The first round of World Cup matches is now largely complete, and despite England not yet kicking a ball, their tournament prospects are coming into sharper focus.
Spain Stumble Against Cape Verde
Spain laboured to a goalless draw with tournament debutants Cape Verde, a result that stands as one of the biggest surprises of the opening round. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, plying his trade in the Portuguese second tier, made seven game-changing saves to frustrate a meandering La Roja. Manager Luis De La Fuente fielded a strong starting XI and introduced Lamine Yamal from the bench, but his side lacked penetration, with striker Mikel Oyarzabal not even touching the ball in the opening half-hour. Spain will still expect to progress, but their performance offered little comfort.
Germany Rout Curacao
Germany produced the opposite reaction, thrashing Dick Advocaat's Curacao 7-0. After exiting in the group stages at the last two World Cups and enduring a mediocre qualifying campaign, this emphatic start was unexpected. Their ruthless display showcased clinical finishing and the ability to recover from an early 1-1 deficit. If they build on this momentum, they could be serious contenders.
France Recover After Slow Start
France also faced early difficulties against a strong Senegal side, trailing after a disjointed first half. But Didier Deschamps' half-time adjustments transformed the team. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, either side of a Bradley Barcola chip, cancelling out Ibrahim Mbaye's solo effort. Les Bleus looked worthy of a third consecutive World Cup final after ironing out their early kinks.
Argentina and Brazil Contrast
Argentina rounded off Tuesday's action with Lionel Messi, now 38, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals. Brazil, however, were held to a disappointing draw by Morocco. The United States impressed by thrashing Paraguay, while Portugal have yet to play.
What It Means for England
While it is early days, the scale of England's task is clear. Ending a 60-year wait to become world champions will require a Herculean effort. Manager Thomas Tuchel said: "We have the right to dream, but we don't want to be delusional. It comes with responsibility and effort."
