FRANCE 2 AUSTRALIA 1 (Kazan)
A last-minute effort helped France secure a 2-1 victory over a heroic Australia side that pushed the French for much of the game. Australia started the match with drive, but failed to exploit their opportunities. Then, in an attempt to defend, Australia’s Josh Risdon fouled Antoine Griezmann within the box, resulting in a penalty that the Atletico Madrid striker finished. The penalty call proved historic as the decision was confirmed through Video Review -- a World Cup first. France’s celebration was cut short, however, as Samuel Umtiti committed a handball near the post, forcing a penalty for the Socceroos and leveling the game at one apiece after the tally by Mile Jedinák. Despite Umtiti’s mistake, France showed why they are favorites to win the tournament as they grew in confidence as the game grew on. Their late-game determinations proved successful as Paul Pogba linked with Oliver Giroud to score and give France the victory.
ARGENTINA 1 ICELAND 1 (Moscow)
Argentina could not overcome a defensive Iceland side as the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in a match highlighted by a penalty miss by Lionel Messi. Argentina dominated the game from the start and took the lead when Marcos Rojo drilled the ball into the area onto the feet of Sergio Agüero who buried his 38th international goal and his first at a World Cup. Iceland equalized less than five minutes later on a powerful strike by Alfreð Finnbogason for his nation’s first World Cup goal. Argentina soon regained the momentum but could not break down the resolute Icelandic defenders, and then in the 63rd minute, Hördur Björgvin Magnússon brought down Agüero to give the South Americans a chance to take the lead. Messi stepped up to take the attempt, but his shot at the lower corner was easily saved by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson. Though Argentina took control of the rest of the match, they could not break down Iceland who earned their first point at a World Cup by denying the tournament favorites a win.
DENMARK 1 PERU 0 (Saransk)
A determined Denmark made history today by beating Peru 1-0 in the first-ever meeting between the two sides at the World Cup. Peru, who is competing in the tournament for the first time since 1982, entered the match with confidence, dominating possession from the start. The Latin American side were unlucky not to go ahead early when Christian Cueva was fouled in the penalty area, only to sky his effort moments later. Under pressure from the start, the Danes got on the board through the counterattack as Yussuf Poulsen broke down the center of the pitch to score Denmark’s first goal of the 2018 World Cup. Peru kept up the pressure after falling behind, attempting 16 shots –six of which were on target. Danish goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, however, denied every attempt, giving the Danes the win and helping his team go 500 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.
CROATIA 2 NIGERIA 0 (KALININGRAD)
The experienced Croatian side dominated against Nigeria in a dominating 2-0 victory, making the European country early favorites to top Group D. The first 20 minutes of the game saw Croatia take control, denying Nigeria any attempt to take a shot on goal. Nigeria failed to prove themselves defensively as well, after a header from Mario Mandzukic bounded off of Etebo and into his own goal, giving Croatia a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute. The Super Eagles could not recuperate as their offensive efforts fell short. In his frustration, William Troost-Ekong fouled Mandzukic in the box, giving Croatia the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead with a penalty. The Croatian Captain, Luca Modric, stepped up to the plate and scored his first World Cup goal to seal the win.
