Summary: Welcome to Montreal, Canada, for the second Group E match on this Monday of the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria, No. 31 in the latest FIFA World Rankings, takes on No. 19 Czech Republic. The last and only time these two teams have faced each other was back in 1996 when Czech Republic won 2-1 competing for the extinct Hassan II Trophy.

Earlier today, Argentina dispatched New Zealand, 2-0, to firmly put themselves in the driver seat. World-class striker Paulo Dybala scored both goals. But, back to the two teams taking the field now.

Czech Republic enters the World Cup with a pair of impressive road victories over Senegal (1-0) and Brazil (3-2). Star forward Patrik Schick from AS Monaco netted a first-half hat trick in the upset over Brazil.

Nigeria, on the other hand, settled for two 2-2 draws against Australia and Colombia. They needed two penalty kicks converted by Victor Osimhen to rescue the tie against Colombia.

As such, the bookies have 6-4 odds or a 60% chance that the Czech Republic will win today. So there is some good money to be had if you think Nigeria can bag a result.

The wind is whipping around the stadium as Kelechi Iheanacho kicks off.

We are underway!

Here comes Nigeria right away, just 45 seconds into the contest. Alex Iwobi crosses in and finds the head of Victor Osimhen... Oh! Off the crossbar. What a start for the Super Eagles.

A minute later, Nigeria captain John Hazmat gives it go from distance. Caught comfortably by the Czech keeper Jiri Pavlenka. But now here is Marcus Diamond with a ball over the top to Iwobi for a one-time strike.

Diving stop Pavlenka! Marvelous save to keep the contest scoreless not even three minutes into this onslaught by Nigeria right out of the gates.

The ball gets recycled though and here Nigeria goes again. Wilfred Ndidi to Diamond to Iwobi... Shot! GOAL!!!!!!

NO... The flag goes up. Offsides. Nigeria's dream start is ripped away.

A poor free kick has the Czech Republic looking to push numbers forward here in the 31st minute. But Schick takes too long on the ball and gets tackled by David Omeje, who kicks ball up to Iheanacho sprinting behind the retreating Czech defenders.

Iheanacho gets his cross across the goal...



It's a glorious Hazmat header off the post and in. Well deserved after Nigeria has dominated the first half hour. The African nation is putting all of Europe on notice by taking an early lead here in Montreal.

Schick with an opportunity right before halftime, but Nigeria goalkeeper Victor Okechukwu is up to the challenge on just the Czech's second shot on target.

The halftime whistle blows.

The Czech Republic might have had 56% of the possession but, to the neutral observer, Nigeria looks like the better team so far. The Super Eagles' attack has been potent, creating nine shots with five on target.

What adjustments will be made in the locker room?


It's another fast start for Nigeria, a minute into the second half and they have something brewing. Iheanacho draws three defenders after being tackled with his back to the goal. But finds Diamond open in space. Diamond could shoot... He decides to pass.

Osimhen is through on goal... but was he onside?



He was onside. It was close. But a perfect through ball by Diamond springs Osimhen free for Nigeria's second goal in the 47th minute.

Czech Republic makes the first substitution in the 52nd minute: 19yo Fiala replaces 30yo veteran Jankto on the right flank. Nigeria counters by replacing its left back two minutes later: Essien on for Okoro.

Corner kick in the 57th minute for Czech Republic. Ball crossed in and surely that has to find somebody. Nigeria falls asleep and leaves like three guys wide open. The ball does locate Ales Mateju who heads it down to Ondrej Mihalik...



Nigeria didn't mark-up at all on that corner, and it costs them dearly.

As such, Nigeria head coach J.J. is changing tactics. Iwobi is coming off for Hassan Ibeh and appears Nigeria is going to start packing up shop.

An exhausted Schick is subbed off in the 74th minute. Nigeria did an incredible job keeping him off the scoresheet today. But, they still have a little more work left to do to walk out of here with three crucial points.

Nigeria makes its last change in the 88th minute, swapping out Omeje for Anyamele to sure up the defense for the Czech Republic's last push.

Four minutes of stoppage time is granted.

All-out attack for the Czech Republic. And they will get a shot off. Mihalik!

