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The World Cup is now well and truly underway and oh have we missed it. The early action has reminded us exactly why we have, with moments of sheer brilliance, ecstasy and everything else in between. With all 32 teams having been in action already we bring you a run down of the first round of action and what we have thought of it all so far. Keep it locked here on 3mob.com for all your world cup news and updates.
Group A: A Russian Feast
Thursday 14 June is when all the magic began, the hosts did as all good host must do which is set the tone of the party. The atmosphere was absolutely electric as the Russians smashed the Saudi’s for 5 with Golovin putting on a virtuoso performance including a sublime free kick as a smug looking Putin looked on, in a tight group it’s a must they kick on.
In the other game it was a case of no Salah no party for Egypt as they succumbed to a last minute Jose Gimenez header to break not only Egyptian but African hearts as well. Egypt will be hoping for the return of their talismanic figure in the next game however and will be hoping to right some wrongs in the next game vs Russia
Russia 5- 0 Saudi Arabia
Golovin 94’
Cheryshev 91’
Dzayuba 71’
Cheryshev 43’
Gazinskiy 12’
Uruguay 1-0 Egypt
Jimenez 89’
Group B: It’s a Ronaldo Kind of Thing
Cometh the hour they say cometh the man. Cristiano gave it all to us and then more. The Portuguese icon was absolutely imperious, and De Gea will have nightmares of him for many nights to come. It had been billed as the early battle of the titans but Ronaldo quickly took control, after bamboozling Nacho his Real Madrid compadre he won a penalty which he coolly dispatched, Spain hit back however through one man wrecking ball Diego Costa who gave Pepe a taste of his own medicine before fending off two defenders and lashing past the hapless Rui Patricio in goal. Ronaldo wasn’t done just yet however as after an immaculate piece of ball control by his strike partner he released a venomous shot at goal, the usually reliable David had people shouting oh dear instead of De Gea as the ball trickled over the line, Costa would then go on to restore parity shortly after the break and Nacho would redeem himself with a rasping drive from an odd 30 yards out that would go in, but Ronaldo would’ve have the last laugh sticking a sweetly struck free kick into the top corner and winning a share of the spoils , this would be his day.
In the other game a Carlos Queiroz tactical masterclass saw Iran edge the more fancied Morocco with a late headed own goal by Bouhaddouz. Sigh more African heartbreak.
Portugal 3- 3 Spain
Ronaldo 88’ Nacho 58’
Ronaldo 44’ Costa 55’
Ronaldo 4’ Costa 24’
Morocco 0-1 Iran
Bouhaddouz (o.g) 95’
Group C: The French Revolution marches on!
It was by no means comfortable but Les Bleus got the job done. VAR was called into action as Griezzman was awarded a penalty and duly obliged. Samuel Umtiti must have thought he was playing handball as he returned the favour by conceding a penalty shortly after, Mile Jedinak left nothing to be desired from the spot as levelled matters. Australia were disciplined and resolute but le sub extrodinaire Olivier Giroud was summoned from the bench and set up Paul Pogba who’s deflected flick was eventually ruled to be an own goal after narrowly crossing the goal line securing maximum points, the French must improve if they are to evoke the spirit of 98’ but mission accomplished so far.
In the other game Denmark had too much quality for Peru as they emerged one nil winners over the South Americans. Peru had a flurry of late chances but a Yussuf Poulson goal was enough to see the Danes through.
France 2 – 1 Australia
Behich (o.g) 80’ Jedinak 62’
Griezman 58’
Peru 0-1 Denmark
Poulsen 59’
Group D : Its all a bit Messi in the group of death.
Once again the world was to turn its eyes to an icon of the game, this time it was Leo’s turn to respond to the Ronaldian challenge and yet he couldn’t have done more to further the Portuguese’s claim to the Ballon D’or. Besides missing a penalty to win the game he created nothing of note as the Vikings claimed an invaluable point. Earlier in the game Kun Aguero had put a rocket into the top of the net to give the Argentines the lead but Finnbogason had the answer for Iceland as he replied with a well taken shot into the bottom corner, Messi was given a chance to win the game in the 64th minute but Halldorsson, the Iceland number one proved the hero for the Vikings diving well to his right to deny La Pulga. Maradona looked thoroughly unimpressed and Messi must now drag Argentina out of the mini hole they dug themselves but you would be a brave man to not back him to do so.
African hearts were to ache further as the team with the coolest kit failed dismally to match it with an equally cool performance, the Eagles barely left the ground as it was Luka Modric who was flying high, the Croatians put on a clinical performance to leave Nigeria firmly rooted to the bottom of group D. Fifa please let the live chickens into the grounds ..please!
Argentina 1- 1 Iceland
Aguero 19’ Finnbogason 23’
Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
Modric 71
Etobo (o.g) 32’
by Taka Mudariki
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