Rise of a Football God

(2026 FIFA World Cup- Group Stage:)

(GROUP B:)

(South Korea - Peru)

(Venue: NRG Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 12, 2026)

(Time: 18:00)

It was a cool evening in the U.S.A.

This time, it was the South Korean national team taking on the Peru national team in the NRG Stadium in the U.S.

Both teams started with their strongest XI.

Peru lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, Gallese manning the posts for them, while their 4-man defense comprised Lopez, Garces, Zambrana, and Advincula. Their midfield trio comprised Carrillo, Tapia, and Aquino.

As for their forward line, they were Reyna, Guerrero, and Polo.

As for South Korea, they lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Cho in between the posts and a quadruple defense of Seol, Cho, Kwon, and Lee ahead of him. The midfield duo comprised HWANG and Park.

Ahead was D. Lee, J. Lee, and Hwang, while the Tottenham legend Heung Min Son played up top for the Koreans.

FWEEE!

The game started and Korean and Peru fans witnessed a thriller.

No team saw themselves as the underdog which meant neither team played defensive football. They call came out to show their might, and it resulted in one of the most exciting games since the World Cup Started.

The first half seemed to be drawing to a goalless conclusion when in the last minute of additional time, Peru's striker scored a banger, lashing into the ball on a volley to score the only goal of the first half.

Peru fans around the stadium celebrated exuberantly.

In the second half, South Korea tried hard to play catchup. They played the game of their lives, putting everything out there on the pitch, pressuring Peru's defense and yet the defense held for over an hour, and then it crumbled.

In the 78th minute, Heung Min Son received the ball over the defense and outrunning all the defenders despite his age, he rounded the goalkeeper to score the much sought equalizer.

South Korean fans in the stadium went mad in joy and celebrations.

And yet, they were not done. Peru were clearly content with a draw, but South Korea was not, and so they dug in.

Son did it again, striking in the 85th minute.

This time, he received a pass inside the box and simply tapped it in from close range, sending the stadium into a frenzy.

2-1 to South Korea! Just like that.

Peru tried everything, and yet they never came back into the game.

South Korea won.

…

(Brazil - Serbia)

(Venue: SoFi Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 13, 2026)

(Time: 14:00)

The next day rolled over so fast that it didn't feel like a day at all, rather it felt like the freely rolling stages of a book.

And today, one of the giants of International football took the stage in the U.S, Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil running riot against Serbia.

Against the mighty Brazilians led by a resurgent Neymar Jnr, the Serbians could not play anything as playing and dribbling freely, Brazil cruised to a crazy 8-1 score line in their first game of the tournament.

Neymar got the man of the match award with a dominant performance, scoring a brace and giving 3 assists in the game.

Vinicius Jnr. and Raphinha got a brace of goals each.

It was a statement Brazil performance under their new coach, Carlo Ancelotti who took the Brazil job after leaving his Real Madrid head coach post.

…

(Australia - Egypt)

(Venue: Lincoln Financial, USA)

(Date: June 13, 2026)

(Time: 14:00)

At the same time that Brazil crushed Serbia in one part of the U.S, Australia also took on Egypt in another part of U.S.A, this time the Lincoln Financial.

It was a vintage Egypt performance.

Mohamed Salah ran riot, being the man of the night as he provided 2 assists to lead Egypt to a dominant 0-2 win over Australia.

Omar Marmoush got his first goal of the tournament right out of the bat in Egypt's first game, scoring a banger from a Mohamed Salah pass.

It was a dominant performance from the Pharaohs of Egypt.

…

(Argentina - Qatar)

(Venue: Mercedes-Benz, USA)

(Date: June 13, 2026)

(Time: 20:00)

And then, it was time for the main men, the villains of the World Cup tournament; it was time for the reigning World Champions to take to the pitch.

Argentina started with a classic Argentina lineup.

Starting in a 4-1-3-2 formation, Dibu Martinez started in between the posts for this Argentine side, protected by a defensive quadruple of Nahuel Molinha, Christian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and Nicolas Tagliafico.

In defensive midfield was Leandro Paredes, while ahead of him was a dynamic trio of the tireless Rodrigo De Paul, the midfield maestro Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez.

Ahead in attack were 2 faces of Argentine football, the 2 different but dynamic strikers, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.

Lionel Messi, the figurehead of this Argentine side didn't start the game. He was restricted to the bench.

From the beginning, in an interview, Lionel Messi already said that he would be taking on a reduced role this World Cup. He would be coming up for the La Albiceleste in this FIFA World Cup tournament as an impact sub.

As for the Qatar side that lined up against this great Argentine team? They were not worth mentioning at the end of the game.

Argentina drubbed Qatar 6-0 in truly dominating fashion.

The first half came to an end 4-0, Lautaro Martinez scoring a brace, and Julian Alvarez getting a goal and assist. Enzo Fernandez scored the 4th Argentine goal in the first half, dooming Qatar to defeat.

In the second half, Lionel Scaloni made changes, resting some players and making his team lessen the tempo. And yet, Qatar stood no chance.

Nicolas Otamendi scored the 5th goal of the game in the 74th minute from a corner kick, heading the ball past the goalkeeper.

Just a minute later, Lionel Messi was introduced into the game.

And then, in the 81st minute, the Argentine G.O.A.T got his name on the scoresheet, rifling a shot into the top bin from just outside the box.

Lionel Messi may be old, but he still got it.

Just like Brazil, Argentina put out a statement display in the big stage.