World Cup Day Thirty Quarter-Finals

ENGLAND just about beat Congo DR in the Second Round and then they managed to beat Mexico in the Last 16. This game was going to be tough against NORWAY. Norway had beaten the Ivory Coast in the Second Round and won 2-1 against World Champions Brazil in the Last 16.

In the first half, England played well by keeping Norway in their own half for most of  the first 23 minutes. After the Hydration/Commercial break, it was Norway’s turn to attack. But in the 28th minute, Kane took a free-kick and watched it fly over the bar. 30 minutes into the game and Norway had a couple of good set pieces, then after 36 minutes, Norway scored as the ball hit the post and went in. Goals scored by Norway’s Schjelderup. England came back at them and in the 45+2 Bellingham scored the equaliser, which was his 5th of the tournament. Just before half time, Kane scored but he was ruled off-side by VAR. 1-1 at half time.

In the second half Norway kept up the pressure and scored in the 55th minute but again disallowed by VAR. In the 76th minute Norway hit the cross-bar. England had their moments but it ended 1-1 after the full 90 minutes.

In extra time it did not take long before England went in front with a goal from Bellingham in the 92nd minute. That is goal number six for him. England claimed for a penalty in the but once again disallowed by VAR. In the second half of extra time, Haaland did not come back on, and was substituted. Norway kept up the pressure on England but they held their line. England seem to be getting better and better in this tournament, all of the players played well. England are on a total of 13 goals. Norway go home with a total of 13 goals and this is their best that they have ever done in any World Cup’s that they have been in. Their best previous was in the French 1998 Last 16. 

ARGENTINA played SWITZERLAND in the last of the Quarter-Finals. Argentina had beaten Cape Verde in the Second Round and in the Last 16, they did that fantastic comeback against Egypt. Switzerland beat Algeria in the Second Round and won 4-3 on penalties against Colombia in the Last 16.

In the first half it was Argentina that hit the net first in 10 minutes with a goal from Mac Allister. It took Switzerland 67 minutes to equalise through Ndoye. Switzerland had player sent off (Embolo) in the 72nd minute. At the end of 90 minutes, the score remained 1-1 and into extra time.

Argentina scored two goals in the second half of extra time. They came from Alvarez in the 112nd minute and Martinez in the 120+1 to win the match 3-1. Argentina are now on a total of 17 goals and will play England in the Semi-Finals. Switzerland go home with a total of 10 goals.

Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment are now France’s Kylian Mbappe and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, both with 8 goals. In Second place we have Norway’s Erling Haaland on 7 goals, In third place we have England’s Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane both with 6 goals each. In fourth place with 5 goals we have France’s O. Dembélé. 

World Cup Day Twenty-Nine Quarter-Finals

 

SPAIN had knocked-out Portugal in the Last 16 to reach the quarter-finals. They had to play BELGIUM who beat co-hosts USA in their last game. I only managed to watch the first half, but both teams came out fighting, and it was great to see that. Spain scored their first goal from Fabian Ruiz in the 30th minute after a shot was saved by the Belgium goalkeeper only to go straight to Ruiz. A well taken goal. It was not long before Belgium equalised from De Ketelaere, his third goal of the tournament, in the 41st minute from a lovely set piece. That was the first goal scored against Spain in this tournament. The score stayed at 1-1 at the end of the first half.

Spain scored again in the second half as Mikel Merino makes it 2-1 in the 88th minute. The score finished 2-1 to Spain. Spain will play France in the Semi-Finals and they are on a total of 11 goals. Belgium go home with 14 goals.

World Cup Day Twenty-Eight Quarter-Finals

 

After a days rest we are now into the Quarter-Finals, and to start them off we had FRANCE playing against MOROCCO. France started off well with the dominating the first half. In the 29th minute, France got a penalty and with all of his international experience, Mbappe did one of those silly dances before taking it and missed the chance of getting nearer to the golden boot and, putting France in the lead. How many times have we seen this in penalty shoot-outs? France had over 12 attempts on goal but nothing to show for it. Morocco holding out on the French attacks., but they did have the odd attack. Half-time 0-0.

In the second half, Morocco showed more of what they could do but it was France who took the lead from Mbappe in the 60th minute his 8th of the tournament. The tempo of the game was starting to be very quick and after another French attack, their second goal from Dembele 66th minute, his 5th goal of the tournament. After a couple of substitutions, Morocco started to find their feet again and made some good moves, testing the French goalkeeper. Final result 2-0 to France and they are our first team that go in to the quarter-finals. They are on a total of 16 goals and they have now scored in all of their 6 World Cup games. Morocco go home with a total of 10 goals.

