Day 2 & 3 roundup: Spain and Ronaldo steal the show

The World Cup is in full gear now. The first matchround is already halfway. Today, there are another three matches, with among others Brazil and Germany coming into action. Time to catch up on Friday's and yesterday's action.

In Group A, Egypt and Uruguay couldn't really provide a lot of spectacle. Mo Salah was on the bench for Egypt, but didn't play yet. In a poor match, Uruguay had the better chances- Suarez missed three golden opportunities- but for a long time it looked like this was going to become the first goalless match on the World Cup. Until in the last minutes Giménez rose highest to head in a free kick. 3 golden points for Uruguay, a win against Saudi-Arabia and they are through. If Egypt wants to have any chance of progressing to the round of 16, nothing but a win against the hosts Russia will be enough.

In Group B, the duel between the South European neighbors Spain and Portugal was one with high expectations. Probably the match of the group stage the neutral fan was looking forward to the most. And those who saw it, did not get disappointed. What a match it was! Portugal took the lead twice through goals of none other than their star player Cristiano Ronaldo. First one after a penalty which he provoked himself, the second right before the break after a horrible howler from Spain's goalkeeper De Gea. But Spain had a striker who was in good form as well. Diego Costa equalized twice for Spain, although his first one was preceded by a clear foul by him on Pepe. Spain took the lead with a fabulous volley from Nacho Férnandez, the interim right back for Carvajal. When it looked like Spain was going to get the hard fought win, Portugal got a free kick in the last minutes. Of course Ronaldo took it and after trying more then 40 times to score from a free kick at an international tournament, he finally did it. Not a bad time to do so. 3-3 was the score after a thrilling match, and we are hoping to see much more games of this level. That was not the case for the other match in Group B between Iran and Morocco. Morocoo had the better chances in the first half, but it was Iran who won it after a clumsy own-goal in injury time. Iran leads the group after one game, but the difference between the two matches was so big you can't see Spain and Portugal not going through in this group.

France failed to impress in their first match against Australia in Group C. Eventually, they struggled themselves to a 2-1 victory against Australia. They needed a penalty- given after an intervention by the VAR as it should be- to open the score. Australia got themselves on equal foot with a penalty as well. It was Pogba, who had a difficult season at United, who turned out to be the savior of France. Job done, but France didn't play like a potential World Cup winner. A lot of work left for Les Blues. Peru was the better side against Denmark, but they missed coolness and efficiency in front of the goal. It is an old and unbreakable law in football that who doesn't score, will get punished. Denmark did just that around the 60th minute when Poulsen opened the score. A perfect hold-up for Denmark, who probably won the crucial game for qualification for the round of 16. A win against Australia and the job is done, although the Socceroos showed they aren't a pushover. Peru charmed the neutral fans with their performance, but they will have to beat France if they want any chance remaining. France on the one hand will want to get the job done to make the last match against Denmark a formality, but on the other hand will want to show more that they did yesterday.

All eyes were on Messi after Ronaldo's hattrick. He and Argentina played against Iceland, for who it was their first match ever on a World Cup. It was a very frustrating afternoon for Messi. Argentina took the lead thanks to Aguero, but Finnbogasson tapped in the equalizer for Iceland only minutes later. Iceland reverted to their successful formula on the European Championship: a strong solid block, perfectly executed. Argentina couldn't find the breakthrough. Messi got neutralized by Iceland's double and if needed triple covering. When Messi got the opportunity he was waiting for from the spot, the Iceland goalkeeper saved the penalty. Remarkable that a player who can score from every angle, has so much difficulties to score penalties. A match to forget for Messi. It will already be money time for Argentina in their next match against Croatia on Thursday. The other favorites in Group D did what they had to do against Nigeria. Their best football wasn't needed to easily beat Nigeria, who gave a very uninspired impression. It will be difficult for them to progress to the round of 16. The chances for Iceland to pull it off got a big boost on this first matchround.