China Set the Pace, Romania Steady, Pressure Builds Below

Three rounds in, China have taken early control of Group A with 7 points and a clear identity: absorb, strike, and manage moments. They edged Romania 2–1, beat Czech republic 2–1, then proved they can handle a chase game by holding Serbia 1–1 after trading goals in the second half. That draw matters: it kept China unbeaten and left the pack behind them scrambling for position.

Behind the leaders, Romania have quietly stabilized after the opening defeat. A narrow 1–0 win away to Serbia and a gritty 1–1 in Bulgaria have them on 4 points, with Costin Spiridon repeatedly delivering big performances. Czech republic sit on 3 points from two games and remain a dangerous variable after their late double to beat Bulgaria in Round 1.

Round 4 shifts the spotlight to the chasers: Romania vs. Czech republic is a direct swing match for second place, while Serbia vs. Bulgaria feels like a must-not-lose for both after collecting just one point each so far.

Algeria Lead the Sprint, USA Chasing, Canada Eye a Pivot Point

Three rounds have produced a clear headline: Algeria are perfect so far. Two wins, five goals scored, and a statement 2–0 away success over the United States of America have pushed them top, with Mohamed Abdel Zouani starring in both victories. The opener against Canada set the tone too — a sharp 3–1 win driven by E. Nahnah (two goals including a penalty) and finished off by Z. Benhadj.

The USA still sit level on 6 points after three matches, powered by a ruthless 3–0 win in Canada and a wild 4–2 over Albania where Roderick Woods and Manolo Barros struck twice each. But the loss to Algeria means the margin for error is shrinking, especially with tougher fixtures ahead.

For Canada, the Round 3 win in Estonia (3–1) keeps qualification hopes alive, while Albania and Estonia are still looking for their first win after a dramatic 2–2 draw in Round 1. Round 4 could reshape everything: Canada vs. Albania is a pressure match for both, and Algeria vs. Estonia gives the leaders a chance to tighten their grip at the top.

India Set the Pace, Latvia Lurking, Australia Under Fire

After three rounds, India have taken early control with six points from three games, and they’ve shown they can win in different ways. The opening 1–0 over Bosnia and Herzegovina was tight, decided by Parashuram Subramanium, but the response to defeat in Latvia was emphatic: a composed 2–0 away win over Croatia, with Aryaman Rai striking in the 1st minute and again after the break.

Behind them, the group is congested. Latvia are unbeaten on four points from two matches, highlighted by a clinical 3–1 victory over India where Justins Ozols and captain Leonards Lutrins drove the tempo. They then proved they can suffer as well as shine, grinding out a 0–0 in Bosnia despite a trio of injury blows — including a “bad injury” that will sideline Gundars Kalnarajs.

That draw left Bosnia and Herzegovina on four points, still buoyed by the unforgettable 5–1 demolition of Australia — all five goals scored by Esmir Kadric. For Australia, it’s now damage limitation: two games without a win and six conceded. Round 4 is pivotal: Latvia vs. Croatia shapes the middle, while India vs. Australia could either confirm India’s momentum or reopen the group entirely.

Moldova’s Statement Win Tightens a Five-Way Scrap

Three rounds in, Moldova have quietly become the group’s pace-setters. A lively 2–2 draw with Thailand (built around Vasile Turcan’s early strike and penalty) could have been a stumble, but they responded with a thunderous message: a 2–0 win away to Italy, with Dmitrii Musat and Turcan again on the scoresheet and Valeriu Delion producing a perfect 10.0 between the posts.

That result leaves Italy level on points but searching for rhythm. They’ve scored freely at times — the 3–2 comeback against Iceland was thrilling, sparked by Stefano Picariello and finished by Alberto Bettolo — yet the defeat to Moldova exposed how fine the margins are here.

The chasing pack is right on their heels. Iceland crushed South Africa 3–0 (with Olafur Oern Egilsson netting twice) but then conceded twice to Italy despite peppering goal with 11 shots on target. South Africa rebounded strongly by beating Thailand 2–0, while Thailand remain winless but stubborn, already drawing Italy and pushing Moldova late after Nuttaporn Sungoonshorn picked up an injury in Round 2.

Round 4 feels decisive: Thailand vs. Iceland is a survival test for both, and Moldova vs. South Africa could either cement Moldova’s control or pull the leaders back into the pack.

Perfection Up Top, Panic Below as Round 4 Looms

After three matchdays, Group E has split cleanly in two. Switzerland are flawless and ferocious: 13 goals scored, none conceded, powered by Doug Kohli’s early double against Slovakia and an outrageous 11–0 demolition of Finland where Jason Walter hit a hat-trick and Kohli added another brace. With two wins from two, they’ve turned every fixture into a warning.

Right beside them sit Bangladesh, also perfect on points if not on fireworks. They’ve made a habit of suffocating games: a 1–0 win over England and another 1–0 away to Finland, both anchored by a towering Abdullah Al Shakoor in goal (man of the match in each) and decisive moments from Tariq Babu.

That leaves England in a strange spot — they blasted Finland 6–0, then lost tight matches to Bangladesh and Slovakia (a wild 3–2 where Ondrej Cabaj struck twice). Slovakia are suddenly relevant again, while Finland are still searching for their first goal after conceding 18.

Round 4 brings the crunch: England vs. Switzerland is a huge reality check, and Bangladesh vs. Slovakia will tell us if the disciplined start is title-race real.

Bolivia Set the Pace as Uruguay Reel and Ireland Swing Big

Three rounds in, Bolivia look the most complete side in Group F. They opened by dominating Uruguay 2–0 with Vladimir Daher scoring twice, then outgunned Hungary 4–2 in a breathless shootout where four different Bolivians hit the net (including a late Natan Heredia penalty). A goalless draw with Chile finally slowed them, but 7 points from 3 keeps them clear at the top.

Behind them, everything is volatile. Ireland bounced back from a 3–1 loss to Hungary by unleashing a stunning 7–2 against Uruguay — Drew Coffey ran riot with a brace, Padraig Wilson scored twice, and the goals kept coming late. Hungary, meanwhile, showed they can punch with anyone: Jozsef Marton struck twice versus Ireland, but their defence cracked against Bolivia’s wave of chances.

The surprise is Chile: two draws, only one goal scored, yet still unbeaten. Round 4 now asks a sharp question — can their control finally translate into a win against Ireland’s momentum? And with Uruguay bottom after conceding 10, the clash with Hungary feels like a must-not-lose night.

