The 2018 FIFA World Cup is finally underway and in four days of competition, there is plenty to unwrap from the action in Russia.
The hosts enjoyed a surprisingly impressive debut, Spain rose above the drama in a thrilling draw, France, Argentina, Germany and Brazil all disappointed while Mexico and Iceland stole the headlines.
Wrap up the first weekend of Russia 2018 with the latest edition of 90 Minutes’ Top Five.
1. Nothing to see here
Spain was the team with the most to prove in their World Cup debut.
The final week leading up to a crucial match against Portugal was tumultuous, to say the least for La Roja. The firing of Julen Lopetegui 48 hours prior brought an aura of skepticism to a squad pegged by most as title contenders.
Would the turmoil affect the players so much to cost them the game, if not the whole tournament? How would Fernando Hierro handle the hot potato that was thrown at him? Could talent and guts alone carry this team to a result?
As it turns out, representing the flag and the badge, as Sergio Ramos declared on social media, superseded all the Lopetegui drama.
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Yes, Spain did not beat Portugal and an inspired Cristiano Ronaldo. But the resilience shown after all the turmoil, an early deficit and David De Gea’s blunder proved Hierro and this Spanish team is more than one coach.
2. Prove them wrong
Not even their own fans believed they do could it.
But Mexico, also entering the tournament with turmoil of their own, pulled off the upset of the tournament so far by upending the defending champions Germany by the slimmest of margins.
Juan Carlos Osorio foresaw the course of the match six months ago. He knew the Germans’ Achilles’ heel was their speed on defense and built around. Mexico had chance after chance based on that speed alone, from Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, Miguel Layun and Hirving Lozano.
Osorio’s and Mexico’s first half were impeccable, neutralizing a German team uncharacteristically punchless despite the talent on the field. The second half, however, has one name written all over it: Guillermo Ochoa.
The Mexican goalkeeper had himself another World Cup performance to remember, stopping everything that came his way in a second half dominated by the Mannschaft.
But the amount of guts shown by Mexico on Sunday in Moscow was impressive. They are now on the clearest road to that elusive fifth game.
3. When it rains, it pours
Just when the pressure could not be any worse for Argentina, Saturday happened.
The debuting Iceland, the tournament darling for many on this side of the world, managed to keep Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste to a 1-1 in their first-ever World Cup match.
And they knew it was bad when Halldorsson stopped Messi’s penalty kick, clearly throwing off the Barcelona star who desperately tried to carry his team to victory again.
Argentina showed Saturday the ills that plagued them throughout qualifying remain: shaky defense, disjointed attack and over-reliance on Messi.
Iceland proved that they may be the “weakest” team on paper, but they are not weak at all. By sticking to their style, they nullified the all-talented Argentina, with Sergio Agüero’s goal being the lone blemish on an otherwise historic afternoon for the Icelandics and a bitter one for the Argentinians.
4. Best of the Rest
For all the talk about Argentina’s draw with Iceland, Brazil did not fare any better themselves.
The five-time champions, fearing Neymar the whole game, got off to a roaring start but slowly faded against a very organized Swiss side that snatched away a point from the Brazilians.
Early on Saturday, VAR made its historic first World Cup appearance, helping an underwhelming France narrowly beat Australia, 2-1, thanks to a penalty kick and an own goal.
Peru’s 36-year wait had a bitter end. The Incas tried and tried and tried some more, to no avail. Yussuf Poulsen’s goal was enough for Denmark to beat the Peruvians and take three crucial points.
A team that looked impressive is Russia, who kick-started the World Cup party with a goal fest against the weak-looking Saudi Arabia.
Not so much of a goal fest was Uruguay’s debut victory against Egypt, thanks to a late goal by Jose Maria Giménez. Oscar Tabarez’s side struggled mightily against an Egypt side without Mohamed Salah, led by a bad afternoon from an erratic Luis Suarez.
Also, Iran also pulled out a late win, courtesy of a late own goal by Aziz Bouhaddouz against Morocco, Aleksandar Kolarov converted a beautiful free kick to lead Serbia over Costa Rica and Luka Modric started for Croatia in their victory against the unimpressive Nigeria.
5. Goal of the weekend
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