2026 World Cup Predictor: Day 25
Yesterday was a fairly low-key start to the Round of 16 in our World Cup Predictor as we saw two predictable results but not too many Exacts.
Morocco and France were the teams to progress and they will now meet one another in what shoud be an excellent quarter-final on Thursday.
Today, we have more challenging picks to make. Here's your daily wrap on what happened yesterday and what's coming up today.
A misleading scoreline because this wasn't a 0-3 game, but Morocco gave Canada an absolute lesson in efficiency. We saw clinical finishing from the African side, particularly Azzedine Ounahi who just loves a World Cup, doesn't he?
Canada were the far better side in the first half of this tie, but even with that dominance, they failed to create too many clear-cut opportunities. It always felt like they needed a goal to show for their strong start in the first 20 minutes let alone the first half, but that never came, and they were then undone by a smart set-piece early in the second half.
From there, Morocco largely just picked them off. It's so impressive how good a knockout team Morocco have become in recent years and I'm fascinated to see how they get on against France.
Paraguay's approach to this game wasn't a surprise, and coupled with very high temperatures in Philadelphia, this became a real test for France. However, I think we saw a line crossed yesterday and that was largely due to an inexcusably bad performance by referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
I very rarely mention refs when writing on here because it's tiresome and it's much more interesting to focus on the players, but because of Paraguay's antics which went well beyond the 'dark arts' and 'sh*thousery' in my opinion, the lack of any punishment whatsoever was undoubtedly the main story. During this match, Paraguay didn't receive a single yellow card which is absolutely remarkable.
We usually all love cheering on an underdog but that wasn't the case yesterday and I was pleased when Kylian Mbappe converted his penalty. Paraguay's approach after going behind was what confused me the most. Surely the supporters that travelled to cheer them on will have wanted to see them try and equalise rather than just hurt France's players on the way out?
A very different type of victory for France than what we've seen so far but it will perhaps be their most satisfying yet.
Today's schedule:
We're unlikely to see a low block in Brazil vs. Norway; there should be goals. I think you have to go with Brazil, but if their theme of a poor first half continues, they could be in trouble because Erling Haaland is not going to pass up many chances. However, the Norwegian defence is not great and they're obviously coming up against pretty considerably firepower.
My initial thought was a 1-goal win for Brazil, but I may well stretch to 3-1 or 4-2. I know lots of us have been frustrated by very late goals ruining Exacts but they have to be expected in knockout matches when you're going to have a losing team throwing everyone (including goalkeepers) forward. The chances of an equaliser or falling further behind are hugely increased.
Then, for us England fans, the main event. The first thing to say is that this really is going to be a struggle to watch if there are thunderstorms! Having watched the large majority of the matches in this World Cup, I'm quite comfortable with a 1am kick-off, but if we get delays before or during the match it becomes really tough.
Anyway, what an occasion. I'm super excited to watch it. I'm far from sure England will progress, but I think we're a good enough side to do so and I'll be picking with my heart anyway. It's much more fun when you've backed the side you want to win on Superbru in a tie as significant as this.
It feels like our best chance is winning in 90 minutes given the conditions, and that would also suit everyone who would like the match to finish before sunrise here in the UK.
Enjoy what should be a World Cup day to remember, everyone!
Morocco and France were the teams to progress and they will now meet one another in what shoud be an excellent quarter-final on Thursday.
Today, we have more challenging picks to make. Here's your daily wrap on what happened yesterday and what's coming up today.
🇨🇦 Canada 0-3 Morocco 🇲🇦
Outcome predicted by 85.9% of users | Scoreline predicted by 1.7% of usersA misleading scoreline because this wasn't a 0-3 game, but Morocco gave Canada an absolute lesson in efficiency. We saw clinical finishing from the African side, particularly Azzedine Ounahi who just loves a World Cup, doesn't he?
Canada were the far better side in the first half of this tie, but even with that dominance, they failed to create too many clear-cut opportunities. It always felt like they needed a goal to show for their strong start in the first 20 minutes let alone the first half, but that never came, and they were then undone by a smart set-piece early in the second half.
From there, Morocco largely just picked them off. It's so impressive how good a knockout team Morocco have become in recent years and I'm fascinated to see how they get on against France.
