Hello and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s World Cup Breakfast from day two at the tournament – your one-stop shop for everything you’ve missed overnight in North America.
For all the latest news, viral moments and what to look out for, stay right here.
OVERNIGHT ACTION
After an impressive opening ceremony in Mexico on night one featuring Shakira and Burna Boy, it was Canada’s turn on Friday – and it all felt a little deflated. Literally.
Michael Buble was the poster boy of the ceremony, but was suspiciously absent from the initial performance. Fans were made to wait until just before kick-off for his appearance.
But what caught the eye was the large, inflatable Jules Rimet trophy in the middle of the pitch that must have been around 40ft in height. The aim was for it to stand tall behind the likes of Elyanna, Jessie Reyez and Nora Fatehi, but, after a few seconds of trying, it became apparent that there was an issue, and it would only half inflate.
Organisers soon accepted defeat and gave up on their attempts, leaving the performers to sing in front of a globe and some deflated nylon. Not ideal. And neither was their result…
Meanwhile, over in Los Angeles, no expense was spared as Katy Perry headlined the opening ceremony with her song Wonder. Some, however, branded her performance a ‘trainwreck’ and eagle-eyed viewers spotted the Firework hitmaker wearing pin bearing the Canadian flag!
At least the giant inflatable World Cup held up in California, with Rema, LISA and Anitta performing next to it flanked by an energetic dance troupe.
There were also vocals from Grammy-winning South African artist Tyla and K-pop group Blackpink, but the most moving part of the show was the cameo of 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka. The youngster, who recorded Wonder with Perry when he was five in 2021, held her hand and sang the opening and closing lines in a crystalline voice to steal the show.
A giant Jules Rimet trophy failed to properly inflate during Canada’s opening ceremony
Katy Perry and Norwegian boy Tius Luka performed Wonder in the Los Angeles ceremony
Organisers had better luck with their inflatable display before the USA vs Paraguay clash
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Toronto
Not a great start for one of the three host nations. Jovo Lukic’s goal put the underdogs ahead, and Jesse Marsch’s side struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities before Cyle Larin equalised.
They should still be set to qualify for the last-32 if they can at least beat Qatar, but, with Switzerland also in their way, the Canadians would have hoped for three points from their opening game.
Star man Christian Pulisic had to come off at the break after receiving a kick in the calf and was apparently finding walking difficult, but Mauricio Pochettino said he shouldn’t be a major worry.
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USA 4-1 Paraguay, Los Angeles
The USA started their campaign in barnstorming fashion as they blew away Paraguay and restricted their opponents to one shot on target.
Paraguay did themselves no favours with an own goal after seven minutes. Folarin Balogun, who came through England and Arsenal’s youth set-up, struck twice and had another ruled out for offside. Giovanni Reyna added a lovely trivela finish to seal the deal.
Team of the Day
VIEW ON THE GROUND – IAN HERBERT AND DAN MATTHEWS IN LOS ANGELES
IAN HERBERT:
‘You’re looking for American soccer fans?’ I didn’t think there were any,’ says Robert, an American wearing a World Series baseball cap on South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, a city not giving off the remotest hint that it’s 24 hours away from hosting the United States’ opening World Cup match.
Outside Los Angeles FC’s ground, many soccer fans gather but there are only Mexicans, thousands of them, in green replica tops and sombreros, wandering beneath huge images of the MLS club’s star players Neymar, Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min and the Nike legend ‘You got this.’
There’s no avenue of images of World Cup stars leading out from the airport or fixed to lampposts or wrapped around skyscrapers.
‘The World Cup’s not a novelty because we’re always having new events,’ says Randall, a taxi driver. A woman walks her toddler up to the California Science Centre beside the soccer ground. There’s an exhibition about Mummies on. It’s closed.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Remember the faces just in case they’re global stars one day. The grins on these lads from the Mare favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the first World Cup they’ll remember is what it’s all about.
VIRAL MOMENT OF THE DAY
The patriotic duck. Yes, that’s right.
This moment actually happened on Thursday following Mexico’s opening game win in their own capital over South Africa, but it went viral over night after former England striker Chris Sutton snapped the video.
Footage of a duck – potentially a goose – wearing a Mexico shirt strolling away from the Azteca caught the algorithm, drawing both applause and amusement from fans online.
It was unclear who the animal belonged to – if anyone – but it seemed to be enjoying itself, and no one batted an eyelid. Classic World Cup.
Oh – and Alexi Lalas called James Corden a ‘full-kit w****r’ on live TV. Read more on that by clicking here.
