Yawner and Thriller (6/26)

RICHMOND, VA -- In the fight of their lives, D1-Argentina got an early goal from Messi (finally) but D4-Nigeria fought back to tie it.  With elimination near, a great Marcos Rojo strike put ARG back in the lead in the 86' but with D2-Iceland still tied with D3-Croatia, an Icelandic goal would eliminate ARG.  But Croatia scored instead, in the 90', to secure Group D and helped ARG advance to the Round of 16 to the delight of Diego Maradona who was so excited he double-flipped the crowd and then had to be taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, C4-Denmark were content to just

Technology tested early (6/16)

The only thing missing was a water break in terms of new twists that have been added the past few years.  The first goal confirmed by goal line technology (via ref's watch) happened in the 81' giving C1-France the goal ahead goal off a shot off the crossbar that bounced just inside white line.  Interesting that they gave the minute of the goal when the ref confirmed the goal line technology and not when the ball actually crossed the line.  In that same match, the new VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review system was used to determine that there was a penalty in the box and FRA was awarded a penalty kick that they converted for the first score.  C2-Australia battled back with their own PK but in the end, France held on 2-1 (Edit -- FRA's goal was changed to an own goal the next morning after another review -- the website called it an own goal, the official match report had it as a goal for more than 12 hours after the match).

In the surprise of the tourney, tiny D2-Iceland may not have much possession but they never panicked and even tried