It has been a fascinating World Cup so far with goal fests and last minute winners. Here’s what you need to know about the games being played today.
Match 1:
France take on Australia at the Kazan Arena in Kazan. Kick off is at 11am and BBC will be covering the match and the build up from 10:30am.
France arrived in Russia after their best ever World Cup qualifying performance. They are definitely the favourites in this clash as they have numerous world stars in their squad such as Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris and Antoine Griezmann.
Can you believe it has now been twenty years since France have won the FIFA World Cup?
However, don’t write Australia off just yet. 38 year old Tim Cahill is still banging in the goals for The Socceroos. If he scores in this year’s FIFA World Cup, he will join a group consisting of Pele and Miroslav Klose who have scored at four World Cup Finals.
Match 2:
The second match of the day features Argentina and Australia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow.
Four years ago in Brazil, Argentina made it all the way to the final of the FIFA World Cup. We thought we were about to see Messi take his place amongst the all-time greats of the sport but it wasn’t to be that night.
Things have not been looking good for Argentina in the build up to this year’s tournament as they were recently defeated by Nigeria and thrashed by Spain 6-1.
Iceland qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup off the back of a very impressive Euro 2016 performance. Their qualification for this year’s tournament means they are the smallest nation to ever compete at the World Cup. They have a tough task ahead of them though with Croatia and Nigeria also in their group.
Match 3:
Both Peru and Denmark didn’t qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In fact, Peru haven’t been to a World Cup since 1982.
Peru qualified for this year’s tournament after a six match unbeaten run. The Peruvian’s have plenty of quality up front too with Jefferson Farfan who actually plays his club football in Russia.
Denmark’s star player, Christian Eriksen, scored 11 of Denamark’s 22 goals in their qualifying campaign. Can he continue his good form in Russia? Kasper Schmeichel will be following in his father’s footsteps as he will play between the sticks for the Danish Dynamite.
Kick off is at 5pm and the BBC will have you covered from 4:30pm.
Match 4:
The final match of the day sees Croatia take on Nigeria in Kalingrad. ITV will be covering the build up and the game from 7:30pm.
Croatia have failed to progress to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup since 1998. This game will be crucial if they are to end that streak as Argentina and Iceland are also in their group.
The biggest talking point about Nigeria coming into this year’s competition was their kit. Will their players be able to produce the same flash and flare as their shirts?
Nigeria’s win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last World Cup was their first victory at a World Cup Finals in twenty years. Odion Ighalo is likely to start for The Super Eagles on what is his 29th Birthday.
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