Sport

The World Cup Day That Was

#Russia2018: Senegoal, Russian riot and Japanese history

Soccer fans of Russia watch the FIFA World Cup 2018 match between Russia and Egypt in the FIFA Fan Fest in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, 19 June 2018. EPA-EFE/FRANCK ROBICHON

We now know which games in the final round might be boring. And there has been a win for "all of Africa".

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.

Russia 3-1 Egypt

Goals ‘R’ Us. It looks like South Africa’s record of being the only host nation not to progress past the group stages at a World Cup will remain safely in tact. Russia ran riot against an Egyptian side who finally had the services of Mohamed Salah. But all he had to show for his efforts was a penalty kick and a ticket home.  [Full report and highlights]

Poland 1-2 Senegal

An own goal and an absolute howler from the keeper. It’s everything you’d expect when an African side takes to the field. But those shockers didn’t come from an African side. Senegal became the first team from the mother continent to win in Russia, with striking stars Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane both failing to score.  [Full report and highlights]

Colombia 1-2 Japan

If you’re going to have your hand-in-the-box moment, it’s probably not the best idea to do it within the first three minutes of your team’s opening game at the World Cup. But nobody told Carlos Sanchez. His penalty giveaway gifted Japan an early lead and, while Colombia did pull a goal back, Yuya Osako’s second-half header made history. [Full report and highlights]

News you might care about

Sepp in the house! Despite being banned, former Fifa President Sepp Blatter reportedly flew into Moscow on Tuesday to hang out with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Blatter had previously said he was given a personal invitation by Putin and the two will watch Portugal take on Morocco. [Reuters]

Dele Alli missed England training on Tuesday in order to have a scan on his thigh. That’s not part of some weird new punishment invented by coach Gareth Southgate, it’s a bona fide injury concern. Southgate said Alli was “feeling a little bit of an issue” during England’s last-gasp win over Tunisia on Monday. There’s time to get sorted, though, as the Three Lions are only back in action on Sunday when they play Panama. [Sky Sports]

In other injury news, Neymar hobbled out of training on Tuesday with a painful ankle. Not great news for Brazil, who are under the cosh after drawing with Switzerland and face Costa Rica on Friday. A spokesperson for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) put the issues down to all the knocks Neymar took in his side’s opening game. He’s not just crying foul, either. The Swiss roughed up Brazil’s main man so much that he won ten free kicks, more than any player in a World Cup match since 1998. [AFP]

Quote of the day

“We didn’t mince words, because we want to make things better against Sweden. We talked a lot, such meetings are good, it’s a liberating feeling and the outlines came from the coach.”

Germany captain Manuel Neuer shares some insight on how the team processed that shocker of an opening result against Mexico.

Fixtures on 20 June

14:00 Portugal vs Morocco
17:00 Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia
20:00 Iran vs Spain

Dish of the day

Variety is the spice of life… and Spanish cuisine. While there are many variants on the tapas theme, we’re opting for a single one: croquetas de jamón. Basically, it’s ham and cheese croquettes.

These fried morsels might have originated in France, but Spain takes it to another level. Gone are the potatoes, in comes a gooey sauce. If you want the best possible version, put some elbow grease into it and do it over two days like in this recipeDM

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Become a Maverick Insider

This could have been a paywall

On another site this would have been a paywall. Maverick Insider keeps our content free for all.

Become an Insider

Every seed of hope will one day sprout.

South African citizens throughout the country are standing up for our human rights. Stay informed, connected and inspired by our weekly FREE Maverick Citizen newsletter.