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Heat and Drinks Breaks Help Smaller Teams at World Cup, Says Scaloni

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni (C) reacts during an MD-1 training session at the Sporting KC Training Center in Kansas City on June 21, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Austria. (AFP)
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni (C) reacts during an MD-1 training session at the Sporting KC Training Center in Kansas City on June 21, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Austria. (AFP)
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Heat and Drinks Breaks Help Smaller Teams at World Cup, Says Scaloni

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni (C) reacts during an MD-1 training session at the Sporting KC Training Center in Kansas City on June 21, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Austria. (AFP)
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni (C) reacts during an MD-1 training session at the Sporting KC Training Center in Kansas City on June 21, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Austria. (AFP)

The steamy weather and hydration breaks are helping the smaller teams at the World Cup, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Sunday on the eve of the reigning champions' second game.

Argentina launched their title defense with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria.

They play Austria on Monday in Texas with the knockout rounds already in view, but Scaloni sounded a word of warning to any Argentina fans expecting it to be a walkover.

"What we see in this World Cup is that there is no such thing as an easy game," said Scaloni, who masterminded Argentina to the title in Qatar in 2022.

"(Even if) the group phase has always been historically (tricky), I would say this World Cup is a little bit more because there are more matches.

"The group phase has always been difficult to everyone, and the conditions, the heat and the match stops constantly.

"So that means that that might help the team that is theoretically weaker because they have time to recover."

Argentina were stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in Qatar in the group stage, before going on to lift the title.

This is the biggest-ever World Cup, with 48 teams, and there are three-minute drinks breaks in each half of games this time.

Scaloni said that effectively divided matches into "four quarters".

The heat will at least not be a factor at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Monday because it has a roof.

There will still be hydration breaks.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez agreed that the World Cup in North America is tighter than in 2022.

"I believe that the play is becoming more and more level," said the Chelsea star.

"And it is also more competitive this time compared to Qatar.

"This is my opinion, maybe I am mistaken, but I believe today, many national teams are causing a surprise here."

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Saudi Arabia Lacked Necessary Strength to Implement Their Defensive Plan

Georgios Donis, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
Georgios Donis, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Lacked Necessary Strength to Implement Their Defensive Plan

Georgios Donis, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
Georgios Donis, Head Coach of Saudi Arabia, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia at Atlanta Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)

Saudi Arabia's defensive strategy ‌fell apart as Spain dismantled their low block with ruthless efficiency, leaving coach Georgios Donis lamenting his team's lack of steel around their penalty area after Sunday's 4-0 World Cup defeat.

Spain strolled through the Group H match, breaking down the Saudi defense to move three goals ahead within the first half hour and easing their way to a comfortable victory.

“We decided to play with three center backs, so with five across the back and have a low block and to ‌do as best ‌we could possibly defensively," Donis said.

“But we ‌had ⁠to be stronger ⁠and stop the ball. There was no single reason for what didn’t go well for us, but the key is we were not strong enough around the edge of our box.”

Lamine Yamal’s 10th-minute goal was an early blow, Donis added.

“Spain scored early with excellent pace, and this affected our morale. ⁠After that, we made a lot of ‌mistakes when we had the ‌ball at our feet.

“When a game is not going well and when ‌you concede three goals very quickly, you feel insecure.

“Obviously ‌we were affected but you see that often in football. That is only natural.”

Donis insisted his defensive approach was the only way to try and stop the Spanish threat.

“We had a bad result ‌today but against one of the best teams at the World Cup and it’s very ⁠difficult for ⁠us to digest. But I’m proud of my players for what they do every day and I’ll never lose pride in my players, even after a poor result.

“We’ve already seen games at this World Cup that have ended in 6-0 or 5-1 scorelines. The most important factor for us is that we accept that we are going to be criticized but I also expect those who criticized us to be realistic.”

Saudi Arabia are left with a single point from their opening two matches and conclude their group phase fixtures against Cape Verde in Houston on Friday.

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Belgium’s Garcia Laments Wastefulness Against Iran

Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Belgium’s Garcia Laments Wastefulness Against Iran

Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Rudi Garcia, head coach of Belgium reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia lamented his side's wastefulness after a 0-0 draw with Iran left the Group G favorites facing a final match against New Zealand to secure a place in the World Cup round of 32.

Belgium dominated possession and peppered Iran's goal on Sunday but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who produced a string of saves to earn the Iranians a valuable point in Los Angeles.

Belgium have taken only two points from ‌their opening two ‌matches despite entering the tournament as favorites to ‌progress ⁠from the group.

"We ⁠could have won by three goals against Iran but we weren't efficient enough," Garcia told reporters. "We had many attempts and when you don't score, you don't win a match."

