Michael Kenrick 26/06/2026 43comments  |  Jump to last

Today sees the penultimate batch of six games in the next three groups to be decided before we move into the Round of 32 on Sunday. 

Everton's best player, Iliman Ndiaye, has struggled to get selected for Senegal, playing only 25 minutes of the first group game, raising uncomfortable questions about the lack of end-product from his dazzling dribbles.  

 

Friday 26 June 2026

20:00 Norway v France  (Group I) — ITV 1  
20:00 Senegal v Iraq (Group I) — ITV 4  
01:00 Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia (Group H) — ITV 4  01:00 Uruguay v Spain (Group H) — ITV 1 
04:00 Egypt v Iran (Group G) — BBC 2 
04:00 New Zealand v Belgium (Group G) — BBC 1

 

Reader Comments (43)

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Edward Rogers
1 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:00:29
No Illy again!!!
Michael Kenrick
2 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:00:38
Idrissa Gana Gueye starts for Senegal...

But yet again, our brilliant dribbler, Iliman Ndiaye, does not. He is left on the bench.
Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:06:07
Idrissa with a typical shot, I think, going wide before it was deflected for a corner...

From which they score!
Michael Kenrick
4 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:07:16
Brilliant Dembele goal in the other game.

Just hit it!
Jim Bennings
5 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:07:31
France look like the team to stop in this tournament, should be 3-0 up after 6 minutes
Michael Kenrick
6 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:11:31
And Senegal jump over Scotland in the third-place table, sending them home (as it stands).

Natural justice served.
Michael Kenrick
7 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:13:59
Red card for stupid last-man foul by Iraq.

Good decision.
Jim Bennings
8 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:19:36
Dembele with another cracker, what a player.
Michael Kenrick
9 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:20:31
That was a superb finish from Dembele.
Jim Bennings
10 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:20:37
Norway hit back, this is poised to be a cracker of a game.
Michael Kenrick
11 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:21:56
Just opened up in front of the Norwegian.
Jim Bennings
12 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:32:38
Dembele, perfect trio.
Jeff Armstrong
13 Posted 26/06/2026 at 20:33:28
Dembele has only played about 20 games last season, mostly Champions League, the French league is a just a rest between internationals and Europe.

No fatigue with Dembele. Iraq's #14 Iqbal is a great technical midfielder
Andrew Merrick
14 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:02:39
Norway defending is woeful, not close enough, deserve be thumped here.

Keeper has kept it a bit respectable, but France have the skill set to rip these guys.
Paul Griffiths
15 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:12:44
Ndiaye getting a long warm up over half-time. Could well be coming on soon.
Edward Rogers
16 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:15:52
Woeful penalty from a woeful player. How much did Palace pay??? Whatever it was, it was way too much.
Jeff Armstrong
17 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:17:34
I think it’s time to say goodbye to Gana Gueye, been fabulous player for us but I believe it’s time to call it a day.
Paul Griffiths
18 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:21:41
Here's Illy
Paul Griffiths
19 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:26:39
What a fecking goal - stunner - Senegal 3-0
Andrew Merrick
20 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:40:25
See Illy's got one, any good?
Mike Gaynes
21 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:41:49
Nice assist by our Ili.

Two great strikes for Pape Gueye, for whom we are reported to be bidding.
Andrew Merrick
22 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:42:43
Ah an assist
Edward Rogers
23 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:45:14
Possibly England v Senegal in the next round as it stands??
Mike Gaynes
24 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:46:08
Yep, very nice knockdown header to set up Gueye.
Michael Kenrick
25 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:48:38
Ndiaye tried a little trik there that did not come off.

He has done very little of his trademark dribbling.

Until now, when he produced a brilliant fifth!
Robert Birks
26 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:49:49
Yessss mamma.
Ndiaye not just put another 25m on his asking price with that whopper!
Jeff Armstrong
27 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:50:06
Added 5 million to his price
Paul Griffiths
28 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:50:10
thats another 5 mill
Paul Griffiths
29 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:50:10
thats another 5 mill
Mike Gaynes
30 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:50:57
That's a RIPPER
Jeff Armstrong
31 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:51:24
Ha ha PG great minds🤪
Robert Birks
32 Posted 26/06/2026 at 21:51:59
In my excitement I put NOT
Paul Griffiths
33 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:01:40
Proud to be with you Jeff!
Paul Griffiths
34 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:04:47
I really like that Senegal shirt, second only to Japan's second shirt.
Neil Tyrrell
35 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:06:08
Why rest Haaland and Odegard when you had a chance to win the group? Only got home for the last 1/2 hour so apologies if I missed an explanation, seems like a concession from Norway though.

Never would have guessed Oscar Bobb was Norwegian from his name, and what a name it is. Oscar Bobb! Makes me smile every time the commentator says it.
Paul Griffiths
36 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:21:16
Neil (35), not as good as Fabian Assmann.

I actually - please don't ask why - have a list of chuckle names.

This is a formidable 11.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel
Danny Invincibile
Jermaine McSporran
Jim Morrison Varela
Climax Lawrence
Norman Conquest
Toaster Nsabata
Kevin Lasagna
Mark De Man
Wolfgang Wolf
Creedence Clearwater Couto
Neil Tyrrell
37 Posted 27/06/2026 at 01:21:33
That's a pretty damn great list Paul, but I have to think you made the last one up
Paul Griffiths
38 Posted 27/06/2026 at 02:25:14
I didn't mate. Honest Guv. Google him.
Mike Gaynes
39 Posted 27/06/2026 at 06:04:28
And the day ends with maybe the most insane five minute stretch I’ve ever seen in a World Cup match. I’m not gonna even try to describe how Iran and Egypt ended.
Mike Gaynes
40 Posted 27/06/2026 at 06:06:07
Neil, that last one is definitely legitimate.

He no doubt considered himself a Fortunate Son.
Paul Griffiths
41 Posted 27/06/2026 at 07:08:35
It was brilliant MG. I felt sorry for Iran. That was harsh disallowing the goal. I'm bookmarking that for ages to come. Iran v New Zealand was a great match too MG. Iran can play, and Just scored again today. He's worth looking at, IMO, coached very well at Motherwell.

I imagine that Fortunate Son is a CCR song MG. you don't like them too, do you?
Edward Rogers
42 Posted 27/06/2026 at 16:55:11
" Norman Conquest" Paul? Was he born in October 1966? I sincerely hope so😜
Mike Gaynes
43 Posted 27/06/2026 at 17:22:22
PG #41, yes, it's a famous CCR song. An anti-Vietnam anthem. You'll hear it anytime you see a documentary about that war. Ken Burns used it extensively.

I was more of a John Fogerty fan than a CCR fan. Proud Mary is of course legendary, and as a terrible baseball player I have always loved Centerfield, the best baseball song ever.

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