In the Argentina game, one of the commentators said it best, "Messi needs a partner." It is Messi v Iceland, and he is not measuring up.

Croatia looked very sound against an athletic team (Nigeria.)

Yay! Go Iceland!!

Today's Games
Apologies for today! My laptop's charger unexpectedly died on me while I was barely up at 5am watching France vs Australia. Thank heavens that was the only 5am (my time) match. Thank you to all of you who kept posting and exchanging opinions. I'm working on fixing this problem as I write this. Sorry for the late posting of the recap as well.

France 2-1 Australia
Probably a tighter match than most expected, given that expectations of the Australian team were fairly low. Today was an interesting day for penalties and the VAR, which made its debut during this match, where the referee called a penalty for France after consulting with the VAR team. In my opinion, human error will always be there and it's to some extent part of the game; however, I think technology is most welcome to ensure more justice. After Lampard's wrongly-disallowed goal in 2010, goal-line technology was implemented, and though it will be a process, I also think VAR is mostly positive. For me, the fairer the game can be, the better, though I understand this is a controversial topic and I welcome your differing opinions on the subject. Australia seemed stronger than we thought, and France was the opposite, and has a lot to work on. I cannot understand what Umtiti was thinking when he raised his arm inside the box, giving away a penalty to Australia. Pogba rescued the match with a great goalm but again, lots to work on.

Argentina 1-1 Iceland
The spirit of the Icelandic team today was truly admirable. Yes, they pretty much parked the bus defensively, but they still managed to get a pretty good result (and their first-ever point in a World Cup!) On the other hand, Argentina was as concerning and disappointing as always. The team plays at a completely different speed than Messi, who unfortunately missed a penalty today. Messi was, as terraorca pointed out, basically playing by himself. This is not the first time, it has happened in previous editions of the World Cup and Copa America tournaments (even leading to him temporarily quitting the national team not too long ago.) Messi can't do everything, and I get a feeling the Argentine team relies too much on him without helping him out. The results in this group might not be what everyone thinks. Just putting that out there...

Peru 0-1 Denmark
In a historic match, with Peru returning to a World Cup for the first time in 36 years, Peru faced Denmark in a highly anticipated match by both squads. Even though it had its interesting moments, it wasn't particularly attractive. Christian Cueva turned into a villain when he missed a penalty at the end of the first half. It was a very sad image to see him at the end of the first half, holding back tears, but it was good to see his teammates supporting him. Cueva missed several other shots too. It was unclear why two of Peru's best, Ruidiaz and Guerrero, came in so late in the match. I hope Coach Gareca knew what he was doing (he probably knows more than I do!) Peru lost an opening World Cup match for the first time since 1930, but they might bounce back despite the tough matches they have ahead. Denmark convinces me more and more, first in their friendly against Mexico and now with this, that they are a team to look out for.

Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
I know, more matches than usual! Today was a hectic schedule. I was not able to watch this one in its entirety, but I was not very entertained by what I saw. Croatia did a good job, and they might actually make it through the next round, especially considering the shape of Argentina. Nigeria became the first team in World Cup history to score two consecutive own goals (the last one in Brazil 2014 and the first one today.) Good penalty kick by Modric, the 2400th goal in World Cup history.

Today's Refs
Today was a particularly interesting match in terms of referees. Uruguayan Andres Cunha made history by awarding the first penalty through VAR. Even though at first glance it looked like a fair contact, from a certain angle it does look deliberate. It's also important to consider that the ref always has the last word, though now there are four referees staring at screens suggesting him what to do. It will be a process, but I still think it is a beneficial thing for the game. Also good call with Australia's penalty.

Polish Szymon Marciniak had no big issues today, and had no need for any cards despite the Icelandic tough playing style. The penalty call was correct I think. By the way, Messi has missed 19% of penalty kicks with Argentina.

Gambian Bakary Gassama had an interesting performance today. He also used VAR to give Peru a penalty and did give some yellow cards, but overall good. He typically is a referee that FIFA likes to repeat, so we will most likely see him again.

