Albin Ekdal (C) of Sweden celebrates with fans after the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Sweden and South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 18 June 2018. Sweden won 1-0. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. EDITORIAL USE ONLY
(RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup) EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO EDITORIAL USE ONLY 
Stay up to date with all the latest news from Russia with Daily Maverick‘s dedicated World Cup 2018 section. For the latest highlights, results and standings from all the groups, click here.
Captain Fantastic did it for England, who very nearly reached new heights of disappointment against Tunisia. Harry Kane scored twice, with the winner coming in injury time, against a Tunisian side that played much of the match without their first choice keeper and were... well... just not very good really.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54419807.jpg "Harry Kane of England (R) scores during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Tunisia and England in Volgograd, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Mouez-Hassen.jpg "Tunisia's goalkeeper Mouez Hassen (bottom) receives medical assistance after being injured during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Tunisia and England in Volgograd, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Ferjani-Sassi.jpg "Ferjani Sassi (L) of Tunisia scores the 1-1 equalizer from the penalty spot against England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (C) during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Tunisia and England in Volgograd, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54420001.jpg "epa06819842 Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Tunisia and England in Volgograd, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/FRANCIS R. MALASIG")
Living up to their tag as dark horses at the 2018 World Cup, Belgium came alive in the second half against Panama. First there was a stunning volley from Dries Mertens, then Romelu Lukaku hit a brace to seal the deal.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54419524.jpg "Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois of Belgium in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Belgium and Panama in Sochi, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/MOHAMED MESSARA")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54419387.jpg "Dries Mertens of Belgium reacts after scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Belgium and Panama in Sochi, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/MOHAMED MESSARA")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54419494.jpg "Romelu Lukaku (R) of Belgium celebrates with teammates after scoring the 3-0 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Belgium and Panama in Sochi, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54419516.jpg "Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates after scoring the 3-0 goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group G preliminary round soccer match between Belgium and Panama in Sochi, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL")
VAR is getting a thorough workout at this World Cup. Technology stepped in to award Sweden a penalty, which ended up being the difference against South Korea.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54418926.jpg "Andreas Granqvist of Sweden celebrates after the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Sweden and South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 18 June 2018. Sweden won the match 1-0. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54418836.jpg "South Korea's coach Shin Tae-yong reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Sweden and South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54419020.jpg "Hwang Hee-chan of South Korea reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Sweden and South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 18 June 2018. South Korea lost the match 0-1. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54418529.jpg "Park Joo-ho of South Korea reacts after being injured during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Sweden and South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO")
The stretcher is also getting a good run at the tournament. Park Joo-ho was carried off with a suspected hamstring tear on Monday.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54418550.jpg "epa06818481 Park Joo-ho (C) of South Korea is stretchered off the pitch after being injured during the FIFA World Cup 2018 group F preliminary round soccer match between Sweden and South Korea in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 18 June 2018. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B.")
Speaking of stretchers... all eyes remain on Mo Salah and whether he'll be fit or not when Egypt take on Russia on Tuesday. He was on the bench for the opener against Uruguay, but didn't feature. Like that match, everyone is promising he's fit. But we've heard that one before.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/h_54419606.jpg "Egypt's Mohamed Salah attends his team's training session in St.Petersburg, Russia, 18 June 2018. Egypt will face Russia in the FIFA World Cup 2018 group A preliminary round soccer match on 19 June 2018. EPA-EFE/TOLGA BOZOGLU")
We go around again on Tuesday. By the late kick off, all teams will have played their first fixture. DM