Malta and the Netherlands Lock Horns, Portugal Lurks

After two rounds, Group G has a familiar feel: tight margins, clean sheets, and one goal often deciding everything. Malta sit top on goal difference after edging Portugal 2–1 and then holding Netherlands to a 0–0 draw in a match where Zach Magri again stood tallest (10.0 and man of the match). Malta’s five-man back line has looked organised, and the late winner from Clifford Bonello against Portugal already feels like a defining moment.

The Netherlands are level on points and have yet to concede, but their attack is still searching for rhythm. They beat Sweden 1–0 with Xian Siebes striking on 72’, then fired 20 shots against Malta without finding a way past Magri.

Poland Set the Pace, Turkey Wobble, and the Chase Tightens

Three rounds in, Poland have made the cleanest statement in the section: two wins, no goals conceded, and a ruthless 3–0 dismissal of Turkey that flipped the early narrative. Piotr Matuszewski has been a cornerstone (10.0 man of the match vs Turkey), while goals from Dziedziczak, Rossa and Latocha underlined how quickly Poland can turn control into separation. With six points from two, they now face France in Round 4 carrying both momentum and margin.

Behind them, it’s crowded and tense. Turkey sit second, but the table flatters them a little: they edged Colombia 1–0 after Duyal Ilker struck straight after the break, yet were then exposed by Poland. Still, Haldun Doganalp keeps producing elite performances in goal (10.0 in both the Russia draw and the Poland loss), which is often enough to keep Turkey in games.

Round 4 feels pivotal for the middle pack. Colombia already proved they can punish big names by beating France 3–1, powered by Carlos Andres Rojas (two goals, man of the match). But they now go to Russia, who have just one point despite firing plenty of shots — and whose hopes may hinge on turning pressure into points before Poland disappear over the horizon.

South Korea Strike Back, Belgium Steady, and Argentina Feel the Heat

After losing their opener late, South Korea have responded like group leaders. A clinical 3–0 over Israel set them up, and the 2–1 win against Argentina has pushed them to six points despite playing three times already. Jung-Hwan Jang delivered twice against Israel, but the bigger signal was the grit versus Argentina: Min Ki Park opened the scoring, and a late Shin Cho Chae strike (88’) settled it after Argentina threatened a comeback.

Belgium sit second and still look well-balanced. They’ve already beaten South Korea 2–1 with a one-two punch from Nicolas Lefebvre and Christopher Leroy, then held Scotland to 1–1 after scoring in the 2nd minute through Jarno Maes. That draw came at a cost for Scotland, who lost Matthew Bremner to injury early, yet remain awkward to break down with two draws from two.

Round 4 carries different pressures. Argentina can’t afford to drift after splitting their first two — beating Belgium 2–1 but then falling to South Korea — and now face a disciplined Scotland. Meanwhile, Belgium vs Israel is a must-win feel for Israel: still searching for a goal, they need points fast before the table hardens.

Peru Flying Early, Montenegro Unmoved, and Goals at a Premium

Three rounds in, this group already has a clear split: Peru are the only side to truly land a punch, while everyone else is inching forward on fine margins. Peru’s 3–0 opening win over Germany set the tone — Josias Abril, Joakim Jimenez and Filipo Reynoso all on the scoresheet — but the follow-up 0–0 in New Zealand showed they can also manage a game when the rhythm isn’t there. The warning sign is the knock to Abril (injury at 12’ in Round 2), because Peru’s best moments have come when their midfield tempo is sharp.

Rep. of Montenegro have been the calm operators: two clean sheets, four points, and a habit of winning the small battles. Their 1–0 over Lithuania was decided by a last-gasp K. Danic penalty (90’), then they absorbed pressure for a 0–0 in New Zealand with Borislav Jevric again outstanding. Lithuania, meanwhile, have become the group’s frustration merchants: a 1–0 win, a 0–0 in Germany, and a narrow loss — just one goal scored across three matches, but only one conceded.

Round 4 feels pivotal. Lithuania vs Peru is control versus incision: Stonys’ side keep games tight, but Peru have already shown they can blow a match open. Montenegro vs Germany is where the bottom could shift — Germany still haven’t scored, yet their 0–0 with Lithuania hinted they’re closer to stability than their opening collapse suggested.

Spain Grinding, Denmark Rolling, and Venezuela’s Reality Check

Three rounds in, Spain look like a team built to survive any kind of game. They opened by edging Denmark 2–1, then took a point in Slovenia despite being pinned back for long spells, before squeezing past Greece 1–0 with Macario Astorga striking again. It hasn’t been flashy — just three goals scored — but the structure has held and they’ve conceded only once. The only concern is the early injury to Mario Retortillo in that stalemate, because Spain’s midfield balance is central to their low-margin approach.

Denmark, by contrast, have found a clear attacking rhythm. They responded to the Spain loss by beating Venezuela 2–0 (a late Gunnar Larsen double) and then handled Slovenia the same way, scoring inside a minute through Ole Hansen and sealing it with Bo Andersen’s penalty. That’s five goals already, and the back line has only allowed two — the profile of a side that can turn pressure into points.

The swing story is Venezuela. They looked unstoppable in Round 1, crushing Greece 4–0 behind Tulio Pinero’s four-goal burst, but Denmark’s clean-sheet win exposed how quickly that momentum can disappear when they’re forced to chase a more disciplined opponent.

Round 4 sets up perfectly: Spain vs Venezuela is control versus chaos — Spain’s compact 5-3-2 against Venezuela’s front-foot 4-3-3. Meanwhile Slovenia vs Greece is already a must-score night for two teams still looking for their first win, and the loser risks being cut adrift.

Brazil Set the Pace, While the Pack Trades Blows

After two matches, Brazil have done exactly what favourites are supposed to: win, keep it tight, and let the table bend around them. A composed 2–0 over Norway was decided late, with Bordaberry Amaral and Dalton Branco turning pressure into goals, before they followed it with a gritty 1–0 in Austria — Kleuber Araujo striking on 68’ as Brazil again managed the decisive moments. Two wins, three scored, none conceded: it’s efficient and ominous.

Behind them, Austria look capable but slightly volatile. They recovered from conceding first in Norway to win 2–1 (a Bernd Canetti penalty and a late Matthias Haid finish), then led Japan 2–0 early before being pegged back to 2–2. Losing to Brazil doesn’t hurt, but the dropped points already mean the chase group is still wide open.

That chase group is led by Mexico and Japan, both stuck on two draws — and both showing they can score without quite controlling outcomes. Mexico’s 2–2 with Norway was the wild one: they twice went ahead, but Jakob Lossius punished them with two penalties. Japan, meanwhile, have matched Mexico punch-for-punch: 1–1 in their head-to-head, then a spirited comeback to draw in Austria — though the injury to Koetsu Torisei could matter if Japan’s transitions lose bite.