Since I didn't watch all of Croatia-Nigeria, I can't judge Brazilian Sandro Ricci's work, but it seemed pretty straightforward.

Today's Facts
- Australia joined Belgium, Mexico, Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia in thye list of teams that have lost their first World Cup match on three or more consecutive occasions.

- Messi became the third Argentine player to miss a penalty in a World Cup, after Partenoster (1930) and Ortega (2002).

- Five penalties were called in one day! The only time more penalties on a single day have been called is June 24, 1998, when 6 penalties were called by the refs. It is also the first time in history where more than 3 penalties are called within the first seven matches. Coincidence or is this due to VAR?


What's Next
Sunday June 17: Costa Rica vs Serbia, 6am FST
REFEREE: Malang Diedhiou (SEN)

Sunday June 17: Germany vs Mexico, 9am FST (rooting for Mexico obviously!!! Wow this is scary...)
REFEREE: Alireza Faghani (IRN)

Sunday June 17: Brazil vs Switzerland, 12pm FST (wishing the Mexican ref all the best!)
REFEREE: Cesar Ramos (MEX)

Thursday June 21: Denmark vs Australia, 6am FST

Thursday June 21: France vs Peru, 9am FST

Thursday June 21: Argentina vs Croatia, 12pm FST

Friday June 22: Nigeria vs Iceland , 9am FST


Today's Questions
- Will Messi be able to recover from today's performance AND the fact that he is not helped by his own team?

- Is the VAR technology helping or hindering the game? Do you think it makes it more fair or it just makes it slower?

- How far will CONCACAF teams (Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama) make it in the World Cup?


What do you think? Thank you so much for your patience today and for your continued reading of these threads and commenting. The reason I do this (other than it being very fun) is for you guys, so I really hope you are enjoying it! Any feedback is most welcome. See you tomorrow and GO MEXICO!

Costa Rica vs Serbia is underway.

A match between two mediocre teams IMO, neither of which likely to progress far, though Kolarov "Did a Ronaldo" with the Serbian goal.....brilliantly taken.

Overall, I suppose we cant expect a classic every game, but .....! Btw what did you make of the Referee? Personally I wasn't impressed, but maybe being unfair. Seemed to run around in and out of the game, more like he was watching it, than controlling it..........again, or is it me?

CONCACAF teams? See above for Costa Rica, and Panama unlikely to make much of a splash...but watch Mexico, if they can overcome their first (and maybe greatest) hurdle (Germany), could go places. (and that's not just being kind to Lpez) Lol

VAR technology? Jury out......hitherto the game has always been about accepting referees decision as final.....referees, not having eyes in nether regions, missed things and made mistakes....they also got things right the majority of the time. It was always swings and roundabouts, and I am not sure taking the "human element" away improves things, although I concede we "dinosaurs" (the first game I watched was 1949) are resistant to change.

Messi? Pass.

Ray

Agreed Ray. I’ll give you a detailed response after the Mexico match!

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez will start a World Cup match for the first time in his career. Good luck charm? VAMOS MEXICO!

I believe in you, Hirving Lozano! 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. Mexico scores! Amazing! Hirving Lozano scores!

Germany 0-1 Mexico

At half time, Mexico is doing the unthinkable.

Germany 0-1 Mexico

I was super impressed with Mexico’s strategy and play. Patience and waiting for the chance to counter-attack has been very effective. It’ll be interesting to see how Germany responds in the second half.

How come no VAR when the asst. ref called what the replay showed was a clear foul by Germany in the box?

Mexico is 10 minutes away from making history.

UNBELIEVABLE

I said earlier "but watch Mexico, if they can overcome their first (and maybe greatest) hurdle (Germany), could go places".

PRECISELY........see what I mean? Brilliant counter-attack policy in first half, equally brilliant rearguard action in second...both of which Germany had no real answer to.

Thought THIS referee considerably better than the one mentioned earlier....he controlled the game well, was not fooled by any "Oscar performances", but let the game flow where he could.

Lpez may well be absent from Forum through deserved celebrations and may return nursing a hangover! Lol

Sort of early in Mexico City for cerveza, but who knows? It’s kind of a special occasion!

