Rise of a Football God-Chapter 482: FIFA World Cup 2026 [13]
The next day, matchday 1 of the FIFA World Cup continued.
Football fans already saw more than enough action and clutch moments in the tournament since matchday 1 started, but they were not tired.
They watched every subsequent game with just the same excitement and anticipation. The FIFA World Cup was just that, a tournament unlike any other.
No true fan of the spot wanted to miss any of the thrillers.
And this time, the first game of the day was between Czech Republic and Iraq and it took place in at the Mercedes Benz stadium in USA.
(GROUP J:)
(Czech Republic vs Iraq)
(Venue: Mercedes-Benz, USA)
(Date: June 18, 2026)
(Time: 14:00)
18th June, 2026…
The 2 countries took to the pitch in another FIFA World Cup encounter. They played their hearts out on the pitch, doing everything they could to win.
2 goals were scored, 1 each by both countries and yet both goals were ruled out for offside. Both countries game their all to win, but it was not enough.
The game ended in a goalless draw.
…
And then, Uruguay vs DR Congo.
(GROUP K:)
(Uruguay vs DR Congo)
(Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico)
(Date: June 18, 2026)
(Time: 16:00)
It was a game of Lion vs Mouse.
On one side, Uruguay, you had a national team fielding the likes of Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, Jose Gimenez, Bentancur in midfield, captained by the Real Madrid midfield mainstay, Federico Valverde.
Uruguay even had the likes of Pellistri and Darwin Nunez in attack.
As for DR Congo? They fielded the likes of Bakambu, Kayembe, Moutoussamy, and Batubinsika. Wissa was perhaps the only big name in the national team, but it was not enough against a country like Uruguay.
The South Americans ran riot against their Nigerian opponents.
Uruguay opened the scoring in the 17th minute, Ronald Araujo leaping highest to lash to a corner kick, scoring the first goal of the game to make it 1-0.
Just 3 minutes later, Bentancur played a defense splitting through pass that set Darwin Nunez on a straight course towards goal.
Nunez was one on one with the goalkeeper, all he had to do was shoot the ball to score and yet he didn't shoot. Overcomplicating matters, he was indecisive and tried to dribble but the goalkeeper outsmarted him, snatching the ball before he could wriggle out of his range.
Nunez cursed in frustration. freewёbnoνel.com
But just 8 minutes later, in the 28th minute of the game, he got his chance to redeem himself as he received another through pass from the same Bentancur.
This time, Nunez didn't overthink it, learning from his earlier experience as he took one touch of the ball before rifling it into the roof of the net with a wicked left-footed effort.
The goalkeeper didn't see it coming, it was only when his net shook that he realized what happened.
Darwin Nunez celebrated his goal emotionally, even breaking down in tears at some point but then, the game continued.
It was all Uruguay at this point.
In the 37th minute, the Uruguayan captain, Federico Valverde burst to life, receiving the ball just outside the 18-yard box.
As soon as he received the ball, more than half of the fans in the stadium stood up, some screaming for the DR Congo defenders to close him down, while others screamed for him to take the shot.
Valverde took the shot.
POW!
The ball rose like a missile, flying with deadly speed and uncanny precision before tearing its way into the top left bin of the net.
What a goal!
The commentators went crazy, waxing lyrical as Federico Valverde whirled away in celebration, his teammates swarming him to celebrate with him.
The first half rout was not over though as Pellistri also got his name on the scoresheet in the 45th minute, scoring after a well-worked Uruguayan sequence of play, making it 4-0.
The first half came to an end 4-0 in Uruguay's favor.
The second half was more bland, but Uruguay still wrapped things up with a late 5th goal, Nunez wrestling the DR Congo defenders to win back the ball before poking it past the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net.
The game came to an end 5-0.
It was a dominant Uruguay performance. Federico Valverde won the man of the match award after an all-action performance on both sides of the pitch.
…
2 hours later on the same day, Switzerland took on Costa Rica.
(GROUP K:)
(Switzerland vs Costa Rica)
(Venue: Estadio Monterrey, Mexico)
(Date: June 18, 2026)
(Time: 20:00)
It was the final Group K encounter of matchday 1.
Switzerland started in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mvogo in between the posts, with a defensive quadruple of Muheim, Rodriguez, Cumart, and Fernandes protecting the goalkeeper.
The midfield duo comprised the stalwart Granit Xhaka and Freuler.
Ugrinic started in right wing, Sohm in attacking midfield, while Kutesa started in left wing. Amdouni played as the team's striker.
As for Costa Rica, they played in defensive 5-3-2 formation with Taylor, Mitchell, Gamboa, Calvo, and Mora forming the defensive line that protected Sequeirra, their goalkeeper.
The midfield trio comprised Vargas, Bran, and Alcorer, while further ahead in attack were the 2 strikers, Ugalde and Martinez.
It was a tight game between 2 teams with a lot of fiery zeal to win.
It was end to end, Switzerland dominating possession and creating more chances while Costa Rica launched dangerous counterattacks once they got the ball.
To supporters of both nations, it was nerve-racking but to neutral fans, it was an unforgettable thriller.
The first half was intense but it ended in a goalless draw.
The second half showcased even more intense and fast-paced football. Eventually, Switzerland broke the deadlock, Granit Xhaka bursting to life to score the first goal of the game in the 77th minute.
Switzerland thought it was the winning goal.
Well, they were right because 4 minutes later, Granit Xhaka made it a double, scoring another goal in the 81st minute to send Costa Rica off with 0 points.
Switzerland snatched all 3 points from the game.
Granit Xhaka won the man of the match award.
