Show of strength from the US, Brazil and Morocco. A flop for Montella’s Turkey

Three goals that say a lot: high-pressing, immediate ball recovery, and clear technical superiority in one-on-one situations. When the Seleção step up a gear, they are in a league of their own, and in the closing stages they came close to scoring a fourth on several occasions (Endrick even scored a fourth goal, which was ruled out for offside).

Haiti are holding their own in the second half, but their resilience is more emotional than competitive. Their best chance came in the 63rd minute, with a header saved by Alisson.

Group C

Brazil – 4 points

Morocco – 4 points

Scotland – 3 points

Haiti – 0 points

In Seattle, at Lumen Field, the United States took the lead in Group D with the authority of a side that knows exactly when to step up a gear. A textbook first half: high pressing, pace and width. The lead was the result of pressure, not chance: Balogun broke through on the left, delivered a low cross, and the Australian Burgess deflected it into his own net.

It’s a sign of technical and mental dominance. The second goal came just before half-time: Dest took a shot, the deflected ball turned into an assist, and Freeman was first to react, heading it home.

Australia regained control of the game, though not dominance: they pushed higher up the pitch but never managed to find the net consistently. The USA saw out the match, allowing only the illusion that the game was back in the balance. Australia grew into the game, with substitute Volpato creating the most serious threats, but failing to find the back of the net. In fact, it was Balogun who came close to scoring a third goal in the first half, only to be denied by Circati.

A second win for the USA, with qualification already in the bag, and a few historic milestones to mark the occasion (their first back-to-back wins since 1930).

The other Group D match takes place in Santa Clara, at Levi’s Stadium; it is a chaotic affair that confirms the failure of Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey side. Paraguay, in fact, take the lead after just two minutes through Galarza, thanks to a run into the box and a clinical finish. Turkey responded with sheer volume: Muldur hit the woodwork twice in the first half; they created a great chance late on through Uzun, which was saved by goalkeeper Gill; and they won eleven corners, but lacked any real clarity.

The match then took a different turn with Almirón’s sending-off, which left the South Americans down to ten men for over a half. The player was shown a red card for covering his mouth with his hand whilst speaking to an opponent, in accordance with the new rule introduced to combat racism and ensure lip-reading is possible.

Yet Paraguay remain in the game, sitting deep and defending their 0-1 lead. In the closing stages, Turkey lay siege to the goal, but lacked accuracy: plenty of shots, but no goals.

It was a match of missed opportunities. Montella’s Turkey are out of the World Cup, and they’ve gone out in style. Two matches, zero points. A team that looks more like an incomplete idea than a proper project. Even against a Paraguay side reduced to ten men, at the very moment they needed to turn their pressure into a result, everything was missing: quality in the final third, composure, character.

Group D

United States – 6 points

Australia – 3 points

Paraguay – 3 points

Turkey – 0 points