FIFA Football World Cup Russia 2018 - Group Stages Round One

(photo from Getty Images)

So the 2018 FIFA World Cup got underway on June 14^th, and so began a month of top international football.  Russia was the venue for this year’s tournament and saw their host nation come into the tournament as the lowest ranked team in the competition at 70^th in the FIFA World Rankings.  They took on the next lowest ranked team at 67^th in the rankings, Saudi Arabia, in the opening evening of the competition.

So without further ado, here is how the opening round of Group Fixtures went:-

Group A

Russia 5 Saudi Arabia 0

Hosts Russia got their campaign off to a flyer after they smashed five past a hapless Saudi Arabia in Moscow and record the biggest win by a host nation in an opening game of a World Cup since 1934, when Italy thrashed the US 7-1.  The hosts had not won in seven, but put any pre match nerves to bed when taking a 12^th minute lead when Yuri Gazinsky nodded home his first international goal and just before half time substitute Denis Cheryshev, who had come on for the injured Alan Dzagoev midway through the first half, evaded several weak tackles before smashing home a second just before the break.  The game struggled to get out of first gear in a largely poor second period, however the hosts cared not and saw another substitute, Artem Dzyuba, nod home a third just minutes after replacing Fedor Smolov, and the host knew they were definitely picking up the points now, although it never really looked in doubt against a rather woeful Saudi side.  And the Russian’s were to add two more late on, with the impressive Cheryshev adding another before Aleksandr Golovin curled home a wonderful free kick with the final action of the game, and the hosts had got off to a perfect start.  For Saudi Arabia it was a sobering evening, and they have a lot to do to rebound from this woeful start to their tournament. 

Egypt 0 Uruguay 1

Group favourites Uruguay left it late to pick up all three points after Jose Gimenez’s header settled a largely poor game against a Mo Salah less Egypt.  The South Americans had been the better side but Luis Suarez was not at his best and missed four chances, and when Edinson Cavani saw two chances go begging late on, one striking the post, it looked like they would have to settle for a point.  However in the 89^th minute Gimenez headed home a Carlos Sanchez free kick to seal the three points and join Russia on three points at the top of the group.

Here is how Group A looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. Russia                           1            1            0            0            5            0              3                  5

2. Uruguay                       1            1            0            0            1            0              3                  1

3. Egypt                             1            0            0            1            0            1              0                 -1

4. Saudi Arabia                1            0            0            1            0            5              0                 -5

So hosts Russia top Group A after the opening round of games, although I feel this is Uruguay’s group to lose as I feel they will defeat Russia and Saudi Arabia.  So it’s really down to what Egypt and Russia do against each other as I feel the Saudi’s will also lose to Egypt, who will no doubt have Salah in their ranks by then.  My feeling is Egypt will probably prevail but we shall see as they say.

Here are the remaining Group A fixtures:-

Tuesday 19^th June

Russia vs Egypt

Wednesday 20^th June

Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia

Monday 25^th June

Saudi Arabia vs Egypt

Uruguay vs Russia

Group B

Morocco 0 Iran 1

Substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz headed into his own net deep into stoppage time to hand Iran their first world cup finals win since 1998.  The Africans started well but faded as the first half went on as Iran came back into the contest, but after a poor second period it seemed as though the game would end a draw, however in the 95^th minute a free kick from the left saw Bouhaddouz send a diving header into his own net, and meant the Iranian’s took all three points.

Portugal 3 Spain 3

Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself to this years World Cup by netting a late free kick to complete his hat-trick and deny Spain all three points in a Group B belter in Sochi.  It didn’t take long for this eagerly awaited contest to get going, and it was Ronaldo who won a fourth minute penalty after Nacho was adjudged to have felled him inside the box, and the Portuguese skipper duly converted the spot kick to give his side the ideal start.  But Spain responded well and levelled through a Diego Costa low finish after he had fought off Pepe, and it looked like Spain would begin to control this match, that was until an uncharacteristic mistake from David de Gea saw a Ronaldo effort slip through his grasp and into the net and give the Portuguese a slender lead at the break.  After the break though Spain fought back yet again and levelled when Costa smashed home from close range after Sergio Busquets knockdown nine minutes into the second period, and then Nacho redeemed himself for his earlier misdemeanour by striking home a magnificent effort from the edge of the area to give Spain the lead.  And that looked like it could be enough for the Spanish to claim the points, but enter Ronaldo who curled home a wonderful free-kick three minutes from time to make sure the current Euro champions managed to claim a point.

