Our first shock of the tournament arrived on Monday.
Cape Verde, with a population of just over half a million people, managed to hold pre-tournament darlings Spain to a thrilling 0-0 draw in Atlanta. The Blue Sharks, ranked 64th in the world, absorbed 27 shots, seven of them on target, as goalkeeper Vozinha secured national hero status. Star Lamine Yamal started on the bench as he recovers from injury, but even his introduction couldn’t lead to a Spain breakthrough.
In Seattle, Group G favourite Belgium could only share the points after Romelu Lukaku's arrival in the 66th minute led to an immediate equalizer via an Egyptian own goal. At Miami Stadium, Saudi Arabia parlayed 10 minutes of dominance late in the first half into a lead. The Green Falcons, penned in for the entire second half, couldn’t hold on as Maxi Araújo salvaged a draw for Uruguay.
The final match of the day saw New Zealand and Iran empty the tank from the opening whistle in front of a raucous crowd at Los Angeles Stadium. Elijah Just became the first New Zealand player ever to record a World Cup brace, while Mohammad Mohebi carried over his solid form from qualifying to the big dance. And another tie. So many ties.
THE RESULTS
Group H: Spain 0, Cape Verde 0 | Match report | Match stats
Group G: Belgium 1, Egypt 1 | Match report | Match stats
Group H: Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay 1 | Match report | Match stats
Group G: Iran 2, New Zealand 2 | Match report | Match stats
THE BIG TAKEAWAYS
Vozinha’s Verdean Veneration
A 40-year-old goalkeeper who plays in Portugal’s second division helped produce one of the most memorable moments in World Cup history. Spain registered 2.29 expected goals, held 74 per cent of the possession and set up camp outside the Verdean penalty area from the opening minute. But it didn’t matter. Ferran Torres, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz and Oyarzabal failed to break the deadlock. So did Mikel Merino, Dan Olmo, Nico Williams and Yamal. These are some of the best players in the world.
Vozinha had help. Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto Lopes, 33, was immense at centre-back alongside partner Diney Borges. Oyarzabal had 25 touches total in the match, a credit to Lopes and Borges’ suffocating defending. Sidny Lopes Cabral put in a herculean shift at left back, working tirelessly to create a spectacularly vivid heat map.
The result leaves Spain manager Luis de la Fuente looking for answers up front. The idea was that Yamal and Williams could be eased back into action after injury with an “easy” World Cup opener on the schedule. Without a classic No. 9 bagsman up front, however, their importance was underlined this afternoon.
As for Cape Verde: This is why we love this game. What a moment.
Big Rom isn’t done
Third place didn’t feel like enough for Belgium’s golden generation.
Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and a cadre of their fellow stars found club success throughout Europe over the last decade, but third place in Russia back in 2018 was their zenith as a unit for the national team.
Now nearing the end of their glittering primes, there was a belief that with less pressure, Belgium could be a team from the second tier of contenders capable of a deep run thanks to the emergence of Jeremy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere up front, along with a veteran supporting cast that also included Youri Tielemans and Leandro Trossard, among others.
But Egypt frustrated Belgium with its organization and deserved the lead after Emam Ashour’s well-taken strike in the 19th minute. Only when Lukaku was introduced in the 66th minute did the game immediately change, forcing the equalizer via own goal thanks to a trademark Lukaku box-crashing run.
Maybe the “old guys” have one more in them?
CONMEBOL down bad
It has not been a good opening week for South America’s teams at the World Cup.
First, Paraguay was trounced by the Americans in Los Angeles. Then, Morocco ran roughshod on Brazil before a moment of Vini Jr. brilliance saved a point. Ecuador bent, and then bent a lot more before finally breaking at the hands of Ivory Coast and Amad Diallo.
Following Spain’s draw to open Monday’s play, Uruguay had a chance to seize the initiative in Group H. Marcelo Bielsa’s side proceeded to sleepwalk through significant portions of the opening half and found themselves trailing thanks to Abdulelah Al-Amri’s opportunistic opener.
In the second half, we saw a different Uruguay, as La Celeste laid siege to Mohammed Al-Owais' goal, but they will be bitterly disappointed with a 1-1 draw.
No pressure, Argentina and Colombia.
SHOT OF THE DAY
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Check your timeline. Vozinha has usurped Pitbull as the new Mr. Worldwide.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there. They passed away a few years ago. We work in life to have moments like this. I am 40 now but I was not a professional until I was 25. This is a reward for all this journey. To be honest, I never dreamt of stuff like this when I was a kid, but after this game I can tell my younger version that it was all worth it.”
- Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, speaking to the press following the match.
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Vozinha (Cape Verde): Each time this tournament rolls around, it produces heroes from unlikely sources. We have our first, but hopefully not the last if the soccer gods comply.
2. Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt): It was a day for the goalkeepers, as evidenced by Shobeir’s starring role in The Pharaohs draw. Shobeir made three saves inside the box, but Egypt has now failed to win in its last seven World Cup games.
3. Mohammed Al-Owais (Saudi Arabia): Yes, all goalkeepers. Al-Owais’ sensational save on Nicolas de la Cruz in the dying moments will go down as one of the best of the tournament.
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