Thurs.-Wed., July 16-22, 2026
While the final two games of the 103 game 2026 World Cup was at the center stage of things for most people, it wasn't at ours.
You see, we had visitors at our home from a far off land.
Jill and Andrew were in town
from their desert home in Las Vegas
Unfortunately, they were only with us overnight on their way to Long Beach to board a four day Mexican Riviera cruise.
It was still great to host the two of them but it was way too short of a visit for our tastes.
On Saturday, the World Cup hosted its Third Place game between France (6-1) and England (5-1-1).
Defense would be strictly optional in this one.
"Everyone Watching the Third
Place World Cup Game"
England (6-1-1) 6 - France (6-2) 4
effort into perspective
What a crazy way for this GREAT
French coach to exit the game
On Sunday, it was finally time for the
2026 World Cup Championship Game
Argentina (7-0) vs. Spain (6-0-1)
"The entire world is supporting
Spain to win the World Cup!"
Perhaps, but certainly not the Argentinians.
I was torn, family roots in Spain
but with cousins in Argentina
Walking the Camino de Santiago, coaching American football teams in Murcia, Madrid and Gijón, the beaches at Nerja, Barcelona and Cadaqués all tore at my allegiance decision.
Spain it was as I joined "the entire world."
Now, where to watch the game . . .
The viewing party at Camarillo's
newly renovated Old Town park
sounded like a good idea
Dizdar Park was also involved
with the weekend's annual
Camarillo Heritage Days Fiesta
It would be a good site to see
if Spain could add a second
World Cup Championship star
to their kits
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
greeted us as we parked are car
at the train station
The Old Town marker looks
a tad old to me
Old Glory high above the entrance
to the Heritage Days Fiesta
A reminder that Carrera's is soon
opening an Italian pastry shop and
cafe in Old Town
If it is anywhere near as good as their shop in Moorpark, all of my future diets are in trouble.
The Fun Zone at Heritage Days
Laurie and Michael about to shop
The Camarillo H.S. Scorpions
were selling football merchandise
I wound up with a Camarillo bucket hat to use in my duties as Frosh football team photographer in the Fall.
MAGA had a booth too
I walked by without breaking any laws.
After touring all of the dozens of vendors set up along Old Town's Ventura Blvd., I walked Laurie back to the car as she opted to watch the World Cup from home.
That done, I stopped at Estabalos Market to pick up some burritos to share with Michael, Jacob and Mary and a large bottle of water to combat the effects of the Sun as we watched the Argentina vs. Spain game.
Our home base the next three hours
Dizdar Park was all spruced up
Fans were starting to gather
A Dad shoots . . .
. . . but a son blocks his shot!
Mary and Jacob were with us . . .
. . . as were lots of fellow
Camarillo sports fans
I, like Jacob, was sporting a
Team Spain jersey
We were about to enjoy a fun communal afternoon . . .
. . . cheering Spain to victory
Final Score in Extra Time
Spain (7-0-1) 1 - Argentina (7-1) 0
Spain dominated the game as Argentina had ZERO shots on goal.
The solid play by the Argentine defense and their goalkeeper were the only thing standing between Spain and that golden World Cup trophy.
At last, Spain scored in the Extra Time portion of the game to win it.
As for Spain's complete defensive dominance in the 2026 World Cup, here are the results of their eight games in the order played:
Spain 0 - Cape Verde 0
Spain 4 - Saudi Arabia 0
Spain 1 - Uruguay 0
Spain 3 - Austria 0
Spain 1 - Portugal 0
Spain 2 - Belgium 1
Spain 2 - France 0
Spain 1 - Argentina 0
The old sports adage, "Defense Wins Championships," seems most apropos. Eight games, seven shutouts and only one goal allowed is a good recipe for success I would say.
Spain took home the Gold
Let the pro-Spain meme-fest begin
Now two-time World Cup Champions
Champions of the World
Lots of National Pride on this day
"We conquered the world again"
Another source of National
Fútbol Pride
16 World Cups won by seven
different countries
Argentina, Brazil and Germany have each won three World Cups in this span.
France, Italy and now Spain each has won World Cup bragging rights twice.
England took home the last remaining Cup in 1966.
It's time to now move from fútbol to football results in Europe . . .
American Football League of Europe
Results
The London Warriors (4-4) with
a solid win over the Paris Lights (2-5)
The Berlin Thunder (4-4) had an
easy time with the Alpine Rams (1-6)
The Vienna Vikings (8-0) won
an expected tough battle with the
Rhein Fire (5-2)
The Wroclaw Panthers (6-2) blew
past the Firenze Red Lions (0-7)
Only three AFLE teams with
winning records
European Football Alliance
Results
The Nordic Storm (7-1) swamped
the slumping Paris Musketeers (3-5)
The Tirol Raiders (1-7) shocked
the Frankfurt Galaxy (3-5)
Did anyone predict that the Raiders would score 61 points in winning their first game of the season?
The Munich Ravens (8-0)
cruised to victory over the
Prague Lions (2-6)
Only two EFA clubs with
winning records
Last thoughts for the week that was . . .
On Tuesday we bid farewell
to Donna Reardon
Rest in Peace, Donna
I'd be happy to be a test subject
if further study is needed
Oh, my . . .
Reading Is FUNdamental!
A fun Summer read if you are a
sports and history fan
Lots of interesting and new information for me about Thorpe, Ike and Coach Warner.
