The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 1
Here we go. The Boot Battle is back. The World Cup is back. Life is good again.
So let’s go straight into it, today saw Russia romp home a victory in the opening match of the tournament. Despite being the only match of the day, points are going to be handed out like there’s no tomorrow. But there is a tomorrow. And tomorrow there is three matches. Three top-class matches of international football at a major tournament. We love the World Cup.
Russia run riot against Saudi Arabia
Boot of the day – Nike Mercurial Vapour XII Elite
Nike Mercurial Vapour XII Elite – Football boot of the day
In what some people (mainly us) were calling ‘El Corruptico,’ power took on wealth in the opening match of the 2018 World Cup. Putin was in the crowd, ready to give a Roman-Emperor like thumbs down at the referee should he dare to have the audacity to make a call in the Saudi’s favour – so were Russia ever really going to lose this one?
Quite possibly! They went into the tournament out of form, out of players and out of any real chance of reaching the latter stages. But today’s game certainly sent out a statement, a statement that anyone who drew Saudi Arabia in the sweepstake may as well have spent that money on a pint because they ain’t winning notin’.
Goal of the day – Aleksandr Golovin
It was a toss up between this one and Russia’s fourth, but the way he simple struck the ball around the wall, into the bottom corner and didn’t even celebrate was just too classy for us to overlook.
Assist of the day – Aleksandr Golovin (Russia’s first goal)
A tantilising cross was dying to be stuck away in the back of the net, and it was by Yury Gazinskiy. He served him up on a silver platter, which is ironic because they probably paid either the officials or the Saudi defence quite a bit of silver so they could get the win. It’s good banter because it may actually be true.
Player of the day – Aleksandr Golovin
It is a bit of a praise party for Golovin today, but with a goal to put the cherry on top of two assists, all in all it was difficult to not give him this much acclaim. But let’s not get carried away. He’s only scored one goal… And got two assists… And helped Russia to a 5-0 pummelling. Oh my word, this guy is good. Like seriously good. He is probably going to be the player of the tournament. Forget those frauds Messi and Roldondo is it? They are just a poor man’s Golovin. Russia are going to win the World Cup.
Moment of the day – Robbie Williams not giving a ‘Danny Shitu’ and flipping off the camera
As an Englishman myself, not sure whether to be proud of this one or not. A respective, widely-loved national icon just giving the camera the middle finger. Why? Just why, you may ask? And we ask that as well, but who are we to question brilliance? When Newton discovered gravity, I’m sure they laughed at him, questioned his motive. You do you Robbie, never change.
Dick of the day – Saudi Arabia’s defence
Tempted to give this one to Robbie as well. It could equally go to any one of the Saudi Arabia back line though, who looked one sheet away from a Burka if you know what I mean. Luis Suarez and Mo Salah await for them… It’s going to be havoc!
The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 1
Points Awarded
Yury Gazinsky +4 (Nike) – Scored the first goal of the tournament.
Denis Cheryshev +8 (Nike) – Scored two goals including an absolute screamer to make it 4-0 to Russia.
Artem Dzyuba +6 (Nike) – Scored Russia’s third goal with his first touch and the big man also got a neat assist with his head.
Aleksandr Golovin +12 (Nike) – Scored a beautiful free-kick and came up with two assists. Was also the MOTM, so genuinely just had a pretty beastly opening game. Going to be a special performance for someone to beat that tally in one game already.
Roman Zobnin +2 (Nike) – The midfielder bagged an assist for his team’s second.
Igor Akinfeev +3 (Nike) – The skipper never looked like conceding, which to be honest said a lot more about Saudi Arabia than it did his keeping ability. Nevertheless, he gets three points for the clean sheet.
Mario Fernandes +2 (Nike) – Two points for a clean sheet, but on a side note, is this guy really Russian with a name like that…?
Sergey Ignashevich +2 (Adidas) – Clean sheet as well for the 38-year-old. That is more like it in terms of a Russian name, however what an earth is he doing wearing Adidas…? Talk about a black sheep of the family.
Ilya Kutepov +2 (Puma) – Two points for the clean sheet, and we have another joker who thinks he can get away with not wearing Nike in this Russian squad full of Nike-wearers.
Yuriy Zhirkov +2 (Nike) – Back to the Nikes now, as the former-Chelsea veteran bags two points on the board for, you guessed it, a clean sheet.
The World Cup Boot Battle: The best football boots in the world
| Adidas | Asics | Diadora | Mizuno | New Balance | Nike | Puma | Umbro | Under Armour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 501 | 78 | 2 | 4 |
So Nike take an early lead thanks to that Russian demolition job. Saudi Arabia can thank themselves lucky that we aren’t taking points away, otherwise there would be a fair few minuses on the board. They can expect similar beatings we feel against Uruguay and Egypt.
Puma and Adidas also get off the mark, whilst Umbro, New Balance and Diadora remain at zero points. But, there are still so, so many points to play for. Day 1 is over, bring on day 2!
Remaining Group A fixtures:
Egypt v Uruguay 15/06 13:00 (GMT)
Russia v Egypt 19/06 19:00 (GMT)
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia 20/06 16:00 (GMT)
Uruguay v Russia 25/06 15:00 (GMT)
Saudi Arabia v Egypt 25/06 15:00 (GMT)
Tomorrow’s fixtures
Egypt v Uruguay 13:00 (GMT) Group A
Morocco v Iran 16:00 (GMT) Group B
Portugal v Spain 19:00 (GMT) Group B
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