World Cup 2018 – Day 3 Summary

With VAR being used on more than one occasion, an Argentinian maestro missing the mark against Iceland and over five penalties being awarded during the four games that occurred on day three in Russia. Here is how it went down game by game. 

France 2-1 Australia 

Amid tournament favourites to shine in Russia, France had to rely on some well-needed luck to get all three points from a well-drilled Australian side, who deserved at least a point. 

The Socceroo’s went behind after Antione Griezmann was controversially brought down in the box and after using VAR, referee Andres Cunha awarded the penalty to which the Frenchman fired home. Four minutes later, however, French Centre-back Samuel Umtitti ushered a moment of madness and did a Diego Maradona style handball in his own box, which saw Mile Jedinak equalize from the spot. 

France would soon walk away with a victory after a Paul Pogba toe-poke was deflected by an Aussie defender, Aziz Behich, which looped onto the underside of the bar and just over the line. I’m sure many England fans who were watching had a Frank Lampard vs Germany in 2010 flashback. 

MOTM – Paul Pogba (France) 

The Manchester United midfielder shined in what was a very dogged display but a what we expected to be a very good French side. He was responsible was the through ball which caused the penalty in the first half and then his eagerness to find the ball in the box then caused the eventual winner. It was a calm display from the Frenchman but he was at the center of everything that was happening for France. 

Argentina 1-1 Iceland 

A similar performance from an Argentinean side did not have the same undeserving outcome, as a Lionel Messi missed penalty meant that they were held by Iceland in their World Cup opener. 

A traditional Sergio Aguero shot on the turn inside the box put his country ahead after the Manchester City man scored his first international goal in eight games. Iceland retaliated in the spirit that was seen in the Euros two years ago and carried them to equalize when Alfred Finnbogason kept a calm head and stroked home from inside the six-yard box. 

After Maximiliano Meza was brought down in the box, Lionel Messi then stepped up to take the penalty in an effort to put his team ahead. However, Icelandic goalkeeper Halldorsson saved the penalty and ensured that Messi’s world cup campaign got off to a miserable start. 

MOTM – Hannes Halldorsson (Iceland)

The goalkeeper made nine blistering saves from what some would describe the best-attacking force in the competition to keep the smallest nation in the world Cup in the game. Once Messi missed the penalty Argentina piled on the pressure and broke through the Icelandic defense countless time but every shot cross or through ball was stopped by the man between the sticks. 

Peru 0-1 Denmark 

Just like Argentina, a missed penalty kick would result in disappointment for the team that played their first World Cup game for 28 years. 

The South Americans were handed the second penalty of the day through VAR, which unlike the French case was not debatable. Christian Cueva let his nerves get the better of him and blasted over from 12-yards that led him to shed tears when the halftime whistle blew. 

Denmark then fought back when Yussuf Poulsen redeemed himself from giving away the penalty after he smashed home a cross from Christian Eriksen. Peru gave their all for the rest of the game and pegged Demark's defense but just did not have the quality in the final-third to find an equalizer. 

MOTM – Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark)

Again, the goalkeeper deserved the Man of the Match award after the Dane made six saves throughout the 90-minute affair to keep his side in the lead. The son of Manchester United Legend broke his father’s national record as keeping a clean sheet means that he has not conceded for 475 minutes. 

Croatia 2-0 Nigeria 

A poor Nigerian performance was followed up by an expected Croatian victory in what some are regarding the most boring game of the tournament thus far.

The Croats took the lead in the 32^ndminute after Stoke City’s new signing Oghenekaro Etebo deflected a poor Mario Mandzukic header into the back of his own net. After this moment Croatia cruised to victory as Nigeria hardly ever threatened their goal. 

Croatia’s dominance was then rewarded when they were given the fifth penalty of the day when striker Mandzukic was bundled over in the area and star-man Modric put it away to seal the victory. 

MOTM – Luka Modric (Croatia) 

The captain, like Pogba, had an overall average display on their terms but in what was a boring game Modric had his hand in all of the main moments in the game. He was responsible for the cross which ended up in the own goal and then put the second away.