MISTY, WATER-COLOURED MEMORIES
As the Geopolitics World Cup gradually recedes into the background, we find ourselves faced with the mundane July lull filled with pre-season friendlies and transfer rumors. Yet, it’s worthwhile to take a moment to reflect on the grand spectacle of the 48-team, 104-game, 308-goal tournament that has captivated us for six weeks. Here are 48 moments that remind us why this World Cup deserves to be cherished, free from political distractions.
The tournament kicked off with a thrilling match between Mexico and South Africa, which saw three red cards issued, while ITV showcased a stunning Manhattan backdrop. Germany made a strong statement by defeating Curaçao 7-1, with the Caribbean side’s lone goal sending Telemundo commentators into a frenzy. Vozinha’s remarkable saves kept Cape Verde in the spotlight, even allowing his mother to see him perform live.
Veteran Lionel Messi lit up the group stages with six goals, briefly claiming the title of the World Cup’s all-time top scorer. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance fluctuated wildly—he was poor, briefly revived, and then faded again. Scottish fans left a lasting impression on the tournament, adopting Boston as their spiritual hub. England demonstrated a dazzling attacking display against Croatia, a level of play they failed to replicate later, while Anthony Barry channeled a frustrated lower-league manager during his half-time interviews.
While it may be time for a hydration break, Mauricio Pochettino accidentally knocked over the Powerade. He embraced his role as a middle-aged actor portraying a World Cup coach, and the US team briefly appeared formidable before losing their momentum. Co-host Canada celebrated their inaugural World Cup victory in style, scoring six goals against Qatar, who received two red cards. Also sent off was Miguel Almirón for a seemingly innocuous gesture of covering his mouth while speaking—an act that did little to help Turkey, who exited after two matches despite firing off an astounding 1,057 shots on goal.
In Group E, Japan maintained composure both on and off the pitch, while Sweden showed inconsistency, alternating between wins and a 5-1 loss. Herve Rénard’s unexpected presence stirred curiosity, and Ecuador’s coach Sebastián Beccacece, dubbed a “Kevin carried the love of the game on his sleeve, there’s no question about that, and that carried right on to the fans, to the players,” caught many eyes. Marcelo Bielsa could only watch in despair as Uruguay crumbled before our eyes. Riyad Mahrez perplexed everyone by putting Algeria ahead 3-2 against Austria, who quickly equalized, further complicating matters for Iran, which had a last-minute goal against Egypt disallowed by VAR.
It’s time for another hydration break, sponsored by the exhilarating taste of goals. Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral delivered what may be the tournament’s most memorable goal and celebration against Argentina, who responded with their own extra-time magic courtesy of Julián Alvarez. Haiti’s Wilson Isidor and Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov joined the ranks of World Cup’s forgotten heroes with their goals, while Egypt’s brilliant counter against Argentina was regrettably ruled out. Their fiery manager, Hossam Hassan, reacted passionately.
The knockout stages introduced a harsher reality, with Germany eliminated by Paraguay’s cunning tactics and the Dutch falling to a Morocco side that lived up to expectations. The match between Portugal and Croatia was filled with drama, while Belgium seemed more likely to quarrel among themselves than mount a comeback against Senegal. The Battle of the Azteca was a highlight, with England players throwing themselves at every opportunity, Javier Aguirre delivering the tournament’s best touchline moment, and Harry Kane struggling to maintain his voice. Brazil’s shaky journey met its end as Erling Haaland’s ruthless precision led Norway to victory, with Haaland dominating both defenses and social media alike. Neymar, meanwhile, garnered the Mark Corrigan award for achieving victory in the most understated manner.
As we moved into the quarter-finals, Kylian Mbappé showcased his skills while France appeared nearly invincible, and Spain conceded a goal that turned Charles De Ketelaere into a trivia answer for eternity. Breel Embolo’s unnecessary dive was captured in 4K, England benefited from a bit of divine intervention against Norway, Gabriel Clarke stirred the pot, and Danny Murphy shared the sobering tale of Bob the Cat. The semi-finals were defined by two key moments: Lamine Yamal bewildering Lucas Digne and the failure of seven defenders to contain Enzo Fernández. Oh, England!
The tournament’s highlight came in the third-place playoff, a chaotic match won 6-4 by England, with Mbappé padding his stats on the way to the Golden Boot. The final, however, lacked the same excitement, with Wayne Rooney summarizing the chaotic half-time show, and Fernández’s careless second yellow card encapsulating Argentina’s lackluster performance. Ultimately, the most significant moment belonged to Ferran Torres, who sealed the deal.
After a tournament filled with tedious celebrity-spotting, it was refreshing to see Javier Bardem and Carlos Alcaraz genuinely celebrating Spain’s triumph, as Keyne Yamal transformed the pitch into his playground. Looking ahead, Luis de la Fuente’s red-and-gold army will be co-hosting the next tournament, where we may need to compile 64 unforgettable moments. We’ll begin preparations, and you can start making your predictions for the 2030 World Cup.
KEVIN KEEGAN (1951-2026)
In the last 24 hours, tributes have been flooding in for Kevin Keegan following his passing at the age of 75. His illustrious playing career remains unparalleled—he is the only British player to have been named European Footballer of the Year twice, securing three league titles with Liverpool and the European Cup, while also dominating the Bundesliga with Hamburg and representing England for a decade. However, his influence as one of football’s early celebrity icons cannot be quantified by trophies alone, given his numerous TV appearances, advertisements, and even a top 40 hit. His tumultuous managerial career is also remembered, particularly his explosive encounter with Alex Ferguson in 1996. Ferguson remarked, “That period at Newcastle was of emotion, it was excitement. They brought these great players to the club too and they added to it, and it gave Newcastle – I think – their best ever team.” Among a cascade of tributes, Alan Shearer succinctly expressed his sentiments: “My hero. My manager. My friend. Sleep easy Boss.”
For further insights into Keegan’s extraordinary career as both a player and manager, check out Rob Draper’s tribute, Richard Williams’ obituary, and Louise Taylor’s coverage of his three eras at Newcastle, alongside a collection of his life in photographs.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“As time goes by, you realise there is something much bigger than just a result. For years, this group has represented the team in the best possible way. It teaches that competing isn’t just about winning; it’s about giving your all for the jersey and never giving up. It has been a privilege to be part of a group that always stepped up, competed at the highest level, and defended these colours with pride, humility, and commitment” Enzo Fernández reflected on Argentina’s performance despite their challenges in the GWC final, though his grasp of “pride” and “humility” seems tenuous as they return home.
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FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
If you have letters to share, please send them to the.boss@. Today’s prizeless letter of the day goes to … John Myles. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.
- This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
“President Trump confused (yesterday’s Football Daily)? Maybe that was due to someone telling him that Spain, which he has persistently criticized for not investing enough in defense, actually had the best defense of all the GWC participants,”
wrote John Myles.
“Despite your rather mixed review (yesterday’s Football Daily), I actually thought the GWC was quite good. My main focus was the Golden Boot race. Forget match quality or results. With so many elite scorers netting goals, it was quite intriguing to see who would emerge on top. For a brief time, one of my compatriots, Elijah Just, had the audacity to be in the running with his three goals for New Zealand. Exciting,”
shared Rod de Lisle.
“So the third-place game was 90 minutes of pointless action, and the final was a shot-for-shot remake of the 2010 version? How fittingly American,”
commented Rowan Sweeney.
