Rise of a Football God

At the same time as Portugal took on Czech Republic at the AT&T, Senegal also took on Iraq at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in USA.

(GROUP J:)

(Senegal vs Iraq)

(Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 27th, 2026)

(Time: 20:00)

Senegal vs Iraq was pretty straight forward.

Senegal approached the game with a firm iron hand, and they dominated. The game ended 2-0 in Senegal's favor, the 2 goals coming in the first half, a lead that Senegal held on to till the end of the game.

With that result, all the Group J games came to an end.

Czech Republic secured qualification, but it was due to being part of the best 3rd-placed teams in the group stage.

With Senegal's win over Iraq, Senegal maintained their 2nd position in the league, sending them straight to the knockouts.

…

(GROUP K:)

(Uruguay vs Switzerland)

(Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico)

(Date: June 28th, 2026)

(Time: 15:00)

The next day after the Portugal, Czech Republic, and Senegal thrillers in USA, football fans moved to Mexico for another blockbuster FIFA World Cup clash at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico.

It was a clash between 2 fierce South American teams.

In high altitude, with the temperature hot and electric, there were over 87,000 fans in attendance at the stadium.

It was a game when giants collide at altitude.

This was more than football, this was a battle of pride in one of the world's most iconic stadiums.

The stakes were monumental: winner tops Group K, loser risks a trickier knockout path. The Azteca was drowning in green; a sea of Mexican support, chanting, hoping.

But Uruguay?

Uruguay came to kill giants quietly. They had one of the most fearsome teams in the World Cup. Their blend of old-school grit and new-age dynamism was ready to test Mexico's fire.

Mexico started in a 4-3-3, Guillermo Ochoa playing another World Cup for Mexico as the captain, with a defensive quadruple of Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, and Gallardo standing in front of him.

In midfield was the trio of Edson Alvarez, Luis Chavez, and Erick Gutierrez, while the attacking trio were Chucky Lozano, Santi Gimenez, and Uriel Antuna.

As for Uruguay, they started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Sergio Rochet started in goal as the goalkeeper, a defensive quadruple of Ronald Araujo, Jose Maria Gimenez, Coates, and Matias Vina sitting ahead of him in defense.

The midfield had Ugarte, Valverde, De La Cruz, Pellistri, and Facundo Torres, while Darwin Nunez led the line as the striker.

The first half was a game of blow for blow.

Mexico roared out of the tunnel like a team possessed. Lozano tore down the flanks, while Edson Alvarez anchored the midfield like a bulldozer.

But Uruguay absorbed. And waited, like patient hunters. Assassins.

And then, they struck early, as early as the 15th minute.

Valverde sprayed a switch to Pellistri, who burned Gallardo and cut the ball low into the six-yard box. Nunez timed his run perfectly and smashed it into the net with a thunderous hit.

Uruguay 1-0 Mexico.

Silence. Then whistles all over the stadium.

Mexico regrouped.

And then, they responded in the 33rd minute from a set piece.

It was a set piece masterpiece. Luis Chavez delivered a floating free kick, and Santi Gimenez rose high to bullet a header past Rochet, setting the stadium aflame in Mexican cheers.

BOOM!

Mexican fans roared at the top of their lungs. Azteca erupted like a volcano.

1-1.

But just as Mexico found rhythm, Uruguay struck again in the 43rd minute of the game.

This time, it was the Uruguayan captain, Federico Valverde.

A half-clearance fell to the Real Madrid man 25 yards out. One touch to control the ball, one look, and then…

POW!

A missile into the top corner. Ochoa dived, but he never stood a chance.

2-1, just like that.

A captain's goal. A silencer.

The first half of the game came to an end with Uruguay leading.

When the second half came about, Mexico went all-in. Antuna was relentless. Lozano danced through defenders. Chavez tried from range, twice. But Uruguay dug trenches.

Ugarte and Valverde covered every blade of Azteca grass. Gimenez and Coates won everything aerial. Every minute felt longer than the last.

And then in the 74th minute, the fans had their hearts in their throats as Uruguay's Rochet made a double save, denying Lozano and Chavez!

It was crazy. The atmosphere was just insane.

Lozano fired low from inside the box, Rochet saved with his feet. Chavez pounced on the rebound, Rochet clawed it wide.

World-class. Game-saving.

Sergio Rochet could save the f*cking Titanic!

The final minutes were even more action-packed.

Berterame came on for Mexico. So did Orbelin Pineda. Mexico threw everyone forward in a bid to attack and get the equalizer.

And then, in the 90th plus 3 minute, Chavez went down in the box.

Screams! From the players and fans.

But VAR confirmed: it was a clean tackle by Coates. Azteca howled in disbelief and grief as Mexican fans wallowed in regret.

Nothing they did could stop it. Uruguay won the bragging rights battle. The game came to an end 2-1 in Uruguay's favor.

And with that result, Uruguay topped Group K with 9 points. Mexico also finished second with 4 points and advanced to the knockouts.

It was a footballing classic played in one of the sport's great temples.

The man of the match award? Federico Valverde, Uruguay's captain scooped it home with his 1 goal which was a screamer, 4 tackles, 5 ball recoveries, and 2 key passes to round up an imperious midfield performance.

When Uruguay needed calm and fire, El Halcon gave them both.

The post-match reactions showed just how proud the players of both teams were by their respective performances.

Darwin Nunez stood in front of the media.

"We love these moments. In their fortress, under pressure, and we showed our teeth".

Guillermo Ochoa, the veteran goalkeeper also had a word or two to say.

"We fought. We leave this game proud. But Uruguay were ruthless tonight".

Fox Sports Mexico? They went fully lyrical.

"A stinger in the Azteca. Mexico pushed, Mexico believed, but Uruguay? Uruguay executed".

The final Group K Standings had Uruguay in 1st with 9 points, Mexico in 2nd with 4 points, Switzerland in 3rd place with 4 points, advancing as one of the best third-placed teams, and DR Congo in 4th with 2 points, eliminated.

Uruguay marched into the round of 32 like a storm with discipline.

Mexico advanced battered, but unbroken, and eager to strike back.