FOOTBALL VIEWS

GROUP A THURSDAY: CZECH REPUBLIC V SOUTH AFRICA Both teams lost their opening games and whoever wins this is in a better position to qualify for the knockout stages. Czech Republic were fortunate not to have lost by more against South Korea as South Korea really should've finished them off by half time with the amount of chances they had. Set pieces appear to be the most likely way they're going to score goals as they both scored from one and caused South Korea problems from

GROUP A THURSDAY: MEXICO V SOUTH AFRICA This was the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with the most memorable moment from that game being Siphiwe Tshabalala's rocket for the opening goal of the tournament along with his celebration. Mexico are back hosting another World Cup four years after they last hosted one in 1986 where they reached the Quarter Finals, the exact same stage they reached the other time they hosted it in 1970. The Mexicans have a good reco

Preview to Group L ENGLAND MANAGER: Thomas Tuchel FIFA RANKING: 4 WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 16 BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Winners - 1966 After going close in each of the last four tournaments, is this the tournament where England finally end their 60 years of hurt? They'll be right among the favourites to win this tournament after going close in recent tournaments and having a 100% record in qualifying where they also kept a clean sheet in every game. They have a proven winner in ch

Preview to Group K PORTUGAL MANAGER: Roberto Martinez FIFA RANKING: 5 WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8 BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: 3rd Place - 1966 The World Cup is the trophy that Portugal are missing from their cabinet and the one they're desperate to win after winning the Euros in 2016 and two Nations Leagues in 2019 and 2025 respectively. This might be their best chance to win it with the quality of squad they've got which is arguably the best squad they've ever had. One reason why th