Diving save Okechukwu! Nigeria head coach J.J. looks like a genius for starting Okechukwu over Joseph Sunday.

But here comes the Czech again...

Fiala crosses in... And cleared out by big defender Henry Williams.

That will do it. The last whistle blows for full time.



Rating: 7.7 - We took it to them. We played aggressive. Took our chances. Secured three massive points. Proud of the boys. This gives us a realistic chance to make it out of the Group Stage.

Player of Game: Marcus Diamond, Nigeria (7.7)

Group Tables

Tournament Leaders

The African nations are thriving. We have all scored points so far, with the exception of Ivory Coast which is still waiting to play its opening round game against Portugal.

The most shocking results of the first Group Stage matches is probably Egypt holding Belgium to a scoreless draw, Germany thrashing Uruguay 4-0 and defending champions Mexico settling for a 1-1 tie with Iran.

The most thrilling match? Japan and South Africa going back-and-forth for a 3-3 draw. Three of the six goals were scored past the 80th minute.

Meanwhile, in our Group E, Argentina remains the team to beat. My former Real Madrid teammate now turned foe, Paulo Dybala, is a goal scoring machine. It will be a tough test to steal any points from the No. 7 ranked team in the world. But at least they no longer have superstar Lionel Messi, who retired from football back in 2024.

Summary: The top two teams in Group E will clash here in Calgary at the McMahon Stadium, current home of the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders. A sold out crowd of 40,100 pack the seats, but it's not the largest attendance for this venue. McMahon Stadium had a record number of 60,000 people present at the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The historic site can now add the 2026 World Cup to its resume.

Mighty Argentina hasn't lost a game since April 1, 2025, on the road at Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier. And no, that's not an April Fools joke. That's a run of 10 straight victories.

Nigeria is feeling confident after a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic to open the tournament. But, do they have enough firepower to play with one of the best teams in the world? We shall find out.

The ball has been kicked off. Here we go!

Slow start to the match, but both teams get a few half-chances.

Now in the 12th minute, Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi looks lost on defense and has kept Dario Milan onside. Ndidi desperately tries to get in front of the shot, but he can't block it.



Cheers around the stadium erupt. The chanting continues well after play has been resumed. Olé, Olé, Olé echoes after each completed pass now for Argentina as Nigeria is struggling to gain control of the ball.

Milan is pressing the action again here in the 27th minute.



Two goals up early on here for Argentina!

Nigeria is just settling for counter attacks now. And here comes a rare opportunity as Kelechi Iheanacho holds the ball up top. Marcus Diamond gets in behind and has a crack from 22 yards out! Just wide.

Argentina makes one final push before halftime. Ball into the box... and down goes Dybala. Nigeria defender Jordan Torunarigha knocks over the Argentina star. At least that's how it looked. Diamond is livid.

Dybala and Diamond can be seen exchanging a few words. It's heated.

The official breaks up the gathering before things get out of hand and then checks his headset. VAR will be getting involved... We wait.

Here we go. The referee points to the spot! Dybala smirks and steps up.



Nigeria kicks the ball back in play, but the official immediately blows for halftime. The Super Eagles were smacked around in the first half.


Nigeria with two subs coming out of the locker room: Hassan Ibeh for Alex Iwobi, and Oghenekaro Etebo for Kelechi Ihenacho. And appears that Etebo will drop into the midfield to allow Diamond to get some playing time up front.

Diamond heads the ball over the crossbar in the 59th minute.

Argentina replaces Milan with Gerardo Olatte in the 62nd minute. Then uses its final two subs in the 67th and 73rd minute, while firmly keeping Nigeria from starting any late match fireworks.

One of those Argentina subs, Martin Roselli, is looking to put the icing on the cake here in the 79th minute.



Bar down and in. Classy finish from close range.

Diamond comes off in the 86th minute for Dapo Mebude to hopefully rest his legs a little for Nigeria's final group match against New Zealand.

The referee only gives one minute of stoppage time and it's gone in a flash. Argentina was by far the superior team and claims a 4-0 victory.



Rating: 6.3 - Let my emotions get the better of me.

