The first set of matches at the 2018 World Cup have now been completed. We’ve seen everything from the first use of VAR at the World Cup, monumental upsets and everything in between. Now that the dust has settled, we decided we can absolutely, definitely, 100 percent give you the World Cup predicted winner based off of how the teams performed in their first matches.
World Cup Predicted Winner After First Round
Russia
Yeah, alright, so they smacked five goals past Saudi Arabia, arguably the weakest team at the World Cup. As of Tuesday, they also defeated Egypt and have pretty much booked their spot in the Round of 16. When you consider the variables at play — playing in front of a packed home stadium and playing in front of President Putin — they had an almighty amount of pressure on their shoulders.
They had to cope with their star midfielder Alan Dzagoev being injured early in their World Cup campaign, but substitute Denis Cheryshev scored two goals and tore apart the Saudi Arabian defense as well as scoring a goal against Egypt. They scored the most goals in their opening match, and they will start as they mean to carry on. Stranger things have happened at the World Cup, and anything is possible.
Russia relentless in padding its goal differential. Aleksandr Golovin, at the death, with the free-kick golazo (via @TelemundoSports) #RUS #RUSvKSA #World Cup pic.twitter.com/UJuwlp7tNo
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) June 14, 2018
Belgium
Much like Russia, we are all aware Belgium played one of the World Cup minnows in Panama. To be fair to Panama, it managed to hold out the Belgians for the first 45 minutes. But, after halftime, Belgium showed why its golden generation is so highly rated as with a 3-0 win. Belgium’s offensive weapons are unmatched by any other team in the World Cup, and you can expect Eden Hazard and friends to continue plundering goals all throughout the remainder of the tournament.
Dries Mertens is a bad man. pic.twitter.com/L4xdABRbYr
— The18 (@the18com) June 18, 2018
Mexico
You gotta beat the best to be the best. Mexico did exactly that, executing a perfect game plan against the reigning champ Germany. In fairness, Mexico should have won by a few more goals. Holding out the German onslaught for the entire second half is a feat that is very difficult to do, but Mexico showed that it can do more than just hang with the big boys.
Hirving Lozano's goal that left the defending champions in tears.
Video from @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3WN4CL1MWP— Airtel UG Football (@AirtelUFootball) June 18, 2018
Hirving Lozano proved to the world that his first season in Europe with PSV Eindhoven wasn’t just a flash in the pan, with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez running around like a man possessed up front. This Mexico team played a very similar style to that of Leicester City in the 2015-16 Premier League season, and we all remember how that turned out. Mexico has every chance of lifting the trophy at the end of the World Cup.
Senegal
Senegal managed to defeat Poland with an own goal and a controversial goal by M’Baye Niang, but at the end of the day, a win is a win. They never looked terribly in trouble when Poland was on the offensive and considering many fans believed Poland’s front line was going to destroy the back four of Senegal, it showed these boys are not here to make up the numbers. If they play as good as they dance, then this World Cup is already over — Senegal wins it all.
Senegal dance after a second goal 2-0 #POLSEN pic.twitter.com/Uu17T6LwPa
What a world cup we are having already!
Goal fest expected for Russia V Egypt??#RUSEGY— Betting Guru (@BettingGuruTeam) June 19, 2018
Their pace in attack on the counter was crucial in their victory, as they made plenty of great runs in behind. Underestimate Senegal at your own peril, folks, because these guys are going all the way purely because noone is taking them seriously enough. Well, not anymore after beating Poland.
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