So close to tournament’s biggest shock: Ranking every match at the 2026 World Cup

Do you have a favourite match of the World Cup? Could you order all of them? Well, that’s what we’re trying to do.

The Athletic is ranking every game, from worst to best. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

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88. Group C, Haiti 0-1 Scotland

Congratulations to Scotland on a first World Cup win in 36 years but a game with 44 fouls and four shots on target (from 24 attempts) was never going to rank too highly here.

87. Group A, Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa

Desperation simply did not equate to risks and quality in these teams’ second group game. South Africa dominated possession after the Czech Republic’s early goal but struggled for cohesion at either end, while the Czechs sat deep but did not have much juice on the break.

86. Group A, Mexico 2-0 South Africa

The atmosphere in Mexico City was incredible, Julian Quinones was superb and Raul Jimenez’s goal was a reminder of the emotional weight the World Cup carries. But South Africa conceded through an error, attempted three shots worth 0.07 expected goals (xG) and offered little before and after their two red cards.

85. Group L, England 0-0 Ghana

A first half of ponderous football that yielded no shots on target, followed by a slightly better 25 minutes after the break, interrupted by four hydration breaks. We at least had an eventful final period where England hit the post and Harry Kane blazed a good chance over, while Jordan Pickford and Ezri Konsa somehow got away with bad tackles. In a tournament of goals, Ghana’s excellent defensive organisation has stood out.

84. Group D, Paraguay 0-0 Australia

Both teams knew a draw would take them through and, apart from an Australian burst at the start and towards the end, this game suggested as much.

83. Group H, Uruguay 0-1 Spain

Eleven total shots made this the most shot-shy game to date, with a third Fernando Muslera error in this tournament resulting in Spain’s winner. It was a shock it had only 28 fouls, with a number of off-the-ball discretions going unpunished.

Many had this match circled in their calendar when the fixture list came out but it was a hard watch, and Uruguay have some difficult questions to answer after elimination.

82. Group B, Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Sead Kolasinac game! The Bosnia captain got himself an assist, made a goal-line clearance, and was partly responsible for Cyle Larin’s 78th-minute equaliser, which ensured Canada’s wastefulness didn’t stop them from earning a first World Cup point.

81. Group L, Ghana 1-0 Panama

Ghana recorded zero shots in the first half and Panama, with 64 per cent possession, managed three. The second half, though, was a much better watch with a few big saves, a late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, and an even later Panama chance created by goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

80. Group B, Canada 6-0 Qatar

If one-way traffic had a definition…

Qatar offered nothing in attack or defence with 11 men and made multiple ridiculous tackles. Two of those brought red cards, with one seriously injuring Ismael Kone to cast a dark cloud over a dominant win.

79. Group E, Germany 7-1 Curacao

The only blot on an otherwise solid opening week for the World Cup expansion loyalists. Livano Comenencia’s equalizer and Dick Advocaat’s emotional reaction were great but this was a muscle flex if there ever was one. Germany’s xG of 4.2 was still only the fourth-most by a team in the last three World Cups and the second-most of this edition (behind Canada’s 4.5 against Qatar).

78. Group G, New Zealand 1-5 Belgium

New Zealand’s more expansive style was always going to put them at risk in this fixture. Belgium finally found some fluency to out-shoot them by 35 efforts to six, and only goalkeeper Max Crocombe stopped it becoming an even bigger rout.

77. Group I, Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Habib Diarra’s early goal for Senegal and Rebin Sulaka’s 13th-minute dismissal for Iraq did not open the floodgates at first. Pape Gueye, whose six shots in 33 minutes equalled Iraq’s 90-minute tally, and Iliman Ndiaye, changed that up with some spectacular striking.

Incredibly, they did not get to celebrate any of their goals for long, being forced to sprint back to the restart instead, with Senegal needing as many as they could get to boost their hopes of qualification.

