World Cup Day 3: Iceland holds Argentina, France gets tech assist taken at BSJ Headquarters (Revolution)

(Stefan Matzke - sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)

Revolution

World Cup Day 3: Iceland holds Argentina, France gets tech assist

By Sean Sweeney

Jun 16, 2018 • 5:15 pm

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Couldn’t take in all the action from Russia today? I've got you covered. Everything you need to know in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.

FIVE THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S PLAY

Iceland holds off Messi, Argentina: The hill for the Albicelestes got harder to climb Saturday, as World Cup first-timers Iceland -- which had 11 men behind the ball for about 93 percent of this match -- pulled off the upset of the tournament to date, holding the '14 runners-up to a 1-1 draw in Moscow. Argentina had scored first, as Sergio Aguero had a neat spin-and-finish near the penalty spot in the 19th minute, but Iceland and FC Augsburg's Alfred Finnbogason punched home a rebound four minutes later to pull his side level. Then it was just pure defense for the next hour-plus, as Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson came up with a massive save on Lionel Messi's 64th-minute penalty, as well a handful of others.

Iceland's performance shouldn't exactly be unexpected: There are plenty of people who were going gaga (hello, self) over Iceland equalizing against Argentina and subsequently holding it to one goal. Of course, because it's Argentina and Messi and the drama surrounding that team, and the fact this was supposed to be Argentina's easiest match of the competition. But if you look at Iceland's performances at Euro 2016 and that qualifying run as well as its Group I in UEFA qualifying for this competition, you'll see Iceland didn't exactly play slouches. At Euro 2016, Iceland drew, 1-1, against Portugal and Hungary in their first two Group F matches, then won, 2-1 over Austria. They then knocked England out, 2-1, before France beat them and knocked them out. They played Turkey in both Euro and World Cup qualifying, with Croatia, Ukraine (World Cup), the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands (Euro 2016). If you're a European fan, I would think Iceland is the last thing you want to see in your qualifying group for Euro 2020 when the draw is held in Dublin on December 2.

Technology comes through for France: Fair play to the Socceroos, who maintained their discipline and managed to frustrate Les Bleus throughout the morning. But with Antoine Griezmann getting taken down by Josh Risdon's light touch, the officials went to VAR for the first time at the World Cup and awarded a penalty; Griezmann buried it to put France ahead. A few minutes later, France and Barcelona centerback Samuel Umtiti handled Maradona-like in the box, and that awarded Australia a penalty. Aston Villa's Mile Jedinak then slotted home from the spot, pulling the Aussies level, 1-1. Yet there was still plenty of time for France -- and technology -- to further inflict damage; this time it was a Paul Pogba strike that caromed off the crossbar just enough to land behind the goal line; the referee looked to his wrist and his Goal Line Technology indicator, which declared it a goal. A 2-1 result to France got us started.

Football matches can be entertaining: And then there was the human element of football in the manner of a missed penalty. After VAR confirmed a Denmark takedown of Peru's Christian Cueva in the box late in the first half, Cueva lined up for the penalty -- and proceeded to deliver a Row Z Special.

And the incredulous look his manager gave in reaction to that boot may be the best look of the tournament:




Yussef Poulsen
Paolo Guerrero
Kasper Schmeichel


And sometimes they're not:
Danijel Subasic
Luka Modric


STAT OF THE DAY




PLAYER OF THE DAY


Hannes Halldorsson, goalkeeper, Iceland






TOP PLAYS






























WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON SUNDAY


Neymar

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