NOVEL WEB Chapter 486: FIFA World Cup 2026 [17]
Matchday 1 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an end on 19th June, and just the next day, with no rest day in between, matchday 2 started.
Of course, the clubs that were to play on 20th June already had more than enough time to rest and prepare for their next games.
Matchday 2 of the FIFA World Cup was opened by 2 Group A countries, Ghana and Japan this time.
The African and Asian countries clashed in the biggest stage of football.
(GROUP A:)
(Ghana vs Japan)
(Venue: BC Place, Canada)
(Date: June 20th, 2026)
(Time: 14:00)
In their matchday 1 encounters, Ghana got the maximum 3 points against Mexico while Japan could only settle for a draw against Poland.
And now, these 2 countries clashed.
The pressure was on Japan to win their first game of the tournament to amass points as soon as possible, while Ghana were also under pressure to win their second game of the tournament to secure their knockout stage qualification.
With the likes of Kamada and Kauro Mitoma in the Japanese lineup, they held nothing back on the afternoon. But the same thing could be said for the Ghanian side as they lined up with the likes of Thomas Partey, Mohamed Kudus, and Jordan Ayew all on the pitch.
FWEEE!
The game started and all hell broke loose.
Both nations held nothing back, playing their trademark football.
But they were cautious at the back. After all, despite the fact that they wanted to win, what they wanted even more than winning was to not lose.
And so, both countries played their hearts out without being too risky in attack so that their backline would not be exposed in a turnover.
The first half came to an end in a goalless draw.
In the 77th minute, Karou Mitoma finally opened the scoring only for it to be ruled out for a foul involved in the buildup.
Ghana never found the back of the net, but that was ok.
The fulltime whistle sounded after an exciting 90 minutes clash, and at the end, both countries shared the spoils.
The game ended 0-0.
…
(GROUP A:)
(Poland vs Mexico)
(Venue: Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico)
(Date: June 20th, 2026)
(Time: 20:00)
6 hours after Ghana and Japan's clash, Poland took on Mexico in another Group A encounter.
Both countries were under pressure to perform. And early in the first half, Poland opened the scoring, the ageless Lewandowski scoring from a header to make it 1-0 at just 6 minutes.
Poland maintained their lead through the first half to the second, for majority of the game till Mexico tore them open in the 78th minute.
Mexican midfielder, Alvarado sent the Estadio Guadalajara aflame as he scored a piledriver from 30 yards out, stunning Poland.
78 minutes, 1-1.
All of Poland's hard work for almost 80 minutes went down the drain just like that. But it was not over yet, the final 10 minutes of this game was a classic.
During the final 10 minutes, both countries upped the tempo, desperate to get the winner and get their FIFA World Cup campaign ignited.
Poland did it again, Piatkowski scoring to make it 2-1 in the 86th minute.
But then in additional time, Mexico spoiled the party a second time, Vasquez rising highest from a corner kick, heading home to make it 2-2.
BOOM!
The Estadio Guadalajara exploded, local Mexican fans celebrating exuberantly.
The game came to an end 2-2.
What a game.
…
(GROUP B:)
(Morocco vs South Korea)
(Venue: Lumen Field, USA)
(Date: June 21st, 2026)
(Time: 15:00)
The next day, Morocco took on South Korea in USA in the first Group B clash of matchday 2.
Having suffered defeat to France in matchday 1, Morocco were out for blood but South Korea was up for the fight.
South Korea scored first in the 12th minute only for Morocco to equalize in the 18th minute. 2 rapid fire goals made it clear that this game was going to be a classic, and as the minutes progressed, football fans were not disappointed.
The game was a banger.
Just before halftime, South Korea stunned Morocco, scoring twice in the 43rd and 44th minute to make it 1-3, leaving the Africans stunned.
But Morocco refused to accept their fate.
In the 2nd half, the Atlas Lions came out of their shell like ancient predators who finally woke up from a millennium of slumber.
Morocco pushed forward in attack like mad men on an impossible mission.
Achraf Hakimi played more like a winger than a right back this second half, spearheading the attack for Morocco from the right with his electric pace and skill.
Despite Morocco's effort, South Korea stayed compact, playing their game, frustrating Morocco till the Moroccan captain took matters into his own hand.
It happened in the 70th minute.
Taking the ball from deep, Achraf Hakimi ran like a hurricane, penetrating deep into the South Korean defense, obliterating players with his electric pace and skill and just as the goalkeeper charged out, he poked the ball underneath his legs, scoring a cheeky goal.
"C'MON!!!" Hakimi screamed at the fans at the top of the lungs, giving the Moroccan fans a new mission.
His roar had one significance, a very important one; there was still hope.
And so, the fans roared, turning the stadium into a cauldron of noise.
South Korea played their game, Morocco also played their game. Morocco pushed, fueled by the energy of their fans, but South Korea stood their ground, till the final 10 minutes of the game.
Just like yesterday's game between Poland and Mexico, magic happened in the final 10 minutes of this clash as Morocco entered Super Saiyan mode.
Brahim Diaz exploded to life in the 81st minute, playing a series of one two passes with Achraf Hakimi before exploding into the box and unleashing a powerful shot at goal that beat the goalkeeper.
3-3!
The stadium was going haywire.
3-3 now, and yet Morocco was not done.
6 minutes later, in the 87th minute of the game, Achraf Hakimi did it again, floating the ball into the net for En-Nesyri to leap highest, connecting to the ball to score and make it 4-3.
BOOM!
The stadium exploded.
In additional time, South Korea tried everything to draw back level but they could not do it.
The game came to an end 4-3 in Morocco's favor.
Achraf Hakimi won the man of the match award.