Round 4 feels like a pivot point. Brazil vs Mexico is the contrast of the group: Brazil’s clean-sheet control against Mexico’s high-event games. And Norway vs Japan is already a pressure test — Norway can’t afford another near-miss, while Japan will want to prove those two draws are building toward a win, not just treading water.

Sweden vs Malta is suddenly a straight shootout at the top: both are on 6 points, and both have already shown they can punish mistakes in front of goal. Sweden looked ruthless early in the campaign, but the Round 3 loss in Prague exposed that there’s no margin for a flat half. Malta arrive with a statement win in Germany and the same recurring headline-maker: Michael Pellicano, already decisive in multiple results.

Behind them, Bulgaria vs Czech Republic carries real pressure. Bulgaria are still point-less and have struggled to create (just 0 goals scored), while the Czechs have climbed into contention with a huge win over Sweden driven by Rene Krywda’s brace. If Czech Republic back it up, the group becomes a three-way fight; if Bulgaria finally bite, the table tightens in a hurry.

After two rounds, the group has flipped into a proper qualification race. Norway lead with 4 points and have added bite to their early draw in Japan by thumping the Netherlands 4–1 with ruthless finishing (11 shots on target from 12 total). Kare Bakk has been the tone-setter, striking twice in that win, while Markus Lundhaug continues to post elite ratings and influence.

Two perfect records, no margin for error. Argentina and Belgium sit level on 6 points after three rounds, and Round 4 looks like a classic “protect the lead, keep the pace” checkpoint before their head-to-head arrives later. Argentina’s formula has been brutally efficient: they beat India 3–1 despite just 35% possession, then repeated the trick away to Algeria with only 30% of the ball and two early strikes. Alfonso Toledo has been the metronome and match-winner, while Michele Ferrer Serrano keeps delivering decisive moments.

Belgium have been steadier rather than spectacular, but the points keep stacking: a controlled 1–0 over Bangladesh and a statement 3–2 win in Algeria after ripping out three goals in the opening 21 minutes. Their defensive five has held up even when games get messy.

Round 4 pairs Belgium with an India side back on track after Mandeep Shah scored twice in the first 11 minutes to beat Bangladesh 2–1. Meanwhile, Argentina face a Bangladesh team still searching for its first point. With Algeria lurking on 3 points from three matches, the leaders can’t afford a slip that invites a real three-way squeeze.

Slovakia are setting the tempo early: 7 points from 3 matches, only one goal conceded, and a goalkeeper in sparkling form. Michal Maliarik has been flawless — a 10.0 in Finland’s opening 0–0, then another 10.0 as Slovakia put three past Israel, and again a 10.0 in the 2–0 win over Switzerland. With Milan Mullner and Ridvan Zetik chipping in decisive goals, the leaders look built for control rather than chaos.

Behind them, Ireland have quietly put themselves in position to strike. After a 1–1 in Israel where they produced just four shots (all on target), they showed their edge in transitions again by beating Finland 3–1 with only 39% possession. Adam Herne led the way and took man of the match, while goals from Aaron Peyton and Benjamin Collins underlined a ruthless streak.

Round 4 is all about the chase. Finland, still winless despite two 0–0s, meet an Israel side that has scored in both games but is short on points. Meanwhile, Ireland travel to Switzerland, who have yet to score and now face the group’s most clinical counterpunchers. With Slovakia idle this round, Ireland have a clear target: win and crank the pressure up before the looming Slovakia–Ireland double-header later on.

Peru have emerged as the early pace-setters, unbeaten after three matches and already tested in every direction. They opened with a high-tempo 2–1 over Serbia (18 shots on target from 24) and then survived a wild 3–3 draw in Albania despite firing 13 efforts on target. Most recently they showed a calmer edge, turning around a deficit to beat Canada 2–1. The spine is clear: captain Quentin Huaringa has been decisive, while Alonso Rodas is driving the goals — already a key scorer in multiple results, including a double in that six-goal thriller.

The group’s traditional heavyweights are still feeling their way. Serbia have four points and plenty of resilience — they squeezed past Turkey 2–1 with late strikes from Velibor Ljubanovic, then drew 1–1 in Albania behind another standout display from goalkeeper Tugomir Jankovic. Turkey, twice world runners-up historically, are suddenly under pressure after that defeat, despite a strong start against Canada.

Round 4 sharpens the picture: Peru face Turkey with first place on the line, while Albania — twice drawn, six goals scored and conceded — meet winless Canada in a game that could decide who stays attached to the race.

Slovenia are treating this section like a personal highlight reel. Two matches, two wins, a staggering 19–1 goal difference — and the statement wasn’t subtle: after a controlled 3–0 over Estonia (including a red-card turning point), they tore Spain apart 16–1 with Andrej Novoselc running riot and Jaka Tomsek/Franjo Vogric piling on. It’s no surprise from the reigning champions (WC 30 winners), but even by those standards the efficiency is brutal: 21 shots on target against Spain tells its own story.

Thailand are the only side keeping pace on points, and they’ve earned it the hard way. They began with an 8–00–4Bolivia before recovering with a 2–0Niraphan Ekabut has been central throughout — a four-goal burst against Spain and then both goals (one a penalty) to steady the campaign in Round 3.

Behind them, Bolivia sit ready to pounce after their own swing week: brilliant against Thailand, then blanked in a tight 0–1 defeat to a reshuffled Spain. Round 4 sets up two very different pressure games: Bolivia should see a must-win against winless Estonia, while Thailand’s showdown with Slovenia could decide whether this becomes a title procession or a genuine race.

Brazil have turned Group G into a weekly exhibition. Three matches, three wins, and an absurd 27–1 goal record: the headline was the 22–0 demolition of Lithuania, a game that spiralled from the opening minute and never stopped. Venancio Ligeirinho was the face of it — man of the match with a flurry of goals — while Jaiminho Ishii, Mayckol Escalona and Elizeu Lessa all joined the avalanche. Since then, Brazil have stayed ruthless but controlled: 2–1 away to Uruguay, then a professional 3–0 in Latvia with Sabino Nery calm behind a barrage of 26 shots.

Everything else is a scramble for second. Lithuania somehow sit there despite a –21 goal difference, helped by a fortuitous 1–0 over Romania (an own goal with Lithuania registering zero shots on target) and a 0–0 draw with Uruguay. Romania and Latvia opened with a lively 1–1 where keeper Luka Svarcs starred, but both remain stuck on one point. Uruguay match them, competitive in defeat to Brazil and then held scoreless by Lithuania.

