World Cup First Round: Underdogs, Surprises, and Top Contenders

The first round of World Cup group stage fixtures is in the books, and it has delivered plenty of drama. Underdogs like Saudi Arabia and Japan produced staggering upsets, while fancied sides such as Germany and Argentina struggled to find their rhythm. The tournament is wide open. Among the surprise packages, Saudi Arabia's victory over Lionel Messi's Argentina was the standout shock. Japan's composure against Germany also turned heads. On the flip side, Belgium's disjointed display against Can...