World Cup Day Twenty-Seven

The last of the co-hosts, USA played BELGIUM. The USA had beaten Bosnia 2-0 to play in the last 16, and there was a lot ridding on them to go all the way. Belgium won against Senegal 3-2 to reach the next stage. Net being able to watch the match, Belgium went in front in just 9th minutes from C. Deketelaere. The USA equalised in the 31st minute with a goal from Tillman. Belgium scored again, and another goal for C. DeKetelaere in the 33rd minute. Belgium scored their third goal in the 57th minute by H. Vanaken. Belgium’s last and final goal was scored by R. Lukaku in 90+3 minutes, his third of the tournament. Belgium win 4-1 and have taken their goals tally to 13 goals. The USA finished their World Cup with a total of 11 goals. 

World Champions, ARGENTINA had to play EGYPT in this round. Argentina had beaten Cape Verde 3-2 in the Second Round while Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties. I did not see the first half so I was shocked to see that Egypt went a goal up in the first half through Y. Ibrahim in the 15th minute. Argentina’s Messi missed a penalty in that half.

The second half saw Argentina keep Egypt in their own half of the pitch, but on a quick break away, Egypt scored, but VAR disallowed the goal due to a foul before the attack. Egypt had another quick attack and caught Argentina off guard and by M. Zico in the 67th minute. Argentina could not break down the Egypt defence, but they finally got through and score by C. Romero in the 79th minute. Argentina went for blood and Messi scored his 8th goal in the 83rd minute. 2-2 and only 6 minutes on the clock and I did think that this would go into extra time. Argentina kept up the pressure, 7 minutes of added time and the killer goal came from Argentina’s Fernandez in the 90+2 minutes. What a come back from the World champions as the game ends 3-2. Argentina are on a total of 14 goals while Egypt go home with a total of 8 goals. 

SWITZERLAND had won 2-0 against Algeria in the Second Round, and faced Colombia. The first half was all Colombia’s but they lacked that finishing touch. Switzerland had their moments but the Colombia’s goalkeeper kept them in the game. In the second half, the tables turned and it was Switzerland that made all the noise. After the hour mark Colombia’s turn to attack, but still no goals. Then it started to get just that little bit silly, with tackle’s flying in with both team starting to get a bit desperate. 0-0 and into extra time. Colombia came close as the Argentina’s goalkeeper pushes it over the bar in the 98th minute. Although both teams looked a little bit sharper in the second half of extra time, both teams missed their opportunities to win the game. In the penalty shoot-out that followed, Switzerland win 4-3 and are through to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.        

Season 44

 

We have 7 days left before we launch Season 44 of Golden Goals and we have once again kept the entry fee at just £8 (UK).

The Competition first started way back in 1983 and has built up a regular fan base on average 90 players per season. Last season became our 9th highest number of entries with a grand total of 111, but our record stands at 149 in the 2017/18 Season so we looking at 150+ for this season.

As we have said before, that’s it’s not an easy task to pick three teams that could make you our 44^th Champion but that is how football goes. As always it’s first come, first served so it’s important to get your teams in as quick as you can. The entry forms will be available from Tuesday 14th July 2026. 

You can e-mail me here at goldengoals1983@gmail.com to find out more about the competition rules. 

World Cup Day Twenty-Six

ENGLAND have struggled to win their last couple of games, but boy what a game we had against MEXICO. Mexico came into the Last 16 the strongest team, after they had won all of their four games.

From Kick off it was all end to end, as the two teams try to make their mark on this match. The brack came for England with two quick goals from Jude Bellingham, first one in the 36th and then again in the 38th minute. Both were well constructed moves from England. England seemed to be on top until J. Quinones scored a cracking goal in the 42nd minute. Pickford kept England in the game with some great saves. England lead 2-1 at half-time.

In the second half, England were still on top until Quansah did a bad foul in the 54th minute and was sent off. England now down to 10 men and this did not look good for them. They played well with 10 men and then England got a penalty in the 60th minute and that was scored by Harry Kane, his 7th of the tournament. England then kept up the pressure from Mexico and they held out till the 69th minute as Mexico get a penalty. The goal was scored by R. Jimenez, but was it really a penalty? As time rolled on, the Mexicans tried to intimidate the referee trying to get England players sent off. England held on even with 11 minutes of injury time under much pressure. England win 3-2. This is the best performance that England have done in this World Cup and it was a very exciting game. England are on a total of 11 goals. Mexico are out after playing at home in front of a big crowd. Mexico finished on a total of 10 goals. 