76. Group G, Belgium 1-1 Egypt

Egypt did not look overly reliant on Mohamed Salah, even though he assisted Emam Ashour. They posed a constant threat on the break against Rudi Garcia’s side, whose defensive organisation was suspect and they needed Romelu Lukaku — who played 64 minutes for Napoli in all of 2025-26 — to force an own goal for a point.

75. Group L, Panama 0-1 Croatia

Panama dropped into a back six at times in the first half, keeping Croatian chances to a minimum while posing a threat on the break. Zlatko Dalic’s side took the lead in the 54th minute through Ante Budimir tapping home a perfect Josip Stanisic cross. Panama had more possession after the goal but got just one shot on target in that time.

74. Group I, France 3-0 Iraq

Another slice of Kylian Mbappe history as he converted two of his eight shots, twice Iraq’s total, and ran riot with Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise before and after a frustrating 131-minute delay due to thunderstorms.

73. Group F, Japan 1-1 Sweden

Neither team was keen to move out of first gear in a first half with six shots and just 374 completed passes. Daizen Maeda’s well-constructed goal — and multiple Sweden players not knowing a draw would be enough to progress — made for an entertaining second half, with a beauty from Anthony Elanga levelling things up.

72. Group H, Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Uruguay scored from one of 27 shots, with their conversion rate of 3.7 per cent the second worst by a team in World Cups since 2018 (minimum one goal scored).

Saudi Arabia were well worthy of their point. They defended with numbers and a high line that caught their opponents offside six times. Only two teams have done better in the same timeframe: Spain against Costa Rica in 2022 (seven) and Saudi Arabia themselves in that famous win over Argentina one day earlier (10).

71. Group B, Qatar 1-1 Switzerland

Switzerland had two-thirds of the ball and Dan Ndoye alone matched Qatar’s shot attempt tally of six. Yet, they only had Breel Embolo’s penalty to show for it and let the game wander, with Miro Muheim’s 94th-minute own goal securing Qatar’s first World Cup point.

70. Group C, Morocco 1-0 Scotland

Ismael Saibari’s finish after 67 seconds — the earliest goal in this tournament — was brilliant before, as with their first game, Morocco’s energy dropped in the second half. Scotland were better after the break but quality chances were hard to come by.

69. Group I, Norway 1-4 France

In an interview from a decade ago, Ousmane Dembele, then playing for Rennes, sounded confused about which was his preferred foot. Now it’s his opponents who can’t make out which way the Ballon d’Or holder will go, while the 29-year-old’s absolute clarity resulted in a first World Cup hat-trick.

Conceding from a restart would have annoyed France, and Jorgen Strand Larsen converting his penalty could have made this more fun. Instead, Mike Maignan got a confidence boost, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue combined for France’s fourth, and the favourites look more ominous than ever.

68. Group J, Jordan 1-3 Argentina

Jordan scored one of the best constructed goals of the group phase but a much-changed Argentina still had too much for them in a game with limited intensity.

Giovani Lo Celso’s free kick was excellent (albeit the foul leading up to it was suspect) before Lionel Messi scored from a dead ball too after coming off the bench. That made it six goals in the group stage — as many as he scored in four World Cups from 2006 to 2018.

67. Group K, Portugal 1-1 DR Congo

A historic result manufactured by an aggressive defensive strategy and the counter-attacking threat of Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu. DR Congo completed just 96 passes compared to Portugal’s 724 but still managed more shots (eight to seven) — talk about efficiency.

66. Group J, Argentina 2-0 Austria

Expectations were higher from a game between the two highest-ranked teams in Group J, but Austria did little to trouble a physical Argentina side. Lionel Messi missed a penalty but scored twice, including a vintage left-footed low curler from the edge of the box, to become the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 18 goals.

65. Group C, Scotland 0-3 Brazil

Brazil racked up 4.46 xG, the fourth most in the past three World Cups, and feasted on Scotland’s errors to secure a convincing win. Steve Clarke’s side were better after half-time and Scott McTominay had three great chances, but this was yet another sobering major tournament defeat for the Scots.

