There were fears that Germany would become the next defending champion to exit the World Cup at the group stage when they were struggling in their warm-up games, but their 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia seems to have made everyone think they are back to form. However, their first game against Mexico ended in the defending champions losing 1-0 to the North Americans. Germany’s defence was surprisingly vulnerable and every time their full-backs ventured forward, Mexico hit them on the break until they eventually breached the Germans. The Germans face another stubborn team in Sweden and it would be interesting to see if they can improve their current run of one win in seven games. Sweden beat Italy in the playoffs to reach Russia 2018, and they have started on a bright note by beating South Korea 1-0. They would be facing a tougher opponent in Germany, but the Swedes are a very strong side to break down and if Germany’s defence does not improve, the Scandinavians may kill them off on the counter in this game. Sweden has just lost twice in their last nine games, and with Germany struggling for form, the Swedes could hold their own and get a point from this match.

South Korea were the talk of the world 16 years ago when the co-hosted the 2002 World Cup. They reached the semifinal stage of that competition as the surprise package, but their football has never reached that height again. They lost their first game against Sweden 1-0, but to be honest the Swedes could have scored more goals if they were an attacking team because the Koreans never came to the party and had just 2 shots at goal. Son Heung-Min who has starred for Tottenham over the past few seasons was ineffectual in that game and they have lost three of their last four games ahead of this match. Mexico faced defending World champions Germany in their first game, while many expected that game to be a tight affair no one thought the German defence would be that terrible. The North Americans took the game to Germany from the get-go and forced the German defence to crack. When Havier Hernandez laid on an assist for Hirving Lozano, it was time for them to take the lead and they did. Germany did try to get in the game, but they couldn’t and Mexico would be looking to build on that win here.

Belgium’s golden generation has another chance to win a trophy for their nation, and this may be the very last chance for most of the players in this squad. The Belgians are among the favourites to lift this trophy, but very often their lack of teamwork has robbed them of a team success. In their first game against Panama that almost cost them the game as they headed into the halftime break with a goalless draw. The second half was much better and it was Dries Mertens who opened the scoring before Romelu Lukaku scored a brace to help them to a 3-0 win. The Belgians have now lost just one game under Roberto Martinez and have won 15 of their last 20. Tunisia were very poor in their opening game against England as they were beaten 2-1. The scoreline may suggest that the game was close, but that is not the true story. The Tunisians only escaped a heavier scoreline because England missed clear-cut chances and the referee refused to give the Three Lions any of two obvious penalties. If Tunisia plays as poorly as they did in the England game, they would be heading home after this game, but if they step up like they did in their warm-up games, they stand a chance of upsetting the Red Devils.

Most of us thought Argentina had the simplest match when they faced Iceland in their opening group game. Indeed a team led by Lionel Messi coming up against an Iceland side who qualified for their first competition just two years ago shoulda be certain win for the South Americans. However, it proved to be a very tough game for Messi and Argentina with the Barcelona man missing a penalty it ended 1-1 and Iceland’s fairytale run at competitions continue. Argentina would now consider this game a must win for them if they want to reach the knockout stage. Croatia started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Nigeria. In all honesty, the Nigerians were so poor, you’d wonder how the managed to qualify for this competition. They now face their first real test in this match, however, with only Mario Mandzukic as their out-and-out striker it would be interesting to see how they fair in this game. Argentina have four wins from their last ten games, while Croatia have only two losses from their last nine matches. Messi should recover from his poor showing in the last match to prove himself in this game.

Despite having a star-studded lineup France struggled in their first game against Australia before an unfortunate own goal helped them claim all three points with a 2-1 win. Their struggle in their first match was not because they are a poor side, rather it was because of the determination of their opponents who pressed them all over the pitch. The French team would now look to build on that win and get into the next round with another win over Peru here. France always starts slowly at Tournaments and five times out of their last seven opening games at major competitions have ended without wins for them. Peru were unlucky to lose their last match against Denmark. The Peruvians were by far the best team on the night with 17 shots on goal, they outplayed the Europeans and were very unpredictable just as they were inventive on the attack. France defence was shaky in their first game against Australia and Peru should have a better afternoon in front of goal in this game and that should make this an exciting game to watch. The Peruvians have scored in five of their last seven games while France have failed to keep a clean sheet in all but one of their last seven games.

Denmark may be the luckiest team at this year’s World after they survived their first game without much effort. The Danes faced Peru last week and were out-thought and out-played by the South Americans, yet the ended up winning the game 1-0. The Peruvians had 17 shots on goal and even missed a penalty, but they still couldn’t convert even the simplest of chances, only for Denmark to score an unlikely winner. The Danes may have survived that game, but they need to improve if they are to beat this stubborn Australia side and book a place in the next round before facing France in their final game. Australia were given no chance before their first game against France, but they defied the odds and held the French team to a goalless draw in the first half. When the French team eventually scored, they replied with a penalty of theirs. It took an unfortunate own goal in the 80th for France to claim all three points, but the Aussies gave a good account of themselves and could win this match if they fight that hard again. Denmark have four wins from their last ten games while Australia have lost just two of their last nine matches.

After a long wait, Poland and Senegal get their World Cup campaign on the way and they are both in one of the unpredictable groups in the competition so every game counts. Poland made a walk of their qualifying campaign, collecting maximum points in eight of ten games. They lost just once – 4-0 to Denmark, but that showed that they have a weaker side to their team- their defence. Their warm-up friendlies have actually gone almost to plan. They beat Lithuania 4-0 in their last game so they would be coming to the World Cup in confident mood, they had previously drawn 2-2 with Chile and their performance wasn’t very poor there either. The Poles have, however, kept just a single clean sheet in their last 5 games, and they would be without Kamil Gilik for this opening game which makes them even weaker at the back. Senegal are making just their second ever appearance at the World Cup after their wonderful showing at Korea/Japan 2002. While they do not have the surprise element like 16 years ago, they come into this competition with a good squad. Sadio Mane is their main man, but he has support from Keita Balde and Moussa Sow upfront, while Kalidou Koulibaly would be leading their defence and they have a wealth of Premier League experience in their midfield. The Senegalese come into their first game following a 2-0 win over South Korea, and they performed well in their previous 2-1 loss to Croatia.