PORTUGAL played SPAIN in the other day’s fixtures. For the first half hour Spain were well on top of Portugal but the finishing was poor. It finished 0-0 at half-time. Unable to watch the second half, Spain scored the only goal of the game in the 90+1 minute from Mikel Merino. Spain are on a total of 9 goals. Portugal go home with Ronaldo’s very last game for Portugal in a World Cup. Ronaldo makes history by scoring all in of his 6 World Cups that he has been in. Portugal finished with a total of 8 goals.

Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment are now Argentina’s Lionel Messi, France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland all on 7 goals, In second place we have Harry Kane with 6 goals. In third place with 4 goals each we have France’s O. Dembélé, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior, Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal, England’s J. BELLINGHAM and Mexico’s J. Ouinones.

The fastest goal has still been scored by Matías Galarza for the Paraguay in Group C after they won 1-0 against Turkey in their second game in the first round. It took just 64 seconds (1 minute and 4 seconds) 

World Cup Day Twenty-Five

It was always going to be a low scoring match between NORWAY and BRAZIL, and all the drama came in the beginning of the first half. Norway had a goal disallowed for offside within the first 4 minutes. Brazil  got a penalty after 14 minutes of play. Bruno Guimaraes does a silly dance before taking the penalty and Orjan Nyland palms the ball wide. Why do player’s do this? Brazil seem to be just that better than Norway but the first half ends 0-0. In the Second half, it was end to end stuff but Brazil could have taken the lead by Endrck, but the shot was off target. Norway broke the deadlock with a goal in the 79th minute by that man again, Erling Haaland, heading in his 6th goal of the tournament. He scored again in the 90th minute, with a fantastic shot standing all alone out side the box, goal number 7. But more drama right at the end, as Brazil get another penalty in the 90+10 but this time Brazil score by Neymar. Norway win 2-1 and for the very first time they are in the quarter-finals. Norway are on a total of 12 goals and they have a total of 3 votes. Brazil go home with a total of 10 goals and they had a total of 23 votes.

Coming Soon Season 44

 

With the World Cup 2026 nearly finished, it is now time for me to start preparing for Season 44 and getting it up and running, and it will soon be time for you to start thinking about your three teams.

This unique competition has now been running for 43 consecutive seasons and with 44 just around the corner, Golden Goals has stood the test of time. The competition first started way back in 1983 and has built up a regular fan base of a round 90 players per season but we would like to add more, much more. We would like to beat our top season with 149 players from the 2017/18 Season.

It’s not an easy task to pick three teams that could make you our 44th Champion, but that’s how football goes. As always it’s first come, first served so it’s important to get your teams in as quickly as you can once the form comes out. 

How does the competition work? Well you have to do is pick three football teams here in the UK from any English or Scottish league’s or you can mix up your choice from the two countries. Once you have picked the three team’s and sent them in to me via your entry form with the entry fee, these teams will be unique to you, as no-one else will have your teams. These three teams could make you our 44th Champion by scoring as many goals as they can.  Where do these goals come from? They will come from any league games, and from the two English and Scottish domestic cup competitions.

We will have prize money throughout the season, and if you have been following last seasons blog entries then you will know what I mean.  Each week I will send you a News Sheet via email which will tell you where you are in our table and how your teams are doing. Once the deadline date has passed, you will not be able to join in.

Even if you just look at the simple rules and decide not to join in, there will be no pressure to join Golden Goals. We have had over 500,000 hits on our blog and it would be really great if some of you could get together and represent your family or even better your country. You can e-mail me (Steve) here at goldengoals1983@gmail.com to find out more about the competition. More updates coming soon.

Sheet Four

As you can see from the table above, Scott Thomson remains at the top, after the end of the Second Round as he picks up a total of 9 goals. Scott’s teams are Argentina, Brazil, France and Germany.

We had just one player who picked up the highest score after the second round, with a total of 12 goals. They were Richie Williams who still have all of his teams in action.

Here is how the table stands after all of our teams that were left after the Second Round games. Their scores have been added to your totals. You will see that I have printed a red BOLD number against your name. This number indicates the number of teams that you have left in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The good news is that all of us have still have one to four teams in the Round of 16 but just to re-cap on our rules, that extra time goals DO count, but penalty shoot out’s DON’T!