Round 4 sets a clear split: Brazil meet Romania with the chance to all but end the suspense, while Uruguay vs Latvia feels like a survival match — whoever finally finds a win could seize control of the race behind the runaway leaders.

Group H has flipped on its head since the opener. England began with a controlled 2–0 win over Scotland, bossing the ball at 63% possession and leaning on captain Cedric Brasher as man of the match. But the momentum has swung north: Scotland responded with a ruthless 5–1 hammering of France despite seeing just 30% of the ball, then edged Italy 2–1 — both matches carried by an unstoppable Andrew Templeton, who struck a hat-trick against France and a brace versus Italy.

Behind them, the table is tight and volatile. England’s progress stalled with a gritty 0–0 in Italy — a match defined by keeper Galtero Bianchi (10.0) and a late red card for Reginald Alfredson. Portugal, meanwhile, bounced back from a breathless 2–3 loss in France (where Gabriel Le Du fired two early goals) by beating England 2–1, powered by Marcelo Branco in goal and a quick double from Antero Milagaia and Rolando Mascarenhas — though Olavo Chaves left injured.

Round 4 brings two pressure tests: England vs France pits a wobbling attack against a defence that just conceded five, while Italy vs Portugal is a clash of styles — Italy’s emerging resilience against Portugal’s direct punch. Scotland sit top, but with everyone taking points off each other, nothing is settled yet.

Iceland have turned Group I into a chase already: two matches, two wins, and a defence that’s giving almost nothing away. They struck early to beat Montenegro 1–0 (and drew a late red card from Radun Miladinovic), then showed they can win ugly too, coming from behind to beat South Korea 2–1 with captain Aron Ingi Hakonarson delivering both goals and the man-of-the-match performance.

Behind them, it’s a three-way squeeze. Venezuela opened with a cautious 0–0 against the USA, then exploded for a ruthless 4–2 away win in Korea — scoring four times from just 5 shots and surviving a key early blow when Eduardo Parada went off injured. Montenegro are still well placed on 4 points after their 6–0 demolition of Korea, but the shine has dulled with a 0–1 loss to Iceland and a 1–1 draw in the USA, where they conceded in the 3rd minute and had to respond quickly through Cedomir Vulevic.

The USA remain unbeaten but frustratingly so: two draws, just one goal, and a sense they’re controlling games without landing the decisive punch. Round 4 is massive: Montenegro vs Venezuela looks like a direct battle for second, while Iceland vs USA is the perfect test of Iceland’s lead against America’s stubborn solidity.

The table says Australia and Denmark are perfect, but they’ve arrived there by very different roads. Australia have been all about control: two wins, two clean sheets, and a growing knack for striking at the right moment — late to edge Croatia through Lucas Yabsley’s 83rd-minute winner, then clinically dismantling Colombia 3–0 despite seeing only 41% of the ball. With Rainer Saville shining and Yabsley scoring twice in that match, the Australians look built for tight group play.

Denmark, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum and big moments. They survived an onslaught in Poland — winning 2–1 from just 6 shots thanks to Noah Eskildsen’s rapid double (including a penalty) and a goalkeeper masterclass from Kasper Terp. Then came the statement: 4–2 over Croatia with Jesper Petersen scoring a devastating first-half hat-trick before Niels Noergaard finished the job.

Behind them, Poland are very much alive after beating Colombia 2–0, while Colombia’s campaign has swung wildly — from a 9–0 demolition of Croatia powered by Juan Valencia’s six-goal spree, to back-to-back defeats where they failed to score. Croatia, on the other hand, are battered but not entirely broken; after conceding 23 in their first two matches, at least they found the net twice late against Denmark.

Round 4 is the pivot: Australia vs Denmark feels like an early “top spot” decider, while Croatia vs Poland is now close to must-win territory for both — Croatia for pride and survival, Poland to stay in touch with the leaders.

Moldova have turned this group into their kind of story: two matches, two wins, three goals scored, none conceded, and a growing sense that they’re more than just tidy — they’re decisive. The opener in Bosnia was a proper away performance, settled early by Steopa Cernalevscaia and protected by a standout display from Dumitru Virlan. Then came the statement: a controlled 2–0 over Russia, with Cornel Amarandei striking before Cernalevscaia converted a second-half penalty. When Moldova get in front, they’ve looked extremely hard to move.

The chaos is bubbling right behind them. Austria are technically unbeaten and sitting second, but the table almost underplays how extreme their profile is: 17 goals scored, 0 conceded across two games. After being held 0–0 by Russia despite dominating the ball and peppering the goal with 22 shots, they responded by tearing into a managerless Greece with a brutal 17–0, driven by a relentless blend of Andreas Moshammer and Marcello Satzinger, and finished off by Henrick Schöpf (named man of the match).

Russia’s path has been stranger still: they opened by crushing Greece 7–0 with Alexei Mukhametzyanov running riot, then couldn’t break Austria, and finally got shut out in Moldova. That makes Russia vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round 4 feel like a pressure match already — because Bosnia have shown they can punish weakness, as the 12–0 demolition of Greece proved, with Mehmet Alaomerović headlining the damage.

Round 4 is a real fork in the road: Austria vs Moldova is the heavyweight meeting of the group’s most clinical attack against its most disciplined defence, while Russia vs Bosnia decides who stays in the chase pack. Greece, still without a manager, are unfortunately already in pure damage-limitation territory.

This group has become the definition of “no safe leads.” Chile still sit top, but the shine of that opening 5–0 over China has been dulled by two wild rides: a chaotic 4–3 win in New Zealand that included a late red card, and then a proper reality-check as Mexico outgunned them 4–2. Even with 11 goals scored already, Chile’s back line is leaking at the wrong moments — and that makes the next fixture feel like a stress test rather than a celebration.

Hungary are quietly the most stable side in the section: two games, two wins, and just one goal conceded. They edged Mexico 2–1 thanks to an electric start from Alex Simon and then handled China 3–0 with ruthless efficiency, led by goalkeeper Tibor Bogner (man of the match). Hungary haven’t needed fireworks — they’ve just kept control, and that’s been enough to keep them level on points with Chile while holding a game in hand.

Mexico look like the “upset-proof” team nobody wants to face. Their win over Chile was built on sharp finishing and a match-winning showing from Roberto Montagud, with Livio Aceituno setting the tempo early. They’re still inconsistent overall, but their ceiling is high — and they’ve now proved they can trade blows with the group leaders.