Player of Game: Paulo Dybala, Argentina (9.4)

Group Tables

Tournament Leaders

Dybala leading the Golden Boot race is sickening. Doing so at our expense nonetheless. We now have our work cut for us against New Zealand, even though they are one of four teams yet to score a goal at the World Cup after two games. The other three teams (Canada, United States and Russia) have all been mathematically eliminated from reaching the Round of 16. New Zealand could still get there.

Mexico, the only remaining host of the World Cup and defending champions, sits in second of Group F but still has to play Group F winner Brazil in its last Group Stage match. All that to say, if we somehow escape the Group Stage, we would get Brazil in the Round of 16...

Yeah. Tough draw.

But we can't look ahead. All eyes have to be on beating New Zealand.

Summary: In a crucial final Group Stage match at the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria decides to bench arguably it's two best players, midfielders Marcus Diamond and John Hamzat, due to fitness concerns.

It's a gutsy decision but, if they can make it out of the group, they will have fresher legs to utilize against a likely showdown with Group F winner Brazil in the Round of 16.

New Zealand looks to play spoiler even though they have yet to score a goal at the World Cup after being blanked twice against Argentina (2-0) and the Czech Republic (1-0). In fact, the All Whites only have one win this calendar year, a 2-1 win over Mali, with its other five defeats all being shutouts. Some bad form to say the least.

In the last meeting between these two teams, Nigeria narrowly topped New Zealand 1-0 in an October 2023 friendly. Oddsmakers expect a similar result with Nigeria heavily favored to secure points in this match.

But games aren't played on paper. That's why we are here, and now underway from Tim Hortons Field, the home of Forge FC in Hamilton, Ontario! All the Group E matches were played in Canada host cities to cut down on travel time for the teams.

Nigeria looks strong in the opening moments as New Zealand struggles to touch the ball. And this looks to be the first scoring threat as Uche Agbo, Diamond's replacement in the midfield, uncorks a shot.



Oh no, it's a howler. New Zealand keeper Rob Schutte gets both hands on it but the shot is too powerful and goes into the net in the 5th minute.

New Zealand compounds the mistake with a bad tackle attempt.


Off the ensuing free kick, Nigeria works the ball around and on the second cross in by Alex Iwobi, Agbo heads the ball to Kelechi Iheanacho.



Two goals in nine minutes and 55 seconds. Talk about a dream start for the Soaring Eagles. They couldn't have scripted it any better. Head coach J.J. looks like a genius with Agbo relishing his opportunity to play.

Yet, New Zealand isn't going to throw in the towel. This is the World Cup.

Nigeria turnover and breakaway for the All Whites going the other way. It's striker Liam Jordan going one-on-one with defender Moses Essien. Jordan cuts inside and Essien extends his leg.

Jordan hits the turf, in the 18-yard box, penalty for New Zealand!



New Zealand has scored its first goal of the World Cup!

It's not too much cause for concern for Nigeria with Argentina and the Czech Republic still tied at 0-0 in the 35th minute. If these results hold, then Nigeria is going through to the Round of 16.

But perhaps this is cause for concern.


Agbo gets too excited and pushes his way to a yellow card. It's Nigeria's first yellow card of the tournament so far. They have been very disciplined up to this point. But with cards coming out here in the first half, we should expect to more to come.

Thomas is lucky not to get one for New Zealand as he takes down Iwobi about 30 yards out in the 40th minute. Nigeria sets up another free kick.



Oghenekaro Etebo to Chidozie Awaziem to Essien. Brilliant.

More breathing room for Nigeria going into the locker room. Speaking of which, there is the whistle to end the first half. While we have four goals to boast about here, Argentina and Czech Republic remains scoreless.

That has the Group E live table looking like this:



Referee Ovidiu Hategan from Romania isn't messing around and issues two yellow cards early into the second half. One to each team.


Nigeria head coach J.J. decides now is the time to replace striker Iheanacho with Dapo Mebude. And then the second yellow card occurs:


As play gets back underway, the crowd begins sporadically cheering. The ball is at midfield and the players are confused by the reaction. Then it flashes up on the video board. Nigeria's worst nightmare.