  GAME    GAME                 GOALS

            FOUR  THREE    NAME                           TOTAL 

                 1           -            S. THOMSON 3                44

                 2           -            B. BURROUGHS 3           43

                 3          6            I. SMITH 3                         43

                 4        10            P. REEVE 3                        42

                 5        13            A. STUBBS 4                     42

                 6          3            D. BARRETT 3                  41

                 7       17             M. GREGORY 4                41

                 8         4             T. KING (2) 3                     41

                 9         5             MANGO 3                         41

               10         8             S. REEVE 3                       41

              11          7             J. WOOD 3                        41

              12        25             RICHIE WILLIAMS 4      41

              13        15             R. WOOD 4                       41

              14        19             D. HARRINGTON 4        40

              15          9             A. NEWMAN 3                40

So who are the best teams that we have in the 2026 World Cup after the end of the Second Round games. They are

FRANCE (13) ARGENTINA (11) GERMANY (11) NETHERLANDS (11) total of 46 goals

All but two of our teams have scored in the Second Round games, and they have collected a total of 38 goals. That has beaten our best score in the Qatar 2022 Golden Goals World Cup, we reached a total of 25 goals at the end of the Second Round. The teams that did not score were GHANA and SWEDEN.

GERMANY still holds the current record for the highest score with that 7-1 win over Curacao in Group E in their opening game.

SCOTLAND from Group C are our worst team as they have only picked up one goal in all of their first round games.

We still have 15 of our 28 teams that have made it through to the Last 16. The teams that have gone home are CAPE VERDE, CROATIA, GERMANY, GHANA, JAPAN, NETHERLANDS, SENEGAL and SWEDEN.

The fastest goal has been scored by Matías Galarza for Paraguay in Group C after they won 1-0 against Turkey in their second game in the first round. It took just 64 seconds (1 minute and 4 seconds)

World Cup Day Twenty-Four

In the final game of the Second Round, saw GHANA lose1-0 against Colombia with a early goal in the first half. Ghana from Group L finished third with 4 points, after they had won their opening game 1-0 against Panama and then they drew 0-0 with England. In their final group game, they lost 2-1 to Croatia. Ghana go home with a total of 2 goals and they had just 1 vote. 

The first games of the Last 16 have now been played. Co-hosts CANADA had beaten South Africa to be one of the last 16. They faced MOROCCO who had beaten the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out. Morocco won 3-0. I did not see much of the first half which ended 0-0, so I was lucky to see the Morocco goals. They dominated Canada in the second half with some nice flowing football. Their goals came in the 50 and 82nd minutes from Ounahi and their last goal from Rahiai in the 90+8 minute. They are now through to the quarter-finals. They finished in fourth place in Qatar 2022. Morocco are now on a total of 10 goals. Canada are the first co-host team to leave the tournament but this is the best that they have done at a World Cup. They have finished on a total of 9 goals and they had a total of 3 votes. 

It was all about FRANCE in their match against PARAGUAY, but although there was some lovely play, they were unable to get any shots on target. Paraguay had the odd flurry, but no danger to the French. Second half start’s, still with the temperature at 38c. France still took control of this game, and received a penalty in the 70th minute, which was taken by Mbappe and scored his 7th goal of the tounament. Then things took a turn, as Paraguay started to get a little bit of dirty play. So what started off as a nice looking game, it ended in a free for all. France win 1-0 with their lowest result of the tournament. They are on a total of 14 goals. They will play Morocco in the quarter-finals. They have a total of 22 votes. Paraguay go home with a total of 3 goals and 1 vote.

World Cup Day Twenty-Three Second Round

PORTUGAL have yet to get going in this tournament but they beat CROATIA 2-1. All the goals came in the second half after Croatia scored first in the 53rd minute by Perisic. Portugal scored from a penalty in the 58th minute by Ronaldo. Their winning goal came late in the 90+4 by Ramos. Portugal finished second in Group K after they had drawn two and won one, 5-0 against Uzbekistan in their second opening game. They finished with a total of 5 points. Portugal are on a total of 8 goals and they have a total of 9 votes. Croatia from Group L finished second to England in the Group with 6 points after they lost one game, against England, and won their last two games. Croatia go home with a total of 6 goals and they had just 1 vote. 

SWITZERLAND beat Algeria 2-0 with goals in both half’s. Switzerland finished top of Group B with 7 points. They had won two of their opening games including their biggest win 4-1 against Bosnia. Switzerland are on a total of 9 goals. They have a total of 2 votes. 

