2026 World Cup Predictor: Day 5
Yesterday was arguably the best day yet at this World Cup with 19 goals across the 4 matches.
I think there's potential to see quite a few more today too, though they're likely to come in the first half of the day rather than later on..
Here is your World Cup Day 5 update, beginning with a review of Day 4.
As expected, a very comfortable start for the Germans, though Curaçao did themselves proud up until the first hydration break which definitely played a part in them losing momentum (I know this kind of scoreline was likely regardless). It was a special moment when Dick Advocaat's side got their goal but Germany deserve credit for a very strong second half showing.
Felix Nmecha, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz each took their goals particularly well - that Musiala finish was of absurdly high quality - and it was important that Germany boosted their goal difference so much as they have a couple of tricky upcoming games. Well done to the 383 users who had 7-1 exact! Perhaps based on that memorable night in Brazil.
This was a strange game in that it ended up with the scoreline that always felt possible (I personally went 2-1 after being tempted by a high-scoring draw), but didn't really play out with as much excitement as I'd hoped. The first half was fairly dull, with the Netherlands just nudging it about and Japan not taking many risks with their press, but there were some good goals in the second.
Much has been made of Ronald Koeman's subs and I have to agree that Japan deserved their equaliser in the end. It's quite amusing that they found it through a set-piece considering every Dutch player (except Summerville) looked twice as tall as the Japan players they were marking. Not a bad result for either side but it'll be Japan who are the happier as the Netherlands sat back and looked to defend a lead that they were in good control of anyway.
My favourite game of the tournament so far. Even if this finished 0-0, which it looked like it was going to before Amad Diallo's late goal, I'd have said the same. I was always looking forward to the match as I thought Ecuador's rock solid defence might still struggle with a bit of pace and unpredictability from the Ivorians, but it was so much more open than I'd anticipated and a few mistakes from each team led to plenty of space for chances and the woodwork was hit numerous times.
It's a massive win for the Ivory Coast. The Ecuador support in Philadelphia was magnificent so this was essentially an away game for the Ivory Coast, particularly since almost all of their supporters are banned from travelling to the US, but they stuck at it and are now on the verge of qualifying for a first ever World Cup knockout match. Yan Diomande was predictably excellent, Wilfried Singo's run for the goal was brilliant and Amad delivered from the bench having been surprisingly left out of the starting XI.
Bring on the Germany vs. Ivory Coast and Ecuador vs. Germany games!
I'll be honest and say I didn't have this 3am kick-off in me and went to bed after Ivory Coast v Ecuador, so I was quite surprised when watching the highlights back this morning. Obviously, Sweden have good forwards, but Tunisia tend to be pretty tight defensively so I went 1-0 Sweden thinking not much would happen.
The best way to sum up Tunisia's performance is probably that there are reports that manager Sabri Lamouchi is already being fired today. There were some excellent Sweden goals, particularly from Yasin Ayari, but Tunisia didn't half give them chances and it was a night to forget for goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh.
149 users had 5-1 Exact. Fair play.
Today's schedule:
For match previews for each game (and all others in the tournament), upgrade to Superbru Premium.
This is the halfway point of Round 1 so there's a lot of action to go! I'm not expecting many goals in this evening's final two matches, but the onus is on Uruguay and Iran to find them.
Good luck with your predictions!
I think there's potential to see quite a few more today too, though they're likely to come in the first half of the day rather than later on..
Here is your World Cup Day 5 update, beginning with a review of Day 4.
🇩🇪 Germany 7-1 Curaçao 🇨🇼
Outcome predicted by 99% of users | Scoreline predicted by 0.1% of usersAs expected, a very comfortable start for the Germans, though Curaçao did themselves proud up until the first hydration break which definitely played a part in them losing momentum (I know this kind of scoreline was likely regardless). It was a special moment when Dick Advocaat's side got their goal but Germany deserve credit for a very strong second half showing.
Felix Nmecha, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz each took their goals particularly well - that Musiala finish was of absurdly high quality - and it was important that Germany boosted their goal difference so much as they have a couple of tricky upcoming games. Well done to the 383 users who had 7-1 exact! Perhaps based on that memorable night in Brazil.