Here is how Group B looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. Iran                               1            1            0            0            1            0               3                 1

2. Portugal                        1            0            1            0            3            3              1                 0

3. Spain                             1            0            1            0            3            3              1                  0

4. Morocco                       1            0            0            1            0            1              0                -1

So it’s Iran who top the Group after their late late winner against Morocco, however the Portugal vs Spain encounter showed everyone how much better those two were, and you can only see those two going through as they will surely have to much for Iran and Morocco.

Here are the remaining Group B fixtures:-          

Wednesday 20^th June

Portugal vs Morocco

Iran vs Spain

Monday 25^th June

Iran vs Portugal

Spain vs Morocco

Group C

France 2 Australia 1

Paul Pogba’s late deflected effort gave France all three points in a game where VAR was used to award a penalty for the first time at a World Cup.  The favourites for Group C and also some people’s bets to win the whole thing started brightly and had the Aussies on the back foot, however as the game went on the Socceroos began to gain more and more confidence, but in the 58^th minute came the talking point when after Antoine Griezmann had got in behind the Aussie defence, Josh Risdon made a last-ditch attempt to stop the French attacker, and after consultation with the VAR crew, the referee pointed to the spot.  Griezmann tucked away the spot kick and you felt it could break the Aussies, but instead it drove them on even more and four minutes later had a penalty of their own after French defender Samuel Umtiti inexplicably handed a cross from Aaron Mooy, and Mile Jedinak tucked the spot kick home, and it looked like it would be enough for the Socceroos to gain a terrific point.  But with ten minutes remaining Pogba toe ended an effort onto Aussie player Aziz Behich’s foot, and it deflected over keeper Mat Ryan and bounced off the bar and just over the line, to give a relieved France the win.

Peru 0 Denmark 1

Yussuf Poulsen netted just before the hour mark to give Denmark a hard-fought victory over Peru to join France at the top of Group C after the opening round of fixtures.  It could have been so different for the South Americans though, who were at their first finals for four decades, when thanks to VAR they were awarded a spot kick at the end of the opening forty five minutes, but Christian Cueva blazed his penalty over the bar.  And the miss proved crucial when the Danes broke just before the hour mark and Christian Eriksen released Poulsen who slotted expertly beyond Pedro Gallese in the Peru goal.  Peru missed several chances to level and it meant the Danes held on for an huge three points.

Here is how Group C looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. France                           1            1            0            0            2            1              3                 1

2. Denmark                      1            1            0            0            1            0               3                 1

3. Australia                       1            0            0            1            1            2               0                -1

4. Peru                              1            0            0            1            0            1               0                 -1

So the two teams expected to be occupying first and second at the end of the group stages are in those positions, however both were pushed hard for their victories.  So don’t count out the bottom two sides just yet as they could possibly take points off their next two opponents, could well be an exciting group.

Here are the remaining fixtures in Group C:-

Thursday 21^st June

Denmark vs Australia

France vs Peru

Tuesday 26^th June

Australia vs Peru

Denmark vs France

Group D

Argentina 1 Iceland 1

Iceland’s first ever World Cup Finals game ended with a point against the might of Argentina after they battled to a very useful draw in Moscow.  It was the South Americans who managed to find the lead on nineteen minutes when Sergio Aguero netted his first ever World Cup goal by turning his marker and smashing home a wonderful left footed effort, but the Icelandic side were soon back on terms when sloppy play allowed a deflected effort from Hordur Magnusson to be pushed out by Willy Caballaro too Alfred Finnbogason who volleyed first time back into the gaping net.  Argentina though had the chance to go back in front in the 64^th minute when Maximliano Meza was fouled whilst trying to head a cross to win a penalty, but Lionel Messi missed the spot kick after it was saved by keeper Hannes Halldorsson, and the European side held on for a terrific point, strengthening their hopes of reaching the Last 16.

Croatia 2 Nigeria 0

A goal in each half was enough for Croatia to take the points against Nigeria and top Group D after the first round of matches.  In a rather uneventful first half the Croats took a 32^nd minute lead when a Luka Modric corner was turned into his own net by Oghenekaro Etebo, this after flick on’s by Ante Rebic and Mario Mandzukic, to see the European’s ahead at the break.  And in a equally drab second forty five minutes the Croatian’s won a 71^st minute spot kick after William Troost-Ekong manhandled Mandzukic inside the area, and Modric stepped up to convert and seal the points for his side.

Here is how Group D looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. Croatia                          1            1            0            0            2            0              3                 2

2. Argentina                     1            0            1            0            1            1              1                 0

3. Iceland                          1            0            1            0            1            1              1                 0

4. Nigeria                          1            0            0            1            0            2              0                -2

So Croatia the only side to win their opening game in Group D, and with Argentina’s only drawing their game with Iceland, their game with Croatia next time out proves to be very interesting indeed.  Iceland will also fancy themselves after that point, and with Nigeria not offering much in their game against Croatia their next game against the Icelandic’s proves pivotal too.

