Yesterday was fun with Russia running rampant on Saudi Arabia, but the real action begins today with the first full slate of matches in the 2018 World Cup.
There are three matches for fans to enjoy today, beginning with Mohamed Salah and Egypt taking on Luis Suarez and Uruguay. The Liverpool playmaker has been cleared to play in this opening match, but it remains to be seen how much Egypt will use him so soon after his shoulder injury.
The midday slate sees Iran and Morocco square off. Both sides are looking to get the leg up on the other as they hope for a collapse from either Spain or Portugal. Both sides love to attack and, considering both will feel like they can win this game, expect a free-flowing match with a few goals.
Finally, the marquee match of the day sees Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal take on 2010 champions Spain. We all know what Ronaldo is capable of, but Spain are a bit of an unknown quantity all of a sudden. They fired head coach Julen Lopetegui a short two days ago, and who knows how the team will react to a sudden change of leadership.
The SBI staff will be offering updates and analysis in the comments section below, so feel free to follow along, and as always, please feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions below.
Enjoy the action.
That’s all folks. What a way to close out the day. A Ronaldo hat trick in a game that certainly arrived as advertised.
Never count Ronaldo out. It’s a World Cup hat trick for the legend as he ties the game off a banging free kick in the 87th minute.
Spain have been firmly in control since the second Costa goal. They are a goal up, but they are still controlling possession and not allowing Portugal to sniff their attacking half all that much.
Golazo para Espana! Nacho smashes one in off the post with the half volley from 20+ yards out and Spain are in the lead. I hope this game never ends.
Spain are level early in the second half. Diego Costa provided the finish, his second of the game. He was waiting in the wings for a David Silva header off a free kick for the simple finish. 2-2 and we still have 35 minutes to go.
It turns out that the first two games were holding back on the goal scoring so this one would be nothing less than outstanding. It’s been a fun first half from Sochi, so let’s hope the second is just as great.
Ronaldo with his second! Portugal get a slight spell of possession and CR7 makes no mistake. His shot powers right through David de Gea and Portugal are back on top in the 44th minute.The Manchester United keeper will probably feel he should have done better with the shot, though.
Spain is settling into their game as we pass the half hour mark. Possession numbers are rapidly shifting more and more in their favor as Portugal looks for opportunities on the counter.
So far Spain-Portugal has lived up to its billing. From Ronaldo earning a penalty in the first few minutes to Spain’s patience to stay in the game. Diego Costa’s goal was an individual thing of beauty as well.
Clearly an own goal off Aziz Bouhaddouz. Awful for Morocco, but joy to Iran, who win their second World Cup game ever.
Iran have stolen it! A 95th minute winner could seal their first World Cup victory in 20 years!
Both sides losing focus late in the game. Players are gassed and dropping like flies with injuries. This game reeks of a 0-0 draw.
Morocco with a little life heading into the 80th minute! A solid chance, but an even better save Alireza Beiranvand.
Nordin Amrabat was having a solid game for Morocco. Understandable that he wants to continue, but he clearly needs to come out of this game. The dude can’t stand up.
The second half has lacked the action of the first. Neither team with much going for them in the 20ish minutes since the break.
Not a bad first half in Saint Petersburg. Both teams with a few opportunities, but finishing has let both down.
Sardar Azmoun has been Iran’s best player so far and he was robbed on a counter attack by Morocco keeper Muni Mohamedi.
Morocco has done well to get themselves into threatening positions through the first half hour, but their finishing leaves a lot to be desired.
Iran finally with something going forward, but they fail to capitalize on a three-on-one break.
A mad scramble in the box results in a flurry of Morocco chances, but the ball somehow stays out, keeping the game goalless through 19 minutes.
Morocco controlling the run of play early on as the vuvuzelas rain down onto the pitch. Nothing serious in terms of scoring chances in the first ten minutes, but the Igrzamn n Atlasi have had all the action.
We move on to Morocco vs. Iran, two teams who have little hope of advancing unless Spain and/or Portugal experience some sort of monumental collapse.
There’s the final whistle. Uruguay get a late winner to deny Egypt of what would have been a huge point. The Pharaohs didn’t go quietly, though, They did get a couple dangerous crosses in during the dying moments, but Uruguay’s defense was up to the task.
There it is! A free kick near the corner flag picks out a leaping Jose Gimenez who smashes the header home to put Uruguay on the board. Heartbreak for Egypt. who have defended well all day long.
Cavani comes close again! This time he bashes a free kick off the bar and it still remains 0-0.
What a save from Mohamed El-Shenawy! He robs what would have been a goal of the day from Edinson Cavani to keep the game scoreless.
Egypt makes it s third change after a couple attacking chances and it’s not Mohamed Salah.
Egypt flexing their muscles here in the later stages of the second half. Strong defense has led to a few minor chances up front. Meanwhile, Suarez continues his day to forget with another poor touch in the penalty area.
Suarez picks up the second half with yet another puzzling miss on the doorstep. Uruguay really should be winning this game 2-0 with a pair of Suarez goals.
Two factors have led to the scoreless opening:
1. Egypt playing a well disciplined and highly structured defense, something we didn’t see much of from Saudi Arabia yesterday.
2. Uruguay with some pretty poor touches inside the penalty area. Suarez and Giorgian de Arrascaeta are particularly guilty.
As expected, Uruguay is in control for the opening 25 minutes. Luis Suarez really should have them on the board as well. That miss off a corner is rather unlike him.