Week two began just as week one was finishing off. With that result it looks as if week two will be just as good as the first.
Day One:
So, it all began last Thursday in Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium. Robbie Williams took to the stage for a lively opening ceremony along with Russian Soprano, Aida Garifullina and special appearance from Ronaldo. The Brazilian one!
Speeches given by Vladimir Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were boring, long but obligatory while the gaze was on the field in a very well put together display. The opening game was anything but amazing...in the first half at least.
Saudi Arabia opened with pressure until it seemed they realized who they were playing. Going behind to a 12th minute goal, the Saudis never looked like competing. In fact, they had been the opening day spanking boys in the opening Group E game against Germany in the 2002 World Cup, but this was worse.
The deficit doubled just before the half with the visitors showing no signs of attacking desire. Six shots throughout the whole game, and not a single one on target. Even heading into stoppage time 3-0 down would have been a poor result for the opening day opponents, but it got worse.
A lack of concentration saw the Russians net another two to finish the game 5-0, and top of the Group. The World Cup had started and the hosts looked convincing!
Day Two:
Uruguay would face an Egyptian side with Mo Salah on the bench. The Liverpool star, still not fully fit, would be available if needed but certainly not risked if not. Cavani, Suarez and co made tough work of the game. A Cavani strike stinging the outstanding Egyptian keepers hands.
Meanwhile, the usually clinical Suarez, was missing chances he would bury without hesitation in the Catalan colors. In the end it would be the South Americans who would be victorious, with a late Gimenez strike.
Late goals, that being strikes in the 80th minute or later, would be free flowing in this opening round of matches. Eight late goals in the first round of matches, five of which snatched points for the scoring team.
Predictions before were that Russia and Uruguay would both progress, and that will probably still be the case. However, my initial prediction that Russia would stumble into qualification may be a little off.
It would be another late goal in Group B as Iran defeated Morocco with another late goal. An own goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time meant that Iran not only won their opening game of the tournament, but also their first ever in a World Cup Finals.
The match up of the opening week though had to come in the other Group B game. Spain taking on Portugal in a dramatic 3-3 tie. CR7 stole the show with a hat trick, including the opening and final goal of the fixture.
Neither Iran, despite their win, nor Morocco should be able to get points against these two, so its now a race to see who has the better goal difference, and therefore, finishes top of the Group.
Day Three:
Four games on this day saw Group C and D play. Again, favorites France required a late goal to earn them three points against an impressive Australian side. Two penalties in the space of four second half minutes saw scores level before an 80th minute own goal gave Les Bleus all the points.
In the other game Denmark survived their own scare against Peru. Missing a penalty, the South Americans kept level for just under an hour. Their pressing and pace seemingly stunning the Danes and certainly they deserved something more out of the fixture.
Again, I predicted France and Denmark to go through. Battling it out on the last day to see who tops the Group and who goes through in second.Both certainly will have to up their game in the next match because neither Australia nor Peru have come just to make up the numbers.
Turning now to Group D and Argentina are very disappointing. Playing as individuals and not as a team it looks good initially as Sergio Aguero opens the scoring before Iceland pulls back level. Lionel Messi then has the chance to restore the lead from the penalty spot but fluffs his lines.
Will this be another big tournament which passes the guy by? Certainly the debate as to who is better, Ronaldo or Messi, after week one is swung convincingly in favour of the Portuguese man.With Argentina dropping points it gives Croatia and Nigeria a chance to go top.
As expected, the Croatian side defeat Nigeria with a 2-0 scoreline. An own goal and penalty sees Luca Modric's side topping the group. Argentina are next up, and it might prove a test as to just how good this European side are.
Day Four:
Halfway through the opening matches as Serbia take on Costa Rica. A superb free kick from ex Blue Aleks Kolarov is the difference here. Meanwhile, in the other game Brazil are held by Switzerland.
Star player Neymar is fouled numerous times with pundits calling for more protection of star players. Ironically those same pundits ridiculed Pep Guardiola when he said a similar thing only six months ago.
Ex Liverpool player Coutinho opened the scoring in the 20th minute as Brazil looked to dominate. But, of the twenty one shots the Brazilians had in the game, only six were on target. Five minutes after the restart, Switzerland made them regret their missed chances, and levelled the tie.
Next up for Brazil is Costa Rica while Switzerland must overcome Group leaders, Serbia. A win for Kolarov's men would see them through to the next stage with a game to go. For Brazil it is just a case of being that much more clinical in front of goal, and they may have to do that without Neymar.
The only thing which saved the Brazilian blushes on Matchday Four was the Germany - Mexico game. Selecting a keeper who had been injured all season, and not selecting the young Leroy Sane for the left wing, Joachim Low had to get it right.
Germany were less than convincing with the Mexicans winning the first half, both in scoreline and overall play. Germany had almost double the possession (66%-34%), double the amount of shots (26-13) and more than double on target (9-4) yet the usually well oiled German machine looked a tad bit rusty.
Day Five:
With the Germans losing the opening game, it gave a chance for Sweden to do something against South Korea. VAR awarded the Swedish side a penalty in their first game in a World Cup for twelve years, which Andreas Granqvist dispatched.
In the pre tournament prediction I had said that Germany would find it tough, and qualifying top only after a final day victory over South Korea as Sweden fail to beat Mexico.
Group G saw a convincing start for Belgium. Dispatching Panama 3-0 in the opening game, although expected, was much welcomed by the Belgium fans. Opening games are sometimes quite nervy affairs, this was anything but.
In the other game however, nerves were on show for the English. An early Harry Kane goal gave the three lions the lead against Tunisia. Dominating the game, although missing great chances, the Tunisians pulled back level with a penalty in the final ten minutes of the first half.
The second half was all England, but as the chances were being missed thoughts turned to it being the same old England. However, in stoppage time up stepped an unmarked Harry Kane to score his, and England's, second goal and secure the three points.
Positives can be taken from the opening game, but they will have to be better going forward if they want to leave their mark on this World Cup.
Day Six:
Two games on the final day of week one, with the first game of week two also taking place. Focusing only on the final two Group games of round one, we see Japan beat a ten man Colombian side. A penalty scored by Japan in the sixth minute was the result a handball, and red card for Colombia, in the third.
To go 87 minutes plus stoppage time a man, and a goal, down was never going to be easy. The Colombians did pull a goal back before half time but, as the game wore on, the South Americans wore out. Osako scored what would be the winner in the 73rd minute.
It wasn't much better for Poland in the other Group H game. An own goal less than ten minutes from half time put the Polish side down a goal. That deficit doubled fifteen minutes after the restart as Niang scored in a highly controversial way.
Sprinting back on after being injured on the sidelines he intercepted a back pass and beat the keeper. Legally there was nothing wrong with the goal, but certainly questions the sportsmanship. Poland did score a consolation goal, but on balance, they didn't do enough to justify points on this day.
I thought this would be the tightest group, and it may prove to be. The winning two sides, Japan and Senegal face off on Sunday as do the two defeated sides. Come Sunday night the tables may all look a lot different.
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