One week in: Top moments of the 2018 FIFA World Cup so far
(WJBK) - Only a week into the 2018 FIFA World Cup and big moments have sent fans across the globe into a whirlwind of emotion.
Just a week in and soccer's greatest stars are breaking records, the first of 31 teams have been sent home, and fans from a certain North American country may have (definitely) caused an earthquake.
Here are some of the biggest moments so far:
1. Ronaldo's Hat Trick
Not one, not two, but three goals from football star Christiano Ronaldo in his first match of the World Cup. The Portugal forward carried his team in a Group B match against Spain on Friday, scoring all three goals for a 3-3 draw.
First a penalty gave Portgual an early lead, then Spain responded 1-1. A costly blunder by Spain goalkeeper David De Gea gave Ronaldo the chance to tie it up 2-2 with a low shot just before half-time.
Spain came back with two more goals, until CR 7 buried it in the net in the 88th minute with a free kick, tying up the game.
Observe:
2. Newbie Iceland holds off Argentina
They're the underdogs who have captured the hearts of many (including Americans, who're looking for teams to support) across the world.
Iceland managed to hold off Lionel Messi-led Argentina for a 1-1 draw in Group D on Saturday at Spartak Stadium, the debutantes staying toe-to-toe with Argentina.
One play of note was when Messi missed a penalty kick in the 63th minute. This gave fuel for Ronaldo fans in the infamous and never ending who's-the-best-football-player-of-all-time Ronaldo vs. Messi debate.
Also worth noting -- Icelanders were pumped for the game as 99.6 percent of the country's tiny population of about 337,000 tuned into the match, according to the Football Associated of Iceland. They say the match was the most-watched sporting event in the country's history.
3. Mexico fans caused an earthquake, probably
Well, maybe. It was the first major upset of the World Cup - Mexico defeated defending champions Germany 1-0 on Sunday. And when that one goal was scored, something extraordinary happened.
Seismologists took to Twitter to report they detected a 4.3 magnitude earthquake just as striker Hirving Lozano sent the ball flying into Germany's goal in the 35th minute.
Experts such as National Geographic later discredited the claim......
But that's no fun.
Check out some of the earth-rattling celebrations from El Tri fans:
4. Morocco's out
The first team was eliminated from the World Cup on Wednesday morning just a week into the month-long tournament.
Two heartbreaking losses, 0-1 against Iran on Friday and 0-1 against Portugal on Monday, sent the small North African country packing.
First an own goal from Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz in stoppage-time gave Iran the win:
Then a half-strike from Ronaldo clinches the win for Portugal:
Though unable to again enough points to make it out of the group, Morocco must play once more against Spain next Monday, June 25.
This was the first World Cup that Morocco's qualified for in 20 years.
Host country on fire
Talk about home field advantage.
Russia are on fire, coming off two wins and a total of 7 goals -- 5-0 against Saudi Arabia on opening day June 14, and 3-1 against Russia on Tuesday.
The Sbornaya, which qualify automatically as the host country, was the lowest ranked team in the World Cup. Now they're on to the knockout round.
Not bad.
Current Standings as of Wednesday
(Win/Draw/Loss)
Group A
1. Russia (2-0-0) 6 points
2. Uruguay (2-0-0) 6 points
3. Egypt (0-0-2) 0 points
4. Saudi Arabia (0-0-2), 0 points
Group B
1. Iran (1-0-0), 3 points
2. Portugal (1-1-0) 4 points
3. Spain (1-1-0) 1 point
4. Morocco (0-0-2) 0 points
Group C
1. France (1-0-0) 3 points
2. Denmark (1-0-0) 3 points
3. Peru (0-0-1) 0 points
4. Australia (0-0-1), 0 points
Group D
1. Croatia (1-0-0) 3 points
2. Argentina (0-1-0) 1 point
3. Iceland (0-1-0) 1 point
4. Nigeria (0-0-1) 0 points
Group E
1. Serbia (1-0-0) 3 points
2. Brazil (0-1-0) 1 point
3. Switzerland (0-1-0) 1 point
4. Costa Rica (0-0-1) 0 point
Group F
1. Mexico (1-0-0) 3 points
2. South Korea (0-0-1) 0 points
3. Sweden (1-0-0) 3 points
4. Germany (0-0-1) 0 points
Group G
1. Belgium (1-0-0) 3 points
2. England (1-0-0) 3 points
3. Tunisia (0-0-1) 0 points
4. Panama (0-0-1) 0 points
Group H
1. Japan (1-0-0) 3 points
2. Senegal (1-0-0) 3 points
3. Poland (0-0-1) 0 points
4. Colombia (0-0-1) 0 points