Kazakhstan’s team claimed victory on the second day of the phygital football competition at the Games of the Future in Astana. United Esports Leagues defeated their Russian opponents 2-1, with the final score determined by the combined results of two stages – the virtual match and the game on the physical pitch. The Kazakh players say they reached the playoffs not only thanks to their technical skill and speed, but also to their ability to quickly adapt tactics when transitioning from the digital to the physical format. Next up is a match against South Africa, as the team looks to continue the winning run.
«We’ll definitely keep improving our performance in the digital stage. Today’s game wasn’t up to our usual standard. We know we can play much better. We train hard, at least eight hours a day. The atmosphere here is fantastic. It’s something truly unique. And the fact that Kazakhstan is hosting the event is just amazing. I hope it continues, and I wish everyone the best of luck in every discipline, especially our team,» shared Kassiyet Onggarbek, Games of the Future 2026 participant.
Meanwhile, the opposing team admitted it had closely studied Kazakhstan’s match against Argentina as part of its preparations for the game.
«It was another tough game, with lots of one-on-one battles and fouls. Neither team wanted to give up or lose. There weren’t many clear-cut scoring chances. In the end, it all came down to one moment and one goal. The ball bounced off the boards, the player reacted quickly and fired it straight into the net. The Kazakh team was outstanding,» said Brian Oladapo Idowu, Games of the Future 2026 participant, Russia.
Eight of the tournament’s strongest teams remain in the race for the $625,000 prize pool. The champion will be crowned on August 8 in the tournament’s final matches.
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