CELEBRITY WATCH
There is perhaps no Canadian as loved as Michael Buble, and he was on hand to perform at the second opening ceremony of the tournament. Fans were made to wait as he took to the pitch just before kick-off, and he took a while to get the crowd going – but got there in the end. Good vocals, too.
Wayne Rooney isn’t too keen, however. When asked if he was a Buble fan before kick-off, he said on the BBC: ‘Erm, so so, to be honest. But he’s obviously popular over in Canada.’
Elsewhere, TV chef Gordon Ramsay paid a trip to the Scotland camp ahead of their crucial World Cup opener against Haiti, and Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds cheered on Canada in their clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina – very passionately.
If that’s not a big enough dose of celebrity cachet for you, Tom Cruise was present at the USA’s win against Paraguay and shared a VIP row with David, Victoria, and Romeo Beckham. The Beckhams did not sing the national anthem.
Michael Buble was the main attraction in the opening ceremony, performing just before kick-off
TV chef Gordon Ramsay had a word of encouragement for the Scotland team, while Ryan Reynolds cheered on Canada
David and Victoria Beckham joined Tom Cruise in the VIP section for USA vs Paraguay
STAT OF THE DAY
The Netherlands have not lost a game inside 90 minutes at the World Cup in 24 years – since 2002 – despite never winning it. Granted, they didn’t qualify in 2018, but that’s still four appearances ago.
They will kick off their campaign tomorrow against Japan.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR TODAY
1. Which Brazil is going to turn up?
As Daily Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman writes this morning, when it comes to Brazil and the World Cup, it’s hard to think of one without the other. But it’s been nearly a quarter of a century since they won the title, and their usual star-studded team is seemingly not actually that star-studded anymore
But they have one of the best managers of all time in charge in Carlo Ancelotti, who is having his first crack at international football. We await to see how much of a role Neymar will play.
2. The Tartan Army take over Massachusetts
Scotland are at the World Cup for the first time this century and their fans are making the most of it. Thousands of Scots have jetted over to North America and have already made their marks.
One group of fans were spotted playing the bagpipes outside their AirBnB at 6:30am, and others have been dancing with Brazil supporters in Times Square. The Flower of Scotland will be belted out loud and proud.
Scotland fans have been taking over Boston ahead of their World Cup return against Haiti
3. Haiti’s kit controversy
Haiti have been forced to change their kits at the last minute after their design, which featured an image depicting soldiers from the Haitian Revolution, was deemed to be too ‘political’.
At the time of publication, we haven’t actually seen the new kits. It could be the case that they simply remove the scene, or maybe they’ll find a creative way to squeeze in their message…
TODAY’S GAMES
Qatar vs Switzerland (8pm, ITV1, San Francisco)
Hosts of the last World Cup in 2022 Qatar are hoping for a better tournament this time around after losing all three matches and scoring just one goal four years ago.
They are, though, one of the nine teams priced at 500/1 to win the whole thing, which are the longest odds of any of the sides. Switzerland, meanwhile, will fancy winning the group and going on a run.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Switzerland win
Brazil vs Morocco (11pm, BBC One, New York)
The game will be a test of Brazil’s metal. Are they here to do OK, or are they serious about competing?
Morocco are no pushovers, having won the Africa Cup of Nations, and the winner of this game will surely go on to win the group. Look out for the most star power of the World Cup so far – the likes of Arsenal’s Gabriel, Barcelona’s Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr will start for the South Americans, while the African champions boast talent such as PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Madrid’s Brahim Diaz.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Brazil win
We shall see what version of Brazil, and indeed Neymar, will turn up under Carlo Ancelotti
Haiti vs Scotland (2am, BBC One, Massachusetts)
The Scots have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 and have to be looking at getting out the group here.
They have the firepower of former Manchester United midfielder and Napoli sensation Scott McTominay, who appears to have recovered from illness, the leadership of Europa League winner John McGinn and captain Andy Robertson, and the goal scoring prowess of Lawrence Shankland – so will be hopeful.
This one, however, is a must win. They have been placed in a group with the might of Brazil and AFCON winners Morocco, so they will be up against it in those two. A win here would set them up nicely, however, and give Steve Clarke and Co a bit of momentum.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Scotland win
Australia vs Turkey (5am, ITV1, Vancouver)
There aren’t too many narratives around this game, but Australia will be keen to put in another decent showing after reaching the last-16 four years ago. They will have aspirations of getting out of the group, but have never beaten Turkey before.
Their opponents are competing on the World Cup stage for the first time since 2002. They are in decent form, too, winning seven of their last eight games. Stars on show will include Leicester’s Harry Souttar and Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter Milan.
Daily Mail Sport prediction: Turkey win
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE
