World Cup 2026: Difficult nights for Anthony Gordon and Joao Cancelo

The first round of matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end and it has been an electrifying experience so far. The teams considered strongest, with the exception of Germany and Argentina, did not show a convincing performance. The smaller teams, on the other hand, fought valiantly, with incredible stories such as Cape Verde holding Spain to a draw and the Democratic Republic of Congo refusing to give up against Portugal.

Last night's games included Democratic Republic of the Congo v Portugal, England v Croatia, Ghana v Panama and Colombia v Uzbekistan. Barça's new signings Anthony Gordon and Joao Cancelo were on the pitch, so let's look at how they fared for their respective teams.


Joao Cancelo x Democratic Republic of Congo Although he is not yet a permanent Barça player, it is undeniable that the Catalan club wants to keep him. Cancelo started as a starter for Portugal, but had a frustrating night. The Portuguese team opened the scoring early with a goal from Joao Neves, but Yoane Wissa equalized before the break, securing a historic point for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Barcelona full-back had some threatening moments, such as a dangerous ball crossed into the box in the first half and an acrobatic finish that was ruled out for offside. Overall, their performance looked a little uneven, with Portugal dominating possession but not turning that into clear-cut chances. That's always the tradeoff with Cancelo: he can create angles that most full-backs can't, but when the match gets messy, his risky style can make his performance seem loose rather than controlled.

Anthony Gordon x Croatia Gordon started for England in the 4-2 victory over Croatia. For him, the result was better than the performance. England scored four goals, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham shining, while Marcus Rashford replaced Gordon in the 72nd minute before scoring a late goal. Gordon worked hard and tried to stretch the Croatian defense, but did not become a central figure in England's best attacking moments. His directness is useful, especially in transitions, but Barça fans will hope to see more quality in possession: cleaner combinations, more incisive final passes and better timing in tight spaces. Overall, it was a quiet day for Barcelona. Gordon came away with the victory, but without influence, while Cancelo showed flashes without producing decisive action. Both remain players to watch, but Barça fans expect more authority in their next performances.

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