The 62-year-old said his side had executed their game plan as intended against an Iran team they expected to sit deep and look to strike on the counterattack.

"We dominated, so tactically ⁠and in terms of the game plan we played ‌as we wanted to play. But we ‌were wasteful and lacked efficiency," he said.

Belgium's task became even harder when ‌defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off midway through the second half ‌for hauling down Mehdi Taremi as the Iran forward broke through on goal.

Garcia described the dismissal as an understandable mistake from a young player and praised the response of the rest of the team, who continued to push for ‌a winner despite playing the final half-hour with 10 men.

"Playing 30 minutes down a man is very ⁠difficult in a ⁠World Cup," he said.

Garcia singled out Beiranvand as the key reason Belgium failed to take all three points, calling the Iranian goalkeeper the game's standout performer.

He acknowledged the start had fallen short of expectations but insisted qualification remained in his team's hands.

"Sometimes you have to win and in this situation you have to win," he said. "Obviously, I would have wished to start better but this is part of life."

Belgium face New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday, while Iran take on Egypt.

"This group is not weak," Garcia said. "We need to show we are capable of beating New Zealand and moving into the round of 32. First we need to rest, recover and get ready for this decisive match."

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Beiranvand Heroics Help Iran Hold 10-Man Belgium to Goalless Draw

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group G - Belgium v Iran - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, US - June 21, 2026 Iran's Alireza Beiranvand makes a save. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group G - Belgium v Iran - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, US - June 21, 2026 Iran's Alireza Beiranvand makes a save. (Reuters)
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Beiranvand Heroics Help Iran Hold 10-Man Belgium to Goalless Draw

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group G - Belgium v Iran - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, US - June 21, 2026 Iran's Alireza Beiranvand makes a save. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group G - Belgium v Iran - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, US - June 21, 2026 Iran's Alireza Beiranvand makes a save. (Reuters)

Ten-man Belgium were left frustrated after being held to a 0-0 draw by a determined Iran in their World Cup Group G clash in Los Angeles on Sunday, failing to find a way past the stubborn Iranian defense.

Belgium's hopes were dealt a blow in the 66th minute when defender Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mehdi Taremi after the Iranian forward had intercepted the defender's mishit attempted pass and was through on goal.

Yet despite their numerical advantage, Iran struggled to capitalize, creating little as the Belgians launched a series of attacks and cranked up the pressure in the final minutes.

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand repeatedly saved his side with crucial ‌interventions, including an ‌extraordinary stop to keep out a point-blank-range effort from Maxim De Cuyper ‌in ⁠the second half.

Iran ⁠have two points and will next face Egypt in Seattle on Friday while Belgium, also on two points, take on New Zealand in Vancouver with all still to play for in the group.

Belgium dominated the first half but created few clear opportunities, their attacks failing in front of goal.

The opening exchanges set a physical tone when Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku was yellow-carded three minutes in for a lunging attempt at a ball in front of goal that put Beiranvand on the grass for minutes.

IRAN GOAL DISALLOWED

Iran found the ⁠net just before the first-half hydration break when a free kick allowed ‌Ehsan Hajisafi to make a clever pass through the wall ‌to Taremi, who scored but was ruled offside following a VAR check.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had said on Saturday ‌that Lukaku needed his playing time managed, but started with the striker against Iran and kept ‌him on the pitch until the 74th minute.

Lukaku said the match was a disappointment for Belgium.

"We have to analyze what went wrong, because we created so many chances without scoring, and that's frustrating," said Lukaku. "We play with too much emotion in key moments."

Iran's team have been forced to stay outside the US between matches due to ‌extraordinary measures by the American government, which has also banned a number of Iran team staff and officials.

The atmosphere was charged, with Iran's team ⁠receiving loud cheers before ⁠the match and chants of "I-ran, I-ran" throughout from vocal supporters who outnumbered Belgium fans in the more than 70,000-seat stadium.

The exuberant Iran crowd delighted Beiranvand, who was named the player of the match.

"I kiss the hands of every single Iranian who was here in the stadium today, every one of them. All the Iranians who supported us today. There were moments when everyone was chanting, calling out the name of Iran," said Beiranvand.

While there were small protests outside the stadium and pre-revolutionary flags being flown and worn both outside and inside, the pre-match political intensity was muted compared to their opener, which coincided with the announcement of a US-Iran peace agreement.

Iran's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, was pleased with the commitment his players showed, facing some of the world's outstanding football talents.

"The conditions have been very hard for us," he said. "They are playing with their hearts."

Belgium's coach, Rudi Garcia, was forgiving about Ngoy's red card, which hit his team's hopes of victory.

"He's young. He made a mistake," said Garcia.