EGYPT went a goal down early in the first half against Australia but they equalised with an own goal in the second half. Into extra time and the scored remained 1-1. Egypt then won 4-2 on penalties. Egypt finished in second place in Group G with 5 points. They had drawn two of their games but won 3-1 against New Zealand. Egypt are on a total of 6 goals and they have a total of 2 votes. 

ARGENTINA found CAPE VERDE a tough nut to crack in this round, after they went a goal up in 29th minute by Messi, his seventh goal in the tournament. Cape Verde came back with a goal in the second half through Deroy Duarte and that is how the score remained at the end of 90 minutes. In extra time, Argentina won 3-2 with goals from Martinez in the 92nd minute and Borges in 111th minute via own goal. Cape Verde goal came in the 103rd minute by Sidny Cabral. A very exciting game and worth staying up late for. Argentina finished top with maximum points in Group J. They are now on a total of 11 goals and they have a total of 24 votes. Cape Verde from Group H finished second in the group, and played in their very first World Cup, and they might be a nation to watch in 2030. They go home with their heads held high with a total of 4 goals. They had drawn all of their three opening games. They had just 1 vote.

Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment are Argentina’s Lionel Messi top with 7 goals. In second place we have France’s Kylian Mbappe on 6 goals, In third place we have Norway’s Erling Haaland and Harry Kane with 5 goals each. In fourth place with 4 goals each we have France’s O. Dembélé, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior, Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal. 

The fastest goal has still been scored by Matías Galarza for the Paraguay in Group C after they won 1-0 against Turkey in their second game in the first round. It took just 64 seconds (1 minute and 4 seconds) 

World Cup Day Twenty-Two Second Round

USA are in the last 16 after they won 2-0 against Bosnia-Herzegovina, even though they had a player sent off in the 64th minute. The goals came from Bologun in the 45th minute and Tillman in the 82nd minute. Co-hosts USA won their Group D with a total of 6 points after they had two wins but lost their third game 3-2 to Turkey. USA are on a total of 10 goals with 2 votes. 

SPAIN won 3-0 against Austria and looked really good. They could of got more but for the Austrian goalkeeper. It was an excellent game to watch. Spain finished top of Group H, after they had won two of their games but drew 0-0 against Cape Verde in their opening game. They finished with a total of 7 points. Spain are now on a total of 8 goals. They have a total of 30 votes. 

World Cup Day Twenty-One Second Round

MEXICO won 2-0 against Ecuador with both goals coming in the first half. Mexico finished top from Group A after winning all three games with maximum points of 9. Mexico are on a total of 8 goals and have 5 votes. 

ENGLAND are through to the last 16 after they won 2-1 against Congo DR. It took Congo just 7 minutes to score their goal in the first half, which turned into a tough game for England. With just 15 minutes left on the clock, Harry Kane scored twice in the 75th and 86th minute to win the game. England came top in Group L after they had won two of their games and drew the other collecting a total of 7 points. England are on a total of 8 goals with 18 votes. 

BELGIUM made a fantastic come back to beat SENEGAL 3-2 after extra time. Belgium went a goal down in the first half and in the start of the second half, Senegal scored again in the 51st minute. It took Belgium right up to the 86th minute to start their come back through a goal by Lukaku and within minute another goal by Tielemans 89th minute. That is how the score ended in the 90 minute period. In extra time Belgium got a penalty right at the end of extra time. This was scored once again by Tielemans in the 120+5. Belgium finished top of their Group G with 5 points after they had drawn two games and won their final game 5-1 against New Zealand. Belgium are on a total of 9 goals. They have a total of 8 votes. Senegal’s goals came in the 24th minute by Diarra and Sarr in the 51st minute. Senegal finished in third place in  Group I with 3 points after they lost two and won their last game 5-0 against Iraq. Senegal go home with a total of 10 goals. They had a total of 3 votes.

Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment are Argentina’s Lionel Messi with France’s Kylian Mbappe both on 6 goals, Norway’s Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are in second place with 5 goals each. In third place with 4 goals each we have France’s O. Dembélé, and Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr.

World Cup Day Twenty Second Round

The NETHERLANDS drew 1-1 after extra time and then lost 3-2 on penalties against MOROCCO. Netherlands from Group F finished top on 7 points after they had won two, and drew one of their group games. The Netherlands finished with a total of 11 goals. They had a total of 7 votes. Morocco finished second in Group C with 7 points. They had won two and lost one of their games. They are on a total of 7 goals and in the last 16 round. They have just 2 votes. 

