Late drama was the running trend during the first full day’s action of the 2018 World Cup on Friday.
Both Uruguay and Iran bagged late victories over Egypt and Morocco respectively, while Cristiano Ronaldo salvaged a point for Portugal with a spectacular free-kick – completing his hat-trick – as they shared the spoils with Spain.
However, with all eyes on the matter at hand, there is always the chance that you may have missed something. Not to worry, Sportsmail has had their eyes peeled throughout the day and has compiled SEVEN things you missed from the second day of the tournament in Russia…
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring Portugal’s equaliser in a 3-3 draw with Spain on Friday
Chin up David?
It didn’t take long Ronaldo to make his mark in the latest instalment of the World Cup.
After winning Portugal an early penalty in their heavyweight group B showdown with Spain, Ronaldo kept his cool to slot his nation into the lead. However, he had more than just the expectation of a nation to deal with, David de Gea was another who sought to put off the Real Madrid star.
David de Gea stands his ground as Ronaldo prepares to take a penalty for Portugal
The Spanish goalkeeper sought to use mind games in an attempt to put the forward off
After complaining to the referee about what he saw as a mis-justice to the Spaniards, the Manchester United goalkeeper approached Ronaldo and left his mark on the ground before staring at the Portugal skipper. The mind games, however, had zero impact on a player with Ronaldo’s experience. Ronaldo didn’t bat an eyelid at the Old Trafford shot-stopper.
After blasting the European champions into the lead and performing his trademark celebration, the forward began to stroke his chin as he was swamped by his team-mates which has drawn opinions that the gesture could have been made towards the Spanish No 1.
After scoring Ronaldo appears to make a gesture as he celebrates with his team-mates
Four stars on their shirt… but only two World Cup wins?
The eagle-eyed fans keeping up to date with the action at the Ekaterinburg Arena on Friday afternoon noticed Luis Suarez and Co sporting four gold stars above their crest.
FIFA allows nations to add a gold star if they win the World Cup – something Uruguay have done twice in 1930 and 1950
But the reason for the additional two stars is that they were twice world champions before the World Cup had even got off the ground.
That’s because the Olympic Games – won by Uruguay in 1924 and 1928 – were officially recognised as the FIFA world championships before the World Cup as we now know it was founded in 1930.
Luis Suarez wears the Uruguay World Cup shirt that has four stars above the badge
Ronaldo’s cheeky smile at Real team-mate Nacho
The penalty that gave the Portuguese the lead in Sochi against Spain rose some eyebrows. Was it a penalty? Was it soft? That is all to be debated. All that matters is that it was his cleverness that suckered Nacho in to make the challenge.
And while the Spanish protested the decision, the Portuguese skipper preferred to share a cheeky grin with his club-mate Nacho, who was unfortunate enough to leave his leg hanging for Ronaldo to make contact with.
It proved a costly error from the Spain full back – with Portugal going on to win the game – and no doubt Ronaldo will be quick to remind his Real colleague when they return for club duty after the tournament.
Ronaldo directs a grin at Real Madrid pal Nacho after giving Portugal the lead from the spot
Suarez praises ‘teamwork’ after individual shocker
Upon reflection, Luis Suarez will look back at his opening World Cup game with frustration. The Uruguayan star squandered a number of key chances which almost saw his nation finish what should have been a routine victory with only a draw.
Were it not for Jose Gimenez, critics would have come down hard on the Barcelona forward, and he showed his gratitude after the game.
‘How nice to make WINNING the work of the whole team until the end had the reward of a very DIFFICULT match !!!!! I leave a picture with the GOLEADOR @ JoseMaGimenez13 ⚽ !!! Always working to improve,’ he wrote on Twitter.
Not a bad way to divert some pressure of his shoulders.
Hand-bags out in St Petersburg
If there was any hope for either Morocco or Iran to some how make it out of their group that consists of Spain and Portugal, victory in their opener was a must. And they knew that.
That’s why there was no surprise when things began to get heated in their group B opener in St Petersburg.
As players found themselves in a tangle with the scores level at 0-0, both managers were also seen scrapping with each other in the technical areas.
Herve Renard (right) gives his opposite number Carlos Queiroz a shove on the touchline
Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz and Morocco boss Herve Renard followed suit as they sought the stick up for their players. It was only a brief exchange, but showed just how much this clash meant to both managers.
Queiroz would get the last laugh however, as his Iran side were gifted their first World Cup win since the ’98 tournament when Aziz Bouhaddouz headed into his own net in stoppage time.
Renard lost his temper as things began to get heated during Morocco’s defeat by Iran
Their disagreement was swiftly put to bed though before Iran bagged a late winner
Twitter mocks Fabregas ‘the pilot’
Cesc Fabregas would have preferred to have been playing Russia this summer rather than making his debut as a pundit. However, the Spaniard chose to mark his debut with BBC Sport by sporting a rather bizarre shirt.
The Chelsea midfielder donned a blue shirt with stars on top of the two shoulder lapels, sparking claims he was attempting to look like a pilot.
His outfit was all the talk on Twitter, with one fan writing: ‘What’s going on with those lapels? Is Cesc Fabregas a Wing Commander now?’
Ladbrokes even got in on the act, commenting: ‘Fabregas looking like the captain of a P&O cruise line’.
Sometimes it’s best to blend in when you’re in the spotlight Cesc.
Kompany’s private screening
With Belgium still waiting to make their bow in Russia, Vincent Kompany has been checking out the rest of the field in style.
The Manchester City captain mocked his international team-mates on Friday night as he enjoyed Spain’s six-goal thriller with Portugal from the luxuries of a private cinema.
‘Found this little gem. They’re all watching on a 22”! #WorldCup,’ he joked on Twitter.
Although, it is unlikely he was able to enjoy the private screening for long once his team-mates discovered the mockery.