Predicting the Next Round
The Athletic’s daily World Cup Predictions blend seasoned analysis, a proprietary algorithm called Algo, and the voices of subscribers, a six‑year‑old fan and even a dog, creating an interactive tapestry that mirrors the tournament’s unpredictability.
Matchday 21 delivered two narratives that will echo through the knockout stages. England edged the Democratic Republic of Congo in a tense encounter, with Harry Kane adding two goals to bring his season tally to 72, the second‑most prolific scorer of the 21st century. Meanwhile, Belgium staged a dramatic comeback against Senegal, striking in the 86th minute to snatch victory.
The United States men’s national team also moved into the last 16, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2‑0. However, key forward Folarin Balogun was sent off and will miss the next match, a blow that could reshape the U.S. lineup.
Looking ahead to Matchday 22, the predictions favor Spain over Austria, suggest Portugal will prevail against Croatia despite both squads’ imperfections, and back Switzerland to beat Algeria, though Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez remains a potential game‑changer. Each fixture carries storylines that could rewrite the bracket’s geometry.
Beyond the numbers, the predictions are part of an interactive feature that invites readers to make their own picks, adding a layer of community engagement that reflects the tournament’s global fanbase.