2026 World Cup Predictor: Day 27
We're into the final day of the World Cup Round of 16.
Yesterday, we saw Spain and Belgium progress at the expense of Portugal and the USA respectively, so they will now face one another in the quarters.
Here's an overview of their games, plus a quick look at this evening's schedule.
A contender for the worst match of the tournament in terms of entertainment value. I wouldn't say that was completely unexpected - I managed an Exact for this one - but I didn't think it would be quite this dull to watch and Mikel Merino did us all a favour by preventing extra time with his injury time winner.
Spain remain a bit dull in possession without the threat of Nico Williams down the left, as teams are just doubling up on Lamine Yamal on the other side, but it was tough for them with Portugal happy to nullify without being very adventurous themselves. I thought Rodri played well, but it's tough to come away with too many other big praises for Spain besides Merino remaining an excellent supersub.
For Portugal, this just feels like such a wasted World Cup. It sounds like Roberto Martinez has already left, but you have to question why he was appointed in the first place. However, you clearly can't excuse the squad either and while everyone will (rightly) make the point that Cristiano Ronaldo played far too many minutes, their supremely talented midfielders all failed to show up as well.
It feels like a large reset is needed for Portugal before the next World Cup that they co-host in 2030.
There's absolutely no question that the Folarin Balogun case backfired on the US completely here, in my opinion. Going into this match, the US have looked the far better team in this tournament so far and Belgium have been really, really average, but in the wake of the controversy surrounding FIFA bending the rules to favour the hosts, each team's form just flipped completely.
This was Belgium's best performance by a distance in this World Cup, but I'm still not even sure they were *that* good, because the US were awful. The midfield energy and intensity that I've praised so much in this tournament just wasn't there at all and the feeling of lethargy that their performance gave off instead must be linked to the recent off-field events.
Even still, the US were still in this game at the start of the second half thanks to Malik Tillman's deflected free-kick, but the final two goals they then conceded were just a result of horrendous individual errors. I don't understand why Matt Freese didn't just clear his lines for the third, and even after that Tim Ream had a chance to block the shot, and it was a similar story for the fourth where Alex Freeman and particularly Chris Richards made needlessly hard work of a straightforward situation.
A real shame that this is how this World Cup has ended for the USA when things had looked so positive. I feel for the American supporters who have long awaited this tournament as a chance for soccer to grow in the country. It feels like an opportunity to reach the quarter-finals has been passed up against a very beatable Belgium side, and the praise gained for their opening performances has quick turned to ridicule over perceived cheating and corruption which clearly isn't the fault of the fans or indeed players.
Today's schedule:
After a real scare against Cape Verde, I'm expecting a more convincing performance from Argentina today and a win by a couple of goals. If, as expected, Mohamed Salah still isn't 100% fit for Egypt, they have little chance.
Switzerland vs. Colombia is a really intriguing one. As you all probably know by now, I'm quite hot on Colombia and think they'll win, but Switzerland have a good performance in them so it's certainly not out of the question that this one ends up being very tight, potentially with a few goals.
I think we'll need an early goal for that so hopefully we get one, as otherwise there's 0-1 potential here given the scorlines we've seen for Colombia so far. I'm going to be optimistic and predict goals at both ends though, I think.
Enjoy today's action and then we finally have a rest day tomorrow after almost a month of these daily pieces! 😅
Yesterday, we saw Spain and Belgium progress at the expense of Portugal and the USA respectively, so they will now face one another in the quarters.
Here's an overview of their games, plus a quick look at this evening's schedule.
🇵🇹 Portugal 0-1 Spain 🇪🇸
Outcome predicted by 68.3% of users | Scoreline predicted by 4.6% of usersA contender for the worst match of the tournament in terms of entertainment value. I wouldn't say that was completely unexpected - I managed an Exact for this one - but I didn't think it would be quite this dull to watch and Mikel Merino did us all a favour by preventing extra time with his injury time winner.
Spain remain a bit dull in possession without the threat of Nico Williams down the left, as teams are just doubling up on Lamine Yamal on the other side, but it was tough for them with Portugal happy to nullify without being very adventurous themselves. I thought Rodri played well, but it's tough to come away with too many other big praises for Spain besides Merino remaining an excellent supersub.
