Sweden vs Korea Republic
Sweden won an opening World Cup game for the first time since 1958, with a 1-0 victory over South Korea at Nizhny Novgorod.
Kim Min-woo brought down Viktor Claesson with a tackle in the box. Referee Joel Aguilar initially did not penalise South Korea but on appeal by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the Swedes managed to get a penalty.
In the 65th minute, Andreas Granqvist successfully converted that penalty for Sweden.
South Korea had a chance to equalise in the 92nd minute, when a header from Hwang Hee-Chan went wide to the left of the post.
Ball possession: Sweden 52%, South Korea 48%.
Belgium vs Panama
It was a historic day for Panama football, with the Central American nation making its debut in the World Cup finals.
It was a tough initiation for Panama, with Belgium cruising to a 3-0 win at Sochi.
All three goals came in the second half, with Driers Mertens scoring in the 47th minute, sending the ball arcing over Jaime Penedo after Panama struggled to clear a cross.
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku scored in the 69th minute, converting Kevin De Bruyne's brilliant pass with a header.
Lukaku scored again in the 75th minute. Assisted by Eden Hazard, Lukaku netted the goal from the left side of the box.
Ball possession: Belgium 61%, Panama 39%.
England vs Tunisia
In the most thrilling match of the day, England managed to sneak in a 2-1 victory against Tunisia in Volgograd with Harry Kane scoring in the 91st minute.
Kane opened the scoring for England in the 11th minute. A corner kick from Ashley Young was met by John Stones who nearly headed the ball into the goal. The goalkeeper did well to save it but ended up deflecting it to Kane who then fired it in.
Tunisia got even in the 34th minute when England conceded a penalty. Kyle Walker committed a foul in the penalty area and was given a yellow card. Referee Wilmar Roldan's decision was upheld by VAR. Ferjani Sassi converted the penalty with a shot to the left side of the goal.
One minute into stoppage time, Kane delivered again, via another corner kick. Harry Maguire attempted to head the ball into the goal but it went wide to the left of the post. But he ended up placing it perfectly to Kane who headed it into the goal.
Ball possession: England 59%, Tunisia 41%.
Published - June 19, 2018 10:20 am IST