New Zealand are the chaos merchants: seven goals for, ten against, and nothing in between. They pushed Chile to the edge, then steadied themselves with a 2–1 win over China, sparked by Kahi Waiora and finished by Manu Eru. China, meanwhile, have competed harder than the results suggest, but remain winless and are already chasing daylight.

Round 4 is a double headline: Chile vs Hungary is the meeting of the group’s biggest attack against its best balance, while New Zealand vs Mexico feels like a straight shootout for the third qualifying lane.

Group A has flipped into a two-horse race at the top — China and Lithuania are level on six points — but the way they got there tells two very different stories. China have been the cleaner machine so far: a controlled 3:1 away win over Finland was followed by a composed 2:0 against Lithuania, with Zedong Xiao again central as man of the match. Lithuania’s path has been more chaotic: they edged Argentina 1:0, stole a 3:2 win in Australia, then ran into China’s possession-heavy grip.

Round 4 brings a classic split-screen: Australia vs China is the headline duel, with Australia suddenly alive after that 4:0 demolition of Argentina — and China’s perfect record on the line. Meanwhile, Lithuania vs Finland is a chance for Lithuania to steady the ship and rebuild goal difference, while Finland are playing to avoid being cut adrift entirely.

Group B has developed a proper edge already: Moldova and the USA sit locked on six points, but the momentum feels slightly different on each side. Moldova’s response to the Round 2 setback was emphatic — a ruthless 3:0 over Uruguay with three goals inside 19 minutes, and Maxim Timbur again stamping his name on the match. The Americans, meanwhile, have made a habit of living dangerously: six goals scored, four conceded, and another high-tempo win in Chişinău that underlined their punch in transition.

Round 4 splits the contenders. South Africa vs USA looks like a test of resistance: South Africa have only one goal in three matches, but their keeper Makhosonke Tshabangu keeps them in games — even in defeat — and the Americans know they can’t gift early chances like they did against Austria and Moldova. In the other match, Uruguay vs Austria has desperation written all over it: Uruguay are pointless and goalless, while Austria’s narrow win over South Africa finally steadied them after conceding twice late against the USA.

Group C has quickly turned into a two-horse race on points, but not on comfort. The Netherlands lead with 7, built on that brutal 5:0 opener against Spain and a pair of controlled wins since — including a late strike to edge Hungary. Gerlof Versteeg has been everywhere in the Oranje back line, while Maurits Velleman has already produced a match-winning display in the draw at Estonia. Just behind them, the Czech republic are perfect from two: six scored, one conceded, and Roman Ruzicka looking every bit the tone-setter after starring in both victories.

Round 4 brings the headline clash immediately: Netherlands vs Czech republic with first place in the balance. The Czechs have shown they can absorb pressure and strike clinically — they won in Spain with only 34% possession — so the Dutch will want their usual early punch to avoid a tight finish. Earlier, Estonia vs Hungary is a different kind of pressure match. Estonia are still unbeaten with two draws, while Hungary are winless and already chasing; another narrow loss could leave them staring at a long climb from the bottom.

Croatia have turned Group D into their personal highlight reel: three wins from three, nine points, and an attack that keeps finding another gear when the game gets messy. They’ve beaten Peru 2:0, shut out Russia 3:0, then survived a seven-goal shootout to edge Chile 4:3 — with Alberto Dracar stealing the headlines by hitting a hat-trick and earning a perfect 10.0 rating. Behind them it’s a proper scramble: Chile, Russia and Peru are all on three points, while Slovakia are still empty-handed but not out of sight.

Round 4 is about who blinks first in that three-way chase. Chile vs Slovakia looks like the chance for the Chileans to stabilise after conceding four in Croatia, while Slovakia desperately need their first result after the late collapse against Russia and the 1:2 loss to Peru. The other match, Peru vs Russia, is a classic pivot game: Peru finally have momentum after winning in Slovakia, but Russia have already shown they can trade blows — and they’ll want a response after being blanked by Croatia. With Croatia clear, points here could decide who gets to call themselves the “best of the rest.”

Group E has already swung through every emotion — a 7:0 statement, a heavyweight draw, and a pair of German responses that have dragged them back to the top. Germany lead on six points despite that Round 2 stumble in Poland, bouncing straight back by going to Algeria and winning 2:0 with Florian Reichel striking twice. England sit in the pack on four, still powered by the brutal demolition of Bosnia and Herzegovina where Zacharias Spears hit five and posted a perfect 10.0 rating. Poland are level with England but have played a game fewer, and their 4:1 win over Germany means nobody can ignore them.

Round 4 is set up as a fork in the road. Poland vs Algeria is all about control: Poland have already proved they can turn big games into momentum, while Algeria need points after being shut out by Germany despite piling up attempts and possession. Then comes the pressure match for the leaders: Germany vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. On paper it’s a chance to pad goal difference, but Bosnia have seen what happens when the chaos hits early — and Germany will want professionalism, not a slip that re-opens the whole group. With three contenders clustered, this feels like the round where the table either stretches… or snaps back into a pile-up.

Group F has turned into a proper scrap already: a new leader, tight margins everywhere else, and not a single team looking comfortable. France sit top on six points, but it hasn’t been serene — they opened by edging Sweden 1:0, then got caught by Malta 2:1 before steadying themselves with a composed 2:1 win in Scotland. The recurring theme has been Alexis Grall: he scored in Malta and then struck twice at Hampden to restore order, while captain Maxime Goujon keeps piling up elite ratings.

Behind them, Sweden look like the group’s momentum team. After losing in France and being held to a 0:0 by stubborn Iceland, they surged past Malta 3:1 with Brian Adamssen stepping forward — two goals and the man-of-the-match nod. Scotland and Malta are locked on three points apiece, and that’s what makes Round 4 feel pivotal: France vs Iceland is a test of patience against a side that’s conceded just once in two games, while Malta vs Scotland is an early “six-pointer” for chasing relevance. Malta’s upset of France came through Michael Dowse and a ruthless low-shot efficiency — if they repeat that edge, Scotland can’t afford another narrow loss.

Portugal have played the early part of this group like a reigning heavyweight: seven points from three, just one goal conceded, and a clear match-winner in Sergio Pacos. The opener in Ireland was handled with calm (3:0), then Pacos struck twice to sink Switzerland 2:0 — and even when Latvia finally slowed them down in a 1:1, Portugal still looked in control of the bigger picture. Captain Eusebio Viana has been everywhere: top ratings, leadership, and a team shape that seems comfortable switching systems midstream.

