Dusty May Leaves Michigan
Spurns Wolverines for Mavericks
About Yesterday's Games
Argentina 2, Austria 0
Kind of...: Messi had two goals. He's the World Cup's all-time leader (though maybe just renting it, with Mbappe only two behind). Argentina has Jordan next. Do you let Messi score 5 goals? Only let him score 1 or 2, then sub him out? Not play him at all? Argentina's first group stage game could well be Cape Verde. THAT would be something.
France 3, Iraq 0
Kind of...: France looked pedestrian...and won 3-0. If you knew nothing about the sport and could only go on the eye test of what happened at the even so far, France is you favorite. Which, you know, they basically were anyway. Next up: Norway. Obviously that is appointment viewing.
AlmaOtter: Yeah, missed a good chunk of this one with the rain delay. Interesting fact re: the American concern over lightning strikes vs the European viewpoint. Europe just doesn't have the same level of storms and lightning as we do. So follow the dang rules and get under the concourse, French fans!
Norway 3, Senegal 2
Kind of...: There is no doubt in my mind that Senegal is one of the 32 best teams at this event. Frankly they might be on of the 16 best. Tough group, man. A win, especially by multiple goals, still makes the knockout round seem plausible, maybe even likely. Please don't let the permutation machine mean they end up playing the USMNT in R32!
Incidentally, Senegal's 90 +3 goal to cut it to one shift the tiebreaker from Norway to France. When it was 3-1, Norway was winning the group with a draw. Now France will. Probably doesn't matter, but worth noting.
AlmaOtter: Haaland is astounding and terrifying to watch. That's all I've got on Norway.
Algeria 2, Jordan 1
Kind of...: I saw Jordan go up 1-0. Stats suggest Algeria was a worthy victor, but I was sleeping. Result means Argentina officially clinches their group (I'm sure that's a relief to them), and that a draw with Austria will likely see both Algeria and Argentina through. If that makes you want to cheer for Algeria, fine. I support supporting the underdog. Just realized, though, that Algeria going through makes it less likely the far superior Senegal doesn't get through. Decisions, decisions...
Today's Matchups
Group K: Portugal (0-1-0) v Uzbekistan (0-0-1)
Atlanta, GA. 1:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM GTZ.
MaximumSam: Ronaldo is going to steal teammates' passes so much harder after watching the stars yesterday.
Kind of...: Portugal should win. Uzbekistan is a live dog, but not as good as Congo. Ronaldo is shot. It continues to be obvious, hell, it was obvious in 2022, that his ideal role is "sparkplug off the bench."
AlmaOtter: We're eco-friendly here, which means we recycle jokes. Ronaldo McDonaldo. Thank you, thank you. Tip your waiters.
Group L: England (1-0-0) v Ghana (1-0-0)
Santa Clara, CA. 4:00 ET, 3:00 GTZ.
MaximumSam: Please baby Jesus find us an Englishman on the call yelling "Harry Kane" every ten seconds.
Kind of...: Good chance to see if England has been able to address their back line deficiencies at all. No doubting what they've got up front. Kane might be a tad behind Mbappe, Messi, and Haaland (thought he might not), but England can beat you in a lot of ways. Jude Bellingham is only 22. He's going to have a moment in the knockouts at some critical point. Bank on it.
Group L: Panama (0-0-1) v Croatia (0-0-1)
Miami, Florida. 7:00 ET, 6:00 GTZ
Kind of...: Panama almost earned a point, but were done in by Ghana's late goal. Croatia should get the win here, but it's obvious Modric is a shell of himself. Speed will be less important that precision when it comes to facilitating tonight, but Croatia's probably not making a miracle run to the semis for a third straight cup.
Group K: Colombia (1-0-0) v Democratic Republic of the Congo (0-1-0)
Vancouver, Canada. 10:00 ET, 9:00 PM GTZ
Kind of...: Congo took a point off Portugal, so have to be feeling good. But Colombia is actually the class of the group. If Congo can pull the upset, then they'd be in great shape to win the group. Can't pin everything on 90 minutes, but this is a chance for Colombia to show that they're a real threat to do damage. Or not.
