World Cup: round 2

Stars of different generations

Argentina 2-0 Austria

After an incredible start to the tournament there were lots of exceptions that Argentina would win their second game. In the 8th minute Argentina were rewarded a penalty which Messi ended up missing. Maybe that would affect a normal player but not Messi. In the 38th minute Medina put in a low cross to Messi who shot the ball first time past the keeper to make history. Messi is now the all time leading scorer in World Cup history. Argentina controlled the rest of the game and Austria never looked like they were going to score. In the 95th minute Argentia went on the corner attack and after 3 blocked shots and a giant scramble in the box Messi was able to roll the ball into an empty goal to confirm the win.

Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan

After a disappointing draw vs the DR Congo in their first game, Portugal needed to win. There’s so much praise for Messi but when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo some argue Portugal would be better off if he doesn't start. He shut them up quickly, scoring in the 6th minute from a cutback close to the goal. In the 38th minute Portugal were on the counter attack. Bruno Fernandes played Ronaldo through on goal who slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to extend Portugal's lead. Portugal ran riot and ended up winning 5-0. “I'm back!” Shouted Ronaldo after the game. After Messi’s 2 goals, Ronaldo responded with 2 of his own. Was it 2015 again? The two may be old and not be able to run as fast as they could in 2015 but they’re still both capable of producing moments of magic.

France 3-0 Iraq

After focusing on the stars from the past generation it’s time to look at the stars of the present. In the 14th minute Mbappe received the ball 20 yards from goal on the right side. He took one look up and placed a beautiful shot in the left corner past the goalkeeper to give France the lead. After some thunderstorms delayed the start of the second half, France got going again and in the 53rd minute, an Iraqi defender passed the ball straight to Dembele who squared it to Mbappe to tap the ball into an empty net. 2-0 for France. France dominated the rest of the second half and ended up winning 3-0. With the two goals Mbappe is now tied for second with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals. Being 27 and just 2 goals away from Messi, it’s only a matter of time until Mbappe becomes the World Cup all time goalscorer.

Norway 3-2 Senegal

Norway’s Erling Haaland has been one of the world's most potent goal scorers the last couple of years. After helping his country qualify for their first World Cup since 1998, Haaland has a chance to impress on the big stage. The first half was pretty even and ended 1-0 to Norway thanks to a goal from Pedersen. In the 48th minute Odegaard played Haaland through on goal who slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0. Ismaila Sarr made it 2-1 to Senegal after a well worked move. Norway quickly responded 5 minutes later. Patrick Berg cut the ball back for Haaland who struck the ball past the goalkeeper to extend Norway's lead to 3-1. Sarr scored again in the 3rd minute of added time but it was too late as Norway won 3-2 to get their second victory of the group. It’s incredible to see all the stars in the World Cup, performing to their very best abilities.

Best underdog moments

Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao

After losing their first match to the Ivory Coast, Ecuador needed to win to keep their qualification hopes alive. Curaçao lost 7-1 to Germany in the first game, so there were a lot of exceptions that Ecuador would easily win. Ecuador dominated the match, creating tons of chances and having lots of shots but Curaçao keeper Eloy Room was having the game of his life. Nothing could get past him as he made 15 saves equaling Tim Howard’s record of most saves in a World Cup game. An impressive first ever world cup point for Curaçao.

Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde

Uruguay drew with Saudi Arabia in the first group stage game. With their last match being against Spain, Uruguay really needed to win. In the 21st minute, Cape Verde had a freekick about 33 yards out. Kevin Pina stepped up and took a thunderous shot straight into the bottom corner somehow past the keeper. A beautiful way to score your country's first ever World Cup goal. For the rest of the first half Cape Verde defended well until the last couple of minutes. Uruguay winger Maxi Araujo scored a diving header in an open net after the ball rebounded off the post. In the 6th minute of added time Uruguay winger Agustin Cannobio scored a tap in close to goal to give them the lead. In the second half Uruguay was controlling the game but in the 61st minute Defender Mathias Olivera gave the ball away to Cape Verde’s Helio Varela. The Uruguay goalkeeper ran out his box to try and intercept the ball but missed completely, giving Varela an open goal to shoot at which he scored to make it 2-2. Uruagay tried to respond but was unable to. An extremely frustrating evening for Uruguay who may have blown their world cup chances but an absolutely brilliant draw for Cape Verde

Biggest disappointment

Paraguay 1-0 Türkiye

Türkiye are always in the conversation for being one of the tournament's dark horses. They have an extremely talented group of players but haven’t shown the level required after losing their first group game to Australia. Türkiye needed a response. Paraguay needed a response too after losing their first game to the US. In the 1st minute Paraguay midfielder Matias Galarza shot the ball from 30 yards out right into the bottom corner past the keeper, absolutely stunning Türkiye. Türkiye were creating chances but struggling to score similar to the game vs Australia. Right as the first half was about to end Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almirón covered his mouth when saying something to a Türkiye player. Under the new rules that's a red card and after a VAR check he was sent off, a lifeline for Türkiye. Despite having a man advantage, Türkiye still couldn’t score. Chance after chance, 33 shots in total, Türkiye weren't able to score. The loss confirmed Türkiye’s elimination, a complete embarrassment for the country.