Behind them, Latvia have quietly built a credible chase. They brushed Ireland 3:0 with Kajs Lerga scoring twice, then earned their point against Portugal through sheer discipline and a timely finish from E. Bernics. Switzerland are the group’s puzzle: brilliant in Round 1 (3:0 vs Mexico) but shut out twice since, including that 0:2 in Portugal. Mexico and Ireland are already living on thin ice — both stuck on one point — yet their 1:1 in Round 3 hinted there’s fight left, with Ireland generating a flood of chances despite low possession.

Round 4 feels like a hinge moment. Latvia vs Mexico is pressure on the underdog to finally turn possession into goals, while Ireland vs Switzerland is suddenly huge: the loser risks being cut adrift, and the winner stays in touching distance of the top three.

This group has turned into a three-way logjam at the top — and the details are what separate it. Italy are perfect after two matches, three goals scored, none conceded, and they’ve done it the hard way: a clinical 2:0 against South Korea, then a gritty 1:0 over Romania decided by Valentino Maddalena. That win looked even bigger because Romania had been flying: they opened by edging Norway 1:0 with Ferdinand Tecuta on the scoresheet, then repeated the trick in Colombia (2:0), with Andrei Nadasan and Tecuta striking late.

Norway have recovered brilliantly from that first setback. Back-to-back clean sheets against South Korea (2:0) and a controlled 3:1 over Colombia have them top on goals, with contributions spread out — Wisth, Engebraaten, Nordgaard, Fremstad, Heim — and Glenn Haugen repeatedly posting elite ratings in goal.

Round 4 is a pressure test. Romania face winless South Korea knowing three points would keep them in the title conversation, while Italy vs Colombia is all about whether the group’s tightest defence can stay immaculate against a side that’s already shipped five and is desperate to stop the slide.

Brazil have hit the ground like a runaway favourite: six points from six, seven goals already, and one name that keeps popping up in bold. Walison Teixeira announced himself with a first-half hat-trick in the 4:0 demolition of Bangladesh, then backed it up with two more in the thrilling 3:2 win over Albania. Brazil’s front line looks capable of turning any spell of pressure into a goal, and even when Albania landed two punches through Gjelberim Skrapari, the response was immediate and decisive.

Behind them, it’s a fight to become “best of the rest.” Denmark have drawn twice — frustratingly so. They needed a late equaliser to escape Albania (1:1) and only found Rudolf Petersen’s leveller on 80 minutes after Bangladesh shocked them first. Svend Abel has been their standout across both games, but they’ll want more edge in the final third.

Albania have been stubborn and dangerous in moments, with Skrapari’s brace in Brazil proving they can hurt anyone, while Bangladesh finally have a foothold after earning a point in Denmark. Round 3 sets the tone: Denmark must find a win somewhere — and Brazil are waiting.

Belgium have opened a gap with ruthless timing. Two wins, five goals scored, and the most convincing “front-runner” performance in the group: a 3:1 dismissal of Japan that was essentially done inside 45 minutes. Tim Van Geffen (1’) and Thomas Maes (6’) landed the early blows, Lucas Piron added the third before the break, and Belgium then managed the game like a side that expects to be here in spring.

Behind them, the story is chaos — everyone else sits on three points. Serbia looked ready to chase Belgium after Nebojsa Rapo scored four in the 4:0 rout of Japan, but discipline has already bitten: Rapo’s red card at 57’ flipped the script in Israel, and Yoram Lieberman punished it with a late double (63’, 89’) to steal a huge 2:1 win.

Canada are quietly right in it after nicking a tight 1:0 over Israel, while Japan have gone from opening-day joy to damage control after consecutive defeats and a porous goals-against column. Round 4 is loaded: Serbia vs Belgium is a pressure test, and Japan vs Canada suddenly feels like a must-not-lose for both.

Turkey are still setting the pace, but Round 3 proved the runaway might have brakes. After detonating Greece 7:0, they were forced into a scrappy 1:1 with India — and it was telling that Turkey needed an early penalty (6’) just to get moving before Anal Kanakia leveled (20’) and Nishant Dhiwan ran the show. That draw keeps Turkey top on 7 points, yet it also opens the door they’d begun to lock.

That door is being kicked off its hinges by Thailand, who have been the group’s pure chaos merchants in the best way: 12 goals in two games and not a single point dropped. The 10:0 demolition of Greece was historic in tone and brutal in execution, with Chalermpol Kulchatchai piling up a staggering eight goals (2’, 4’, 8’, 22’, 35’, 41’, 43’, plus another to complete the rout) as Greece’s collapse triggered an immediate sacking — and the problems didn’t stop there.

Bulgaria have quietly stabilized into third after a 5:0 mercy-less win over Greece, while India have a pulse now and real belief. Round 4 is essentially a final in January: Turkey vs Thailand for first place, while Bulgaria vs India could decide who stays attached to the leaders’ slipstream.

The table says Slovenia and Bolivia are dead level, but the routes they’ve taken feel wildly different. Slovenia have been clinical and almost cold-blooded: a 4:0 opener against Venezuela despite seeing only 34% possession (and hitting 10 shots on target from 10) followed by a tense, high-quality 1:0 away win over Montenegro. That second result mattered — Montenegro’s keeper Budimir Zecevic still posted a perfect 10.0, yet Klavdij Mlakar found the one moment (58’) and Slovenia never let go.

Bolivia, meanwhile, have turned games into sprints. They brushed aside New Zealand 2:0 with volume (23 shots), then survived a proper scrap in Montenegro, winning 3:2 after Leopoldo Pinto struck twice (29’, 41’) and set up the decisive punch via Juliano Santibanez (61’). With Slovenia and Bolivia both perfect on 6 points, the group has already become a two-team race — but the pack underneath is suddenly alive.

New Zealand finally got reward for their openness in a breathless 4:3 against Venezuela, with Ted Jones (9’) anchoring a comeback that ended with late composure. Venezuela, though winless, have shown they can score in bursts — which makes Round 4 dangerous: Slovenia face their first real stress test against a New Zealand side that doesn’t know how to sit still, while Bolivia get a must-win opportunity against a leaky but punchy Venezuela.

Peru’s Perfect Start, Revived Bulgaria, while Spain Chase Air

Peru sit at the top, flawless, and scoring freely. They’ve piled up 14 goals in two matches, starting with an 8–0 demolition of Bulgaria and following it by edging Spain 3–2, with Agostin Vargas starring and Saturnin Renteria continuing to leave fingerprints on games. Peru’s unbeaten run has already put daylight between them and the rest.