🇳🇱 Netherlands 2-2 Japan 🇯🇵
Outcome predicted by 23% of users | Scoreline predicted by 9.7% of usersThis was a strange game in that it ended up with the scoreline that always felt possible (I personally went 2-1 after being tempted by a high-scoring draw), but didn't really play out with as much excitement as I'd hoped. The first half was fairly dull, with the Netherlands just nudging it about and Japan not taking many risks with their press, but there were some good goals in the second.
Much has been made of Ronald Koeman's subs and I have to agree that Japan deserved their equaliser in the end. It's quite amusing that they found it through a set-piece considering every Dutch player (except Summerville) looked twice as tall as the Japan players they were marking. Not a bad result for either side but it'll be Japan who are the happier as the Netherlands sat back and looked to defend a lead that they were in good control of anyway.
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨
Outcome predicted by 25% of users | Scoreline predicted by 5.8% of usersMy favourite game of the tournament so far. Even if this finished 0-0, which it looked like it was going to before Amad Diallo's late goal, I'd have said the same. I was always looking forward to the match as I thought Ecuador's rock solid defence might still struggle with a bit of pace and unpredictability from the Ivorians, but it was so much more open than I'd anticipated and a few mistakes from each team led to plenty of space for chances and the woodwork was hit numerous times.
It's a massive win for the Ivory Coast. The Ecuador support in Philadelphia was magnificent so this was essentially an away game for the Ivory Coast, particularly since almost all of their supporters are banned from travelling to the US, but they stuck at it and are now on the verge of qualifying for a first ever World Cup knockout match. Yan Diomande was predictably excellent, Wilfried Singo's run for the goal was brilliant and Amad delivered from the bench having been surprisingly left out of the starting XI.
Bring on the Germany vs. Ivory Coast and Ecuador vs. Germany games!
🇸🇪 Sweden 5-1 Tunisia 🇹🇳
Outcome predicted by 78% of users | Scoreline predicted by 0.05% of usersI'll be honest and say I didn't have this 3am kick-off in me and went to bed after Ivory Coast v Ecuador, so I was quite surprised when watching the highlights back this morning. Obviously, Sweden have good forwards, but Tunisia tend to be pretty tight defensively so I went 1-0 Sweden thinking not much would happen.
The best way to sum up Tunisia's performance is probably that there are reports that manager Sabri Lamouchi is already being fired today. There were some excellent Sweden goals, particularly from Yasin Ayari, but Tunisia didn't half give them chances and it was a night to forget for goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh.
149 users had 5-1 Exact. Fair play.
Today
Spain, who are many people's favourites, start today's World Cup lineup.Today's schedule:
- 🇪🇸 Spain vs. Cape Verde 🇨🇻 (Group H) | Kick-off 12:00 local, 17:00 UK, 18:00 CET/CAT
- 🇧🇪 Belgium vs. Egypt 🇪🇬 (Group G) | Kick-off 15:00 local, 21:00 UK, 22:00 CET/CAT
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay 🇺🇾 (Group H) | Kick-off 18:00 local, 23:00 UK, 00:00 CET/CAT
- 🇮🇷 Iran vs. New Zealand 🇳🇿 (Group G) | Kick-off 18:00 local, 02:00 UK, 03:00 CET/CAT
For match previews for each game (and all others in the tournament), upgrade to Superbru Premium.
This is the halfway point of Round 1 so there's a lot of action to go! I'm not expecting many goals in this evening's final two matches, but the onus is on Uruguay and Iran to find them.
Good luck with your predictions!
Superbru on X
Today I am gonna go Spain 3-0 Cape Verde (Yamal and Williams don't start and not sure if they're fit to come from the bench, so gonna play relatively safely).
Belgium 2-0 or 2-1 vs Egypt. Not sure if I will give the Egyptians a goal.
Saudi Arabia 0-1 or 0-2 Uruguay
Iran 1-0 NZ
I actually saw your post and looked at the insights, and it's convinced me to give an extra goal to Spain so gonna go 4-0. It covers it for a close if it becomes a 5-0 or 5-1 blowout. Like I say, it's weird I don't have a close yet in twelve games.
Fair enough on Belgium. I might give them another goal too. I will decide before the game. Look at the lineups etc. Much for them depends on Doku skinning his full-back and coming inside to cross or shoot himself, as you know. But they have other good players and tricky wingers, too. 15 Jun 15:03
is my bet