64. Group E, Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador

The Yan Diomande game! The RB Leipzig winger was electric on both flanks, almost single-handedly making up for both teams leaving their shooting boots at home. Ivory Coast’s depth ultimately won out, with Manchester United’s Amad coming off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner.

63. Group H, Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia

Scoring early feels like Spain’s best route to success and Lamine Yamal, in his first World Cup start, provided it. Saudi Arabia offered little resistance, but this was the Spain people expected to see.

62. Group K, Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the World Cup with a double in a game where Portugal’s high-risk approach paid off handsomely. They unleashed plenty of set-piece trickery too, none bigger than Nuno Mendes’ fine first-half free-kick goal to make it 2-0.

61. Group F, Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands

Two Dutch goals in the first seven minutes made for a one-sided first half. Hazem Mastouri’s goal prompted a bit more adventure but Ronald Koeman’s side were simply better and scored a third as Tunisia suffered a third straight defeat.

60. Group J, Jordan 1-2 Algeria

Emotional celebrations followed Jordan’s first goal at a World Cup scored by Nizar Al Rashdan with a clean strike against the run of play. Algeria had 71 per cent possession and completed over thrice as many passes (561 to 181), ultimately scoring from two of their 10 corners to eliminate Jordan.

59. Group E, Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast

Nicolas Pepe’s double booked Ivory Coast’s first World Cup knockout appearance in a largely comfortable victory. Curacao gave it their all despite going behind after seven minutes, but they just lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

58. Group A, South Korea 2-1 Czech Republic

South Korea had eight shots in the first half, with plenty of free-flowing football, but they got just one of those on target. The two teams then had nine of 12 combined shots on target in the second half.

The Czech Republic channelled their inner Premier League influence to score from a throw-in, while Korea’s equaliser by Hwang In-beom came at the end of a 25-pass move.

57. Group L, Panama 0-2 England

As with their game against Ghana, this wasn’t easy going for England, who initially had their struggles breaking Panama down. Thomas Christiansen’s side even tested Jordan Pickford twice before Jude Bellingham scored and then assisted Harry Kane to see England top their group.

56. Group I, Iraq 1-4 Norway

A headline World Cup debut for Erling Haaland, who scored his signature back-post goal and then pressed Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan into gifting him a second. For Iraq, Aymen Hussein scored at either end in a forgettable showing.

55. Group C, Brazil 3-0 Haiti

A standout example of what many envisioned when Brazil hired Carlo Ancelotti. They utilised their pace in behind to perfection, creating 0.86 xG from fast breaks and scoring twice from those situations, the joint-most by a team in the last three World Cups.

54. Group A, Mexico 1-0 South Korea

South Korea did not have a shot on target for 86 minutes and could have equalised with their first effort on goal. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu kept them in the game after, gifting Mexico — who were booed for a flat first half — the winner. Football’s just like that sometimes.

53. Group L, Croatia 2-1 Ghana

Not much separated these two teams over 90 minutes, with limited attacking impetus and much of the game being played in midfield. It felt fitting that Luka Modric had the final say, assisting Nikola Vlasic from a corner, but Ghana will feel a little hard done.

52. Round of 32, South Africa 0-1 Canada

A potentially defining match for football in Canada after Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time winner sent them through to the last 16. Jesse Marsch’s side deserved it after a second-half surge led by Alphonso Davies’ first appearance at this 2026 tournament.

Credit to South Africa though. In possession, they looked a totally different team to that which suffered a poor opening-night defeat by Mexico, conjuring some sweeping moves from back to front. Their defenders also made two goal-line clearances while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams came up with big saves.

51. Group E, Ecuador 2-1 Germany

Ecuador finally came to the party after struggling to put away their chances in their first two games. Nilson Angulo’s strike was excellent and Gonzalo Plata’s winner, which will live long in the Ecuadorian memory, ensured Germany’s shortcomings were punished.

