2026 World Cup Predictor: Day 26
What a day of World Cup football yesterday was.
Historic occasions for both Norway and England, but heartbreak for Brazil and Mexico.
Today, we have a schedule that's similarly enticing. Here's your Day 26 overview.
A slightly less open game than I'd anticipated, but Brazil still had more than enough chances in this game and therefore only have themselves to blame for their exit. Good as he's been in this tournament, I'm not sure why Bruno Guimaraes took the penalty, but Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland also deserves plenty of credit for an excellent performance.
Norway were patient and then were always the more likely to take their chances once they came because of Erling Haaland. I thought Andreas Schjelderup was excellent when he came on in the second half, and his dynamism was a huge reason why Norway won this match, but Haaland is of course the star of the show.
Just as we've seen in Arsenal vs. Man City clashes, Haaland got the better of Gabriel again for his first (really quite poor defending from Gabriel), while his second was just a result of being given way too much space. What a strike, mind.
I don't think words can do Haaland's international goal record justice. He's scored in 14 consecutive competitive games for Norway now. 14. His overall record is 62 goals in 54 matches. Absolutely absurd.
This game more than lived up to the billing. An absolutely epic tie at the Azteca and probably the game of the tournament so far. Of course, it takes two teams to make that the case and Mexico absolutely played their part in making this so special. The Azteca is a phenomenal arena that should be hosting the final in my opinion, and it sounded like the Mexican supporters provided the loudest rendition of a national anthem the tournament has ever seen too.
England were phenomenal. I said in my pre-tournament preview that I had high hopes for what Thomas Tuchel could do in the knockouts, and while the DRC game felt more worrisome, he absolutely nailed this. We almost saw a perfect first half - a professional and respectful opening 20 to weather the storm, then two brilliant goals from Jude Bellingham who was an absolute monster all night. However, Mexico found a way back in through yet another goal for Julian Quinones, setting up an incredibly dramatic second half.
With England's players always likely to tire given the conditions, I though Jarell Quansah's red card was the beginning of the end, but Anthony Gordon did so well to win that penalty and gain England more of a cushion. Then, after Mexico scored a penalty themselves, Tuchel turned very defensive very quickly which was a risky strategy that paid off.
Bellingham was of course man of the match as he was absolutely everywhere and vital in both boxes, but this was a team performance where England were excellent to a man. Both Dan Burn and Djed Spence did exactly what was required from the bench, Jordan Pickford was brilliant throughout, and while I was obviously incredibly tense watching the final 20 minutes as an Englishman, I think we actually held them at arm's length.
A night I won't forget for a long time and probably the most impressive World Cup performance and result that England have managed in my lifetime. Well done to the optimistic 2.7% of Superbru players that predicted 2-3 Exact!
Today's schedule:
Spain have to be considered fairly clear favourites against Portugal as they're a far more consistent and dominant team, but Portugal seem to always match them in these Iberian derbies so there's definitely some hesitation for me. I think I'll be backing Spain, but only narrowly and I wouldn't be surprised to see extra time.
This USA tie has been completely overshadowed by FIFA deciding to suspend Folarin Balogun's suspension to ensure he's now able to play. This isn't without precedent, as FIFA also shamelessly ignored the red card that Cristiano Ronaldo had in qualifying to ensure he wouldn't miss the opening game of this World Cup, but allowing Balogun to play this tie when the rules state that red cards obtained within the tournament cannot be appealed is even more of a farce.
I actually feel most for the USA squad and their supporters. They've been playing brilliantly, and I'd be backing them to beat Belgium anyway, so they could really do without the murky image that now surrounds their campaign through reports that the White House were directly involved in persuading FIFA to allow Balogun to play.
Anyway, I think this will be a USA win as I say. Senegal left me very frustrated in the Round of 32 when they failed to hold on to the comfortable win they should have had over Belgium, but I remain of the opinion that the Red Devils just aren't that good. Will the Balogun case affect the US and provide extra motivation for Belgium though? Maybe. As I say, it's something the US could really do without in my opinion (watch him score a hat-trick now).
Good luck with your own predictions!
Historic occasions for both Norway and England, but heartbreak for Brazil and Mexico.
Today, we have a schedule that's similarly enticing. Here's your Day 26 overview.
🇧🇷 Brazil 1-2 Norway 🇳🇴
Outcome predicted by 12.3% of users | Scoreline predicted by 8.8% of usersA slightly less open game than I'd anticipated, but Brazil still had more than enough chances in this game and therefore only have themselves to blame for their exit. Good as he's been in this tournament, I'm not sure why Bruno Guimaraes took the penalty, but Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland also deserves plenty of credit for an excellent performance.
Norway were patient and then were always the more likely to take their chances once they came because of Erling Haaland. I thought Andreas Schjelderup was excellent when he came on in the second half, and his dynamism was a huge reason why Norway won this match, but Haaland is of course the star of the show.
Just as we've seen in Arsenal vs. Man City clashes, Haaland got the better of Gabriel again for his first (really quite poor defending from Gabriel), while his second was just a result of being given way too much space. What a strike, mind.
I don't think words can do Haaland's international goal record justice. He's scored in 14 consecutive competitive games for Norway now. 14. His overall record is 62 goals in 54 matches. Absolutely absurd.
🇲🇽 Mexico 2-3 England 🏴
Outcome predicted by 45.3% of users | Scoreline predicted by 2.6% of usersThis game more than lived up to the billing. An absolutely epic tie at the Azteca and probably the game of the tournament so far. Of course, it takes two teams to make that the case and Mexico absolutely played their part in making this so special. The Azteca is a phenomenal arena that should be hosting the final in my opinion, and it sounded like the Mexican supporters provided the loudest rendition of a national anthem the tournament has ever seen too.
England were phenomenal. I said in my pre-tournament preview that I had high hopes for what Thomas Tuchel could do in the knockouts, and while the DRC game felt more worrisome, he absolutely nailed this. We almost saw a perfect first half - a professional and respectful opening 20 to weather the storm, then two brilliant goals from Jude Bellingham who was an absolute monster all night. However, Mexico found a way back in through yet another goal for Julian Quinones, setting up an incredibly dramatic second half.
With England's players always likely to tire given the conditions, I though Jarell Quansah's red card was the beginning of the end, but Anthony Gordon did so well to win that penalty and gain England more of a cushion. Then, after Mexico scored a penalty themselves, Tuchel turned very defensive very quickly which was a risky strategy that paid off.
Bellingham was of course man of the match as he was absolutely everywhere and vital in both boxes, but this was a team performance where England were excellent to a man. Both Dan Burn and Djed Spence did exactly what was required from the bench, Jordan Pickford was brilliant throughout, and while I was obviously incredibly tense watching the final 20 minutes as an Englishman, I think we actually held them at arm's length.
A night I won't forget for a long time and probably the most impressive World Cup performance and result that England have managed in my lifetime. Well done to the optimistic 2.7% of Superbru players that predicted 2-3 Exact!
Today
Have you all got two more games in you tonight? I think I've got two more games in me tonight.Today's schedule:
- 🇵🇹 Portugal vs. Spain 🇪🇸 | Kick-off 14:00 local, 20:00 UK, 21:00 CET/CAT
- 🇺🇸 USA vs. Belgium 🇧🇪 | Kick-off 17:00 local, 01:00 UK, 02:00 CET/CAT
Spain have to be considered fairly clear favourites against Portugal as they're a far more consistent and dominant team, but Portugal seem to always match them in these Iberian derbies so there's definitely some hesitation for me. I think I'll be backing Spain, but only narrowly and I wouldn't be surprised to see extra time.
This USA tie has been completely overshadowed by FIFA deciding to suspend Folarin Balogun's suspension to ensure he's now able to play. This isn't without precedent, as FIFA also shamelessly ignored the red card that Cristiano Ronaldo had in qualifying to ensure he wouldn't miss the opening game of this World Cup, but allowing Balogun to play this tie when the rules state that red cards obtained within the tournament cannot be appealed is even more of a farce.
I actually feel most for the USA squad and their supporters. They've been playing brilliantly, and I'd be backing them to beat Belgium anyway, so they could really do without the murky image that now surrounds their campaign through reports that the White House were directly involved in persuading FIFA to allow Balogun to play.
Anyway, I think this will be a USA win as I say. Senegal left me very frustrated in the Round of 32 when they failed to hold on to the comfortable win they should have had over Belgium, but I remain of the opinion that the Red Devils just aren't that good. Will the Balogun case affect the US and provide extra motivation for Belgium though? Maybe. As I say, it's something the US could really do without in my opinion (watch him score a hat-trick now).
Good luck with your own predictions!
Superbru on X
USA 2-1 Blegium, maybe after extra time.