Bulgaria responded immediately: a 1–0 away win at Mexico courtesy of Anguel Liaskov, with Dimitar Angelov delivering a man-of-the-match performance from the back. That result has pulled Bulgaria level on points with Mexico, and it sharpens the pressure on the group’s other heavyweight: Spain, twice beaten and already close to the edge.

Latvia Set the Pace, but Group B Turns Volatile Ahead of a Heavyweight Round 4

Two wins from two have Latvia out in front, and the early numbers back it up: 5 goals scored, five points of breathing room over the bottom, and a steady habit of striking first. After beating South Korea 3–1, they followed up by taking down Slovakia away, with Fridis Caupals on the scoresheet again and Kaspars Bigelis converting a key penalty. Latvia’s history includes a famous WC 10 fourth place, and this start has that same “annoyingly efficient” feel.

But Round 4 brings their first real stress test: Poland. Poland’s trophy cabinet at this level is unmatched in this group, yet the campaign has been uneven — a win over Slovakia, a spirited 2–2 draw in Algeria, then a narrow 0–1 defeat in South Korea where Tong Lim Shim ran the show. The pressure is on to translate possession and chances into points again.

The other fixture is just as charged. Algeria, once 4th at WC 7, are stuck on one point despite scoring in both games — Abdelmalek Dembri has delivered, but a late slip in Slovakia left them empty-handed. South Korea arrive refreshed by beating Poland, and if they bring that same control, Algeria may be forced into a high-risk chase just to stay in touch.

Lithuania Storm Ahead as the Chasers Scrap for Air in Group C

Three matches, three wins, and a brutal goal difference: Lithuania have turned Group C into a one-team pace-setter. The statement was immediate — a 5–0 demolition of Argentina — and the control has held since, including a composed 1–0 win away to the United States and a ruthless 4–1 in India. They’re scoring early, scoring often, and barely conceding (10 for, 1 against). With a recent peak of WC 30 Last 16, this looks like a side trying to go deeper than that.

Behind them, the picture is messy. USA bounced back hard from that Lithuania loss by smashing Argentina 4–0, helped by an early red card, with Montanez and Orton finishing the job and Jose Dias starring. That response keeps the Americans level on points with Argentina, but with a game in hand.

Round 4 sets up as a fork in the road. USA face India, who already took a point off Belgium and will believe they can make things awkward again. Meanwhile Lithuania meet a Belgium side still searching for lift — the former WC 2 runners-up have drawn with India and conceded four in Argentina. If Belgium don’t tighten up, the runaway might become a rout.

Germany’s Perfect Start Faces Its First Real Test in Group D

Three games, three wins, and a clear statement: Germany have taken control of the section with a spotless 9 points and a powerful 9–2 goal difference. They’ve mixed efficiency with punch — a composed 3–0 over Sweden, then a tougher 3–1 away success against China, before finishing Hungary late as Sascha Heichele hit a decisive hat-trick. For a nation whose best recent run is WC 28 third place, this looks like a group campaign built for momentum.

The pressure now shifts to the headline fixture: Germany vs New Zealand. The Kiwis have been ruthless in their own way — two wins from two, including a slick 4–1 against Hungary and a narrow 1–0 over Sweden — and arrive with belief, even if their historical ceiling is WC 1 runners-up.

Elsewhere, China have steadied after losing to Germany by beating Sweden 2–0, while Hungary are already in recovery mode after two defeats and 7 conceded. Round 4 feels pivotal: China can climb into contention against Hungary, but the group’s direction will be set by whether Germany can finally be slowed — or whether New Zealand become the next on the list.

Romania Set the Pace, Colombia Keep the Heat in Group E

After three rounds, Romania have turned Group E into their personal runway: 3 wins from 3, 10 goals scored, and just 2 conceded. They edged Colombia with a single Gino Panc strike in Round 1, then opened the tap — 5–2 against Chile and 4–0 over Malta — with Panc again at the center, including a hat-trick versus Malta. For a side that finished WC 30 runners-up, it’s the kind of start that screams contender.

Colombia aren’t far behind on 6 points, and they’ve been the group’s sharpest response team: a loss to Romania, then a composed 3–1 away win at Malta and a statement 4–1 against Australia. That makes Round 4’s meeting with Chile feel like a must-bag-three, especially with goal difference tightening at the top.

Australia’s early 10–0 demolition of Chile still shapes the table, but the Colombia defeat exposed fragility. Meanwhile Chile (0 points, 15 conceded) and Malta (0 points) are already fighting for survival — and Malta vs Australia now has real weight: lose again, and the escape routes in this group may disappear fast.

Fine Margins in Group F as Leaders Feel the Pressure

Group F is already living on a knife-edge. Israel lead on 6 points, but their story has been anything but smooth: a 2–1 win over winless Japan, a setback against Portugal after an early red card, and then a huge response with a clinical 2–1 over Croatia powered by Darren Maltz (both goals, including the opener in the 11th minute). For a nation that reached the WC quarterfinal (WC 25), this is the kind of grit that keeps a campaign alive.

The chase pack is tight: Portugal and Venezuela sit on 4 points each, and neither has conceded yet. Portugal drew 0–0 with Venezuela, then punished Israel 2–0 with goals from Olavo Semedo and Nicolau Vacas. Venezuela’s approach has been even leaner — a draw, then a 1–0 over Japan decided by R. Camacho — but the defensive control is obvious.

Round 4 raises the stakes: Croatia vs Venezuela is a direct collision between a free-scoring side (5 goals in 2 games) and the group’s most stubborn back line, while Japan vs Portugal looks like a last stand for Japan after three straight losses. With so many teams clustered, one clean win could flip this group in a hurry.

Goal Avalanche in Group G as Serbia and Slovenia Set a Ruthless Pace

If any group has turned into a pure numbers game, it’s this one. Serbia and Slovenia have ripped the section apart, combining for 50 goals scored and conceding just 2 in their opening matches. Serbia sit perfect on 9 points with an absurd 27–1 goal difference, launched by the jaw-dropping 19–0 demolition of Denmark and followed by a tidy 6–0 against England. Even when pushed, they found answers: a tighter 2–1 over Iceland kept the streak alive.

Slovenia are right behind on 6 points, but their attacking statement has been just as loud: 18–0 away to England, then 5–1 over Denmark with Klemen Marini running the show and smashing four goals (2', 12', 37', 61'). Denmark, despite grabbing a win in Iceland, already carry a brutal 3–24 goals record after three games. England and Iceland are still searching for points, and England have already made a managerial change after successive heavy defeats.

