The World Cup this year has been madness. It has been twelve days into the World Cup, and there have been many exciting games that have had football fans on the edge of their seats. The games at MetLife, known as the New Jersey/New York Stadium for the World Cup, have so far had the most hype, but have only lived up to some of it.
Starting with Brazil vs. Morocco, which was played on Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m Eastern time, ended in a 1-1 draw. Morocco took the lead in the 21st minute, with Ismael Saibari scoring after a steal turned into a through-ball pass to him. Eleven minutes later, Vinicius Junior responded as he received a pass from the left wing position and dribbled his way into an exciting goal. The rest of the game was possession ball and multiple missed opportunities.
On Tuesday June 16, France and Senegal went head-to-head for the second time in international football history. The last time these two nations who speak the same language went against each other was in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. It ended in a shocker with Senegal winning 1-0 on opening day. The result was not favorable to them this time as they succumbed to France 3-1 with goals scored by France’s Bradley Barcola in the 82nd minute and two goals scored by Kylian Mbappe in the 66th and 90th minute. Senegal scored in the last minute as well, before Mbappe finished them off, with Ibrahim Mbaye dribbling past a defender and making him fall, before scoring a brilliant goal.
Then yesterday, Norway went up against Senegal in New Jersey/New York Stadium at 8 p.m. Eastern time in the pouring rain. Senegal again, so close, yet so far from winning as Ismaila Sarr scored in the 53rd and 90th minute, another last minute goal from Senegal, but it was too late as Norway had already scored in the 43rd by Marcus Holmgren Pederson and another monster, two goal performance from Erling Haaland who scored in the 48th minute and another goal 10 minutes later in the 58th minute. This led to a final score of 3-2, with Norway on top.
There are five more games left to be played at the New Jersey /New York Stadium including the finals as the schedule goes:
June 25 — Ecuador vs. Germany, 4 p.m. (Group E)
June 27 — Panama vs. England, 5 p.m. (Group L)
June 30 — Round of 32, 5 p.m.
July 5 — Round of 16, 4 p.m.
July 19 — Final, 3 p.m.
Be tuned in as this World Cup will only get better.
