Early Upsets as Giants Stumble
In Group C, title favourites Brazil began their campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Morocco. After Ismael Saibari put Morocco ahead in the 21st minute, Vinicius Junior found an equaliser in the 32nd, but Brazil were unable to secure a winning goal [1].
Group B also saw a dramatic finish. Switzerland took the lead via a Breel Embolo penalty, only to be denied victory in stoppage time. Qatar captain Boualem Khoukhi's late header sealed a 1-1 draw, earning his nation a historic first-ever point at the World Cup [2].
In contrast, co-hosts USA enjoyed a commanding start, defeating Paraguay 4-1. Folarin Balogun was key to the victory, scoring twice to get his team's tournament off to a flying start [3].
Japan Face Dutch Test After Captaincy Shock
Japan are set to open their tournament against the Netherlands in Dallas tonight. The team was dealt a major blow just before the start, with captain Wataru Endo forced to withdraw due to injury before announcing his retirement from international football [4]. Defender Ko Itakura has been named the new captain, and forward Shuto Machino has been called up as a replacement. With Kaoru Mitoma also unavailable, Japan face a tough challenge against the formidable Dutch side.
Tonight's Schedule (JST)
The overnight action continues with Germany vs. Curacao at 2:00 AM JST. This is followed by Japan's opener against the Netherlands at 5:00 AM, broadcast on NHK General and DAZN. At 8:00 AM, Cote d'Ivoire will take on Ecuador.
Related Links
Links to the official releases and reporting used for this article.