Mexico can thank the German team for this... what a disheveled performance by a team that didn't seem to know who was going to do what. One should think that after the last two friendlies (lost to Austria and barely beat Saudi), they'd wake up and actually play something resembling a strategy. The Germans knew they'd play against a real team capable of doing a good job and they just let them do that job. If anything, Mexico would have deserved to win this higher.

Thank you Lpez for your reports and the other people who write their view. I think this is more professional than some of the reports I have read in the press. We don't receive all the games here...of course we see the Portuguese games!


We have our English and Portuguese flags outside. Very much encouraged here.


Well done to Mexico.

Switzerland 1 Brazil 1...............draw was a fair result of an entertaining game between two evenly matched sides. BOTH played well, and I think whilst Brazil shaded the first half, the Swiss "won on points" the second half. Very impressed both.

My only minus factor, was the amount of "theatrics" after every foul...or after every perceived foul.....quite a few deserving of Oscar nominations out there............an unwelcome aspect of the modern game, seen everywhere from Internationals down to grass roots games.

Well, I am still recovering from the shock Mexican victory today, but after a couple of celebratory silver tequilas, I am ready to give you a recap of today. Unbelievable.

Today's Games
Costa Rica 0-1 Serbia
I was half-asleep for this one, not too interesting of a match in my view. Costa Rica showed that it does not nearly resemble the marvelous performance they had in 2014, unfortunately for them. Serbia controlled the game pretty well, especially in the last few minutes, taking advantage of how Costa Rica missed a number of clear goal chances. An interesting group to watch, for sure. Also, what's up with Costa Rica's assistant coach? Terrible lack of fair play by retaining the ball during the last few minutes, a very stupid thing to do because CR was not winning!

Germany 0-1 Mexico
For those of you who read these and don't know, I am Mexican and very passionate for the Mexican National Team. Sadly, they always find a way to disappoint us. I invite you to take my quiz Everything Looks Bad if You Remember It and look at how painful the World Cup always ends up being for Mexico. For this reason, I did not have high hopes for the Mexican team this time around, especially not against Germany. Mexico coach, Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio, has been relentlessly criticized by Mexican media and fans, unfairly for the most part IMO. Today, he proved everyone wrong. The first 30 minutes of the match were nearly perfect for Mexico. Osorio's tactics were spot on, though I did not particularly agree with his substitutions (he later said in an interview Lozano and Vela were tired.) The German team looked disorganized, completely lost, distracted (which is extremely strange for them). Mexico, on the other hand, was focused for 70 minutes,then they lost concentration and started getting nervous as always, but thankfully this time nothing happened. Germany was really close to scoring many times, and Mexico missed several chances to end it (especially Chicharito, who I think should be used as a sub and not a starter.) Ochoa had a couple of good interventions as well. The Mexican team did what it has not done in a long time. Now, lets hope this continues and they dont get too confident (it happens.) This changes everything. Mexico knew that a loss against Germany was likely, and getting a draw would be more then enough. If Mexico is group leader and Brazil ends up as leader as well, Mexco may finally reach the coveted "fifth match"(quarter finals). Not a time to get too confident, but to celebrate for sure. Mexico even registered artificial seismic activity from all the jumping and celebration! Lots of Mexican fans in the stadium too, amazing. Hirving Lozano, I mentioned earlier he was one to watch. His value just increased by 1000%. Watch out for him in top teams (even better than his current, PSV) very soon. Just remember how quick Real Madrid was to sign Navas and James after 2014. Viva Mexico!

Brazil 1-1 Switzerland
A rather underwhelming start for one of the favorites to win the Cup, and a good show of strength by the Swiss. The Brazilians missed several clear chances and spent more time faking or exaggerating fouls than actually playing. Mexican referee Cesar Ramos did not do a particularly good job, sadly, (see below), but that is still no excuse for Brazil's performance. Switzerland was tough and they might surprise more than one. Since Mexico's victory entirely changed expectations for the entire tournament, we could be looking at a Brazil vs Germany for round of 16!


