5 must-see games during the 2018 World Cup in Russia
The first game of the 2018 World Cup is over. Maybe you missed the game, maybe you saw it and weren't impressed.
Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 in a match between two teams that excite nobody outside their ethnic partisans.
Don't worry, we have you covered. The 64-game tournament runs through July 15 at 12 stadiums throughout Russia. Here are five must-see games in the group stage.
Pro tip: The United States isn't in this list. You might have heard rumors about the U.S. team failing to qualify. Those rumors remain true.
Portugal vs. Spain:
1 p.m. Friday, Fox
The Iberian Peninsula neighbors are good. Very good. Portugal features perhaps the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo. At age 33 this probably is his last chance to play in a World Cup, and he'll want to make the most of it.
Spain isn't the tiki-taka master it used to be, but there is a very good reason it is considered a contender. Spain is in a little bit of disarray, however, having fired coach Julen Lopetegui earlier this week for accepting the Real Madrid coaching job, a responsibility he would have begun after the World Cup.
Still, the Spanish did go 9-0-1 in qualifying and outscore opponents 36-3.
Argentina vs. Iceland:
8 a.m. Saturday, Fox
Truthfully, this could very well be a blowout. After all, Argentina is one of the world's great soccer powers, even when Lionel Messi isn't on the roster.
But Messi, who turns 31 during this tournament, is on the roster, and this is a chance to watch perhaps the greatest player the game offers. He's small, but he's a magician with the ball.
Iceland is the Cinderella of the tournament. It is playing in the World Cup for the first time, is the smallest country by population to qualify for a World Cup, and its thrilling run to the quarterfinals at the last European championship make it a sentimental pick.
Germany vs. Mexico:
10 a.m. Sunday, FS1
Defending champion Germany is a favorite again. Its roster is absolutely loaded, and European teams tend to do well when playing in Europe.
Still, Mexico is no pushover. Germany will be punished if it takes Mexico lightly.
For its part, Mexico would love to get at least a point out of this match. Germany is the class of this group, but Switzerland and South Korea are good enough to get through, too. One point against Germany would be a great start for Mexico.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica:
7 a.m., June 22, FS1
Yes, Brazil is perhaps the most powerful soccer nation on the planet. And Costa Rica is, well, tiny and without much cache outside Central and North America.
Here's how Costa Rica pulls off the upset: Keylor Navas, one of the best goalkeepers around, stops everything Brazil throws at him (well, not literally throwing). Then Costa Rica, giving up most of the possession, scores on a counterattack or a set piece.
Or just watch because, dang, Brazil is just so skilled.
Belgium vs. England:
1 p.m. June 28, Fox
One of the last games of the group stage, this could be the final chance for England, which has underperformed since winning the World Cup in 1966.
Will it be agony or elation for the English?
The Belgians aren't likely to win the tournament, but nobody would be surprised by a run to the quarterfinals, maybe even the semifinals. This is the golden generation of Belgian talent, with several world-class players.
Best guess: Both teams advance. They should. They're just better than group rivals Panama and Tunisia.
But with England, you never know.
Twitter: @Orrin_Schwarz