The World Cup Just Kicked Off And Barcelona's New Stars Are Already Leaving Fans Wanting More

WHOA. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has barely wrapped its first round of games, and man, it's already a rollercoaster! We just finished the initial matches, and while the so-called big dogs are looking shaky, with only Germany and Argentina appearing truly convincing, it's the smaller nations absolutely throwing down. Cape Verde locking Spain to a draw? DR Congo refusing to fold against Portugal? You love to see it! But our eyes, like so many fans, were on a couple of Barcelona guys last night, Anthony Gordon and Joao Cancelo. Let's just say the early report card has some notes.

Cancelo's Frustrating Night Against DR Congo

First up, Joao Cancelo for Portugal against DR Congo. This was a quiet night and a frustrating result for Cancelo and the Seleccao. We know Barcelona is keen on keeping him around permanently, but last night was not his best audition. Portugal grabbed an early lead through Joao Neves, only for Yoane Wissa to pull one back before half-time. DR Congo earned a historic point, and you just know that stings.

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Cancelo did have flashes of brilliance. He delivered a dangerous ball across the box in the first half and later had an acrobatic finish ruled out for offside. You hate to see it! But his overall display was uneven. Portugal absolutely dominated possession, but they just couldn't turn it into enough clear chances. That's always the Cancelo trade-off, isn't it? He can create angles most full-backs don't even see, but when the game gets messy, his risk-taking can make his performance look a bit loose instead of controlled. It's a tough balance in the World Cup spotlight.

Gordon Got The Win, But Where Was The Influence?

Then we had Anthony Gordon starting for England in their 4-2 win over Croatia. On the surface, a 4-2 win sounds great, and it was a better result than performance for Gordon. England scored four goals, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham grabbed all the headlines, and Marcus Rashford eventually replaced Gordon in the 72nd minute before scoring late. Ouch.

Gordon worked hard, no doubt. He kept trying to stretch Croatia's backline, but he just never really became a central figure in England's best attacking moments. His directness is definitely useful, especially when a team is trying to transition fast, but Barcelona fans are going to want to see more quality in settled possession. We're talking cleaner combinations, sharper final balls, and better timing when spaces are tight. He just wasn't the guy making things happen last night.

So, what's the takeaway from this quiet Barcelona day at the World Cup? Gordon got the win but not the influence, while Cancelo showed flashes without producing a decisive action. Both are still absolutely worth watching, but you better believe Barcelona fans are going to expect more authority next time they hit the pitch. The stakes are already through the roof. Can they turn it around?

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.