The Czech Republic have been gifted a goal, which now leaves Nigeria on the outside looking in because of goal difference.


Nigeria now needs to make up two goals in a little over half an hour to save it's World Cup campaign. So, it's no surprise Marcus Diamond has jumped off the bench and is replacing Agbo here in the 56th minute.

The tension intensifies as another yellow card is shown.


The situation remains the same as we approach the 67th minute and something needs to change for Nigeria. Off comes substitute Mebude for team captain John Hamzat. And it appears Diamond is moving from the midfield up to striker.

As reports of Argentina hitting the crossbar circulate around the stadium, there is another yellow card that has to be addressed.


It sets up a dangerous free kick outside the box, but Ayo Okoro heads away Liam's cross. Diamond collects the clearance and is on the run. The counter attack is on as Diamond dishes the ball ahead to Etebo.

New Zealand only has two defenders back as Nigeria pushes four forward. Etebo back to Diamond, who perfectly puts Hamzat through.

It has to be!



The captain comes through! Nigeria can't celebrate too much though because they still need one more goal to overtake the Czech Republic, if Argentina doesn't find an equalizer.

As we approach the 80th minute, panic is starting to set in.

Okoro launches the ball back into the box after a failed corner kick. Hamzat looks to be under it... What? Unbelievable. Defender Wilson didn't see Hamzat behind him and runs him over.

The referee is left with no choice.

PENALTY! Hamzat won it. Hamzat is the captain. Hamzat is going to take the biggest shot of his life in front of 31,835 screaming fans. This would likely put Nigeria through to the Round of 16. He takes a deep breath.



Pure Pandemonium. Horns Blaring. A moment of lifetime.

Nigeria is 10 minutes plus stoppage time away from advancing.

Two minutes later, Diamond nearly adds an insurance goal but heads it over the crossbar. New Zealand quickly gets the ball back in play, catching Nigeria a little off guard. From the wing, Callum McCowatt plays a perfect ball in behind the Soaring Eagles' backline...



I don't believe it. Nigeria celebrated too soon and New Zealand has rocked the football world. It might not look like much on the scoreboard with Nigeria leading 5-2, but this goal in the 84th minute has effectively knocked Nigeria out of the World Cup if both score lines hold.


Diamond picks the ball out of his own net and sprints it back to the midfield line. A number of Nigeria players have their hands on their head.

"This isn't over," he could be heard shouting to his teammates to lift their spirits. "We didn't come this far to lose like this. Let's go!"

Diamond kicks off with a backward pass to Hamzat, who drops the ball further back to defender David Omeje and then over to cautious Torunarigha still playing on a yellow card. Hamzat drops back to receive the pass from Torunarigha.

Hamzat smartly moves the ball up the wing to Iwobi, who cuts in before hitting Omeje on the overlap. Omeje is stopped, but sees Diamond making a deep run. It's a low driven pass across the turf that hits Diamond in stride.

Diamond is past his defender and is now staring directly at the keeper. It's a very tough angle, but surely he has to shoot from here... No. Diamond tries to pick out Etebo on the far post...

It's behind Etebo. But Etebo goes back, gets it and cross the ball back in.

New Zealand crowds the box with eight defenders. Yet, Diamond still brings the ball down with a world-class first touch to his favorable right foot. Diamond looks up to see four defenders, but it's now or never...

Could it be?



A fairytale of epic proportions! The man who was shunned from football less than a year ago is now on top of the world by saving Nigeria from the dark abyss. It's beyond words. A dream come true!

The 84th minute spectacle will go down in World Cup lore.

Argentina and Czech Republic finishes 1-0, the lone own goal not enough to save the Czech Republic because the final whistle blows here in Hamilton. Nigeria wins an instant classic over New Zealand, 6-2.

Marcus Diamond and John Hamzat, take a bow.



Rating: 7.9 - My first World Cup goal is a historic one. I don't remember much, other than waving my arms around like a crazy person after I saw the ball hit the back of the net. So proud of this team. Against the odds, we did it. No matter what happens next, they can't take that away from us. We have now reached the Round of 16 in the last three World Cups.

Oh, what I would give to beat Brazil and reach the team's first Quarterfinal appearance at a World Cup.