Today's Refs
Bad day for Senegalese Malang Diedhiou in Costa Rica vs Serbia. I was not convinced with his work and I doubt he will get too far. VAR took ages to make their "red card review" that ended in a yellow. Oh well. I also think he should've ejected that Costa Rica assistant coach.

On the other hand, I was impressed with Iranian Alireza Faghani and his performance in Germany-Mexico. Great control of the match, calm but firm. Excellent job. I'm sure we will see more of him.

I was hoping for Cesar Ramos to have an excellent match to finish up a perfect day for Mexico. Unfortunately, Mexican ref Ramos had a controversial performance. I felt as though he was pressured by Brazil onto calling many fouls that were clearly exaggerated. I do believe there was a foul in Switzerland's goal, but if VAR did not exist, it wouldn't have been as big of a deal. As for the penalty for Brazil, I think Ramos made the right decision by not calling it, but isn't that what VAR is for? Decisions the ref is unsure about? I really hope Ramos gets another chance. For what it's worth, I think Fernando Guerrero, another Mexican ref, should've been here, but Ramos is not bad. I hope he does well if he gets another match.
On another note, didn't FIFA screw up assigning Ramos to this match? Where Mexico has direct interest (this group faces Mexico's group in round of 16). I would never dare to say that Ramos or any other ref would purposely make bad calls to help their country's team, but it lends itself to misinterpretations that the referee himself does not need. Just a thought.

Today's Facts
- Lots of record-breakers in the Mexico match today. Mexican defender Rafael Marquez became the third player in history to play in five different World Cups, joining Antonio "Tota" Carbajal (MEX) and Lothar Matthaus (GER). Buffon (ITA) also went to 5, but only played in 4, according to ESPN's MisterChip. Mexico also broke Germany's streak of winning all their opening matches since 1982. 22-year-old Hirving Lozano became the first Mexican to score in the first half vs Germany.

- This is the second time Costa Rica starts a World Cup losing their first match, the first time was Germany 2006. Also the 7th match in all of World Cup history to be defined by a free kick goal.


What's Next
Monday June 18: Sweden vs Korea Republic, 6am FST
REFEREE: Joel Aguilar (SLV)

Monday June 18: Belgium vs Panama, 9am FST
REFEREE: Janny Sikazwe (ZAM)

Monday June 18: Tunisia vs England, 12pm FST
REFEREE: Wilmar Roldan (COL)


Friday June 22: Brazil vs Costa Rica, 6am FST

Friday June 22: Serbia vs Switzerland, 12pm FST

Saturday June 23: South Korea vs Mexico, 9am FST

Saturday June 23: Germany vs Sweden, 12pm FST


Today's Questions
- Mexico is the surprise/shock of the tournament so far. How long will the fairytale last? If Mexico makes it through as group leader (or not), will they be able to finally go on to quarter finals? Viva Mexico!

- Is Brazil's performance concerning or just the result of a well-played match by Switzerland? What about Germany? Can they bounce back?

- What other surprises might this World Cup bring?

Thank you all for your comments and well wishes during the game. I was ecstatic, one of the happiest days of my life. Mexico doing the unthinkable today. Thanks so much for reading. As always, comments welcome and see you tomorrow.

May I join the Yay! Go Mexico!! brigade. It was a wonderful thing

South Korea 0 Sweden 1...........again I never saw all the game, however by what I did see, I would say an unremarkable game between two unremarkable teams! Whilst the game itself was nothing to shout about, I did find the contrasting styles fascinating.
South Korea, physically smaller, more agile and played passing game.....Sweden physical, slower and tended to play the long ball game.
Neither style is best, neither right nor wrong, just different.

Tunisia v England tonight, and given England's track record in World Cup football, not something the average England fan approaches with any great confidence....but....we shall see.
Ironically, the one time England DID do well (1966), I never saw ANY of it! I was serving in Far East on HMS AJAX!

The result between South Korea and Sweden is even better news for Mexico fans. Neither team showed anything really.

Historic Belgium vs Panama, where Panama is about to play in a World Cup for the first time, is about to start.

Belgium vs Panama is underway.

Second half of Belgium-Panama is underway. 0-0.