World Cup 2018: 3 things you might have missed from the first four days  

Football: Argentina vs Iceland at World Cup
Messi missed a penalty for Argentina

With the first round of group stage fixtures coming to a close by tomorrow, the World Cup is well and truly underway. An unbelievable start for the hosts on day one set the mood for the tournament, with day two comprising of two late goals and a thrilling six-goal draw between Iberian giants in Spain and Portugal.

Day three and four continued from where the other nations left out with historic moments like VAR's first decision in a game and some surprise displays from small nations against giant killers in the competition.

As we head into day five of the tournament, let's take a look back at three moments you could have missed in the drama of an ongoing World Cup.


#3 Lozano goal caused an artificial earthquake in Mexico

FBL-WC-2018-MATCH11-GER-MEX
Lozano celebrates his goal against Germany

Hirving Lozano's goal celebration in Mexico caused an artificial earthquake in the country when he scored the only goal in the nation's historic win over defending world champions Germany in their opener.

According to the Instituto de Investigaciones Geologicas and Atmosfericas, seismic monitoring network, a spike in activity was recorded when Lozano tucked the ball past Neuer's near post. While the organisation posted on their social handle that is was caused artificially possibly due to stomps.

Mexico recorded a historic win over the World Champions and are in prime position to top their group and avoid a tricky encounter with the toppers of another group in the round of 16.

#2 French defender Hernandez admits to exaggerating fouls

Team France - Press Conference - FIFA World Cup
Hernandez at a France Press Conference at the FIFA World Cup

22-year-old French left-back, Lucas Hernandez frustrated many Australian fans on Saturday as he went down easily on several occasions throughout the match that ended 2-1 to the French in what was a controversial heated affair.

When asked after the game about his behaviour on the field, Hernandez said it was 'part of the show', adding he does do it to wind down the clock when the game is on the line.

"You saw it yesterday, it's true that there were some moments where it was a foul and I amplified a bit," he said. "That's part of the show, part of the game. It's true that sometimes I exaggerate a bit but it's part of my character. I am used to doing that, especially when we are leading. The team and I can win, save some precious seconds."

Peru will take on the French in the second game in a couple of days while the disgruntled Aussies will take on Denmark. Australian winger, Mathew Leckie, 27, was unimpressed by the Frenchman's game management tactics.

"It's disappointing for the game, that's the type of controversy that upsets people about football," he said. "It doesn't help when my opponent, the left defender [Hernandez], was falling over and playing a lot of diving. It was frustrating, he was literally falling over without any contact and the referee was giving free-kicks."

#1 Maradona claims Sampaoli's gameplan against Iceland was a disgrace

FBL-WC-2018-MATCH7-ARG-ISL
Diego Armando Maradona in attendance in Russia

Former World Cup winner and Argentine manager, Diego Armando Maradona was in attendance at his nation's 2018 opener against Iceland that ended in 1-1. The legendary football icon lamented Sampaoli's tactics against the debutants claiming lack of preparation was to blame for the country's draw against the minnows.

Despite Messi's penalty miss and lack of creative team play, Maradona blasted Sampaolli's approach to the game against Iceland's large team. "It's a disgrace. Not having prepared for the match knowing that Iceland are all 1.90m tall, we played all our corners in the air. We had no short game," the 1986 World Cup winner told Venezuelan television.

Maradona has been critical of the manager and went on to reassure Messi and co that they aren't to blame but need to improve their work rate. "I don't blame the players. I could blame the lack of work rate. But I can't blame the players, much less Messi, who gave it all he had," said Maradona.

"I missed five penalties on the spin and I was still Diego Armando Maradona. I don't think that they dropped two points because Messi missed a penalty," added the 57-year-old, who led Argentina to the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010.

Quick Links