NORWAY beat Ivory Coast 2-1. Norway from Group I, finished second in the group with 6 points, after they had won two of their games but lost 4-1 against France in their last group games. Norway are on a total of 10 goals and they have a total of 3 votes. 

FRANCE won 3-0 against SWEDEN in the best game of the tournament so far. France could have been four up before half time after hitting the woodwork twice and some really good goalkeeping from the Swedish keeper. The game was all about France with Sweden attacking now and then. Two more goals from Mbappe and one from Baracola. Brazil finished top Group I with the full 9 points after three wins. France are now on a total of 13 goals, they have a total of 23 votes. Sweden, from Group F finished third place with 4 points. They had won one, drew one and lost one game. They had just 1 vote.

World Cup Day Nineteen Second Round

Five times winners BRAZIL are through to the Round of 16 after they won 2-1 against JAPAN. Japan went a goal in front in the first half from K. Sano in the 27th minute. Brazil came back with goals in the 56th minute by Casemiro. The late winning goal came from Gabriel Martinelli in the 90+5 minutes. This was a great game to watch. Brazil, winners of Group C, had won two of their opening games, but drew their first game 1-1 against Morocco. They finished with a total of 7 points. Brazil are on a total of 9 goals. Japan from Group F finished in second place with 5 points. They won one and drew two of their games. Japan finished with a total of 8 goals and go out again in the second round for the third time in a row. 

Four times winners GERMANY are out of the World Cup after they lost in a penalty shoot-out for the first time in their history against PARAGUAY. Germany went a goal down in the first half  by Paraguay’s Julio Enciso, just before half time in the 42nd minute. Germany’s Kal Havertz equalised in the 54th minute. That is how the score remained after the full 90 minutes and after extra time. Germany then lost 4-3 on penalties. The match was, once again, not like Germany of old, plenty of shirt pulling and fouls galore. Germany from Group E had won two and lost one of their games in the group stages where they finished top of the group with 6 points. They had a total of 20 votes. Paraguay went out in the quarter-finals in 2010 (South Africa) the last time that they were in the tournament. Paraguay from Group D finished third in the group with 4 points, after they won one, lost one and drew one of their group games. They have just 1 vote.

Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment is Argentina’s Lionel Messi with 6 goals, and then he is followed by France’s Kylian Mbappe and O. Dembélé, Norway’s Erling Haaland, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior all with 4 goals each.  We then have 12 players with 3 goals each.

Sheet Three

             GAME    GAME                                             GOALS

           THREE    TWO       NAME                            TOTAL 

                 1              3          S. THOMSON                      35

                 2            11          B. BURROUGHS                34

                 3              1          D. BARRETT                      33

                 4            25          T. KING (2)                         33

                 5           12           MANGO                              33

                 6           13           I. SMITH                             33

                 7           10           J. WOOD                             33

                 8             9           S. REEVE                            32

                 9             8           A. NEWMAN                      31

               10           37           P. REEVE                             31

               11           19           C. SETFORD                       31

               12           21           STALKY (2)                        31

               13           15           A. STUBBS                         31

               14             4           D. WOOD                            31

               15           32           R. WOOD                            31

As you can see from the table above, Scott Thomson is in the lead now, after the end of the first round. Scott’s teams are Argentina, Brazil, France and Germany.

We had four players who have picked up the highest score after the first round, third games, with a total of 13 goals each. They are Tony King (2), Mick Liddle, Phil Reeve and Richie Williams. 

So who are the best teams that we have in the 2026 World Cup after the end of the first round games. I can tell you that they are

FRANCE (10) GERMANY (10) NETHERLANDS (10) ARGENTINA (8) total of 38 goals

All but seven of our teams have scored in the third games in the first round, and they have collected a total of 49 goals. That has beaten our best score in the France 1998 Golden Goals World Cup, we reached a total of 31 goals at the end of the first round. The seven teams that did not score are CAPE VERDE, CZECH REPUBLIC, PARAGUAY, PORTUGAL, SCOTLAND, SOUTH KOREA and URUGUAY.

GERMANY still holds the current record for the highest score with that 7-1 win over Curacao in Group E in their opening game.

SCOTLAND from Group C are our worst team as they have only picked up one goal in all of their first round games.

We still have 23 of our 28 teams that have made it through to the Second Round. The teams that have gone home are CZECH REPLULIC, SCOTLAND, SOUTH KOREA, TURKEY and URUGUAY. 

