes, they rounded it up as Iraq searched desperately for an equalizer, their left winger, Palma going on an incredible solo run after a final counterattacking chance.
He ran almost the full length of the pitch, cut in, before scoring a stunning curler that left the stadium buzzing with excitement.
Honduras completed a legendary World Cup comeback in the final 10 minutes of the game, running away with all 3 points.
…
The next day, another favorite for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA took to the pitch. This time, it was the Three Lions of England clashing in an epic Group H encounter against Algeria.
(GROUP H:)
(England vs Algeria)
(Venue: MetLife Stadium, USA)
(Date: June 16, 2026)
(Time: 14:00)
Algeria started in a regular 4-3-3 formation with Guendouz in between the posts, and a quadruple defense of Hadjam, Mandi, Bensebaini, and Ait-Nouri ahead of the goalkeeper. The trio of Boudaoui, Kendouci, and Chaibi manned the midfield.
In attack was the offensive trio of an old Riyad Mahrez, Gouiri, and Amoura.
It was a strong Algeria lineup, but compared to the Three Lions of England, they were lacking a bit.
England started in an intimidating 4-2-3-1 lineup with Jordan Pickford in between the posts, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Marc Guehi, Lewis-Skelly ahead of him in defense, and then Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in midfield.
Ahead of them was Morgan Rodgers in right wing, Marcus Rashford in right wing, and Cole Palmer in attacking midfield.
Leading the line as the striker was the ageless Harry Kane.
FWEEE!
As soon as the game started, England pushed forward with only one goal in mind… to wreak havoc across the Algerian defense.
But the Algerians didn't make it easy though.
Thomas Tuchel's men flexed their star power, bombing forward with numbers, pressing the Algerians, dominating them, and yet, the Algerians huddled together, played and defended as a team.
They played valiantly, defending for their lives in the first half.
England dominated heavily but they could not score. And then, in the closing stages of the first half, against the run of play, English fans around the world were stunned by a premier league legend rolling back the years with a moment of magic.
It was a counterattacking chance for Algeria.
Kendouci won back the ball before quickly swinging it up field to trigger a counterattack, playing it towards the right where Riyad Mahrez lurked.
Having pushed up in attack, Lewis-Skelly was nowhere to be seen.
But Declan Rice was closeby.
He rushed in but then…
BZZZ!
That touch, that silky smooth first touch that made him a one of a kind player struck again as Riyad Mahrez touched the ball with elegance, smoothly evading Declan Rice's lunge with his first touch.
He pushed towards the England defense and they reacted.
Mark Guehi closed him down but playing a one two with his striker, Gouiri, Mahrez skipped into the box before hitting a shot from outside the box, sending it on a low driven run.
The ball rolled though the pitch, evaded Pickford's outstretched palm, and entered inside the net.
0-1 to Algeria.
The stadium erupted.
The first half came to an end 0-1 and social media went haywire, fans bantering, trolling, piling the pressure on the English footballers.
The second half started with the pressure cooker on.
England played with pressure. They must win.
England fans were already having flashbacks of past failures as the game progressed when the man with the chill struck.
Cole Palmer received a pass from Foden, pivoted on the spot to set himself up before striking the ball towards the top left corner. The goalkeeper stood no chance.
GOALLLLL!
English fans in the stadium roared.
That goal switched the momentum, and England was on.
Cole Palmer scored in the 69th minute and 8 minutes later, in the 77th minute, he assisted Harry Kane for the go-ahead goal, the lethal striker volleying the ball into the net after a cheeky lobbed pass from Palmer.
4 minutes later, in the 81st minute, Rashford went on a mazy run down the left side of the pitch, and then…
WHOM!
A shot, a goal.
3-1 to England now.
What a comeback.
Harry Kane added the nail to the coffin late, scoring from a header to doom Algeria to an eventual 4-1 loss.
Once again, another classic at the FIFA World Cup.