50. Group C, Brazil 1-1 Morocco

The first half of this match was entertaining. Brazil struggled to cope with Morocco’s flair, movement and purpose in the first half and Saibari’s goal was just reward. A moment of genius from Vinicius Junior drew them level but has been somewhat forgotten given some of the tournament’s other star players’ exploits since.

The second half, however, included both teams combining for eight shots and 117 possessions lost.

49. Group G, Belgium 0-0 Iran

A game of inconsistent football and great saves. Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand was crucial to keeping Belgium at bay with seven stops, including an extraordinary block from point-blank range by left-back Maxim De Cuyper, who attempted a game-high five shots.

Thibaut Courtois bailed out his defence when needed with a couple of reflex saves, too.

48. Group J, Argentina 3-0 Algeria

At 39, Lionel Messi might not be the best player in the world any more but this was evidence that mileage can be made up for with intelligence. His performance had all the classic elements — passes from deep, quick one-touch plays and three left-footed goals — and a foul for which he should have been booked and could have been worthy of a red card.

47. Group B, Switzerland 2-1 Canada

The first signs of vulnerability in the Canadian back line? Switzerland worked around them with ease to open the scoring and their second goal was a case of judgement and goalkeeping both being poor. Promise David’s goal for the co-hosts was delightfully executed but this game raised some questions for Jesse Marsch ahead of the knockouts.

46. Group F, Sweden 5-1 Tunisia

Sweden scored their five goals from just 1.3xG, the second-highest overperformance (+3.7) across the past three tournaments behind England’s 6-1 win over Panama (+3.9) in 2018. Yasin Ayari had his own goal-of-the-tournament competition, and Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both scored from each other’s assists.

There was the first sighting of a football ‘Snicko’ and this game led to Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi being axed, too. That led to Herve Renard’s return to the World Cup.

45. Group D, United States 2-0 Australia

An enjoyable end-to-end affair where the first half felt like a rout, with Australia having as many shots as yellow cards — two, the same number of goals the United States had scored. The second half was more even but the damage was done.

39. Round of 32, Switzerland 2-0 Algeria

This was a bit too easy for Switzerland. The impressive Johan Manzambi’s scything run set up Breel Embolo for a 10th-minute opener. Switzerland never really got out of sight, but played the game at a controlled tempo, with Algeria doing little to trouble their defence.

Dan Ndoye finally scored with his 11th shot of the tournament less than a minute into the second half, and that settled it.

38. Group K, Colombia 1-0 DR Congo

Another great goalkeeping performance, this time from DR Congo’s Lionel Mpasi, to savour in an entertaining contest. Colombia peppered him with shots from all parts of the attacking third, as seen below, and had three goals disallowed before Daniel Munoz’s deflected strike — cruelly — finally beat Mpasi on 76 minutes.

DR Congo’s aggressive defending was easily worked around by Nestor Lorenzo’s rampaging side, the only rogue dark horses at this tournament to live up to that billing.

37. Group G, New Zealand 1-3 Egypt

Egypt’s first World Cup win was a memorable comeback, propelled by a second half in which they kept New Zealand down to four shots while racking up 13 and scoring three goals. Set pieces were expected to be a theme and both teams (literally) delivered.

36. Group K, Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia

Colombia were one of the most entertaining teams across World Cup qualifying but were made to work hard by a disciplined Uzbekistan in the first half. Daniel Munoz’s goal was cancelled out in the second half, but Luis Diaz added to his assist with the go-ahead goal.

Uzbekistan went close to an equaliser before Jaminton Campaz scored in stoppage time, immediately followed by a shot at the other end that thundered back off the crossbar. Entertaining stuff.

35. Group D, Turkey 0-1 Paraguay

There is joy in watching less-fancied teams battle adversity and succeed.

Paraguay scored early, then lost Miguel Almiron to a red card for covering his mouth — a first — but remained resilient enough to bounce back. Turkey attempted 32 shots, raising their tournament tally to 62 — the most over two World Cup games without a goal scored since records began in 1966.

