The excitement has just begun in Russia
It passes by too fast. Every single one of the 32 international selections present in Russia for the World Cup has already played its first game. Difficult not to admit that this tournament is exciting, thrilling, breathtaking: an offensive festival of a first game, goals scored in the last minutes, unknown players shining on the international stage, surprises, Goliaths that fall in front of Davids, and the smooth integration of video review for the first time ever in a World Cup. Anyway, here at Impact Media, we can’t get enough of the World Cup. Here’s our take on what this tournament is all about so far, just six days into it.
1. The favourite etiquette means nothing
Let’s put the official FIFA World Ranking aside for a second and focus on the favourites in each group. Uruguay needed a goal in the last seconds of its game against a Salah-less Egypt; France struggled against a demanding Australian side; Argentina managed only a tie against Iceland, who’s making its first appearance in the world tournament; the Brazilians weren’t able to finish off the Swiss and Neymar is questionable after suffering an injury in training; Germany joins Spain in 2014 and Italy in 2010, as defending champions unable to win their opening game; the English had to count on their golden boy Harry Kane to save the day with a brace against the Tunisians; Colombia saw itself handed a red card and a loss in their opening game. Not only are many people’s brackets already decidedly worth nothing, but we may even see projected group winners eliminated before the knockout round.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world – right now
Hat-trick. Against Spain. One of which was a stunning free-kick. Soccer fans around the world, bow down to the Portuguese captain, who’s delivering blows nowadays that would tenderize a turtle. In light of Lionel Messi’s performance against an admittedly organized Icelandic side, but far from the level the Furia Roja is capable of, Impact Media humbly crowns Cristiano Ronaldo as the king of the beautiful game…until someone makes us liars. Shouldn’t take too long.
3. Physical play is tolerated, and even rewarded
Despite what some columnists and observers wish to suggest, things are getting physical at this World Cup. Elbows are flying, tackles during one on one battles are allowed, and brute strength is rewarded, as long as it’s used within the rules of the art. In the age of video review, dives and simulations are just not worth it.
4. Video review is integrating smoothly
In 16 games so far, three penalties were accorded after consulting video review. The video assistant referee is doing a good job supporting the head referees, who are pretty much all having a good World Cup up to now: only one decision has been reversed, with the interventions from video review usually coming in the absence of a decision – often during situations that are impossible to see for the man with the whistle. Certain critics suggest that there aren’t enough interventions made during corners, but the like the great Arsène Wenger recently said, if we started giving penalties every time there’s a scuffle in the box during a corner, spot-kicks would be awarded all the time.
5. Set-pieces are a recipe for success
38 goals in 16 games. Other than the fact that it puts the “soccer is boring” narrative right to bed, there is a tendency emerging: 23 of those goals were scored from set-pieces, meaning 61% of all goals. To compare with MLS, we’re talking about a ratio of about 23%. Seven penalties were scored out of nine – Lionel Messi missing one –, again a higher frequency that what we’re used to.
To sum up, this is only the beginning, but what a passionate tournament. And if watching a game on TV isn’t good enough for you, the Impact plays its next home game on Saturday, June 30, at 7pm, against Sporting Kansas City. Get your tickets here.
