15 things we loved on day three: Iceland, Kante, Maradona & more
VAR came into its own on day three of the 2018 World Cup, with five penalties awarded across the four games, but Lionel Messi continued his poor record from 12 yards as Argentina drew with Iceland.
England’s conquerors in Euro 2016 put on another great underdog showing as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Messi & co, while Diego Maradona caused a stir in the stands.
We’ve rounded up all the best bits from a jam-packed Saturday, featuring some fine work from a host of supporters, and a throwback to 2004.
Iceland fans
Reportedly, 10% of Iceland’s entire population are in Russia. And they’re making noise like this.
It seems the entirety of Iceland has descended upon Moscow.More: https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/13-things-we-loved-on-day-two-ronaldo-nacho-rashford-de-bruyne-more/
Posted by Planet Football on Saturday, 16 June 2018
Mohamed El Shenawy
The Egyptian and strict Muslim refused his man of the match award after his side’s late defeat to Uruguay, as it is sponsored by alcohol company Budweiser. Respect.
.@FIFAcom have a deal with @Budweiser for the #ManoftheMatch award. Being alcohol, there are 3 North African nations + Saudi & Iran in the @FIFAWorldCup. Did they not think these guys won’t accept the award? #EGY ’s @Melshenawy did not take his today. pic.twitter.com/750OOyFaw0
— Marwan Ahmed (@MarwanAhmed_KF) June 16, 2018
Nigeria
And you thought their look couldn’t get any cooler.
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 16, 2018
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ok, so this was Friday night, but someone has put together Ronaldo’s equaliser against Spain with commentary from around the world, and it’s bloody brilliant.
WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick with commentary from around the world
N’Golo Kante
The penalty call for Antoine Griezmann’s penalty got all the attention, but this turn from Kante in the build-up is unreal.
Whether or not you agree with the VAR decision, can we take a moment to appreciate the turn from N'Golo Kante that led to France's first goal? RIP Aaron Mooy pic.twitter.com/mbWxHPnjfv
— Travis Yoesting (@TravisYoesting) June 16, 2018
Penalties
Speaking of the France-Australia penalty kerfuffle, here’s the best pointless stat of the World Cup so far.
04:07 – The two penalties scored in the game between France & Australia were only 4 mins, 7 secs apart – the shortest period of time between two penalties being scored by different sides in a World Cup match. Leveller. #FRA #AUS #FRAAUS #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/TvRi7I73R7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2018
Diego Maradona
Impressive stuff from Diego.
Diego Maradona a few yards away from us smoking a lit cigar while posing for snaps with fans. It smells quite nice. #geezer 🇦🇷1-1🇮🇸 pic.twitter.com/QE61pZRMSE
— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) June 16, 2018
Hannes Haldorsson
On a day of many penalties, you have to say fair play to the Icelandic film director for pulling off this fine save from Lionel Messi.
WATCH: Lionel Messi has penalty saved against Iceland
Christian Cueva
Meanwhile, the worst penalty at a World Cup ever?
The World Cup spirit
A picture has emerged from Friday where a wheelchair-bound Egyptian fan couldn’t see the screen in a fan zone during his country’s game with Uruguay, so a group of Mexico and Colombia supporters gave him a helping hand. Wonderful.
Some Colombian and Mexican fans lifting up an Egyptian fan in a wheelchair in the fanzone so he can watch his country play 😩❤
It's really more than just a game 🙏 pic.twitter.com/rPSCvB41f9— OMAR 👑 (@Omar__cr7_) June 16, 2018
England fans
The best.
Come on England! #Worldcup2018Russia 🏴🏴🏴🏴 pic.twitter.com/eWeIvBxRlx
— Will Shearer (@willshearer9) June 16, 2018
Luis Garcia
Let it go, mate.
I'd have loved to have VAR back in 2005 😌!!! #Overtheline #NeverGhostGoal
— Luis Garcia (@LuchoGarcia14) June 16, 2018
Kasper Schmeichel
Making some big saves against Peru, Kasper has now beaten father Peter’s international record of 470 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.
Kasper Schmeichel’s five games for #DEN in 2018:
🚫 v Panama
🚫 v Chile
🚫 v Sweden
🚫 v Mexico
🚫 v PeruFive consecutive clean sheets, surpassing father Peter Schmeichel’s four-game record from 1995.
Well in, son. pic.twitter.com/hT1T4K09gh
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 16, 2018
Iceland
This guy sums it up perfectly, but Iceland’s achievements are f*cking incredible.
Seeing people calling Iceland boring and defensive as if that's something we're choosing to do. Our GK is a film director, our RB has a day job making salt and got time off work to play at the World Cup. If you can't be happy for us, go jump in the fucking ocean.
— 🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸Anton's World Cup hype🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸 (@Antonstotle) June 16, 2018
Ally McCoist
After being forced to sit through Mark Lawrenson’s yer da views on VAR (there’s definitely a pun in there somewhere) during France v Australia, then hearing Ally McCoist’s voice alongside Jon Champion made Croatia v Nigeria much more pleasant viewing than it could have been, and also threw us back to FIFA 04.
All set in Kaliningrad. First worked with Ally McCoist on WC98. Delighted to be reunited with this bundle of energy and enthusiasm! #CRONGA live on @ITV pic.twitter.com/3mhwYOFdnS
— Jon Champion (@JonChampionJC) June 16, 2018
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