Spain: 4, Saudi Arabia: 0
Embed from Getty ImagesThis time, Spain didn’t get shut out. One of the most dominant halves of soccer a team has put on in the World Cup so far.
It all started on the foot of the superstar teenager, right winger Lamine Yamal, who tapped in a great pass from striker Mikel Oyarzabal to give Spain their first goal of the tournament. It was Yamal’s first start at a World Cup, and his first goal. It took ten minutes.
Spain wasn’t done yet, Oyarzabal got on the board in the 21st minute, which was a good goal, but his second of the match in the 24 minute was a great team goal, highlighted by an unbelievable pass from attacking midfielder Dani Olmo.
The Spanish added another goal in the second half, an own goal from Saudi Arabia, to make it 4-0, but this is a performance that the Spanish needed to show that they aren’t going anywhere. A point against Uruguay in the next game will have them top Group H.
Player of the Match: Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
Belgium: 0, Iran: 0
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother disastrous result for Belgium, the most disappointing team at the tournament so far.
The Belgians dominated possession time, had far more chances and shots in the game, and couldn’t find a goal against Iran. The worst part is, young centre back Nathan Ngoy received a red card for a poor tackle in the 66th minute, and will be suspended for the final game of the group stage against New Zealand, a game Belgium need to win.
Give credit to Iran, who have gone through strenuous times in North America. The team was never sure if they were even going to make it past the United States border patrol, but they did, and are in great position to qualify for the knockout round. The team mostly plays in Iran’s domestic league, which is not known to be a strong one, but have put multiple good games on the board against New Zealand and now Belgium.
Player of the Match: Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor)
Uruguay: 2, Cape Verde: 2
Embed from Getty ImagesCape Verde continues to take advantage of the opportunity of playing on the world’s biggest stage, shocking the world yet again. The average FIFA rank of the two teams they played was nine, and they drew both of their opponents, first Spain, and now Uruguay.
The first ever World Cup goal for Cape Verde came from defensive midfielder Kevin Pina, who scored a stunning goal, beating the Uruguay goalkeeper from way outside the box.
Goalkeeper Vozinha, who has skyrocketed in popularity after his performance against Spain, was shaky against Uruguay, letting in 2 goals on the only 2 shots he faced at the end of the first half. The first one from left winger Maxi Araujo, and the second from right winger Agustin Canobbio.
One of Cape Verde’s substitutes, Helio Varela, capitalized on a bad mistake from the Uruguay goalkeeper to score the equalizer in the 60th minute, and the game ended at 2-2. An unbelievable story Cape Verde has become, an island nation off the coast of Africa has notched points against multiple former World Cup winners.
Player of the Match: Kevin Pina (FC Krasnodar)
Egypt: 3, New Zealand: 1
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Zealand scored the first goal of the game in the 15th minute from centre back Finn Surman, but this was the day for the Egyptians.
Right winger Mostafa Ziko scored the equalizer in the 58th minute, and attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah scored to make it 2-1 in the 67th minute. Salah then added an assist when substitute Trezeguet scored the Egyptian’s third of the match.
Salah is Egypt’s greatest player of all time. He commanded them to their first ever World Cup win against New Zealand, a player who is currently perceived as past his prime and on his way out. He will be leaving Liverpool, the club he completed soccer with, after a falling out with the management. After 2 games, Egypt lead Group G, what a story it would be if Salah can lead the Egyptians past the group stage after everything he has been through with both his country and with Liverpool this year.
Player of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)