Portugal vs DR Congo football match surge: The Portugal vs DR Congo FIFA World Cup opener featuring Cristiano Ronaldo drew massive attention with a 1,000% growth in searches, highlighting a 1-1
Archived Pulse in Canada
Country pulse digest
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Archived Pulse in Canada
In Canada, major sports events including the FIFA World Cup matches featuring Ronaldo and Messi command massive attention, while local interests focus on new sports leadership and government benefits.
Active topics
24
Search volume
797K
Leading topic
Sports
Attention mix
What the country is searching
24
Sports58% (14)
Money8% (2)
Health8% (2)
Entertainment8% (2)
World8% (2)
Weather8% (2)
Why people are curious
People in Canada are primarily following high-profile sports events, notably the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches involving star players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and prominent teams, reflecting strong sports fandom. There is a clear intent to track live game developments, athlete performance, and team outcomes. The interest in Jim Hiller’s hiring indicates a desire to stay current on local sports leadership changes. Concurrently, searches related to government benefits indicate practical concerns about financial support and upcoming payment schedules. Health-related searches about Jeremy Clarkson’s cancer diagnosis show a worrying intent as people seek to understand his condition.
What to know now
The pulse, explained
Messi World Cup record hat trick: Lionel Messi captured Canadian interest following his record-tying World Cup hat trick for Argentina, driving searches up by 1,000%.
Jim Hiller hired as Maple Leafs coach: Jim Hiller's recent appointment as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs has sparked widespread interest with a notable surge in searches.
Interest in Canadian government benefit payments rise: Canadians actively searched for details about upcoming government benefit payments, including increased child benefits in Nunavut.
Jeremy Clarkson cancer diagnosis concern: Jeremy Clarkson's aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis captured public concern, leading to a significant increase in health-related searches.
Ranked searches
What people are curious about in Canada
The leading searches, their context, and the related questions forming around them.
01
SportsDeclining
england vs croatia
People are following the England vs Croatia match in the 2026 World Cup, seeking live updates, scores, lineups, and commentary.
20K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
england world cupcroatia vs england
02
SportsDeclining
portugal vs dr congo
The Portugal vs DR Congo football match has surged in popularity with a 1,000% search growth, featuring Portugal's star Cristiano Ronaldo in the FIFA World Cup opener that ended.
200K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
portugal national football team vs dr congo national football team standingsronaldo
03
SportsDeclining
messi
People are searching for Lionel Messi in Canada due to his historic performances at the World Cup, including a record-tying hat trick.
200K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
lionel messimessi agehow old is messi
04
MoneyDeclining
upcoming canadian government benefit payments
Canadians are actively searching for information about upcoming government benefit payments, including increased amounts for certain benefits like the Nunavut Child Benefit.
50K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
benefit payments
05
SportsDeclining
jim hiller
Jim Hiller has been hired as the new coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, sparking significant interest and search activity in Canada.
50K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
jim hiller coachtsnleafs coach
06
SportsDeclining
blue jays vs red sox
Interest in the Blue Jays vs Red Sox baseball game has surged, with fans following the recent match where the Blue Jays secured a notable win.
50K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
blue jays – red sox
07
SportsDeclining
erling haaland
Erling Haaland is trending highly due to his impactful World Cup debut for Norway against Iraq, where he scored multiple goals.
50K+ searches · 900% growthLast seen 28 days ago
norway vs iraqhaalandnorway
08
SportsDeclining
portugal vs congo
The search surge around Portugal vs Congo stems from the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup match where Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, faces DR Congo.
20K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
portugal – rd congordc vs portugal
09
SportsDeclining
portugal
Portugal's 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against DR Congo ended in a 1-1 draw, generating significant attention.
20K+ searches · 700% growthLast seen 28 days ago
joão nevesrenato veiga
10
HealthDeclining
jeremy clarkson
People in Canada are searching extensively about Jeremy Clarkson's recent aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis.
20K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
jeremy clarkson cancerjeremy clarkson health
11
SportsDeclining
luca zidane
Luca Zidane, son of famed footballer Zinedine Zidane, is gaining attention for his role as a goalkeeper for Algeria's national team.
20K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
zidane sonzidanezidane algeria
12
SportsDeclining
austria vs jordan
The Austria vs Jordan match in the World Cup has gained significant attention with a notable increase in searches.
20K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 28 days ago
jordan vs austriajordanaustria
Sports / Following | 28 days ago
england vs croatia
Why it matters
DecliningThis topic was last observed 28 days ago and is no longer part of the current pulse, backed by 20K+ recorded searches. People are searching to follow a developing event.
Last seen 28 days ago
Reporting and context
Source coverage helping explain why this topic is moving.
England vs Croatia live updates: Kane penalty opens scoring in 2026 World Cup clash - The New York Times
England vs Croatia LIVE: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L - score, lineups, commentary, updates & stats - BBC
Why Bukayo Saka Isn’t Playing for England vs. Croatia—2026 World Cup Opener - Sports Illustrated
World Cup 2026 games live updates: England vs. Croatia, Portugal vs. DR Congo as Ronaldo begins sixth World Cup - NBC Ne…
World Cup 2026: England vs Croatia predictions and best bets - Sky Sports
The wider weekly pattern
Curiosity trail
Related searches that led here, appeared alongside it, or followed.