Player of Game: Oghenekaro Etebo, Nigeria (9.0)

Group Tables

Round of 16

Tournament Leaders

Where to start? Brazil lost to Mexico, 1-0, on an 80th minute goal Edson Gomez to keep the defending World Cup champions in the tournament.

Obviously, we snuck through but also fellow African nation Egypt upset 10-man Germany, 2-1, to knock out the 2014 champions and the No. 3 ranked team in world to advance to the Round of 16.

Then, in the Group of Death, Group H, all four teams entered the final Group Stage match with three points. We got two winners on the last day. Spain won the group on an Ivory Coast own goal in the 85th minute to win 1-0, while Colombia upset Portugal, 2-1, on an 81st minute winner by Kevin Balanta to finish second.

Looking ahead to the Round of 16, a lot of intriguing matchups with a clear favourite in most of the knockout matches.

No. 6 Netherlands	vs.	No. 26 Venezuela
No. 1 England	vs.	No. 18 Switzerland
No. 5 Brazil	vs.	No. 31 Nigeria
No. 4 Belgium	vs.	No. 36 Colombia
No. 10 Italy	vs.	No. 12 Croatia
No. 9 France	vs.	No. 27 Senegal
No. 7 Argentina	vs.	No. 13 Mexico
No. 2 Spain	vs.	No. 47 Egypt

Surely one Cinderella can reach the Quarterfinals. Why not us?

Summary: Welcome to windy Winnipeg, Canada, for this evening's highly-anticipated clash between No. 5 Brazil and No. 31 Nigeria.

The Super Eagles have already seen Senegal become the seventh African team to reach the World Cup Quarterfinals (doing so a third time in club history -- 2002 and 2022), while joining the likes of: Cameroon (1990), Ghana (2010), Egypt (2018) and Guinea (2018).

Yet, no African team has ever reached the Semifinals yet.

Meanwhile, Brazil last reached the Quarterfinals in 2014 when they hosted the tournament. Of course, everyone knows how that finished with Germany laughing their way to the Final with a famous 7-1 win over Brazil in the Semifinals.

Brazil failed to get a point in the Group Stage in 2018 and then lost to Argentina 1-0 in the Round of 16 in 2022. Nigeria didn't put up much of fight when they lost 3-0 to Portugal in the 2022 Round of 16.

It's the fifth time the Soaring Eagles have reached the Round of 16. They have never advanced to the Quarterfinals. Is today the day?

Enough talk. Victor Osimhen kicks off and we are underway!

Early corner kick for Nigeria in the 5th minute. John Hamzat whips the ball in... Cleared out by Brazil's Jorge. Alex Iwobi collects the clearance outside the 18-yard box and passes over to Wilfred Ndidi.

Looking for space in a crowded penalty box, Ndidi sneaks the ball inside to Oghenekaro Etebo. But, he kicks it back out to wing back Chidozie Awaziem. Nigeria doing well to at least keep possession.

The ball circles around the midfield before finding the feet of Marcus Diamond at the top of the circle. He turns and finds Osimhen cutting behind Brazil's backline. At first glance he looks offsides, but the side judge lets play continue...



The Brazil defenders are furious. The flag stays down and the head referee is swarmed by players asking for VAR. He brushes them off.

The goal is going stand!

Nigeria strikes first in the 5th minute! It's Osimhen's second goal this World Cup, but more importantly Diamond's third assist. That gives Marcus Diamond nine assists across two World Cups (eight matches), one shy of tying former Brazilian legend Pelé's All-Time World Cup record.

It's a party atmosphere here in Winnipeg, well at least in the Nigeria fan section over in the corner. The other 70% of the crowd is pro-Brazil, and they start buzzing here in the 13th minute with Coutinho lined up over a dangerous free kick.

Countinho plays it short to Gabriel Jesus, who has a crack from just outside the box. Easy save for Nigeria keeper Joseph Sunday. Relief.

Nigeria rushes the ball up the field, but Etebo carelessly turns the ball over to Fabinho who the heads ball out to Countinho. And Countinho is off and running... Past one defender, then two...

Huge diving tackling by Ndidi! Very clean, no complaints about that one.

Back down the field we go. Nigeria works the ball beautifully to set up a cross in from defender Kelechi Godwin toward Osimhen. Brazil clears the ball out and the counter-attack is on going the other way. The Soaring Eagles pushed too many numbers forward.

Countinho plays a killer cross across the field to Jesus. Godwin is doing his best to back track and catch up to Jesus, but can't get there in time to stop the cross into the box. Benfica striker Diogo sticks his foot out between two Nigeria defenders and pokes the ball toward the net...



GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!

Diogo picks the perfect time to score his first World Cup goal.

After the early excitement, both teams now settle in.

Countinho had the next scoring chance in the 35th minute, but his long range effort skipped wide of the post. Sunday had it covered, regardless.

Two minutes of added time came and went. All even at halftime.


No substitutions out of the break. Both teams feel confident they have the right players on the field to determine this match. But only one team can be right.

Nigeria started the first half strong, but Brazil slowly worked its way back and gained control of the contest by halftime. Now it's Brazil's turn for a hot start. A Nigeria turnover from a throw-in has the Brazilians building from the back in the 49th minute.

Diamond misses a tackle attempt on Jesus, luckily he also missed Jesus otherwise that could have easily been card. Instead, Jesus avoided the challenge and passed the ball back to regroup. Marquinhos goes back to Arthur, who slips the ball to Vinicius Junior at midfield. Junior looks up and then pings a ball over the top.



Pure precision, pace and power. Nigeria's backline is caught napping and allows Diogo to sneak behind them to score the go-ahead goal in the 49th minute. It all came out of nothing, but Junior had the wherewithal to make such a pass.

The South American favourites are looking good now.

Both teams then start employing their reserves. One change after another, looking for that spark to change the game. Brazil obviously goes more defensive as they watch the clock tick closer to 90 minutes.

Nigeria brings on proven goal scorer Kelechi Iheanacho in the 61st minute for Iwobi. Yet, nothing Nigeria seems to do can breakdown Brazil's impenetrable backline.

70th minute... Same situation.

75th minute... Same situation.

80th minute... Same situation.

85th minute... Same situation.

Nigeria makes it final sub: Uche Agbo for Ndidi. Everyone forward.

90th minute... Same situation. Five minutes stoppage time added.

91st minute... Same situation.

92nd minute... Same situation.

93rd minute... Same situation.

94th minute... Last chance for Nigeria. This is it. Moses Essien intercepts a pass and Nigeria has about 27 seconds to make something happen. Awaziem receives the back pass and dribbles to the sideline looking for an outlet. Nothing, nothing. He decides to boot it up the wing to Etebo...

The ball flies out of play and lands in Brazil's dugout. Good luck getting the ball back. Brazil fumbles around trying to get the ball back on the pitch and wastes 15 seconds. Once the ball finally gets thrown-in...

The whistle blows. It's all over!

Brazil advances to the Quarterfinals at Nigeria's expense, 2-1.



Rating: 7.6 - This hurts. But, in some ways, it doesn't. What else could we have done? We left everything we had on the field. Brazil was just the better team. We played our hearts out. We accomplished what many people thought we couldn't do be reaching the Round of 16 again. Nigeria welcomed me back to football and I couldn't be more grateful to the coaches and my teammates for giving me a chance.

This month has been an absolute blast. And, for the first time in a long time, I can say football is fun again. While my redemption arch is far from complete, I feel like I made a leap in the right direction. I can't wait to keep this going with Canvey Island United this upcoming club season.

Player of Game: Diogo, Brazil (8.8)

Knockout Bracket

The upsets ended after Senegal beat France, leaving the Quarterfinals with two heavy hitter matchups in Brazil v. Belgium and Spain v. Argentina. England looks posed for its first Semifinal appearance since 1990, but Venezuela (in its first World Cup appearance) would love to keep English's tradition of crumbling under pressure intact. Then there is Senegal with Africa's best hope to reach the Semifinal since Ghana lost in controversial penalties to Uruguay in 2010. But they have to beat 2018 World Cup winners Croatia.

Should make for an entertaining Quarterfinals.