34. Group K, DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan

Eldor Shomurudov scored one of the goals of the tournament with a deft lob from an acute angle and Nathanael Mbuku saw a well-taken equalizer disallowed to make the task harder for DR Congo, who needed a win.

Up stepped Yoane Wissa, fresh off a difficult debut season for Newcastle United, to score his second and third goals of the tournament to turn the tide for Sebastien Desabre’s resilient side.

33. Group E, Ecuador 0-0 Curacao

Ecuador had 27 shots worth 2.8xG and 15 efforts on target worth 2.3xGOT (expected goals on target, a measure of shot quality after the shot is taken). Eloy Room stood tall in the face of it all to make the most saves in a 90-minute World Cup match to secure a historic point for Curacao.

It wasn’t all one-sided, though — Dick Advocaat’s team had 10 shots and forced Hernan Galindez into a couple of great saves too.

32. Group H, Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

This would have evoked annoying memories of the 0-0 draw against Morocco in 2022 and 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018 for Spain. They struggled to up the ante without Lamine Yamal and could not break down a disciplined, shapeshifting defence.

For Cape Verde, Vozinha was excellent at snuffing out the few good chances Spain created on his way to becoming an Instagram phenomenon after one of the World Cup’s great results.

31. Group I, France 3-1 Senegal

Senegal could and should have scored first, having disrupted France’s rhythm. They didn’t and Mbappe punished them first before Barcola’s chipped finish moments after coming on. Senegal did not even get to celebrate a late consolation, with Mbappe thumping the ball home brilliantly from distance.

This is his stage and he put down an early marker.

30. Round of 32, United States 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina

A disciplined but limited Bosnia side looked like they might frustrate the USA, who couldn’t manage to keep themselves onside. But Folarin Balogun pounced on an error moments before half-time to give the co-hosts the lead.

Bosnia offered little in the second half, both before and after Balogun’s dismissal, and some questionable goalkeeping saw Malik Tillman make it 2-0 from a free kick. This ended up being far more comfortable for Mauricio Pochettino’s side than expected.

29. Group D, United States 4-1 Paraguay

A perfect example of the immaculate vibes generated when a host team, backed by a boisterous crowd, absolutely coasts to victory. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie looked like Serie A regulars, Folarin Balogun’s finishing was on song and Gio Reyna put to rest any doubts about his selection by channelling his inner Luka Modric.

28. Group A, Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico

An even better example of the above. Mexico punished the Czech Republic’s sloppiness with aplomb after weathering their opponents’ good start, scoring all three goals in the second half. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa coming on late in the game to participate in a sixth World Cup at age 40 and playing a small part in the final goal only enhanced the experience in a raucous Estadio Azteca.

27. Group E, Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast

Franck Kessie and Deniz Undav scored from cutbacks into the box, but the chaos of this game came from the number of opportunities from that same route that went begging. Both teams overcomplicated the basics in the final third for 93 minutes before Undav’s winner broke Ivorian hearts.

26. Group A, South Africa 1-0 South Korea

Listen, the game itself was not a classic, with chances at a premium. But for South Africa to leap from last place at kick-off up to second and qualify for the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time in their history was incredible to witness. Thapelo Maseko had already four attempts where cutting onto his left foot allowed defenders to recover before thumping home a 63rd-minute winner that will surely attain cult status back home, like Siphiwe Tshabalala’s strike against Mexico on home soil in the opening match of the 2010 edition of the tournament.

25. Round of 32, Spain 3-0 Austria

We all expected better from Austria but Spain were back at their rampant best. Marc Cucurella’s assists for Mikel Oyarzabal strikes were superb and Pedro Porro’s goal came from a superbly constructed team move.

Spain had 23 shots to Austria’s five and completed double the number of passes (570 to 285). This was far too easy, and Luis de la Fuente’s men looked truly dangerous.

24. Round of 32, France 3-0 Sweden

Sweden were lucky they weren’t down by more in the first half. Kylian Mbappe had a France goal disallowed for offside and hit the post, Michael Olise struck the woodwork with a bicycle kick and Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola both missed presentable chances.

