World Cup Matchweek 1 power rankings: African nations disappoint, Iceland shine
The Underwhelming
25. Egypt
No Mohamed Salah meant no points for Egypt.
A tough opener against Uruguay, a drab encounter admittedly, almost saw Hector Cuper’s side grind out a well-earned point, however an agonising late goal denied them.
Salah sat on the bench powerless, and the expected lack of creativity without him was brought into sharper focus.
Warda, in fairness, impressed down the flank, but lone striker Marwan Mohsen never looked like breaking through a stubborn Uruguayan defence.
Egypt will surely be a different prospect with Salah.
24. Panama
What else would they have expected against the star-studded line up of Belgium.
It was more about the occasion than anything for Panama, and though they held the Belgians for the first half their fatigue eventually told.
It was a valiant effort from the Panamanians, but the touch of Belgian quality was enough to ultimately brush them aside.
Panama, with England upcoming, already have a Herculean task if they are to pull off what would surely be a World Cup miracle.
23. Costa Rica
2014’s surprise package couldn’t begin this year’s competition with the flourish of four years ago.
A magnificent Aleksandar Kolarov free kick separated them and Serbia in a cagey match, and the Latin Americans showed little threat in Samara.
Star players Joel Campbell and Christian Bolanos weren’t at full fitness for kick-off, and it showed.
Costa Rica created few opportunities and need a lot more to have any chance against Brazil in their second game.
22. Tunisia
The north Africans had England fans biting their nails for large parts of their encounter in Volgograd.
Their defensive style worked after they converted the penalty for the equaliser, however crushing heartbreak denied them a historic point, and one that would have sent English social media into meltdown.
It wasn’t to be for Tunisia, who were perhaps lucky to get away with a couple of controversial challenges inside the box.
They, like Panama, face a tough challenge to advance now.
21. Brazil
I was excited to watch Brazil more than any other nation in this World Cup, and I have been left bitterly disappointed.
Philippe Coutinho’s masterful strike was about the only sprinkle of stardust in an otherwise dry encounter from a Brazilian perspective.
Just a few hours after watching world champions Germany stumble, Brazil did the same thing.
After spluttering at the first hurdle, the likelihood of a 2014 semi-final repeat has increased. Tite’s side should still fancy their chances of topping the group, but it will be a far more arduous task for the Germans.
20. Argentina
One of the shocks of the round saw Argentina held by the resilient, die-hard Icelanders whose romantic major tournament journey took another tuneful twist.
For all of Iceland’s neck-on-the-line defending, La Albiceleste were hardly at the races – not least Lionel Messi – and couldn’t clinch maximum points.
Messi’s second half penalty miss summarised the Argentina performance, and even their star-studded attacking lineup couldn’t break through.
Gonzalo Higuain and Christian Pavon were hauled off the bench to try and spark some invention, however it just wasn’t their day and any chances of winning the tournament would be extinguished if a repeat were to ensue in their second match.