Underdogs surprise at FIFA

After four days of games, the FIFA World Cup is already shaping up to be more exciting than many hoped. Some of the biggest teams in the tournament have underperformed.

However, the performances by the underdog teams have been phenomenal. Ten of the first 12 games at the World Cup were either narrow one-goal victories or draws, but not a single one was goalless.

These were the most closely fought group stages in recent times. World Cup holders Germany said to be the favourites to win, lost to Mexico in their opening match in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow.

Germany became the sixth reigning champion in World Cup history to lose its opening match. It was also its first loss in an opening game since 1982. A more surprising tie was between Argentina, the two-time champions and 2014 finalists, and Iceland, a team taking part in its first ever World Cup. Though Argentina had 78% of the possession, Iceland defended hard and played a strong game.

Argentina, Brazil and Germany had 71 shots among them, scoring only two goals. Their opponents Iceland, Switzerland and Mexico had 27 shots and scored three. Argentina’s Lionel Messi missed a crucial penalty against Iceland.

The official match ball, the Adidas Telstar 18, came under intense scrutiny for deflating thrice in two games. Twitter showed no mercy.