You can only keep them out for so long, though. Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 45th minute, and Olise got two delightful assists with through balls for Mbappe and Barcola to finish in an emphatic second-half display. The French were unstoppable, irrepressible and inevitable.

23. Round of 32, Colombia 1-0 Ghana

As with all of Colombia’s matches to this point, it was a surprise Colombia did not score more than one goal. Jhon Arias’ cushioned volley at the back post eight minutes in set the tone, and that was one of their eight shots on target, as many as Ghana’s shot attempts.

More disallowed goals and some good saves by Lawrence Ati Zigi kept Ghana in the mix. But Colombia move on and will be a tricky proposition.

22. Group G, Iran 2-2 New Zealand

Before Messi, Mbappe, Haaland and Kane, there was Elijah Just.

Two excellent goals, facilitated by some classic No 9 hold-up play from Chris Wood, meant New Zealand led twice. Iran responded both times in a classic cat-and-mouse game that included 31 shots, 12 on target and a near-even possession split (51 to New Zealand and 49 to Iran). Really good fun.

21. Group I, Norway 3-2 Senegal

Had Senegal been more proactive in the first half or awarded a penalty late on after the ball deflected off David Moller Wolfe’s arm, this game could have gone differently.

Before they could really wake up, an Edouard Mendy error was punished by Marcus Pedersen before Haaland scored once on the counter and then with a cushioned volley having leaned forward in frustration seconds earlier. Ismaila Sarr took both his goals brilliantly, even scoring while on the ground

He could have equalised late on with a header too, moments after Senegal needed a goal-line clearance to avoid conceding a fourth.

20. Group F, Netherlands 5-1 Sweden

This game was top-class entertainment, showcased both teams’ tactical flexibility, and could have ended with a very different scoreline.

Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo feasted off low crosses to each score twice, punctuating this as the World Cup of cutbacks. But between their doubles, Sweden could have levelled things.

Graham Potter’s side ended the game with more shots (16 to 10) and shots on target (eight to seven) but endured a role reversal from their handsome win over Tunisia.

19. Group D, Australia 2-0 Turkey

The adrenaline from a smash-and-grab of this kind is difficult to match. Turkey attempted 30 shots, 12 of which were blocked — both the highest by a team across the past three World Cups — while Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach was excellent.

Australia had just nine shots but nearly matched Turkey’s xG of 1.36 (with 1.18). Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe’s goals were top-drawer.

18. Round of 32, Ivory Coast 1-2 Norway

Another knockout game, another late winning goal.

Ivory Coast had the better chances across both halves but were pegged back by a brilliant Antonio Nusa strike, before Amad’s individual brilliance in the box — moments after a goal-line clearance to keep it at 1-0 — drew them level.

Erling Haaland then became the first player since records began in 1966 to score in each of his first three World Cup matches with an uncertain finish in the 86th minute. Amad nearly levelled things up again from a late free kick, but Norway held on.

17. Group K, Colombia 0-0 Portugal

You will be hard-pressed to find a more engaging 0-0. Both teams’ stars came to play with top spot in Group K up for grabs, with the flair and technical quality on display making for a compelling watch with sweeping moves and 37 shots.

Colombia forced Diogo Costa into multiple great saves and had a late winner disallowed for Davinson Sanchez’s toes being offside. But the save of the match — and one of the stops of the tournament — came from Colombia’s 37-year-old goalkeeper Camilo Vargas to deny Bruno Fernandes.

16. Round of 32, England 2-1 DR Congo

DR Congo, aggressive and confident early on, were well worth their first-half lead through Brian Cipenga. Thomas Tuchel’s side looked frustrated for about 55 minutes, with Lionel Mpasi making some great stops in goal.

But a turn of the tide began to look inevitable, and Harry Kane produced his crowning moment in an England shirt. A routine headed equaliser was followed by a sublime 86th-minute winner to script another memorable comeback at this tournament, but in unfamiliar circumstances.

