Mexico, Switzerland and Brazil top their respective groups. A remarkable achievement by South Africa

As the final whistle blew, South Africa celebrated a historic qualification. It was a victory down to organisation and resilience.

Mexico, having already qualified and sitting top of the group, spent the first half largely playing for the result. The pace was slow, with plenty of possession and few risks taken. The Czech Republic stayed in the game thanks to their organisation and solid defence.

Then, in the second half, everything changed at the Azteca Stadium. In the 55th minute, Mateo Chávez received the ball in open play, cut into the box and coolly beat the goalkeeper: it was the goal that broke the deadlock. Six minutes later, in the 61st minute, they doubled their lead: a chaotic move, with the ball rebounding around the box, saw Julian Quiñones quickest to anticipate where it would land, and he slotted it home.

The Czech Republic tried to fight back, but left themselves exposed. Mexico remained in control and struck again in stoppage time: in the 94th minute, Álvaro Fidalgo received the ball on the edge of the box and curled a precise shot into the top corner, sealing a 3-0 victory.

Mexico – 9 points

South Africa – 4 points

South Korea – 3 points

Czech Republic – 1 pt 

In one of the opening Group B matches at BC Place in Vancouver, tension dominated the first half. Switzerland kept possession, whilst Canada defended well and looked to launch counter-attacks. There were few chances, and the pace was measured. The match changed immediately after the break. Less than two minutes into the second half, Ruben Vargas capitalised on a scramble in the box to put the Swiss ahead. The goal lifted the Swiss’s spirits, and they began to dominate the pitch and gain confidence.

A few minutes later, they doubled their lead: Johan Manzambi found space in the box and beat the goalkeeper, making it 2-0.

Canada seem to be struggling, but they’re not out of the game yet. In the 76th minute, Promise David, who had only just come on, capitalised on a defensive error to pull one back, bringing the game back to life.

The final minutes are fraught with tension: Canada are pushing hard, whilst Switzerland are defending with composure. The score remains unchanged. The Europeans finish top of the group.

Bosnia got off to a flying start in Seattle at Lumen Field and put the match on the right track right from the outset: young star Kerim Alajbegovic opened the scoring with a fine piece of play, weaving his way horizontally to the edge of the box and firing a shot past the goalkeeper’s left-hand side, putting his side ahead on the half-hour mark.

The second goal came shortly afterwards through Džeko, who struck the ball inside the box – perhaps in an attempt to cut it back across goal rather than shoot – only for it to be unluckily deflected by Qatar defender Sultan Al-Brake. The own goal and the 2–0 lead put the European side at ease; they controlled the tempo and the space, leaving Qatar with only sporadic attempts.

Before half-time, however, Qatar brought the match back to life: in the 42nd minute, Hassn Al Haydos scored from close range, introducing a touch of uncertainty once again.

In the second half, Bosnia kept their cool, didn’t sit back and bided their time. With ten minutes to go, Ermin Mahmic sealed the victory with a goal to make it 3–1.

Switzerland – 7 points

Canada – 4 points

Bosnia – 4 points

Qatar – 1 point

A thrilling, virtually non-stop match in Atlanta at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Throwing Morocco’s tactical plans into disarray, Haiti got off to a flying start: in the 10th minute, they took the lead thanks to an own goal by Bounou. Morocco took a while to react, created a few chances and only managed to equalise in the 39th minute through Hakimi. But before they’d even had time to settle, Haiti regained the lead in the 43rd minute when Wilson Isidor unleashed a thunderbolt from around twenty metres out, catching the Moroccan goalkeeper off guard.

The back-and-forth continues. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Morocco equalise once again: Hakimi breaks down the right and delivers a low cross into the box, and striker Saibari scores the equaliser: 2–2 in the 46th minute.

The momentum shifted in the second half: Morocco stepped up their technical and physical game, whilst Haiti were no longer able to maintain the high tempo and inevitably ceded the initiative to their opponents. In the 78th minute, Rahimi put his side ahead, and in the closing stages, Yassine (89’) sealed the victory.

Contrary to pre-match predictions, the match between Brazil and Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was a one-sided affair. The Scots were overwhelmed from the very start, despite having qualification at stake.

Brazil took control of the match right from the start. In the 7th minute, Vinicius Jr capitalised on a defensive lapse to make it 1–0. The Seleção dictated the pace, controlled possession and conceded almost nothing. Scotland tried to stay in the game but struggled to create any real chances. And just as the first half was drawing to a close, the goal that finally broke the deadlock arrived: in the 45+2nd minute, Vinicius scored again with a header to complete his brace.

Brazil controlled the second half with ease, showing pace, quality and depth, and made it 3–0 in the 60th minute through centre-forward Cunha.

Brazil – 7 points

Morocco – 7 points

Scotland – 3 points

Haiti – 0 points