Here are the remaining fixtures for Group D:-

Thursday 21^st June

Argentina vs Croatia

Friday 22^nd June

Nigeria vs Iceland

Tuesday 26^th June

Iceland vs Croatia

Nigeria vs Argentina

Group E

Costa Rica 0 Serbia 1

Aleksandar Kolarov’s superb second half free kick was enough for Serbia to defeat Costa Rica in their opening Group E contest.  Serbia are the lowest ranked European nation at the Finals and they saw their Central American opponents sporadically threaten their goal, with an early header from Giancarlo Gonzalez go over, however the Serbians dominated possession in the opening forty five minutes.  The Serbian’s then should of taken the lead when Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent clear, but his effort was saved by Keylor Vavas, but then came the winning moment when in the 56^th minute Kolarov curled a delightful effort over the wall and beyond Navas.  The margin off victory probably should have been more had Mitrovic not missed another chance late on, and in injury time things got a little heated when Serbia’s Nemanja Matic clashed with a member of the Costa Rica coaching staff whilst trying to retrieve the ball.  The VAR system also looked at it’s first Red Card review, when a Serbia player lashed out at an opponent, however it was deemed just a yellow, keeping up the no red card tournament record going.  So a big win for Serbia whilst it’s a damaging loss for the Costa Rican’s.

Brazil 1 Switzerland 1

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil failed to win an opening game at a World Cup since 1978 after they were held by Switzerland in Rostov-on-Don.  It looked like business as usual for the Brazilian’s when Philippe Coutinho curled home a brilliant effort in of the post on twenty minutes, however the South Americans could only show fleeting moments of fluid play, and then five minutes into the second half they were caught cold when Steven Zuber headed home unmarked from a corner kick to bring the Swiss level.  Brazil were claiming a push led to the space which allowed the header, however this fell on deaf ears, and a disjointed second half, which didn’t see another effort on target until the 77^th minute from the Samba boys, showed their struggles in the final third.  Brazil pushed on at the end of the game to try and find the winner, but they could not breach an impenetrable Swiss back line and they picked up a deserved point in the process.

Here is how Group E looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. Serbia                           1            1            0            0            1            0              3                  1

2. Brazil                             1            0            1            0            1            1              1                 0

3. Switzerland                  1            0            1            0            1            1               1                0

4. Costa Rica                    1            0            0            1            0            1               0                -1

So Serbia have the lead after Round One of Group E, and with their next game being against Switzerland you would expect the winners of that one to probably join Brazil in the next round, as you would expect the Samba Boys to beat Costa Rica in their next game.  However today’s results have certainly made this group another interesting one indeed.

Group F

Germany 0 Mexico 1

Hirving Lozano’s 35^th minute strike was enough for Mexico to stun holders Germany in Moscow and inflict the Germans first defeat in an opening World Cup finals game since Spain 1982, when they lost to Algeria.  The Mexican’s attacked the German’s from the off, and after 35 minutes were rewarded for their attacking intent when Javier Hernandez set up Lozano to cut inside and finish beyond Manuel Neuer to give them a shock lead.  The German’s, who had looked rather disjointed in the opening exchanges, almost hit straight back but saw a Toni Kroos free kick saved onto the bar by Guillermo Ochoa, and despite some sustained late pressure from the German’s, they could not break down the Mexican wall, and in fact had the Mexico forward line been in form, they could of sealed the points before the late assault from the Champions, but the Central American’s held on for a famous victory in any case, leaving the holders plenty to think about. 

Sweden 1 South Korea 0

Sweden marked their first appearance at a World Cup for twelve years by winning their opening game against South Korea.  The Scandinavian’s should have been in front by half time but saw chances missed, however in the 65^th minute Kim Min-woo appeared to foul Viktor Claesson inside the box, however no penalty was awarded, but thanks to the intervention of VAR, the penalty was then awarded.  And skipper Andreas Granqvist stepped up to net the spot kick and see his side to a crucial three points, and join Mexico at the top of Group F.

Here is how Group F looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. Mexico                          1            1            0            0            1            0              3                 1

2. Sweden                        1            1            0            0            1            0               3                 1

3. Germany                      1            0            0            1            0            1               0                -1

4. South Korea                 1            0            0            1            0            1               0                -1

So it’s advantage Mexico and Sweden after Round One of Group F, and it makes Germany and South Korea’s next games must win you’d think.  Germany won’t have it easy against Sweden in their next game, and you would expect Mexico to beat South Korea, so it’s probably down to Sweden and Germany to join the South Americans in the Last 16, but who knows what may happen??

