EditorialSoccerSummer of Soccer

2018 FIFA World Cup Group D Match 1 Recap

By Alex Zatarain
NurPhoto NurPhoto

Day 3 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup displayed two exciting matches in Group D.

Iceland, the Cinderella story of the 2016 European Championships, went to the wire against Argentina, the giants of South America.

Argentina  v Iceland 

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Group D opened up play between Argentina and Iceland, possibly the most anticipated match of the day.

Argentina, who were runner-up in the 2014 edition of the tournament, came in as favorite to win the group. Ranked fifth in the world, La Albiceleste were expected to walk away victorious.

Iceland were playing their first World Cup match ever and they could not have asked for a much tougher opponent. Ranked 22nd in the world, the country of just over 330,000 inhabitants became the smallest country ever to play in the World Cup.

The First Half

Lionel Messi and Co. came out dominating, controlling possession and getting two shots on goal in the opening minutes.

The first goal came not much longer. Marcos Rojo made a run towards the box and took a shot from well outside. The attempt was not well taken and instead found the feet of Sergio Aguero, who was in the box. He made space for himself and sent a strike past Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson to give Argentina the lead in the 19th minute and the first World Cup goal of his career.

One would assume Argentina would break things open, as they were able to score early and maintain over 80% of possession at this point.

However, the lead was short lived. The 23rd minute saw a cross get sent in from the right wing into a crowded Argentina box. Keeper Wilfredo Caballero dove to put an arm on the ball but bounced to the feet of Alfred Finnbogason, who then put a first touch into the back of the net. This would be Iceland’s first World Cup goal ever.

The rest of the first half continued with Argentina keeping possession and creating multiple opportunities.

The Second Half

It was in the second half were things became even more strenuous for both sides.

Argentina with the pressure of taking three points against a team they’re pressuring consistently and Iceland with keeping the game close.

The moment that would define the game came when Hordur Magnusson brought Aguero down in the box, conceding a penalty to Argentina nearly 20 minutes into the second half. Messi came in to convert, only for the kick to be saved by Halldorsson.

Jorge Sampaoli, boss of the Argentinian side, attempted to bolster the attack by substituting Cristian Pavon for Angel Di Maria in the 75th, the Gonzalo Higuain for Maximiliano Meza in the 84th. To no avail, they could not get past an Icelandic defense that was giving Messi almost no room to shoot or dribble his way through.

The South American side kept pressing in attempt to score the game winner, generating six of their 27 total shots (seven on goal) in the final 15 minutes of the match.

Messi’s free kick in the 95th minute marked the moment Iceland was allowed to breathe easy, clinching their first World Cup point in country history.

Argentina, although absolutely dominant, left the pitch defeated. Iceland, elated. Both leaving Spartak Stadium with a point.

Croatia  v Nigeria 

The second match of Group D featured two very talented sides in Croatia and Nigeria, with the latter being the youngest team in Russia at an average of just under 26 years old.

Croatia came out early and attacked the right flank, making runs and sending crosses into the box. Nigeria’s Super Eagles were able to avert any danger quickly. The first 10 to 15 minutes or so had Croatia controlling, if only slightly.

First Half

The first legitimate scare Croatia gave Nigeria came in the 14th minute when Ivan Perisic sent a shot from outside of the box just over the crossbar.

The next few minutes had Nigeria controlling and attacking, but with little success.

It was at the 34th minute when Croatia drew first blood. Luka Modric took a corner kick that grazed off of Ante Rebic, then met by a head from Mario Mandzukic. The ball was headed out but a deflection by Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo coneded the own goal in favor of Croatia.

Second Half

Nigeria started the second half with three straight corners. To no avail, Nigeria were not able to get close.

Croatia put another scare on their on-pitch rivals when Ivan Perisic sent a cross into the box that met the boot of Ante Rebic, who was making a run just inside the near post in the 55th minute. Despite getting a clean shot, Rebic sent the ball just high and wide.

The European side received another opportunity to score when William Troost-Ekong took down Mandzukic in the box after a corner kick. Modric was able to convert to give Croatia a 2-0 lead om the 71st minute.

Croatia was on cruise control from there on out to take the three points.

Nigeria’s youth proved to be their downfall, as they lacked the finishing touch in the final third of the pitch and, at times, looked timid.

With the victory, Croatia took first place in Group D after the first match. France and Iceland follow with one point each after their draw. Nigeria is in the cellar with no points.

The next Group D matches will take place next Thursday and Friday, with Argentina taking on Croatia and Nigeria taking on Iceland.

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