Football World Cup Russia 2018 so far…

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The world cup started on 14^th of June, 2018 after an amazing opening ceremony.  In the opening game, played between host nation Russia and Saudi Arabia; Russia thrashed Saudi Arabia to a Five-Zero; claiming record victory in an opening game. Russia’s poor recent form, losing 5 of the last 7 games have been largely criticized from all sides, including the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But in front of a large crowd of almost 78000 at the Luzhniki Stadium, they never looked in any danger against a nonchalant Saudi Arabia. KSA never controlled the ball and seemed too willing to gift the possession to their opponents. Saudis played such a poor game that none of their players got half rating on the sacale. 

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The 2^nd game of the Football World Cup 2018 was played between Egypt and Uruguay. Egypt was considered weak, as their star player Mohamed Salah’s injury in the Champions league final against Real Madrid. But still Egypt had almost 60% possession and had 15 shots out of which 5 on target.

On the other hand, Luis Suarez missed 4 chances to score and one as easy as an empty goal just to tap in the ball. Edinson Cavani hit the inside of the post from a 25 yard free kick. 

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But it was Jose Gimenez who headed powerfully into the net in the 90^th minute. Uruguay clinched the victory by 1-0  Egyptians missed the influence of their star player Mohamed Salah and hoping to put him on the field for the next match against the hst team.

The 3^rd game of the tournament was played between Morocco and Iran. Morocco controlled the possession, but was unable to create good chances. They had 68% possession but only had 3 shots on target resulting no goal for them.

On the other hand, Iran never looked in control of the game but they got the victory in the 95^th minute, “an own goal, scored by Bouhaddouz”.  Morocco was defending a left-wing free-kick and Bouhaddouz put the ball into his own net with the diving header at the near post. Morocco had no time left for a comeback and had to settle for the defeat. Iran won their 1^st match in the World Cup finals since 1998 victory against the US in France (2-1), and only their 2^nd victory ever, in the World Cup history.

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The 4^th game of the tournament, the most anticipated game and the biggest of the tournament so far was between Portugal and Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo, offering one of the great World Cup performances of his career. He opened the scoring through a penalty after he was fouled in the box by his Real Madrid team-mate Nacho. Then he again gave Portugal the lead just before the halftime as Diego Costa had equalized his opener with some of his brilliant technique and power.

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After the halftime, Spain controlled the pace of the game and in the 55^th minute, Diego Costa equalized again for Spain. In the 58^th minute, Nacho redeemed himself with a stunning volley from the edge of the area and it seemed to have given Spain the victory.

But, as of big games, Ronaldo would have the last word. He started to dribble near and moved towards the Spain goal, and got fouled by Gerard Pique outside the box in the 87^th minute. Spain put their tallest player’s on the sides to make it difficult for Ronaldo to bend the ball. Ronaldo seemed focused and started to take his steps towards the football with confidence and hits it. Hits it for the goal. Ronaldo had hattrick, his 1^st in World Cup and Portugal has equalized. What a beautiful performance it was from Cristiano Ronaldo “a one-man show”.

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Cristiano Ronaldo became 4^th player to score in four different world cups. The Portuguese is now also the 1^st player in history to score in eight consecutive major tournaments in a streak starting in Euro 2004.

The 5^th game of the tournament was played between France and Australia. French side as favorites to win against Australians. The game started quite good for the French side. Australian defense looked quite busy in defending during full 90 minutes. The first half finished goalless as French side were unable to capitalize on the possession he had.

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In the 55^th minute, Pogba sent a lovely weighted pass into Griezmann and Risdon nicked Griezmann in the box. VAR showed a foul and France got a penalty which Griezmann converted to give 1-0 lead to the French. In the 61^st minute on a free kick, Umtiti failed to connect with the header. The underdogs got the penalty and Jedinak converted it to level the score 1-1. In the 81^st minute, some interplay in the midfield creates an opportunity for the French side and Pogba lifting an improvised toe-poke volley above Ryan and into the crossbar. The ball only just crossed the line and French side lead 2 goals to 1 which was the final score of the match.

The 6^th match of the tournament was played between Argentina and World cup debutants Iceland. As Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick earlier in the tournament against Spain, Lionel Messi’s fans were expecting the same from their favorite football star.

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Debutants Iceland didn’t start well as Argentina had full possession of the ball (78% possession). Sergio Aguero opened the score for Argentina. Rojo’s low shot came to him near the penalty spot. He quickly controlled the ball and finished brilliantly with his left foot. After a few minutes, Iceland leveled through Alfred Finnbgason. Alfred became the first goal scorer for his country. At the halftime, it was leveled at 1-1.

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As 2^nd half started, Argentina started pressing again. Maximiliano Meza won a penalty in the 23^rd minute of the 2^nd half, which Messi decided to take. But he never looked confident like Ronaldo to convert his penalty. Iceland goalkeeper, Halidorsson (who is a filmmaker) denied Messi from scoring, which saw another failure for Messi, missing again at a big stage. In the end, debutants were proud of themselves to draw their 1^st ever world cup game against 2-time champions Argentina.

The 7^th match of the tournament was played between Peru and Denmark. Both teams played a controlled game until the 43^rd minute when Christian Cueva was fouled in the penalty area and VAR showed it was a penalty. Peru had a chance to get the lead but he proceeds to sky his effort from the 12 yard over the sky after sending Kasper the wrong way.

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The 2^nd half started in the same fashion as the first and then at 58^th minute Yussuf Poulsen scored to give Denmark 0-1 lead. Peru had a great game but no luck as their shots always went missing the goal or stopped by the Denmark goalkeeper Kasper. The match ended Denmark beating Peru by 1 goal to nil.

The 8^th match of the tournament was played between Croatia and Nigeria. The game was going well for both teams, both controlling the ball for own half to the opponent and trying to get lead. But an own goal from Etebo gave Croatia the lead. Croatia captain Luka Modric dropped ball from the corner kick, which was deflected by Mario Mandzukic’s header. The ball went to Andrej Kramaric, he deflected the ball towards goal and Etebo got the final touch before the ball went to the net.

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As 2^nd half proceeded, Nigeria still had the time to equalize until a stupid mistake from Troost-Ekong, who raps his arms around the Croatian striker Mandzukic when the cross from a corner kick was sent to the Nigerian box. The referee gave the penalty and Modric decided to take. The Croatian captain doubled their lead, sending Nigerian teenage goalkeeper, the wrong way. Croatia won by 2 goals to nil.

So far 8 matches have been played and there was a lot of entertainment but there are still big rivals to play each other and entertain their fans with magic performances.

World Cup Predictions for Round of 16

Qualifiers from Group A: Uruguay and Egypt.

Qualifiers from Group B: Portugal and Spain.

Qualifiers from Group C: France and Denmark.

Qualifiers from Group D: Croatia and Argentina.

Qualifiers from Group E: Brazil and Switzerland.

Qualifiers from Group F: Germany and Mexico.

Qualifiers from Group G: England and Belgium.
Qualifiers from Group H: Colombia and Poland.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.