Match of the Tournament

The World Cup 2026 was filled with thrilling matches, but none captured the hearts of fans like the penalty shootout in the last-32 tie between Paraguay and Germany. Despite being the supposed favorites, Germany lost in spectacular fashion, leaving everyone stunned. Ed Aarons, a member of the Guardian team, was present at the match and shared his thoughts on the dramatic encounter.

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Another match that left a lasting impression was the 3-3 draw between Algeria and Austria. The game seemed to exist on a separate plane of reality, with chaos erupting in the final minutes of stoppage time. Alexander Abnos, another Guardian team member, witnessed the match firsthand and described it as a ‘fever dream.’

Source: i.guim.co.uk

For Nick Ames, the highlight of the tournament was Mexico’s 2-3 defeat to England at the iconic Azteca stadium. The buildup to the match was electric, and the game itself was a grippingly tense affair. The Guardian team member praised the English team’s performance, saying it was a high point for them despite later disappointments.

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Other notable matches included France’s 4-6 loss to England, which was described as ‘borderline hilarious’ by Ben Fisher. The game saw plenty of late drama, with Egypt’s 1-1 draw against Iran in Seattle featuring a disallowed stoppage-time winner and two hits on the woodwork in the final minutes.

The Guardian team also praised Argentina’s 3-2 comeback win against Egypt, which saw Lionel Messi inspire his team to victory in the last-16 match. Barry Glendenning was present at the match and described it as an ‘incredible drama’ despite the questionable behavior of the referee.

Other notable mentions include Cape Verde’s 2-2 draw against Uruguay in Miami, which was praised by Ewan Murray for the Cape Verdeans’ attitude and discipline. The match was described as ‘superb’ and a ‘joy to watch.’

Player of the Tournament

The Guardian team had a clear favorite for the Player of the Tournament award: Rodri, the Spain captain. The team praised Rodri’s outstanding performance, saying he was the ‘metronome in midfield’ and set the tempo for his team. Jude Bellingham was also commended for his instrumental role in England’s World Cup campaign, and Lionel Messi was praised for his incredible turnaround against Egypt.

Other notable mentions include Vozinha, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper who was described as ‘magical’ by Paul MacInnes. The Guardian team praised Vozinha’s incredible performance, saying he was ‘brilliant’ and ‘top drawer.’

Goal of the Tournament

The Guardian team had a clear favorite for the Goal of the Tournament award: Sidny Lopes Cabral’s brilliant equalizer for Cape Verde against Argentina. The goal was described as ‘magical’ and ‘memorable,’ with Sidny Lopes Cabral’s reaction being almost as good as the goal itself.

Other notable mentions include Eldor Shomurodov’s instinctive lob for Uzbekistan against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was described as ‘oddly satisfying’ by Alexander Abnos. The Guardian team also praised Julian Alvarez’s vicious, swerving long-range goal for Argentina against Switzerland.