VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 13: Patrick Beach #18 of Australia celebrates the team’s 2-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Türkiye at BC Place Vancouver on June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

...

Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.


Day 3 of the World Cup is in the books, and after four more games, we're seeing new heroes rise while some old legends are failing to keep up with the new generation.

Before we kick off Sunday where we get to see Germany debut and witness a heavyweight bout between Japan and Netherlands in Dallas, here are my top trio for Saturday's action.

More news: U-S-A! The Three Stars Who Stole the Show on World Cup Day 2

Read More on Sports

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES - JUNE 13: Vinicius Junior of Brazil celebrates 1-1 during the  World Cup match between Brazil  v Morocco at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in New York/New Jersey United States (Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images)

...

More news: The Real Reason Why The US World Cup Opening Ceremony Looked Empty

Bronze Star: Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)

Brazil, especially their midfield, was nowhere near its sharpest on Saturday against Morocco, which sparked the African side to take a 1-0 lead in the first half.

And it looked like Morocco's iron wall defense was going to shut down Brazil until Vinícius had one moment of brilliance, creating his own shot and scoring a highlight goal to get his team back in the game. Brazil will need to be better as a team if they want to make it deep this tournament, but for one day, Vinícius saved them.

Silver Star: Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)

The 18-year-old prodigy Bouaddi chose Morocco over France last month as his national team, and that might have been the difference between a draw and a loss on Saturday. Although still growing into his frame in the midfield, Bouaddi was fabulous for Morocco, piloting the team like a player a decade older.

Morocco's midfielder #06 Ayyoub Bouaddi fights for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group C football match between Brazil and Morocco at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 13, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

...

Gold Star: Patrick Beach (Australia)

Bronze went to a superstar who is a household name. Silver went to a wunderkind on the path to superstardom. And beating both, with the gold, is a 22-year-old who plays in Australia's domestic league for Melbourne City. Beach was electric on Saturday night in Vancouver, stonewalling a favored Turkey squad and not flinching once during a game where the ball was in hos penalty box for 70 minutes of the match.

He was quick on the draw to ignite counter attacks, was calm in next, and deserves full praise after bringing Australia won of their biggest moments in World Cup history.

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines