Neymar’s Return After 981 Days, Spectacular Goals, More FIFA World Cup Eliminations, and a New AntenaPLAY Channel Make Day 14 of the Tournament a Ratings Leader

Neymar’s Return After 981 Days, Spectacular Goals, More FIFA World Cup Eliminations, and a New AntenaPLAY Channel Make Day 14 of the Tournament a Ratings Leader

The latest day of Matchday 3 at the FIFA World Cup delivered plenty of surprises. Neymar’s return to the Brazilian national team after 981 days, stunning goals, and major upsets turned the tournament’s 14th day into a complete spectacle. Viewers followed live broadcasts of the qualification matches for the Round of 32, including the Group B clash between Switzerland and Canada (2-1), as well as matches from the previous day—Panama vs. Croatia (Group L, 0-1) and Colombia vs. DR Congo (Group K, 1-0)—for which audience data became available today. All these broadcasts ranked as ratings leaders. In fact, Antena 1 topped the ratings charts yesterday, both during Prime Time and across the entire day.

Today, the battle for qualification to the Round of 32 continues exclusively on Antena 1, AntenaPLAY, and Antena 3 CNN, featuring Group D, E, and F matches: Ecuador vs. Germany, Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, Japan vs. Sweden, Tunisia vs. the Netherlands, Paraguay vs. Australia, and Turkey vs. the USA. As the FIFA World Cup schedule this week includes multiple matches being played simultaneously, AntenaPLAY is expanding the fan experience with a new dedicated channel: Antena World Cup 3. All matches will be available live on the platform, allowing fans to choose which game to watch without missing any of the tournament’s key moments.

The Group B match between Switzerland and Canada, played last night from 10:00 PM to 11:54 PM and broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, was viewers’ first choice, achieving a 31% market share and an average rating of 6.7 points. It was followed by Pro TV with a 17.3% market share and a 3.8-point rating among the commercial audience aged 21–54. Antena 1 maintained its lead among urban viewers as well, recording a 25% market share and a 6.8-point rating, compared to Pro TV’s 11.1% share and 3-point rating. Nationwide, Antena 1 posted a 21% market share and a 5.8-point rating, ahead of Pro TV’s 12.4% share and 3.4-point rating. During the “golden minute” at 10:37 PM, nearly 1.2 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1. At the same time, Romanian viewers also enjoyed the other Group B fixture, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar (3-1), broadcast live on Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY.

Antena 1 also led the ratings rankings for the entire day, with a 2.2-point rating and a 22.3% market share, as well as throughout Prime Time (7:00 PM–12:00 AM), posting a 5.2-point rating and a 25% market share.

The previous day’s matches—Panama vs. Croatia (Group L, 0-1) and Colombia vs. DR Congo (Group K, 1-0)—for which audience data became available today, also topped the ratings charts, recording market shares of 27.9% and 31.2%, respectively, among the commercial audience aged 21–54.

Last night, Switzerland narrowly defeated Canada in the decisive Group B match that determined the group winner. The European side secured a 2-1 victory, with Vargas and Manzambi scoring the goals that sealed qualification for the Round of 32 from first place. Switzerland therefore finishes atop Group B, while tournament hosts Canada claim second place. Switzerland will face one of the best third-placed teams from Groups E, F, G, I, or J in the knockout stage, while Canada will meet the runner-up of Group A. Bosnia secured third place after defeating Qatar 3-1.

Meanwhile, Antena 3 CNN broadcast the other Group B encounter, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar (3-1), after which Sergej Barbarez’s side is virtually assured of qualification for the Round of 32 following a dramatic match. Bosnia finished the group stage with four points, level with Canada, who defeated them 4-1 in their head-to-head meeting. Qatar finished bottom of the group with one point. Bosnia must now await the results of the remaining Matchday 3 fixtures to confirm their place in the knockout rounds.

Starting at 1:00 AM, viewers watched the two Group C matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s third round, broadcast live on Antena 1, Antena 3 CNN, and AntenaPLAY. Tournament favorites Brazil and Morocco both won their final group-stage matches. Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, thanks to a Vinícius Júnior brace and a goal from Matheus Cunha. Brazil therefore finishes first in the standings on goal difference after convincing victories over Scotland and Haiti.

Simultaneously, Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY offered viewers a goal-filled spectacle in Atlanta as Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2. The action started as early as the 10th minute when Haiti’s Joseph beat Bono with a stunning backheel finish. Morocco responded in the 39th minute through Hakimi. Before halftime, Haiti regained the lead when Isidor unleashed a long-range rocket that left Bono helpless. However, the teams went into the break level after Saibari scored in first-half stoppage time (45+1). Rahimi found the net in the 78th minute, while Yassine sealed the final 4-2 scoreline in the 89th minute.

This morning at 4:00 AM, Group A matches were also played live on Antena 1, Antena 3 CNN, and AntenaPLAY, and surprises quickly emerged. South Korea, considered one of the favorites to win the group before the tournament began, lost its final group-stage match to South Africa, who ultimately finished second in the group. South Korea must now wait to see whether it will advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

At the same time, Miroslav Koubek’s Czech Republic was eliminated from the World Cup after a 3-0 defeat to Mexico. Following a first half with few significant chances, Mexico opened the scoring in the 55th minute through Chávez before adding further goals in the 61st minute and deep into stoppage time (90+4).

The FIFA World Cup Continues with Day 15 – Blockbuster Matches on Antena 1, Antena 3 CNN, and AntenaPLAY

  • Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast (10:00 PM – Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY)
  • Ecuador vs. Germany (10:00 PM – Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY)
  • Japan vs. Sweden (2:00 AM – Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY)
  • Tunisia vs. Netherlands (2:00 AM – Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY)
  • Paraguay vs. Australia (5:00 AM – Antena 3 CNN and AntenaPLAY)
  • Turkey vs. USA (5:00 AM – Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY)

Source: Fifty5Blue
Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.
Data processed by the Antena Group Research Department.
Analysis based on the following targets: 21–54 Urban, Urban All, and National.
Period analyzed: June 24, 2026.

Nine celebrity couples are ready for the adventure of a lifetime – Power Couple, Season 4!
News

Nine celebrity couples are ready for the adventure of a lifetime – Power Couple, Season 4!

Nine celebrity couples are ready for the adventure of a lifetime – Power Couple, Season 4!
Undercover Heart, the new original series created by Ruxandra Ion for Antena 1: a hidden identity, a dangerous mission and a love story that changes everything
News

Undercover Heart, the new original series created by Ruxandra Ion for Antena 1: a hidden identity, a dangerous mission and a love story that changes everything

Undercover Heart, the new original series created by Ruxandra Ion for Antena 1: a hidden identity, a dangerous mission and a love story that changes everything
The Ants, with Scamă, Blană and Cătălin Măruță – spectacular audience growth in the first week of Season 2!
News

The Ants, with Scamă, Blană and Cătălin Măruță – spectacular audience growth in the first week of Season 2!

The Ants, with Scamă, Blană and Cătălin Măruță – spectacular audience growth in the first week of Season 2!
Tonight on Temptation Island, after the first date choices, the surprise box will make its debut in the girls villa: “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes”
News

Tonight on Temptation Island, after the first date choices, the surprise box will make its debut in the girls villa: “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes”

Tonight on Temptation Island, after the first date choices, the surprise box will make its debut in the girls villa: “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes”
Hello Chef Season 12 – Kitchen Madness premieres with new culinary challenges, starting Saturday, September 12, at 2:00 PM, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
News

Hello Chef Season 12 – Kitchen Madness premieres with new culinary challenges, starting Saturday, September 12, at 2:00 PM, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY

Hello Chef Season 12 – Kitchen Madness premieres with new culinary challenges, starting Saturday, September 12, at 2:00 PM, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
MediCOOL returns for Season 10 on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Mihail Pautov answers the most important health questions, starting Saturday, September 12, at 12:00 PM
News

MediCOOL returns for Season 10 on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Mihail Pautov answers the most important health questions, starting Saturday, September 12, at 12:00 PM

MediCOOL returns for Season 10 on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Mihail Pautov answers the most important health questions, starting Saturday, September 12, at 12:00 PM
From September 12, Laura Cosoi returns with a new season of Celebrity Vacation. Diana Bart takes over as host of Behind the Scenes, on Antena Stars
News

From September 12, Laura Cosoi returns with a new season of Celebrity Vacation. Diana Bart takes over as host of Behind the Scenes, on Antena Stars

From September 12, Laura Cosoi returns with a new season of Celebrity Vacation. Diana Bart takes over as host of Behind the Scenes, on Antena Stars
Undercover Heart, the Latest Original Series Created by Ruxandra Ion for Antena 1: “It’s Something I’ve Never Done Before!”
News

Undercover Heart, the Latest Original Series Created by Ruxandra Ion for Antena 1: “It’s Something I’ve Never Done Before!”

Undercover Heart, the Latest Original Series Created by Ruxandra Ion for Antena 1: “It’s Something I’ve Never Done Before!”
Starting at 8:30 PM, the fire burns bright at the grand premiere of Temptation Island, Season X, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY: “Nothing will ever be the same”
News

Starting at 8:30 PM, the fire burns bright at the grand premiere of Temptation Island, Season X, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY: “Nothing will ever be the same”

Starting at 8:30 PM, the fire burns bright at the grand premiere of Temptation Island, Season X, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY: “Nothing will ever be the same”
Sunday, September 6, at 8:00 PM, Asia Express sets off along the Silk Road, in a season as vast as China, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
News

Sunday, September 6, at 8:00 PM, Asia Express sets off along the Silk Road, in a season as vast as China, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY

Sunday, September 6, at 8:00 PM, Asia Express sets off along the Silk Road, in a season as vast as China, on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
Naba Salem returns to Temptation Island as the Behind-the-Scenes Temptress: “The most beautiful things happen when you have the courage to embrace a new challenge”
News

Naba Salem returns to Temptation Island as the Behind-the-Scenes Temptress: “The most beautiful things happen when you have the courage to embrace a new challenge”

Naba Salem returns to Temptation Island as the Behind-the-Scenes Temptress: “The most beautiful things happen when you have the courage to embrace a new challenge”
Marcel and Armina complete the lineup of couples taking part in the MAXIMUM season of Temptation Island!
News

Marcel and Armina complete the lineup of couples taking part in the MAXIMUM season of Temptation Island!

Marcel and Armina complete the lineup of couples taking part in the MAXIMUM season of Temptation Island!