By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
…Two Top Disciplinary Acts on FIFA’s Table
THE LAST may not have been heard over the political imbroglio between Argentina and England over the Falkland War of 1982 that was revisited in the 2nd semifinal of the 2026 World Cup match played Wednesday July 15 when Argentina came from behind to cage the Three Lions of England 2-1 and stroll into the finale on Sunday.
The world football governing body FIFA that tries her best never to entertain politics at any level is investigating Argentina players Lisandro Martinez and Giovanni Lo Celso for brandishing political Falkland flags on the pitch during their match against England.
Another incident on the FIFA table is the ‘Bianca Ojukwu like’ dazzling slap (in Nigeria, such a slap makes the receiver turn round and fall like a Berbers’ chair) that Jude Bellingham gave Valetin Barco in the 2nd semifinal match that the media tagged FALKLAND WAR.
The match was tense and rough and Jude gave the slap believed as anger to a rough tackle.
It is speculated that Jude may be punished by FIFA any moment from now, but the verdict may be a suspended one to be effected after the 2026 World Cup tournament has ended.
One of the fascinating moments of the world cup will be on Sunday when two stars will collide on the field and not in the skies of USA.
In 2007 when now Argentina Captain, Lionel Messi was 20 years, Barca and UNICEF (a world body that thinks about children), took his photo and edited for publication with a six-month-old baby by name, Lamine Yamal for a charity calendar.
Now, Yamal is a world star who will face world megastar in Lionel Messi when the curtain of the world cup will be drawn in USA.
That final curtain will attract the first ever super bowl like half time show on July 19 where fans will enjoy much entertainment.
Patmos Media Line learnt that Nigeria’s Burna Boy who was on parade at the opening ceremony will make the fans happy again with African gig.
The Tunisia versus Japan match played in Monterrey was the historical 1,000th FIFA match in world cup history both countries incidentally met in another milestone match in 2002.
As there are the final four designed for podium finish at this 2026 World Cup, 102 matches have been played so far with 297 goals scored and 6,665,825 fans in attendances (average of 65,351 per match).
Seven players are on the line for the Golden, Silver and Bronze Boots award for top scorers.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kylian Mbappe of France tied with 8 goals each; Erling Haaland of Norway has 7 goals; Jude Bellingham and Harry Keane have 6 goals each while Ousmane Dembele of France and Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain with 5 goals each may still spring surprises if they score a brace or hatrick in their outstanding match.
Argentina for now is the highest team scorer with 19 goals; France is 2nd with 16 goals; Belgium had 14 goals before they were booted out while England and Norway have 13 goals each. Qatar conceded the highest goals of 10 in this tournament.
FIFA has released a present ranking at the tournament. Norway is 5th, Belgium 6th, Morocco 7th and Switzerland 8th all sent out at the quarterfinals.
Mex is 9th, Col 10th, Bra 11th, USA 12th, Por 13th, Can 14th, Egy 15th and Par 16th all sent out at R16 stages.
Ned is 17th, Ger 18th, CIV 19th, Cro 20th, Jap 21, Australia 22nd, DRC 23rd, Gha 24th, Ecu 25th, SAF 25th too, 27th is Swe, Austria is 28th, Bos 29th, Alg 30th, Sen 31st and Cvd 32nd all eliminated at R32 stages.
The last group ousted at the group stages are Ira 33, Sko 34, Turkey 35, Sco 36, Uru 37th, Saudi 38th, Czech 39th, Nz 40th, Qatar 41st, Cur 42nd, Pan 43rd, Jor 44th, Hai 45th, Uzb 46th, Tun 47th and Iraq 48th.
On Saturday 18th July, England will meet France for the Bronze in a European Derby at 10.00pm at the Miami Gardens.
On Sunday 19th July at 8.00pm at Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford the grande finale between defending champions Argentina and Spain will take place.
#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #EUFA #CONMEBOL #CAF #AFC #CONCACAF
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