The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced a clear pattern: the tournament's top-ranked sides have underperformed their seedings, while teams from Africa have outperformed expectations across their fixtures.
Tony Popovic's side advanced as runners-up in Group D with four points. The Socceroos beat Turkey 2-0, lost to the USA 2-0, then controlled a 0-0 draw with Paraguay to go through.
Ellyse Perry's first fifty at a T20 World Cup, combined with two wickets for nine runs with the ball, powered Australia to 199 for 7 before Pakistan were bowled out for 86. Australia remain unbeaten in four Group A matches in England.
The Gold Coast Titans trailed by six at half-time before scoring three second-half tries and stealing a 19-18 victory through a Harrison one-pointer with 80 seconds remaining, handing the Panthers only their second loss of the season.
The Dockers scored 24 goals at Bunbury's Hands Oval in Round 13, including a nine-goal second-quarter blitz, to win by 124 points and set the biggest margin of victory in club history. It was their twelfth consecutive win, also a club record.
Twelve tries, 64 per cent possession, and 55 missed tackles from the Tigers. Penrith's 68-0 Round 14 demolition surpassed the club's previous winning margin by eight points and raised questions about the competition the Tigers are fielding.