For Portugal, this just feels like such a wasted World Cup. It sounds like Roberto Martinez has already left, but you have to question why he was appointed in the first place. However, you clearly can't excuse the squad either and while everyone will (rightly) make the point that Cristiano Ronaldo played far too many minutes, their supremely talented midfielders all failed to show up as well.
It feels like a large reset is needed for Portugal before the next World Cup that they co-host in 2030.
🇺🇸 USA 1-4 Belgium 🇧🇪
Outcome predicted by 36.1% of users | Scoreline predicted by 0.06% of usersThere's absolutely no question that the Folarin Balogun case backfired on the US completely here, in my opinion. Going into this match, the US have looked the far better team in this tournament so far and Belgium have been really, really average, but in the wake of the controversy surrounding FIFA bending the rules to favour the hosts, each team's form just flipped completely.
This was Belgium's best performance by a distance in this World Cup, but I'm still not even sure they were *that* good, because the US were awful. The midfield energy and intensity that I've praised so much in this tournament just wasn't there at all and the feeling of lethargy that their performance gave off instead must be linked to the recent off-field events.
Even still, the US were still in this game at the start of the second half thanks to Malik Tillman's deflected free-kick, but the final two goals they then conceded were just a result of horrendous individual errors. I don't understand why Matt Freese didn't just clear his lines for the third, and even after that Tim Ream had a chance to block the shot, and it was a similar story for the fourth where Alex Freeman and particularly Chris Richards made needlessly hard work of a straightforward situation.
A real shame that this is how this World Cup has ended for the USA when things had looked so positive. I feel for the American supporters who have long awaited this tournament as a chance for soccer to grow in the country. It feels like an opportunity to reach the quarter-finals has been passed up against a very beatable Belgium side, and the praise gained for their opening performances has quick turned to ridicule over perceived cheating and corruption which clearly isn't the fault of the fans or indeed players.
Today
The Round of 16 concludes with the defending champions in action before an interesting contest in Vancouver.Today's schedule:
- 🇦🇷 Argentina vs. Egypt 🇪🇬 | Kick-off 12:00 local, 17:00 UK, 18:00 CET/CAT
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs. Colombia 🇨🇴 | Kick-off 13:00 local, 21:00 UK, 22:00 CET/CAT
After a real scare against Cape Verde, I'm expecting a more convincing performance from Argentina today and a win by a couple of goals. If, as expected, Mohamed Salah still isn't 100% fit for Egypt, they have little chance.
Switzerland vs. Colombia is a really intriguing one. As you all probably know by now, I'm quite hot on Colombia and think they'll win, but Switzerland have a good performance in them so it's certainly not out of the question that this one ends up being very tight, potentially with a few goals.
I think we'll need an early goal for that so hopefully we get one, as otherwise there's 0-1 potential here given the scorlines we've seen for Colombia so far. I'm going to be optimistic and predict goals at both ends though, I think.
Enjoy today's action and then we finally have a rest day tomorrow after almost a month of these daily pieces! 😅
Superbru on X
I win, again :) 7 Jul 18:45
Switzerland v Colombia is a tough game to call. 7 Jul 18:59
But I feel for Egypt. Mac Allister definitely pulls on the Egyptian player. They probably deserved a penalty. Feel for them.
They just cannot handle that Ronaldo has always been a rubbish footballer compared to Messi. That's the truth. 7 Jul 18:25
Messi is exceptional 🐐
However, Switzerland are a very decent side. They usually beat teams they're expected to and lose against superpowers. They and Colombia are about level in prestige, though I give the overall talent edge to Colombia. Manzambi among others is also a player who will frighten the Colombians. It would be a surprise if there's more than one goal in this. It might even go all the way to penalties.
I also think the winner may well give Argentina a real game in the quarter final. Especially if it's Colombia as a CONMEBOL derby.
I am thinking 1-0 or 2-1 either way or 1-1 and penalties. But I think I am gonna back Colombia - as I say they have rarely let me down and I am 'hot on them', in Jack's words. I will show faith in them.
Just not sure if I will go 1-0 or 2-1 to them. Switzerland are a decent side. 7 Jul 19:14
I still think Swiss can be competitive without him, but it definitely gives me more confidence for Colombia. It's a big boost for them.
Thanks for the heads up, Nic. Top stuff. 7 Jul 19:19