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The United States has clinched the top spot in Group D at the two thousand twenty six World Cup, and they did it without even playing. Paraguay pulled off a stunning one-nil victory over Turkey at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, holding on with ten men for more than half the match. That gritty result handed the Americans the group on a silver platter, and momentum is building stateside.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Brazil is raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. Despite a three-nil win over Haiti, the five-time world champions look far from convincing, while rivals Argentina and France have been turning heads with genuinely impressive performances. The pressure is mounting on the Selecao to find another gear, and fast, before the knockout rounds arrive.
And keeping an eye on Group E, Germany and Ivory Coast are set to square off in Toronto, both sides coming off winning starts but taking very different paths to get there. Germany looked clinical, Ivory Coast showed heart, and this matchup could go in any direction. It's shaping up to be one of the most compelling second-round group stage clashes on the schedule.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