The fastest goal has been scored by Matías Galarza for Paraguay in Group C after they won 1-0 against Turkey in their second game in the first round. It took just 64 seconds (1 minute and 4 seconds)

Top goal scorers in the World Cup 2026 “Golden Boot” are Argentina’s Lionel Messi with 6 goals, and then he is followed by France’s Kylian Mbappe, and Norway’s Erling Haaland with 4 goals each. Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David are on 3 goals each. We then have 20 players with 2 goals each. 

World Cup Day Eighteen

Group J ARGENTINA have picked up their maximum points as they win their third game 3-1 against Jordan and have now scored a total of 8 goals. Algeria drew 3-3 against Austria. Argentina finished top of the group with 9 points. Austria finished second with 4 points while Algeria finished third also with 4 points. Jordan go home with no points. 

Group K PORTUGAL drew their final game in the group 0-0 against Colombia. Portugal remain on 6 goals.  Congo DR lost 3-1 against Uzbekistan. Colombia finished top with 7 points, with Portugal in second place with 5 points. Congo DR finished in third place with 4 points. Uzbekistan go home after they lost all of their three games. 

The first game of the Second Round have started as co-host CANADA took on South Africa. Canada finished second in Group B with 4 points. In their opening game, they drew 1-1 against Bosnia before their biggest win 6-0 against Qatar. In their last game they lost 2-1 to Switzerland.

This is the furthest Canada has reached in any World Cup as they have gone out in the group stages in Mexico in 1986 and again Qatar in 2022. So History has already been made.

The game it’s self was not that entertaining. There was too much pushing and holding players with pulling shirts by the South African and at times Canada. Canada won by a very late goal in the 90+2 minutes by Stephen Eustaquio, and what a strike it was from the edge of the box into the bottom left hand corner of the net. His first goal of the tournament. Canada are now into the last 16, but need to do better. Canada are on a total of 9 goals and they have a total of 3 votes.

World Cup Day Seventeen

Group H CAPE VERDE drew their last game 0-0 against Saudi Arabia and remain on a total of 2 goals. URUGUAY lost their last game 1-0 to SPAIN. Uruguay remain on a total of 3 goals. Spain are on a total of 5 goals. Spain win the group with 7 points, while Cape Verde came second with 3 points. Uruguay in third place and Saudi Arabia in fourth, both finished on 2 points each. 

Group G EGYPT drew their last game 1-1 against Iran and are on a total of 5 goals. BELGIUM won their last game 5-1 against New Zealand and are on a total of 6 goals. Belgium finished top of the group with 5 points with Egypt in second place also on 5 points. Iran are third with 3 points while New Zealand are fourth with 1 point. 

Group L top of the group, ENGLAND have won their third game 2-0 against Panama. England are on a total of 6 goals. CROATIA won their second and final game, 2-1 against GHANA. Croatia are on a total of 5 goals while Ghana picked up goal number 2. England are group winners with 7 points. Croatia are second with 6 points, while Ghana finish in third place with 4 points. Panama go out with no points. 

Top goal scorer for the Golden Boot at the moment is Argentina’s Lionel Messi with 5 goals, and then he is followed by France’s Kylian Mbappe and O. Dembélé, Norway’s Erling Haaland and Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior all with 4 goals each.  We then have eight players with 3 goals each.

World Cup Day Sixteen

Group F NETHERLANDS won their second and last group game 3-1 against Tunisia and became our second team to get double figures. Netherlands have a total of 10 goals. JAPAN drew 1-1 against SWEDEN and are on a total of 7 goals. Sweden are also on a total of 7 goals. Netherlands finished top with 7 points with Japan in second place with 5 points. Sweden are in third place with 4 points. Tunisia are fourth with no points. 

Group D USA lost their last game in the group 3-2 against TURKEY. USA have a total of 8 goals, while Turkey got out in style and pick up their only win and firsts goals with 3. PARAGUAY drew 0-0 with Australia and remin with 2 goals. USA are top with 6 points while Australia are second with 4 points. Paraguay are third with 4 points and Turkey are fourth with them 3 points. 

Group I FRANCE have won their third and final game in the first round by beating NORWAY 4-1. France are on a total of 10 goals while Norway are on 8 goals. SENEGAL have won their first game 5-0 against Iraq and have taken their goals tally to 8 goals.  France are top of the group with 9 points while Norway are in second place with 6 points. Senegal are third with 3 points. Iraq finished with no points.