Round 4 shifts to survival mode: Denmark vs England is a must-stop-the-bleeding meeting, while Iceland vs Slovenia asks whether Iceland’s structure can slow the second wave of this group’s onslaught.

Austria Hit Cruise Control, but Italy Looms as the Real Measuring Stick

The early story is simple: Austria have been the most efficient side in the group, three wins from three and only one goal conceded. They’ve shown they can win in different ways too — turning around Canada after falling behind, grinding out a patient 1–0 over a packed Greece, then cutting loose with a 4–0 against Bangladesh led by Dominik Waltle, who struck a hat-trick (28', 34', 76') and forced the own goal that finished the job.

But the perfect start hasn’t bought breathing room yet, because Italy are tracking them step for step: two matches, two wins, five scored and none conceded. They opened by dismantling Greece 3–0 with Giordano Cedro scoring twice in three minutes, then handled Canada 2–0 with captain Mario Merlino on the scoresheet and Benedetto Giordano adding the second. Giuseppe Rossi has been the tone-setter in both wins, collecting man-of-the-match in Italy’s two outings.

Behind the front two, Canada are still alive after edging Bangladesh 1–0, but their margin for error is shrinking. Greece and Bangladesh remain scoreless, and Round 4 is set up as a fork in the road: Italy can keep the pressure on Austria, while Canada have a golden chance to put daylight between themselves and the bottom pair.

Two games, two wins, and Turkey have already made this group feel like a chase. They blew past South Africa with a ruthless first-half burst — Yavuz Belezoglu and a brace from Necati Gurgener inside 17 minutes — then proved they can win a scrap too, edging Czech Republic 3–2 away thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Yakup Ceben (14', 17', 55') despite goals from Libor Jilek and Havel Kobylik keeping it tense to the end.

Behind them, it’s crowded. South Africa steadied after that Turkey setback by putting Uruguay away 3–0, with Hamilton Hlongwane striking twice (48', 85') and Marius Van Camp opening the scoring. Czech Republic also sit on a solid platform: a disciplined 1–0 over Montenegro via Ondrej Brzybohaty and that hard-earned draw with South Africa in Round 1, where Kobylik rescued a point late.

The wild card remains Rep. of Montenegro: they have three points on the board but it came via a green-table win after Uruguay failed to appear in Round 1, and their first “on-field” test ended in a blank. Uruguay, meanwhile, are already in a hole — one no-show, one 0–3 defeat — and Round 4 now looks like a must-survive moment for them, while the real tension sits in the other fixture: a direct fight for second that could shape everything behind Turkey.

Moldova and Ireland Stay Perfect as Bosnia Hit the Brakes

Three rounds in, this section has a clear headline: Moldova and Ireland are both flawless, and neither has shown much appetite for drama. Moldova have been all about control and clean sheets — 1–0 over Bosnia courtesy of Borea Nirimbetov, then a sharp 2–0 in Russia where Eric Petrov and Pasa Lamblov struck inside five minutes to put the game to bed early. With Mircea Chirila repeatedly among their top performers, the leaders look built to squeeze teams rather than trade punches.

Ireland are matching them stride for stride. Steven MacMurrough has been the difference-maker — an early goal and a late penalty to see off Scotland, then another decisive finish in a tight 1–0 away win against Russia. They’ve conceded once in two matches and, with Jason Halligan delivering key moments, they’ve collected maximum points without needing fireworks.

The surprise is Bosnia and Herzegovina. After dismantling Russia 3–0 with Robert Stepinac scoring twice, they’ve gone quiet — losing 0–1 to Moldova and then settling for a 0–0 with Scotland despite having more of the ball. That sets up Round 4 as a genuine pivot: Bosnia now meet Ireland with their momentum wobbling, while Moldova’s meeting with Scotland looks like another test of whether this tight, efficient style can keep producing wins at the top.

France Set the Pace as Albania Turn Chaos into Points

If there’s one side in this group that looks properly settled, it’s France. Two games, two wins, five goals scored and none conceded — and the profile is consistent: patient possession, few chances allowed, then sharp finishing when the openings arrive. The 3–0 opener against Thailand was controlled from the first breakthrough, and the follow-up 2–0 win over Switzerland carried the same stamp, with Gurvan Bob and Thomas Beal delivering the goals and Kevin Durant earning top billing as man of the match.

Behind them, Albania have taken the scenic route to stay level on points. They were second-best in Switzerland and lost 1–3, but responded with two gritty, high-stress wins: 3–2 over Thailand and 2–1 over Estonia. Leonard Dosti has been the decisive figure, scoring twice against Estonia (and even picking up a booking after doing the damage), while Ulpian Musliu has quietly become their most reliable all-around performer.

For Switzerland, the opening-day win over Albania now feels like a missed launchpad. They were held 1–1 by Estonia despite Estonia’s limited output, then couldn’t find a way through France. Estonia, meanwhile, have competed honestly — a draw and a one-goal loss — with Erki Perli repeatedly standing out. Thailand are still searching for oxygen after conceding six in two, but they did at least ask real questions in that late push against Albania.

Round 4 is a tone-setter: France’s meeting with Estonia is a classic “can the underdog keep it close?” test, while Switzerland against Thailand looks like a must-win if the Swiss want to keep the leaders within reach.

Norway Lead, but Brazil and the Dutch Have the Firepower to Flip Group L

The table says Norway are in front, and the path there has been classic tournament craft: take what’s offered, stay compact, and punish mistakes. They opened by beating Finland 2–0 despite seeing only 34% of the ball, then bounced back from a humbling 0–3 loss to the Netherlands with a disciplined 2–0 win over Bolivia. The story is balance: Arvid Lium has chipped in early and often, while the back line has largely held its shape outside that Dutch storm.

That storm matters. Netherlands are unbeaten, have not conceded in two matches, and already produced the group’s statement result by dismantling Norway. With Kees Janse running games from goal (man of the match in that 3–0) and Tijn Kivit striking twice, they look like a side that can turn control into separation when the openings appear.

Brazil are the other heavyweight in waiting. After a cagey 0–0 with the Dutch, they exploded against Finland, scoring six with Nico Bontempo and Prieto Kologeski both finding the net twice. The upside is obvious; the warning is that their best performance came against the group’s leakiest defense.

For Bolivia, the early 2–0 win over Finland kept them in the mix, but the blank against Norway showed the limits of their attacking output. Finland, meanwhile, have been punished relentlessly — 10 conceded in three — and now every match is survival football.

Round 4 feels like a fork in the road: the Netherlands will fancy themselves against Finland, while Bolivia vs. Brazil is a real test of whether Brazil’s breakout was a one-off or the start of a run.