For weeks before the first ball was kicked in Mexico City, the World Cup was all about visa problems, ticket prices and more politics than should be allowed. Fortunately, once that ball was kicked it became all about the beautiful game again. Although its hard to judge the teams after just one game, there were certainly some interesting moments. So, what did we learn?
All three hosts collected points
It started with Mexico and their 2-0 win over South Africa, leaving El Tricolor in the top spot on goal difference over second place South Korea.
Jesse Marsh’s Canadian team could only manage to pick up a point against Bosnia and Herzegovina as the two sides battled it out to a 2-2 draw in Toronto. With Qatar (called Cutter by Americans, for reasons unknown) stealing a goal and a point against Switzerland, the group is all square.
And of course, the big one, the USA played probably the best game of any team in the first round and got their three points by beating up on Paraguay. The 4-1 score line means that the Yanks lead Group D.
There is no easy game – ask Spain
One of the favorites to lift the World Cup is Spain, who boast one of the top players in the world in Lamine Yamal. The third ranked team in the world, according to FIFA, were so confident in destroying 64th ranked Cape Verde with their 40-year-old goalkeeper who plies his trade in the Portuguese second division that they didn’t even start the Barcelona teen-aged sensation.
Spain didn’t even bother making substitutions until the 71st minute when they brough on Yamal and Arsenal’s Mikel Merino. The team improved but still could not beat Vozinha between the posts.
All hope is not lost for Spain; at least not yet. They have time and two more games left to get their act together. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay also shared the points, so the four teams in Group H are on level terms.
The big boys played big – in most cases
All American eyes are on the USA, but the world’s eyes perhaps are on Lionel Messi. The 38-year-old Argentinian, who among the best players in the history of the game, is probably playing in his last ever World Cup and would love to go out in style by winning back-to-back cups for his country.
The little Inter Miami front man put three past Algeria, forcing their keeper to pick the ball out of the back of his net thrice. And on Monday, he’ll go up against Austria, despite this World Cup having some mediocre teams competing, the Austrians are a worthy opponent. Regardless, I’m banking on him to add another goal or three. And just to put it out there, I would rate his performance 10/10.
Despite a sub-standard first half where every ball he touched went astray, Kylian Mbappe switched gears after the intermission and played like the Mbappe who wears a Real Madrid shirt. The Parisian-born striker scored twice against Senegal, a team that has 10 Frenchmen on their team. He also won the Golden Boot in the last World Cup with 8 strikes. This last performance – 8/10.
Up next for France will be Iraq, who got spanked 4-1 by Norway.
And speaking of Norway… I would say that without FIFA expanding the pool of teams this time out, the world would probably miss out on seeing Manchester City’s Erling Haaland do what he does best – bully defenders and scoring goals. And he did just that in his first ever World Cup. The big man scored twice in the Vikings’ opener. I’d give him 9/10.
(Side note: Haaland was born in Leeds, England. Imagine how invincible England would be if he played up front with Harry Kane?)
Harry Kane – the darling of Bayern Munich and England! After winning the Bundesliga title, German Cup but failing in the Champions League, the man who has more goals than appearances for the Bavarians, scored twice against Croatia in their 4-2 victory. That was a 9/10 performance.
England will face Ghana next, who sealed the points with a stoppage time winner against Panama.
Dare I add Folarin Balogun to the list? Though nowhere near a top 10 player, he too scored a couple of goals. I believe he can do it again against the Kangaroo Boys on Friday. USA USA!! 8/10 for the young man.
And of course there were those who failed to impress. The top of that list is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar is 41 years old, now plays in Saudi Arabia where he is scoring goals like crazy but honestly, he should have retired from international soccer at the end of the Qatar World Cup.
Portugal took the lead against DR Congo but the Africans came back to snatch a point. Ronaldo appeared to be just a spectator during the entire game. And that too was strange, letting the old boy play the full 90 minutes although he was ineffective throughout. This World Cup can turn out to be a sad ending to the Real Madrid legend’s legacy. I’d rate his performance 5/10.
We’re witnessing the end of some great players
Nothing lasts forever and despite his hat trick, Messi is 39 years old. Enjoy watching him play because you will probably never see him in an Argentina national team shirt again. Six World Cups, claiming the cup once and so many other accolades will cement him as, in my opinion, the greatest player ever.
Ronaldo was mentioned before. The 41-year-old has also made six World Cup tournaments. I guarantee you that he will not be playing again at 45.
Egypt’s greatest player ever, Liverpool legend Mo Salah is 34 and finally fully fit to take part in the World Cup. He’s been unlucky with injuries, so this is likely his last. He played well in the opener. Let’s hope we can witness some Mo magic before it’s all over.
Brazil’s Neymar is also 34 and has had his injury woes as of late. The former Barcelona hero was not expecting to make the squad but having been chosen, he’ll look to go out on a high.
Two players from the country where I had lived for over 30 years are likely playing in their last World Cup as well. Probably the best goalkeeper in the world, Thibaut Courtois is still impressing for Real Madrid but he is 34. Sure, keepers last longer than outfield players but I expect him to hang up his gloves before then.
Said to be the best Belgian player ever (I’d say of the 21st century), Kevin De Bruyne left Manchester City and moved to Napoli as he has slowed down a bit at the ripe old age of 35.
Though far from legendary, Tim Ream is 38 years old and has become the oldest American to represent the country at a World Cup. Whoever is coaching the Nats in 2030, please don’t call him out of retirement to play as a 42-year-old!
African nationals continue to close the gap
Four years ago in Qatar, Morocco had the best ever finish of an African nation when they made it to the semi-finals, though unfortunately lost to France. Before that there were only three quarter-final appearances by Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010). This year the Africans are looking pretty good again.
Morocco held the mighty Brazil, Egypt drew Belgium, DR Congo earned a deserved point against Portugal and Senegal competed well against France despite being defeated.
Those from the Mother Continent no longer come to the World Cup to take part or hope to compete – they are expected to compete, win and shock the world. The first African World Cup winners in 2026? It’s still a long shot but soccer is a funny game.
Wrap Up
It has been an entertaining first round in general. Perhaps the biggest lesson so far is that reputations mean nothing once the referee blows the whistle. The traditional big teams remain formidable but looking at the Africans, with Cape Verde thrown in there, the gap is narrowing. Smaller nations are proven to become harder to beat, so after witnessing the first round, I predict some more surprises before the trophy is lifted in New Jersey next month.