World Cup Day Fifteen

Group A MEXICO won have won all three group games as they win their final game 3-0 against CZECH REPUBLIC. Mexico have a total of 6 goals, while Czech remain on just 2 goals. SOUTH KOREA lost 1-0 to South Africa and remain on 2 goals. Mexico are top with maximum points of 9. South Africa finished in second place with 4 points. South Korea end on 3 points while Czech Republic finish on 1 point. 

Group E another shock result in this World Cup and that is group leaders GERMANY lost their last game 2-1 to Ecuador after going a goal up in 2 minutes. Germany have a total of 10 goals. Curaçao lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast. Germany are through to the second round with 6 points. Ivory Coast also in the second round, are in second place also with 6 points. Ecuador are third with 3 points with Curaçao in fourth place with 1 point.

World Cup Day Fourteen

Group K Colombia won 1-0 against Dr Congo. Colombia are top after they have won both their games, with 6 points. Second is Portugal with 4 points. Third DR Congo with 1 point. Bottom of the group are Uzbekistan with no points. 

Group L After they were beaten by England in their first game, CROATIA won their second game 1-0 against Panama. Croatia have a total of 3 goals. England are top with 4 points, with Ghana second also on 4 points. Croatia are in third place with 3 points, and Panama with no points. 

They have now started our third and final games in the group stages and the games will be coming thick and fast. 

Group B SWITZERLAND have won two of their three games after they won 2-1 against CANADA. Switzerland drew their other game and are on a total of 7 goals. Canada have won one game, drew one and now lost one. They are on a total of 8 goals. Bosnia won their first and final game in the first round winning 3-1 against Qatar. Switzerland have finished top of the group with 7 points. In second place is Canada with 4 points while Bosnia in third place with 4 points. All three are in the second round. Qatar finished bottom with 1 point with their World Cup finished. 

Group C SCTOLAND lost their final group game, 3-0 to BRAZIL. Scotland have only managed to score one goal in this round. Brazil have taken their goals tally to 7 goals. MOROCCO won 4-2 against Haiti. With their biggest result to date, Morocco have a total of 6 goals. Brazil finished top of the group with 7 points with Morocco second, also on 7 points. Scotland end with 3 points but Haiti are out with no points.

Sheet Two

Here are the table's top 15 after all of our Golden Goals teams have now played their second game in the first round of the World Cup 2026.

As you can see from the table above, that David Barrett is in the lead now, after the second games of the first round. David’s teams are Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Norway.

We had three players that picked up the highest score after the first round second games with a total of 14 goals each. They are Simon Dickinson, Keith Rattle and Ian Smith. 

    GAME    GAME                                              GOALS

             TWO      ONE        NAME                             TOTAL 

                 1             3           D. BARRETT                       25

                 2           17           S. STUBBS                           24

                 3             7           S. THOMSON                      24

                 4           13           D. WOOD                             24

                 5           15           M. CASSE                            23

                 6             2           L. HARRINGTON               23

                 7           25           S. DICKINSON                    23

                 8             5           A. NEWMAN                       23

                 9           16           S. REEVE                             23

               10             4           J. WOOD                              23

               11           10           B. BURROUGHS                 22

               12             8           MANGO                               22

               13           35           I. SMITH                               22

               14             6           B. SOPER                              22

               15           24           A. STUBBS                           22

So who are the best teams that we have in the 2026 World Cup after the second set of games have now been played. Well, I can tell you that they are

GERMANY (9) NETHERLANDS (7) CANADA (7) FRANCE (6) total of 29 goals

All but six of our teams have scored in the second games in the first round, and they have collected a total of 58 goals. In the last Golden Goals World Cup, we reached a incredible total of 58 goals from the first round, second games. This is the best that we have had to date. The six teams that did not score are BELGIUM, ENGLAND, GHANA, SCOTLAND, SOUTH KOREA and TURKEY.

GERMANY still holds the current record for the highest score with that 7-1 win over Curacao in Group E in their opening game.

TURKEY from Group D are our worst team as they have all failed to score any goals in both of their opening games.

The fastest goal has been scored by Matías Galarza for Paraguay in Group C after they won 1-0 against Turkey in their second game in the first round. It took just 64 seconds (1 minute and 4 seconds)

Top goal scorers in the World Cup 2026 “Golden Boot” are Argentina’s Lionel Messi with 5 goals, and then he is followed by France’s Kylian Mbappe, and Norway’s Erling Haaland with 4 goals each.  Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David are on 3 goals each. We then have 20 players with 2 goals each.