My three assists currently leads the field for most assists in the tournament, but with other top players still competing in the tournament, it's unlikely I'll finish the World Cup with the most assists for the second straight time.

Still one assist short of Pelé's All-Time assist record is nothing to scoff at.

Time will tell if I'll get the chance to break the record in 2030. Site: TBD. And FIFA is talking about expanding the World Cup to include 48 teams. Something to keep your eye on over the next four years.

Summary: No contest for the reigning World ITT Champion Larry Gooden. The 27yo wins his sixth straight GB ITT national championship.


Result: 13th (+1'07") - I never take this event too seriously. For me, it was just ride around Colchester; getting to spend the day with Grace and her sister Lucy. I came away with family bragging rights by posting the fastest time, beating Lucy (23rd, +1'44") and Grace (28th, +1'55").

Summary: All hands on deck for SEG - Quick Step today in defense of Marcus Diamond's win here last season. What should be an individual race has turned into a team conquest as SEG - Quick Step is getting no help in reeling back the five morning breakaway riders.


They don't need any help. Grace Garner-Diamond reels the remaining breakaway riders back with 7.6kms to go on the hardest incline remaining. What effort from her to possibly set up her husband, Marcus Diamond, to defend his crown.


Grace has done everything she can possibly do. The pace drops slightly at the base of the final incline and that's Marcus' cue. The defending champion is on the attack. Catch him if you can.


Over the top of the hill with the English Channel in the background. Diamond doesn't have the time to admire the scenery as he races downhill to the finish line in Brexham. He is looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Mark Cavendish triumphs in 2020 and 2021.



Result: 1st - My team deserves all the credit. They worked their butts off for me and hopeful they were just as happy as I was watching me cross the line. It was only fitting that Grace brought everything back together.

She holds us together. Grace, love you, now and forever.

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Asheville junior QB Ryan Reese has been waiting for his number to be called all season and doesn't disappoint on the big stage. Reese leads a pair of touchdown drives for the Cougars in the opening frame. He connected with WR Sarria for a 27yd TD and RB Howell capped the other score with a 4yd TD run.

After one, Asheville shockingly up 14-0.


North Henderson can't seem to move the ball against Asheville's defense. It's stop after stop for the Cougars. With 1:40 left before halftime, QB Reese shows off his cannon of an arm again with 19yd pass to WR Nguyen before uncorking a 43yd bomb to WR Sarria for their second TD connection of the night.

Asheville goes to the locker room with a 21-0 lead.

Who saw this coming?


There was talk that Asheville QB Marcus Diamond Jr. would be available for the second half. But, with QB Reese playing so well, head coach Greg Nelson is going to stick with the hot hand and leave MDJ on standby.

It's clearly the right decision. Asheville starts the second half with the ball and only needs three plays to score a fourth touchdown. A short RB Howell run sets up two more long balls: 32yd to WR Nguyen and a third TD to Sarria on a 42yd heave behind North Henderson's secondary.

After a quick three-and-out by the Knights, the Cougars struck again. QB Reese added two more 25+ completions on his resume before faking everyone out on a play-action pass by keeping the ball for a 4yd TD run.

To cap the three quarter in style, QB Reese tossed his fourth TD pass to WR Ostrander from 14yds out to give Asheville a commanding 42-0 lead.


There was nothing to play for in the final quarter, well except maybe the shutout for Asheville's defense. And they accomplished just that with nobody scoring in the forth. The Cougars did allow MDJ to get some snaps under center with the game out of reach but all he had to do was hand the ball of to backup RB Wilson.

Regardless of the QB controversy that is starting to brew, Asheville will move on to the state quarterfinals!



MDJ Game Stats: 0/0 passing for 0yds, 0 TD, 0 INTs; 6yds rushing on 2 carries, 0 TD, 0 Fumbles - Not sure how to feel right now.

Player of Game: QB Reese (19/47 passing for 413yds, 4 TDs, 0 INTs; 27yds rushing on 5 carries, 1 TD, 0 Fumbles)

	First	Second	Third
Best Player:	L. Lukunku	J. Pickford	J. Wallaeys
Golden Boot:	J. Wallaeys (6)	A. Penaranda (5)	P. Dybala (4)
Most Assists:	L. Lukunku (4)	M. Diamond (3)	D. Spisic (3)
Golden Glove:	J. Pickford
Best Youth:	L. Lukunku

Dream Team

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- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
- Fountain of Youth: Once the target number between 25-250 is reached, a stat unlock will be rewarded.

