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How Imperfect England Turned It on in the Second Half to Power Past Croatia
England were poor in the first half of their 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia but put in an excellent display after the break to earn a 4-2 win. The post How Imperfect England Turned It on in the Second Half to Power Past Croatia appeared first on Opta Analyst .
England 4-2 Croatia Stats: Kane Brace Helps Inspire Impressive World Cup Start
Find all the latest England vs Croatia stats using our data-packed match centre as Harry Kane and co get their 2026 World Cup campaign under way. The post England 4-2 Croatia Stats: Kane Brace Helps Inspire Impressive World Cup Start appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo Stats: Wissa Earns Congo’s First World Cup Point to Leave Portuguese Frustrated
Cristiano Ronaldo and co put in a disappointing performance to get their World Cup under way. Check out all the best data from the game with our Portugal vs DR Congo stats page The post Portugal 1-1 DR Congo Stats: Wissa Earns Congo’s First World Cup Point to Leave Portuguese Frustrated appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Jude Bellingham Becomes Youngest European to Play at Four Major Men’s Tournaments
England midfielder Jude Bellingham set a new European record against Croatia, becoming the first player to make appearances at four major men's tournaments before turning 23. The post Jude Bellingham Becomes Youngest European to Play at Four Major Men’s Tournaments appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Every Record Lionel Messi Broke (Or Equalled) With His Hat-Trick Against Algeria
Lionel Messi's brilliance showed no sign of fading as Argentina kicked off their World Cup defence against Algeria. The 38-year-old scored all three goals in a historic victory that saw him equal the all-time World Cup scoring record and set several new records of his own. The post Every Record Lionel Messi Broke (Or Equalled) With His Hat-Trick Against Algeria appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Ghana vs Panama Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
As both sides start their FIFA World Cup campaign with a high-stakes clash in Toronto, we look ahead to Wednesday's Group L game with our Ghana vs Panama prediction and preview. The post Ghana vs Panama Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
England vs Croatia Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
We look ahead to Wednesday's heavyweight FIFA World Cup clash with our England vs Croatia prediction and preview. Can the Three Lions kick-start their campaign with a win? The post England vs Croatia Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Portugal vs DR Congo Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
We look ahead to Wednesday's Group K opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with our Portugal vs DR Congo preview. 10 years on from their Euro 2016 success, can Portugal get off to the perfect start with victory over the World Cup returnees? The post Portugal vs DR Congo Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Argentina 3-0 Algeria Stats: Messi Creates World Cup History with Sensational Hat-Trick
Lionel Messi scored a record-breaking hat-trick to help Argentina defeat Algeria 3-0 and start their FIFA World Cup title defence in sensational fashion. The post Argentina 3-0 Algeria Stats: Messi Creates World Cup History with Sensational Hat-Trick appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Austria 3-1 Jordan Stats: World Cup Debutants Fall Short as Austria Get First World Cup Win Since 1990
Jordan continued the trend of World Cup debutants impressing in 2026, but they were ultimately beaten 3-1 by Austria in Group J. The post Austria 3-1 Jordan Stats: World Cup Debutants Fall Short as Austria Get First World Cup Win Since 1990 appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Lionel Messi Makes History as First Player to Appear at Six World Cups
Lionel Messi reaches a massive milestone as he takes to the field against Algeria, 20 years on from his World Cup debut in Germany. The post Lionel Messi Makes History as First Player to Appear at Six World Cups appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Iraq 1-4 Norway Stats: Haaland Bags Brace to Star on World Cup Debut
Erling Haaland was inevitably the star of the show in Norway's 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, helping secure a 4-1 win over Iraq at Boston Stadium. The post Iraq 1-4 Norway Stats: Haaland Bags Brace to Star on World Cup Debut appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Austria vs Jordan Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Austria are aiming to start their World Cup 2026 campaign in style on their first appearance at the global showpiece in 28 years. Look ahead to this Group J contest in San Francisco with our Austria vs Jordan prediction and preview. The post Austria vs Jordan Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Argentina vs Algeria Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Lionel Scaloni’s side are out to defend their World Cup crown. We look ahead to Wednesday’s clash with our Argentina vs Algeria prediction and preview. The post Argentina vs Algeria Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Kylian Mbappé Will Take the Headlines, But Michael Olise Was the Genius Behind France’s Win
France had Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Olise to thank - just as much as Kylian Mbappé - for his part in their 3-1 win over Senegal. The post Kylian Mbappé Will Take the Headlines, But Michael Olise Was the Genius Behind France’s Win appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Yes, Knicks-Spurs Really Was Great: It’s the Closest Series in the Last 25 NBA Playoffs
Using live win probability metrics, the Knicks-Spurs 2026 Finals ranks as the closest NBA playoff series of the last 25 years. The post Yes, Knicks-Spurs Really Was Great: It’s the Closest Series in the Last 25 NBA Playoffs appeared first on Opta Analyst .
France 3-1 Senegal Stats: Kylian Mbappé Hits Brace to Move Closer to World Cup Goalscoring Record
After Kylian Mbappé scores twice to fire France to victory, check out the best Opta facts, stats and data from the game with our France vs Senegal stats page The post France 3-1 Senegal Stats: Kylian Mbappé Hits Brace to Move Closer to World Cup Goalscoring Record appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Coming Up Rose(s): The Knicks’ Blueprint for Becoming NBA Champions
Knicks team president Leon Rose had a long-range plan and made some unorthodox decisions while building the 2025-26 NBA champions. The post Coming Up Rose(s): The Knicks’ Blueprint for Becoming NBA Champions appeared first on Opta Analyst .
2026 U.S. Open Predictions: FRACAS Weighs in on Who Could Stop Scottie Scheffler
We use our FRACAS model for U.S. Open projections prior to the year’s third major men’s golf tournament. Scottie Scheffler is the favorite. The post 2026 U.S. Open Predictions: FRACAS Weighs in on Who Could Stop Scottie Scheffler appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Is Football Finally Coming Home? England’s Rise Since Euro 2016 Nadir
After 10 years of progress, England are transformed from the team that failed at Euro 2016. This is the story of how they came to be contenders to win the 2026 World Cup. The post Is Football Finally Coming Home? England’s Rise Since Euro 2016 Nadir appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Iraq vs Norway Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Can Iraq stop Erling Haaland? Look ahead to Iraq vs Norway in Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with our match prediction and preview. The post Iraq vs Norway Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
France vs Senegal Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview
France entered World Cup 2026 as one of the pre-tournament favourites and will look to get off to a flier against a tough Group I opponent in Senegal. The post France vs Senegal Prediction: World Cup 2026 Match Preview appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Iran 2-2 New Zealand Stats: Just and Rezaeian Impress in Thrilling Group G Draw
All four teams in Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are level on one point, after New Zealand were twice pegged back by Iran in a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles. The post Iran 2-2 New Zealand Stats: Just and Rezaeian Impress in Thrilling Group G Draw appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay Stats: Araujo Clinches Late Draw for Bielsa’s Side
Uruguay's persistence paid off at Miami Stadium as they earned a 1-1 draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia. The post Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay Stats: Araujo Clinches Late Draw for Bielsa’s Side appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Belgium 1-1 Egypt Stats: Group Kicks Off With End-to-End Draw
Egypt looked set to win for the first time at the World Cup, but the introduction of Romelu Lukaku salvaged a point for Belgium. The post Belgium 1-1 Egypt Stats: Group Kicks Off With End-to-End Draw appeared first on Opta Analyst .
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