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The co-hosts are all gone.
Canada, Mexico and the United States – the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup – all made it to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Yet all fell at that hurdle. Morocco beat Canada 3-0, England edged past Mexico 3-2, and Belgium comfortably dispatched the USA 4-1. Today, we’ll be looking specifically at one of the architects of the USA’s downfall.
For our Viz, we're looking at goals scored by substitutes at World Cups. You've probably noticed it already, but the trend has been particularly striking at this tournament.
Elsewhere, we examine which teams are creating the most chances by winning the ball high up the pitch, before revisiting England's painful 1998 World Cup exit to Argentina in our quiz.
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😈 STAT - Trossard Punctures American Dream
While much of the pre-game conversation ahead of USA-Belgium in the last 16 was devoted to Folarin Balogun, there was no debate as to who deserved to go through.
Belgium comprehensively outplayed the co-hosts, winning 4-1 courtesy of goals from Charles De Ketelaere (2), Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku.
Overall, Belgium accumulated 2.01 expected goals (xG) from 15 shots to the USA's 0.63 from seven attempts, with Mauricio Pochettino's men second best from the very first whistle.
One player who’s gone a little under the radar at the 2026 World Cup is Leandro Trossard. The Arsenal winger, who’s set to join Besiktas this summer, set up De Ketelaere’s second goal with some great play down the left. Across the tournament he has now scored twice and assisted twice.