The 2018 World Cup is in full swing.
Day 2 in Russia, featuring the first tripleheader of the tournament, started with Egypt entering its first World Cup competition since 1990 and taking on a heavily favored Uruguay side. Unlike Thursday’s five-goal spree, it took 89 minutes for Uruguay to find the net after Luis Suarez missed three significant chances to put the team ahead. With only three added minutes, it was too late for Egypt to fight back.
The second game of the day -- and the first of Group B -- between Iran and Morocco followed a similar route. After going goalless for two halves, a headed own goal by Morocco in the 95th minute allowed Iran to clinch their second-ever win in the World Cup. Their first win? A 2-1 victory against the United States in the group stages of the 1998 World Cup in France.
The third game, also the day’s highlight, did not disappoint. Portugal faced Spain in one of the most anticipated group game matches of this year's tournament. A formidable Spanish side that saw its head coach dismissed just two days before the tournament ran into their Iberian neighbors and the defending Euro 2016 champion Portugal, with reigning Ballon d’Or player Cristiano Ronaldo looking to add the World Cup to his glowing accolades.
In just three and a half minutes, Ronaldo scored a penalty to put Portugal ahead. His goal made him just the fourth player in the world to score in four different World Cup tournaments, joining the likes of Pelé (Brazil), Uwe Seeler (Germany) and Miroslav Klose (Germany) in this list.
Photo courtesy of USA TODAY SPORTS
Spain’s Diego Costa made it a tie-game in the 24th minute but Ronaldo restored the lead just before halftime. However, things took a turn in the second half. Costa netted his second goal in the 55th minute and his teammate Nacho added another just three minutes later.
But once again, Ronaldo saved Portugal's day with an 88-minute free-kick goal that equalized the game. Portugal 3, Spain 3.
Like fans all over the world, members of the Chicago Fire were tuned into the action and joined the conversation on social media, including Tony Tchani, Drew Conner and Jonathan Campbell on Instagram Stories:
Portuguese international Rafael Ramos also posted a picture of his dad and himself with the Portugal flag, fervently supporting their national side.
After the game ended, Fire midfielders Mo Adams, Dax McCarty and Diego Campos chimed in on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger is taking advantage of a break in the Fire schedule to catch up with media members across New York City, and today worked with Bleacher Report to complete a World Cup bracket that will be unveiled in the near future. Schweinsteiger also recently sat down with Chicago-Fire.com to look back on his own World Cup triumphs and experiences, in a revealing interview available below:
For those who are still feeling the adrenaline rush from the Portugal and Spain thriller, fortunately, Saturday will present four games from Group C and D:
- 5 AM CT: France vs. Australia (Group C)
- 8 AM CT: Argentina vs. Iceland (Group D)
- 11 AM CT: Peru vs. Denmark (Group C)
- 2 PM CT: Croatia vs. Nigeria (Group D)
There will also be another tripleheader on Sunday, Day 4:
- 7 AM CT: Costa Rica vs. Serbia (Group E)
- 10 AM CT: Germany vs. Mexico (Group F)
- 1 PM CT: Brazil vs. Switzerland (Group E)
Continue to visit the Chicago Fire World Cup Central for more news and updates in the month ahead and check out Watch Party opportunities across Chicago and follow the Fire social media hub for player and team updates. Be sure to add the Chicago Fire Summer Fiesta presented by CIBC to your calendar.