Summary: Two first-half goals carries Canvey Island United to its first unofficial win as a newly re-branded club. New signing Kwado Bugeyi-Kyei crossed in the first goal from the corner flag to the head of Marcus Diamond on the back post.


Diamond then set up the second goal on a perfect through ball to Don White cutting in from the wing. AFC Hornchurch broke up the shutout bid with a 84th minute goal by Ola Ogunwamide on a counter attack.

Rating: 9.0 - Goal and an assist on my debut, not bad. The team played well too, but a lot of improvements can still be made.

Player of the Match: Marcus Diamond, Canvey Island United (9.0)

Summary: Two quick goals by Marcus Diamond in the first nine minutes, one from a perfect free kick and the other from the penalty spot, set the tone for what was going to be a Canvey Island United beatdown.


Cavan Bassett added two more in the 19th minute (assisted by Don White) and 23rd minute (assisted by Diamond) to lead 4-0 at halftime over the non-league side.

Canvey Island United called off the onslaught in the second half after White made it 5-0 in the 61st minute. Benfleet's Saeid Rahmani scored a consolation goal in the 81st minute to break the shutout.

Rating: 10.0 - Obviously, our opponent wasn't good. But, a 10.0 rating is a 10.0 rating. It's early, but seemingly everything is going right so far. Too bad none of these stats are going to count.

Player of the Match: Marcus Diamond, Canvey Island United (10.0)

Summary: Canvey Island United finally gets the shutout they were craving after the late goals spoiled that in its last two friendlies. For a third straight match, Marcus Diamond scores the first goal to get the Islanders off and running.


Two more goals followed in the second half with Don White setting up Callum Niven and then lone striker Yiannis Constantinou finally hitting the back of the net off a Diamond assist. Constantinou's goal comes on his fifth shot attempt across three games. Yet, the Canvey Island United offense hasn't really needed its striker to score goals this preseason.

Rating: 8.8 - We keep rolling. Another goal and assist for me. That's four goals and three assists in three friendlies so far, for those counting.

Player of Game: Don White, Canvey Island United (9.0)

Summary: Canvey Island United's resurgence story will gain some notoriety in the national press after nearing beat Tier 3 team Millwall on the road. Sure, it was just a friendly and Millwall didn't field its 'A' team, but an eye-catching result nonetheless.

Millwall led after the 4th minute on a crossed goal scored by Papa Ndiaga Yade. Canvey Island United scrapped away and was rewarded with an 80th minute equalizer by Arve Andreassen. The long shot from outside the box beat backup goalkeeper Antonis Stergiakis to the far post.

While the Islanders celebrated like the won the game, Millwall broke their spirits nine minutes later on an 89th minute winner by Wayne Barron. Jed Wallace slipped the ball behind nearly acquired defender Ian Fitzgerald for the assist.

Rating: 6.8 - We aren't invincible. We regroup and go again.

Player of Game: Jed Wallace, Millwall (8.5)

Summary: The debut of Oscar Thorn is a memorable one for Canvey Island United. Needing a more prolific scoring striker than what Yiannis Constantinou has been able to provide, the former Norwich academy product didn't disappoint.

Thorn was involved on all five of the Islanders' goals by scoring a hat trick and notching two assists. This all coming after he had an 8th minute goal disallowed because he was a fraction offsides. Two of the goals were penalties converted in the second half.

Canvey Island United's other two goals went to Marcus Diamond and Don White. Two minutes after White scored, he went down with an apparent knee injury. Early reports say he could miss 3-5 weeks. A big blow for the team heading into the regular season.

Rating: 8.9 - Thorn is going to be a thorn in the side of our opposition this season if he keeps this up. Incredible performance. And get well soon, Don. Sad to see a key player get injured in preseason friendly.

Player of Game: Oscar Thorn, Canvey Island United (10.0)