With 50 matches still left to be played in North America, and the vast majority of Matchday 3 finales still ahead, this 161-goal opening salvo means the 2026 tournament is mathematically projected to shatter past the 280-goal milestone, setting a baseline that may not be touched for decades.

Due to the structural tree of the expanded 48-team tournament, a dream World Cup final between the two South American heavyweights - Argentina and Brazil - is mathematically impossible.

“There is a player more dangerous than Cristiano Ronaldo… it’s Cristiano Ronaldo who didn’t score in the previous match.”

The African team, playing in the tournament for the fourth time, finished second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, who had a perfect record of three wins out of three.

For years, football authorities have promoted technology as the answer to the game's biggest controversies. Goal-line technology, semi-automated offside systems and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) were all introduced in a bid to make the sport fairer and more accurate.

Brought on for the last 12 minutes with his team 2-0 up against the Czech Republicand cruising into the knockout phase as Group A winners, Ochoa lapped up the acclaim of fans at the Azteca stadium, the venue where he made his senior debut with Club America in 2004.

The controversy erupted in the 22nd minute after Scotland defender Jack Hendry hesitated in possession deep inside his own half. Vinicius pounced, won the ball and raced through before calmly finishing past goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Mateo Chavez gave Mexico the lead in the 55th minute and Julian Quinones took advantage of disarray in the Czech defence six minutes later to extend the lead.

South Africa had failed to advance from the group stage in their first three World Cup appearances in 1998, 2002 and 2010.

After an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Morocco in their opener, Brazil have clicked into gear with successive wins, and Ancelotti said his side were becoming the solid, collective unit he wants for the knockout rounds.

Ancelotti's decision to recall Neymar for the World Cup was controversial, but while Vinicius is around, the wily Italian knows the thirtysomething is simply another option up front rather than the main one he was for so long.

From Vinicius’ clinical finishing to Cunha’s joyful celebration and Neymar’s emotional comeback, Brazil delivered a memorable evening of football and flair.

Brazil topped the standings on seven points, ahead of Morocco on goal difference and Haiti finished bottom without a point.

Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 to win World Cup Group C.

They defeated Qatar 3-1 earlier in their last Group B game in Seattle to finish third with four points behind Switzerland and Canada but had to wait for other results to be confirmed as one of the qualifiers.

Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi struck second-half goals for Switzerland as they beat Canada 2-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup as Group B winners, with the tournament co-hosts also progressing as runners-up.

While fans are eager to witness his undeniable quality back on the international stage, team management faces a delicate balancing act to manage his workload.

England remain top of Group L and are still firmly on course for the knockout stages, but the stalemate raised fresh questions about whether Tuchel's side possess the creativity and variety required to break down stubborn opponents.

Lionel Messi may be making his case as football's greatest of all time with a stunning World Cup run so far, but in Kansas City, another Messi, a goat, is winning fans by munching weeds along the Missouri River.

Vehicular movement will also be controlled on match days to ensure campus safety