WORLD CUP DAY 2
World Cup Recap: Cristiano Ronaldo steals the show with a hat-trick on Day 2
Jun 15, 2018, 5:10 pm
That Ronaldo guy is good at soccer. Photo courtesy of Nike, Inc.
After Thursday’s opening activities, action in the 2018 FIFA World Cup ramped up with three matches on Friday. Egypt vs. Uruguay and the heavy-hitting Portugal vs. Spain were the bouts on everyone’s checklist - particularly because a win could decide the group winner in their respective groups.
Egypt 0-1 Uruguay
Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg
Attendance: 27,015
This match was one of the must-see today because of the star power that could potentially be involved in the result - Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for Egypt and FC Barcelona’s Luis Suarez as well as Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani for Uruguay. Instead it wasn't a goalscorer but a defender - Atletico Madrid’s Jose Maria Gimenez - that decided the match to give Uruguay a clear path to winning the group.
To start the match, Egypt looked like the better side because they looked better organized and looked more dangerous moving forward despite not starting Salah. Salah was not expected in the starting XI but was on the bench, as expected as he makes his way back from a dislocated shoulder injury in the UEFA Champions League final. Cavani and Suarez did have opportunities but they were defended well by the Egyptian defense. The clearest opportunity in the first half came off a corner in the 24th minute where Suarez misses the target and hits the side netting. Six opportunities is what Uruguay generated in the first half but only one was on target. Egypt had 2/3 shots on goal in the first but in the end teams headed to the dressing room with a scoreless draw.
Uruguay looked much more dangerous in the second outing. La Celeste went for the win but Egypt just would not break. Egypt’s goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy was looking like the man of the match, forcing Suarez into tight spaces and saving a marvelous long-range attempt from Cavani. Salah would not come off the bench as the manager opted for other options but it was a gamble that looked like it would pay off - until the 89th minute. Uruguay had an opportunity off a free kick and it was all they would need to walk away with the 1-0 win.
Analysis: Not picking up results in the opening match can complicate teams, even the great ones, as we’ve seen in past World Cups. Uruguay was looking to head that way if they did not pick up a result. Fortunately, for them, they did pick up the three points and now look to be heading for the top of the group as all predicted.
Egypt on the other hand are still in good shape to go through despite the loss but a draw would have helped better their chances of getting a more manageable opponent in the round of 16. No sense in looking ahead now, as the pressure starts with host Russia up next.
Notable stat: Uruguay won their opening match to start a World Cup for the first time since the 1970 edition.
Morocco 0-1 Iran
Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
Attendance: 62,548
This match was always going to leave much to be desired, especially considering the other two bouts of the day, which is why it was perfectly sandwiched in the middle of today’s TV schedule. Still, it was a must-win for both these teams because European powers Portugal and Spain are the other two teams in Group B. Both sides looked sloppy coming out of the gate an neither really did much to generate opportunities on goal. Everything shot at the goalkeepers was either a missed shot or something with not enough power behind it. It looked as though this would end in a scoreless draw but a winner was decided - sadly it was off a defensive mistake. An own goal by Moroccan forward Aziz Bouhaddouz when defending a free kick in stoppage time was the decider that gave Iran the three points.
Analysis: As mentioned, this was a must-win for either team given Portugal and Spain are the favorites to move out of this group. Still, if you wanted to give yourself a chance it was with a win here and hope other results work out for you in the next two matchdays. Ultimately, it still looks difficult for Iran but they’ve given themselves a chance and can already call this World Cup a success. Morocco on the other hand have to feel like they’re eliminated and are now staring at a winless trip with Portugal and Spain, respectively, up next.
Portugal 3-3 Spain
Fisht Stadium, Sochi
Attendance: 43,866
This match delivered great moments and left us wanting more. Six goals in total, a hat-trick by Cristiano Ronaldo and, of course, the drama of how Spain would react on the field just two days after parting ways with their head coach. Well, I hope you sat down to watch this one because highlights may not do it justice.
Less than five minutes into the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo gets dropped inside the box and to the penalty spot we go. As he’s done so clinically for Real Madrid in the Champions League, Ronaldo did here to put Portugal in the lead over their Iberian Peninsula neighbors. The lead would only last until the 24th minute when Diego Costa converted on an individual play but not before elbowing a defender on a controversial play. Both of the plays - the penalty and the Costa potential foul - did not go to video review despite having the ability to for the first time ever of a World Cup. Ronaldo would rally his troops and would shoot his shot right before halftime, one that becomes a goalkeeping blunder by who many consider the best keeper in the world in David De Gea, and Portugal heads into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
Diego Costa would match Ronaldo in the second half by tying the match in the 55th minute, a free kick attempt that touches the feet of three Spanish players before Costa pushes it in to goal. As the second half goes on, Spain look the more dangerous side and translate that form in to the scoreboard. Nacho would score in the 58th minute with a spectacular shot from long range to place the Spaniards up 3-2 over their rivals. Then, a free kick opportunity in the final stages of the second half. Of course, there was no doubt who would take the attempt. Ronaldo converts and Portugal tie it 3-3 in the 88th minute.
Analysis: This result leaves the top of the group open and, given that the Group B winner faces the Group A runner-up in the next round, that could mean the difference between facing Uruguay or Egypt/Russia. Despite it being a draw, it feels like a win for Portugal. For Spain, a win was needed to calm the waters of firing their coach two days ago. Regardless, the group will likely be decided now by whoever scores more against both Morocco and Iran.
Upcoming Matches (All Times CT):
Saturday, June 16
5 a.m. - [Group C] France vs. Australia (FS1, Telemundo)
8 a.m. - [Group D] Argentina vs. Iceland (FOX, Telemundo)
11 a.m. - [Group C] Peru vs. Denmark (FS1, Telemundo)
2 p.m. - [Group D] Croatia vs. Nigeria (FS1, Telemundo)
Sunday, June 17
7 a.m. - [Group E] Costa Rica vs. Serbia (FOX, Telemundo)
10 a.m. - [Group F] Germany vs. Mexico (FS1, Telemundo)
1 p.m. - [Group E] Brazil vs. Switzerland (FS1, Telemundo)
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With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
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