Group G

Belgium 3 Panama 0

Belgium eventually saw off a stubborn Panama after Romelu Lukaku struck twice in the second half as he helped his side to all three points.  The Belgians, ranked third in the world, came into this one as massive favourites against a Panama side who were ranked 55^th in the world and at their first ever world cup, however the Central Americans frustrated their more illustrious opponents in the opening forty five minutes as the match remained goalless at the break.  But the Belgian’s remained patient and managed to find a breakthrough just two minutes into the second period thanks to a spectacular volley from Dries Mertens, and then two Lukaku goals in a six minute spell later on in the half ended the contest, firstly when Kevin de Bruyne’s cross found his head to finish from close range, and then secondly when Eden Hazard released the Manchester United forward and he dinked an effort over Jaime Penedo, and the Belgian’s had the three points safety in the bag.

Tunisia 1 England 2

Skipper Harry Kane netted twice, including a stoppage time winner, to see England just get over the line against Tunisia and win their first world cup opening game in twelve years.  England totally dominated the opening forty five minutes, however they only had one goal to show for it in the eleventh minute when Kane followed up to score after keeper Mouez Hassen had brilliantly saved a John Stones header.  And they were made to pay for several guilt edged chances when with their only real attack of note Tunisia won a penalty ten minutes before the break after Kyle Walker was adjudged to have impeded Fakreddine Ben Youssef, and Ferjani Sassis netted the spot kick, meaning the game was somehow level at the break.  A much calmer second half followed as the tempo slowed somewhat, but England continued to dominate as it became defence against attack, however it looked as though the North African’s would escape with a draw, that was until the 91^st minute when Kane nodded in at the back post after Harry Maguire had flicked on a Kieran Trippier corner to give the Three Lions a much deserved three points.

Here is how Group G looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. Belgium                        1            1            0            0            3            0               3                3

2. England                         1            1            0            0            2            1              3                1

3. Tunisia                          1            0            0            1            1            2               0               -1

4. Panama                        1            0            0            1            0            3                0              -3

It as you would have expected in Group G after Round One, with Belgium top after eventually seeing off a plucky Panama, whilst England’s late late win over Tunisia sees them in second spot.  You would expect both the Belgian’s and the English to win their next games too which would see them both qualify for the Last 16, it’s hard to put a case forward for either Tunisia or Panama although the Central Americans did make life difficult for the Belgian’s for a time, so England better be aware of them in any case.

Group H

Colombia 1 Japan 2

Yuya Osako’s second half header saw Japan become the first ever Asian side to defeat a South American opponents at a World Cup finals as they defeated ten man Columbia in Saransk.  The match started in amazing fashion after Japan won a penalty for handball following a save from keeper Ospina, and saw Carlos Sanchez receive the tournament’s first red card as a result.  Shinji Kagawa, once of Manchester United, tucked home the spot kick, but the Colombian’s did not look like the side a man short and deservedly levelled six minutes before the break thanks to a clever free-kick from Juan Quintero.  However Japan were much the better side in the second period and they managed to find the winner in the 73^rd minute when a Keisuke Honda corner was headed in off the post by Osako to give the Asian side a massive three points.

Poland 1 Senegal 2

African side Senegal backed up many people’s thought’s they would be dark horses to do well at this world cup by defeating Poland in Moscow.  The Lions of Teranga took the lead shortly before the break when Everton’s Idrissa Gueye’s effort deflected off Thiago Cionek, for Poland’s first ever own goal at a World Cup, and then on the hour mark a huge moment came as Senegal doubled their advantage, when M’Baye Niang came back onto the field of play after receiving treatment for an injury, saw a wayward back pass from Grzegorz Krychowiak, and intercepted it by beating keeper Wojciech Szczesny to the ball before rolling it into the empty net.  Poland were poor and created little but found a route back into the game late on when Krychowiak headed home, making the final few minutes interesting.  However Senegal deservedly held on for the three points and joined Japan at the top of the Group.

Here is how Group G looks after Round One:-

                                           P            W          D            L             F            A            Pts              GD

1. Japan                            1            1            0            0            2            1                3                1

2. Senegal                         1            1            0            0            2            1               3                 1

3. Colombia                     1            0            0            1            1            2                0                -1

4. Poland                          1            0            0            1            1            2                0                -1

This has to be the most open and exciting group of them all, and all could still qualify for the Last 16.  All four sides believe they can beat each other so it’s feasible that we could go into the final day of the Group all on three points, wouldn’t that be interesting.  One thing is for sure, Columbia and Poland need to win their next game to make things easier and keep themselves in the tournament, so makes it certain the next round of games will be exciting!!!

So that completes the first round of games in the Group Stages, Russia and Egypt get the second round of games underway later on Tuesday, I’ll be back with another blog after those finish in a few days time.