🇵🇾 Paraguay 0-1 France 🇫🇷
Outcome predicted by 98.1% of users | Scoreline predicted by 0.9% of usersParaguay's approach to this game wasn't a surprise, and coupled with very high temperatures in Philadelphia, this became a real test for France. However, I think we saw a line crossed yesterday and that was largely due to an inexcusably bad performance by referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
I very rarely mention refs when writing on here because it's tiresome and it's much more interesting to focus on the players, but because of Paraguay's antics which went well beyond the 'dark arts' and 'sh*thousery' in my opinion, the lack of any punishment whatsoever was undoubtedly the main story. During this match, Paraguay didn't receive a single yellow card which is absolutely remarkable.
We usually all love cheering on an underdog but that wasn't the case yesterday and I was pleased when Kylian Mbappe converted his penalty. Paraguay's approach after going behind was what confused me the most. Surely the supporters that travelled to cheer them on will have wanted to see them try and equalise rather than just hurt France's players on the way out?
A very different type of victory for France than what we've seen so far but it will perhaps be their most satisfying yet.
Today
What a lineup we have.Today's schedule:
- 🇧🇷 Brazil vs. Norway 🇳🇴 | Kick-off 16:00 local, 21:00 UK, 22:00 CET/CAT
- 🇲🇽 Mexico vs. England 🏴 | Kick-off 18:00 local, 01:00 UK, 02:00 CET/CAT
We're unlikely to see a low block in Brazil vs. Norway; there should be goals. I think you have to go with Brazil, but if their theme of a poor first half continues, they could be in trouble because Erling Haaland is not going to pass up many chances. However, the Norwegian defence is not great and they're obviously coming up against pretty considerably firepower.
My initial thought was a 1-goal win for Brazil, but I may well stretch to 3-1 or 4-2. I know lots of us have been frustrated by very late goals ruining Exacts but they have to be expected in knockout matches when you're going to have a losing team throwing everyone (including goalkeepers) forward. The chances of an equaliser or falling further behind are hugely increased.
Then, for us England fans, the main event. The first thing to say is that this really is going to be a struggle to watch if there are thunderstorms! Having watched the large majority of the matches in this World Cup, I'm quite comfortable with a 1am kick-off, but if we get delays before or during the match it becomes really tough.
Anyway, what an occasion. I'm super excited to watch it. I'm far from sure England will progress, but I think we're a good enough side to do so and I'll be picking with my heart anyway. It's much more fun when you've backed the side you want to win on Superbru in a tie as significant as this.
It feels like our best chance is winning in 90 minutes given the conditions, and that would also suit everyone who would like the match to finish before sunrise here in the UK.
Enjoy what should be a World Cup day to remember, everyone!
Superbru on X
show their best qualities. 5 Jul 13:56
Brazil 3 Norway 2
Sorry to pick against England Jack and all my other English mates. 5 Jul 14:12
5 Jul 18:58
These are two difficult predictions, today. I know what you mean, Jack, about one-goal wins becoming two-goal wins late on when the team behind is attacking desperately. It's hard to call both games for sure.
But I think I am gonna stick with Brazil 2-1 Norway and Mexico 2-1 England.
My thinking for Bra-Nor is that I have had that in mind for the last few days, so not sure about changing now. Norway can obviously score - they have the firepower to do that, and honestly, Casemiro while a huge threat in the opposition box gets bypassed a lot in midfield at his age - but I think Brazil might get two or three the other way. This might even be a high scoring game - 3-2 or something, like Marko says, as both of these teams' strengths are going forward rather than defensively.
Let's just hope the weather is okay and it doesn't turn into a farce ruined by delays. If it was anywhere else in the world other than Mexico and especially the Azteca, I would back England despite their lukewarm performances for the most part so far in this competition. However, with the home crowd, the Azteca record, the lack of travel and - perhaps most importantly - the altitude advantage, I think I am gonna go 2-1 Mexico. I agree that England are more than capable of getting through, even in 90 minutes, but I see this as a risk-reward type thing - I think more people (about 55-60 percent) will back England, so a Mexico win could propel me up the rankings. On the other hand, an England win might be a setback for me.
All the best to everyone with your picks.
There's definitely a good chance England win, but the factors favouring Mexico are worth considering. We might even see penalties 5 Jul 16:46
Maybe Mexico is a trap. 5 Jul 16:47
I honestly have no idea what to back. I can see all three outcomes being very possible. I think a lot will come down to luck and finishing on the night.
I know i will go either 1-1, 2-2, or 2-1 either way. But I believe all three outcomes are very possible, as I said. 5 Jul 18:05
'The English media obsession with the altitude is crazy at this point. You'd think they're playing at Everest base camp.'