England had come from behind to win a World Cup match for the first time since the 1966 final against West Germany.

15. Round of 32, Mexico 2-0 Ecuador

The thunder and lightning that delayed kick-off by an hour electrified the Estadio Azteca and spurred Mexico on to their most comprehensive performance of the competition. The atmosphere alone deserves a high ranking, and the goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez were befitting of the occasion.

Ecuador struggled to cope, with Piero Hincapie’s red card for covering his mouth while speaking to Santiago Gimenez bringing the curtains down on a disappointing tournament.

14. Round of 32, Brazil 2-1 Japan

You could have fooled people by saying this was Real Madrid from a decade ago wearing yellow jerseys.

In the first half, Brazil looked out of sorts, leggy and lacking inspiration against a well-organised Japan team that gave them problems and scored on the counter. The second half was a different story. Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward. Ancelotti’s role was pivotal.

13. Round of 32, Australia 1-1 Egypt (2-4 on penalties)

We’ve all wanted to see a repeat of the Jasper Cillessen-Tim Krul swap from 2014. Australia answered our prayers, replacing the impressive Patrick Beach, who made an excellent save late in regulation to keep the scores level, with 34-year-old Mat Ryan in the final seconds of extra time. Ryan dived the right way for only one of four penalties, and Australia missed two of theirs as Egypt won.

12. Group H, Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde

If the draw against Spain was viewed as a one-off, this game emphatically reaffirmed the resilience of this Cape Verde team.

Kevin Pina’s rocket set off an eruption of joy, only for Cape Verde to trail at half-time mostly because of Maximiliano Araujo, the only Uruguay attacker showing any semblance of form.

To not only equalise but outshoot Uruguay 10-6, with 35 per cent possession, in the second half deserves a high spot on this list.

11. Group D, Turkey 3-2 USA

Turkey were out of the tournament, while the United States had already secured top spot. But what could have been a dull dead rubber was instead an emotionally super-charged contest between two teams desperate to prove a point.

The co-hosts made nine changes but continued the theme of starting halves well, scoring in the third and 49th minutes. Turkey, not wanting to go out without a fight, converted all of their three shots on target (from nine attempts) after failing to convert any of their previous 13 (from 62 attempts).

The quality of chances was high, with both teams underperforming their xG in one of the most entertaining no-stakes games we’ve seen.

10. Group F, Netherlands 2-2 Japan

Tense, engaging and a first sight of two top teams playing at full tilt for 90 minutes. This game is one of the reasons the best teams in a group should play on the first or second matchday, when the jeopardy and desperation are more palpable.

9. Group L, England 4-2 Croatia

Penalty (and a retake)? Check. Set-piece goal? Check. Two well-taken equalisers? Check. Lengthy passing sequence ending in a solo goal? Check. Barrage of attacks prompting one save after another? Check. Goal on the counter? Check.

This game, unlike most England outings in recent tournaments, delivered emphatically.

8. Group C, Morocco 4-2 Haiti

Haiti, already eliminated, embraced all hell breaking loose with a fast start. Their goals, which included a best-of-the-tournament contender from Wilson Isidor, and the celebrations that followed them, will be long remembered by those who were at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. They also defended resolutely in the second half, with goalkeeper Johny Placide forced into eight total saves.

Morocco’s quality and desperation ultimately proved the difference as Saibari scored for the third group game running before Soufiane Rahimi’s second-half cameo got them the win.

7. Group J, Algeria 3-3 Austria

Marko Arnautovic’s early goal already seemed to throw a spanner in the works with both teams needing a draw to progress. Algeria hit back with some assistance from the corner flag and excellent dribbling by Rafik Belghali. Marcel Sabitzer put Austria ahead again and Riyad Mahrez tucked away to make it 2-2 on the hour mark in a game that had enough chances.

But from that point to injury time, the intensity dropped with both teams comfortable with the scoreline and Algeria simply keeping the ball. Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.

