Rise of a Football God-Chapter 480: FIFA World Cup 2026 [11]
On the same day that England orchestrated an iconic and much-needed comeback win for English fans, one of the main hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026, USA also took to the pitch for the first time.
(GROUP H:)
(USA vs Slovenia)
(Venue: BC Place, Canada)
(Date: June 16, 2026)
(Time: 18:00)
USA took on Slovenia in Canada.
Slovenia started in a 4-3-3 formation with the La Liga legend, Jan Oblak in between the posts while ahead of him was a defensive lineup of Karnicnik, Drkuic, Bijol, and Janza.
In midfield was the trio of Lovric, Cerin, and Elsnik, while the attacking trio comprised Stojanovic, Vipotnik, and Benjamin Sesko leading the line as the striker.
In contrast, USA started in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Matt Turner in between the posts and a defensive quadruple of Scally, Carter-Vickers, McKenzie, and Arfsten ahead of him. In midfield was Weston McKennie and Taylor Adams.
Further ahead in attack lined up Luna in right wing, Timothy Weah in left wing, Agyemang leading the line as the striker, and the star of the team, Christian Pulisic pulling strings from attacking midfield.
FWEEE!
The game started with intensity and electric energy.
Both teams were even during the early exchanges, but late in the first half, Slovenia took charge as Benjamin Sesko started showing exactly why he was rated as one of the best strikers in Europe, terrorizing USA's defense and almost putting his name on the score line 3 different times.
He was only thwarted by 2 excellent saves from Matt Turner and an even more impressive goal line clearance from McKenzie.
Towards the end of the first half, USA barely held on but then, Benjamin Sesko got his goal at last, literally forcing it into reality.
He received the ball outside the box and scored an absolute banger with a knuckle ball, sending the stadium into a frenzy.
He scored in the 44th minute of the game.
The first half came to an end 0-1 in Slovenia's favor.
The 2nd half was filled with drama.
Like wolfs with fire set on their tails, USA came out in the 2nd half with endless energy, taking the game to their opponents as they were also under pressure to win their first game of the tournament like England.
Christian Pulisic transformed his game this 2nd half, finally showing what he was capable of as he pulled the strings from midfield.
Finally, it paid off.
He played a through pass for Timothy Weah who ran behind Slovenia's defense only to cut the ball back for McKennie who didn't miss a beat, directing a placement shot towards the top right corner of the net.
1-1.
USA fans in the stadium exploded in ecstasy.
Weston McKennie scored the all-important equalizer goal in the 63rd minute of the game, and yet, USA were not satisfied with just that.
They wanted more, and so they kept on pushing.
And then, they got it.
It was a corner kick.
USA played it short, passing to Christian Pulisic who took the ball, took his time despite the Slovenia player rapidly closing him down.
With a feinted cut, he evaded the onrushing player, looked up one last time before floating the ball into the box.
In the 75th minute, Timothy Weah rose highest in the box, planting a powerful header that beat the goalkeeper and into the net.
GOAL!
USA now led.
Their fans celebrated wildly.
USA was on course towards winning but in the last minute of the game, a certain striker broke all their fantasies with a ruthless shot reminiscing of a prime Luis Suarez from inside the box.
2-2!
The final whistle blew a few minutes later despite all that USA tried, the game ended in a draw.
It was another FIFA World Cup classic.
…
(GROUP I:)
(Netherlands vs China)
(Venue: Lincoln Financial, USA)
(Date: June 16, 2026)
(Time: 20:00)
Netherlands vs China was a perfect example of a one-sided game.
The Netherlands' players ran riot, Virgil Van Dijk starting the scoring as early as the 8th minute by scoring from a header.
Frankie De Jong doubled the Netherlands' lead in the 15th minute, before doubling his tally for the game in the 23rd minute.
3-0 to Netherlands in 23 minutes.
Memphis Depay completed the first half trouncing, scoring a brace in the 33rd and 37th minute to make it 5-0 by halftime.
Ronald Koeman made significant changes to his team during halftime, but Netherlands still dominated the 2nd half.
Luuk de Jong scored the 6th goal for the Netherlands in the 59th minute, completing a one-sided affair for the Netherlands.
The Chinese never really as much as a sniff of goal.
…
(GROUP I:)
(Ukraine vs Tunisia)
(Venue: Estadio Monterrey, Mexico)
(Date: June 17, 2026)
(Time: 15:00)
Ukraine vs Tunisia the next day was another FIFA World Cup classic.
It was an end to end game for 90 minutes.
Ukraine scored first in the 30th minute, Zinchenko dribbling through the Tunisian defense with criminal ease but the lead didn't last. Just 6 minutes later in the 36th minute, Tunisia's Mastouri, the national team striker rose highest to a crossed ball, heading it into the net.
Both national teams were even for last stretches of the game till the 43rd minute when Ukraine scored again, this time, Mykolenko driving a piledriver from outside the box but just a minute later, Tunisia equalized again.
Right from kickoff, their striker, Mastouri ran down the field only to receive a long pass which he took in his strides, overpowered his opponent physically before rifling the ball into the roof of the net.
2-2.
The first half came to an end even.
The second half was just as exciting, both national teams matching other stride for stride, playing sweet and exciting attacking football.
Then, in the 78th minute, Ukraine took the lead for the 3rd time this game, Sudakov, one of their forwards scoring a curler past Tunisia's goalkeeper.
10 minutes later in the 88th minute, against all odds while Ukraine defended staunchly, Tunisia equalized.
Mastaouri got his hattrick, bulldozing through multiple players in the box with his physicality before sneaking a shot past the goalkeeper.
3-3.
FWEEE!
The referee's final whistle sounded. The game ended 3-3.
What a game.
