You can’t ask for a better start to a World Cup as far as the first couple of days of Russia 2018 is concerned. The hosts got off to a dream start with a 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium on the opening day. The resounding victory of Stanislav Cherchesov’s boys injected that much-needed spark among the home fans, although not many Russian youths have yet decided to grow moustache like their coach.
The next three games on the following day in three different cities in Russia were absolute crackers with Uruguay and Iran hitting last minute winners against Egypt and Morocco respectively. The third game of the day between Portugal and Spain was a six-goal thriller where Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick to deny Spain a victory.
Ronaldo’s free-kick with barely six minutes from the regulation time that enforced a 3-3 draw is so far the best goal from set pieces in the tournament. The magnificent Real Madrid striker made no mistake to pounce on a costly foul committed by Gerard Pique on the edge of the box against Ronaldo. Standing like a bull-fighter and taking a few heavy breaths, Ronaldo took a few steps before curling in a sublime floater from outside the Spanish wall and into the top-right corner that a hapless David de Gea, who had let Ronaldo’s second goal spill thought his legs, could only watch.
Thirteen goals in four games is more than one could expect in modern-day football when space is limited with 11 players trying to prevent the other half to play. Many had considered even the opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia not an ideal starter for the biggest show on earth. But the Russians with their high-pressing football and aerial dominance over a short-passing Saudis not only impressed the world audience, but also put behind the seven-game winless streak in a most spectacular fashion. The defeat is also a rude reminder for the oil-rich Saudi football bosses that too-much changing and chopping of coach never augers well for a team.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Iran-Morocco game was entertaining with both teams creating chances before that 95th-minute header from Aziz Bouhaddouz into his own net cruelly ended the fate of the game. Uruguay, the two-time World Champions, were the better team against a Mohamed Salah-less Egypt. But all their efforts were bellowed like an accordion by a resolute Egypt defence with their goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy standing under the bar like a pyramid. He kept Luis Suarez and Co. at bay with some stunning saves until Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez hit the winner with a towering header in the 89th minute.
El-Shenawy won the player of the match award. But he was forced to reject the traditional post-match reward -- as his religion forbids the consumption of alcohol. Budweiser are the official Fifa World Cup 2018 sponsors of the Man-of-the-match award -- presenting the game's best player with an artistic red goblet.
The Portugal-Spain match lived up to its billing as one of the heavyweight first-round fixtures. Ronaldo also lived up to this reputation as one of the three superstars of this World Cup with a magnificent treble. It is now up to Argentina’s Leonel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar to unfold their magic. Messi will walk at the Spartak Stadium against Iceland to launch Argentina’s bid to win a World Cup. It also starts the World Cup for many Bangladesh fans loyal to Argentina. Messi scoring a hattrick or not, or Neymar following suits the next day against Switzerland, this World Cup has already promised plenty of goals and endless entertainment.