The xG step graphic below is a quickfire indicator of how this game went.

5. Round of 32, Portugal 2-1 Croatia

A first half dominated by Portugal, with Croatia managing no shots on target, gave way to a second half for the ages — against the backdrop of former Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Luka Modric, 40, meeting on the pitch. For one of them, it would be goodbye to the game’s greatest stage.

Croatia’s 37-year-old Ivan Perisic opened the scoring, his strike spurring Zlatko Dalic’s side on to a fantastic 15 minutes, only for them to be undone by a foul that gave Ronaldo the chance to level from the spot. Having earlier had a great goal ruled out for offside, he found the net for his first strike in a World Cup knockout game.

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa was called into action several times as Croatia’s rebuilt momentum culminated in two disallowed goals of their own. Portugal somehow held on, and Goncalo Ramos’ 94th-minute header, with Ronaldo substituted, sparked delirium after a delightful Rafael Leao cross.

There was still time for a dramatic twist, as football’s Snickometer-style technology detected the finest of flick-ons via Igor Matanovic’s hair, meaning what Croatia thought was the latest of late levellers was ultimately ruled out for yet another offside.

Was this more entertaining than some of the games ranked below it? No. Do we care? Not in the slightest.

Cape Verde are the smallest nation ever to make the World Cup knockout rounds and they did so in a group that had Spain and Uruguay, while creating enough chances that they could have beaten Saudi Arabia too. The scenes right after the full-time whistle were simultaneously moving and jubilant and none of those in Houston will forget what they witnessed.

This is the kind of unparalleled story and experience that makes the World Cup different from any other competition.

3. Round of 32, Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (2-3 on penalties)

Morocco dominated large stretches of this contest, with Bart Verbruggen forced into great saves, while for sheer intensity and physicality it was at the level of a semi-final.

Cody Gakpo’s goal came against the run of play and will be remembered long after this tournament for the grief and joy it simultaneously generated, following the death of his unborn son days before the game.

Morocco equalised in the 91st minute, before Verbruggen joined the list of goalkeepers with a contender for save of the tournament with a brilliant extra-time stop to deny Soufiane Rahimi. In the penalty shootout, Verbruggen seemed to have saved from Rahimi again — only to see the ball cruelly creep in off his back.

Four of the next seven penalties were off target before Yassine Bounou kept out Crysencio Summerville and Ismael Saibari, Morocco’s player of the tournament to this point, won it.

2. Round of 32, Belgium 3-2 Senegal

Senegal were cruising, courtesy of goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument.

But Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium hope in the 86th minute and, 159 seconds later, Trossard set up Tielemans to send the game to extra time. A penalty shootout seemed a certainty before Lamine Camara was deemed to have brought down Tielemans in the box after a seven-minute VAR check. The Aston Villa midfielder thumped home a winner from the penalty spot in the 125th minute.

Every time you think you’ve seen it all, this World Cup conjures up yet more drama.

1. Round of 32, Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (AET)

Argentina capped off a decent first half with Lionel Messi’s brilliantly taken goal from a perfect Lisandro Martinez ball over the top. But it did not look routine and you wondered whether Cape Verde could get an odd chance to break their way. It came in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte’s excellent finish.

That woke up the world champions, but this time it was Vozinha’s turn to deliver, with two brilliant saves and then a third to deny Messi. Disciplined defending, led by Pico Lopes, forced extra time — an incredible achievement.

A set piece proved their undoing, with Martinez putting Argentina ahead, but Cape Verde’s resilience, as throughout the tournament, came to the fore again. Sidny Lopes Cabral’s delightful curling strike was one of the great World Cup moments and the image of him in the crowd right after was poignant.

Yet again, a corner helped put Argentina ahead, Cristian Romero glancing it in via a deflection from Diney. Emiliano Martinez was forced into two important saves in the final moments to get Argentina their last-eight spot. It was the end of the road for one of the best debutants in World Cup history.

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