Rise of a Football God

The next day after Spain tore Italy's famed defense apart at the NRG Stadium in USA, helped massively by a brilliant Rodri, Colombia took on Iraq at the Mercedez Benz Stadium in USA.

(GROUP G:)

(Colombia vs Iraq)

(Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 26th, 2026)

(Time: 16:00)

Having lost their first group stage game against a rampant Germany side, despite Luis Diaz's brilliant 2-goal performance, Colombia was out with a mission this time, and the fury of their determination was directed at Iraq.

Iraq were no weak team by any means, but faced against this spirited Colombia side, they could not do much to weather the storm.

Colombia started as early as the 6th minute of the game, and it was Luis Diaz again, taking the ball from the left before dribbling through the middle in his first meaningful contribution of the game.

And that first contribution ended up being the first goal as Luis Diaz dribbled through 4 players before playing the ball in between the legs of the goalkeeper to make it 1-0 to Colombia.

The Colombian national football team took a cue from their star player, taking the baton from where he stopped and riding aggressively.

Luis Diaz was involved throughout as Colombia threatened.

In the 23rd minute, after another electric dribble down the right side of the pitch, Luis Diaz cut it back for James Rodriguez who rolled back the years with a stunning volley shot that tore through Iraq's defense like a hot knife through butter.

The goalkeeper stood no chance, diving hopelessly as the ball shot past him and into the net like a missile.

2-0.

It was still not over yet.

Luis Diaz completed an electric first half display by passing to Lerman, the Colombian midfielder who decided to try his luck, shooting a long range shot from outside the box that connected perfectly, maybe a bit too perfectly to his boot.

POW!

The sound of the ball being hit was too sweet.

It flew like a missile, straight towards the acute angle of the top left corner before nestling into the net where it belonged.

3-0.

The Mercedez Benz Stadium was a cauldron of noise as excited Colombian fans celebrated exuberantly, too excited to tone the noise down.

The first half came to an end with the game 3-0 in Colombia's favor.

Iraq was down and out.

During halftime, the Colombian national team coach told his players to take it easy so as to avoid injuries. He told them to simply enjoy themselves on the pitch.

The 2nd half started and Colombia did just that.

It was not like a FIFA World Cup game anymore. Rather, it seemed like a Colombian talent show as from Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez to the least Colombian national team player, they all enjoyed themselves with the ball, dribbling, nutmegging players, compiling highlight reels on the pitch.

At some point, Iraq was just pitiful.

They had zero shots on target in the first half, and in the 2nd, they had only 1 shot on target.

In the 82nd minute, Lucumi, one of the Colombian center backs rose highest to a corner kick, heading the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 4-0 to Colombia.

Colombia won the game comfortably, getting the much coveted 3 points.

Luis Diaz got the man of the match with his vintage performance.

And he became the first player in this FIFA World Cup to receive a 10/10 performance rating by reputable channels this World Cup.

He was unplayable on the pitch.

…

That same day, hours later, Honduras took on Germany.

(GROUP G:)

(Honduras vs Germany)

(Venue: AT&T Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 26th, 2026)

(Time: 20:00)

Against Honduras, the Germany national football coach, Julian Nagelsmann decided to do some experiments, heavily rotating his team, starting the likes of Rudiger and Jamal Musiala all in the bench.

It resulted in a shocking 2-0 Honduras lead by the 21st minute of the game.

Florian Wirtz later pulled one back in the 43rd minute, making it 1-2 but Germany were trailing by halftime.

During the second half though, Julian Nagelsmann finally pulled the plug, unleashing his talents that were on the bench.

Antonio Rudiger got the equalizer in the 66th minute, rising highest from a corner to head past the goalkeeper and into the net.

In the 75th minute, Jamal Musiala did it, dribbling through 3 players with blistering pace and skill before scoring to give Germany the lead.

What a comeback!

And yet, Germany were not done yet.

Leroy Sane was introduced into the game in the 78th minute and in the 83rd minute, he received the ball before bursting into the box with pace and curling a finesse shot past the goalkeeper into the top right corner.

2-4 to Germany.

And just like that, Germany were back.

The game ended 2-4 in Germany's favor.

…

(GROUP H:)

(Algeria vs USA)

(Venue: Estadio BBVA, Mexico)

(Date: June 27th, 2026)

(Time: 15:00)

The next day after Germany's comeback against Honduras, Algeria took on USA in a must win game for the United State's national football team.

With pressure on their shoulders, the captain of the United State's national football team performed in the big stage, Christian Pulisic stealing the headlines with a scintillating 2-goal display for USA.

His first goal came in the 32nd minute and his 2nd came in the 48th minute, scattered in between an Algerian equalizer in the 39th minute of the game.

The game didn't really have that special something, that moment that would make fans rise to their feet in awe, but both countries played their best football.

The dying stages of the game was especially tense and cagey for the Americans as the Algerian players fought tooth and nail for the equalizer.

They bruised, harried, and bashed the American football players with their physicality, making them fight for every ball, sweat in every duel.

In the end, when the final whistle sounded, a few American players collapsed on the pitch as they were exhausted after such a grueling game.

USA won by a narrow 1-2 victory.