Canada advances to the knockout stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, despite losing to Switzerland 2-1. Vinícius Jr is on the scoresheet again, despite a VAR controversy. Brazil leaves Scotland on a brink of World Cup exit with a 3-nil win. South Africa celebrates a 1-nil victory over Son Heung-Min's South Korea side. Australia gears up to watch the Tony Popovic's Socceroos' match against Paraguay tomorrow. Join your host Haylena Krishnamoorthy for this episode of World Cup Daily | The 90+ Podcast, as she talks about Vinícius Jr's goals caught up in a VAR controversy? South Africa celebrating a win over South Korea, and Tony Popovic's Socceroos squad's thoughts ahead of their Paraguay match.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Did Canada do enough to reach the knockout stage?
Vinícius Jr is on the scoresheet again, but why was one of his goals caught up in a VAR controversy?
South Africa celebrates a victory.
And what's Tony Popovic's plan of attack for their Paraguay match tomorrow?
This is SBS News’ World Cup Daily: The 90+ Podcast, where we bring you the stories from on and beyond the pitch. I’m your host, Haylena Krishnamoorthy.
What a day at the World Cup.
Six matches down, and there was plenty of drama, goals and a few nervous moments for the host nation.
Let's get into it.
We'll start with Canada.
The co-hosts have gone down 2-1 to Switzerland, with Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scoring second-half goals to put the Swiss in control.
Now, if you're a Canadian fan, you're probably asking one question: does this mean they're out?
The answer is no.
Despite the loss, Canada has done enough to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in its history.
The downside? They'll surrender home advantage as they move into the next round.
Still, there was a moment for the home crowd to celebrate when Canada pulled one back in the 76th minute.
Elsewhere in the group, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Qatar 3-1.
And now to one of the tournament favourites.
Brazil has put Scotland on the brink of elimination with a convincing 3-nil [3-0]] win in Florida.
And once again, Vinícius Jr was the star of the show.
Scotland's hopes hangs by the thread after star player Vinicius Jr does, well what he does best.
The Brazilian forward opened the scoring in the seventh minute and added another just before half-time.
There was a controversial VAR [[video assistant referee system]] review on his 22nd minute goal - but ultimately it was disallowed by the referee.
Vinícius Júnior now has a goal in all three group matches and moves level with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé on four goals for the tournament - just one behind Lionel Messi.
With two goals, and plenty of shots, the Real Madrid star eased past Scotland.
Matheus Cunha added Brazil's third after the break to complete a dominant performance.
Brazil led the match when legend Neymar came on for Cunha.
But Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti says the focus is simple.
"We are working to play the best as we can but the goal is not to play well, we know that playing well is easier to win but the goal is to win. The manager is only judged if he wins or if he doesn't win. Doesn't matter if we play well, well football. If we win the World Cup, we played well. If we don't win the World Cup, we played really bad. I understand really well this."
And says he's satisfied as the team is improving.
Brazil tops Group C and looks every bit a contender.
In Atlanta, Haiti scored its first World Cup goal in more than five decades [[52 years]], but Morocco still came away with a 4-2 victory.
Elsewhere, South Africa recorded a memorable 1-nil win over South Korea for the first time - despite captain Son Heung-min's side having larger possession and corners in the match.
The Bafana Bafana side failed to make it past the knockouts in 1998, 2002 and 2010.
Thapelo Maseko scored the winning goal.
"It feels like a dream you know, but great to all the gents - great to everyone today, the defence; they gave their all and this win is just for those who supported us and for those who actually didn't support us too."
Their coach Hugo Broos said they played well despite it being a tough game.
"I'm very happy for the guys, I worked with them for five years, and what we did in that five years is amazing."
They will be playing host nation Canada next in the round of 32.
And Mexico cruised past Czech Republic, 3-nil, with Mateo Chavez, Julian Quinones and Alvaro Fidalgo scoring the goals for the team.
At his sixth World Cup, 40 year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa came on as a sub.
The team also saw their youngest star Gilberto Mora aged 17, as midfield on the global stage.
Now to the Socceroos.
Australia faces Paraguay tomorrow in a match that could define its World Cup campaign.
But coach Tony Popovic has confirmed Jacob Italiano won't be available after suffering an injury.
That leaves Australia without two players for the crucial final group game, with Matt Leckie also sidelined following the loss to the United States.
"We'll do some further tests in the coming days, but he won't be available for this game."
Paraguay arrives full of confidence after defeating Türkiye last week.
And Popovic knows exactly what's coming.
"We understand what they bring, they bring a real toughness, they qualifying in South America is really difficult, they know how to get a result in the last match 10 men, scoring early,. they got a fantastic manager It’s a wonderful challenge we love the position we’re in. We know its in our hands and what a win does for us tomorrow."
Despite the injury concerns and their loss to USA 2-nil, although admittedly they played better defence in that second half, Popovic says he's been impressed by how his young squad is developing throughout the tournament.
"These young boys are learning on the go. It’s very quick education and lessons that we are learning. I’m seeing them grow as young men, I’m seeing them grow as players, I’m seeing them mature. I’m seeing them enjoying and embracing the greatest challenge of all, which is the World Cup. It doesn’t get greater than this so I'm excited for this group and can't wait for tomorrow."
One thing to keep an eye on: Jordan Bos, Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati are all carrying yellow cards.
This essentially means, another booking for any of them would mean a suspension for Australia's Round of 32 match - should the Socceroos get there.
On a lighter note, here's an exchange between Alessandro Circati's father and the player on his hairstyle.
"He's been having the mullet for the last six to seven years (laughs)."
Journalist: "Ale, we spoke to your dad during the week and he made it very clear he's not happy about mullets at the moment. This kind of went viral for that, this is your chance to respond. Do you want to defend the mullet?"
Ale Circati: "Haters are going to hate (laughs). With dad it's always a joke, I'm sure he's very supportive of everything I do. When I do do something wrong I believe he's the first person to tell me, and regarding my hair no he hasn't told me anything is wrong. He much rather something simple but no, he's fine with it."
Australia takes on Paraguay tomorrow at midday AEST, and you can watch that at SBS ON Demand.
Tomorrow, we've got Curacao against Ivory Coast, Ecuador playing Germany, Japan vs Sweden, Tunisia against Netherlands, Turkiye vs USA as well as the much anticipated Australia - Paraguay match.
Stay tuned for the latest at the World Cup Daily | The 90+ Podcast.
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