We didn't even get through the first weekend before the chaos started. I love it.
Qatar pulled out a point with a last gasp equalizer against Switzerland, Australia trusted their youth and had it pay off in a big way, and the prize heavyweight fight that was Brazil-Morocco ended in a stalemate.
The other great performance on the day was Haiti who went toe-to-toe with Scotland but just weren't able to find a break through.
SCOTLAND 1, HAITI 0
The Blazing Musket was on site at Gillette Boston Stadium, so we'll turn over the full recap to Sam Lattof.
Les Grenadiers statistically were with Scotland every step of the way, but just couldn't find an equalizer to John McGinn's first half strike. A 2-for-15 shooting performance with half of those attempts outside the box is just not going to be enough at this level despite a dead even 1.05 xG for both teams. Credit to Scotland for hanging on to their lead and getting a massive boost to their knockout chances.
Sam Lattof
It's a long road to a potential Round of 32 game for Haiti now as they'll be massive underdogs against both Brazil and Morocco. But in their first World Cup in a long time, that was a worthy performance to put on the biggest stage.
BRAZIL 1, MOROCCO 1
One of the first true heavyweight fights of this tournament occurred in New Jersey, as both Brazil and Morocco found themselves in the Top 10 of FIFA's latest rankings at the start of this one.
Morocco however had Brazil on their heels early, and it was not a surprise when they struck first. Ismael Saibari split the centerbacks and Brahim Diaz sent in a perfectly weighted ball that his striker chipped up and over the onrushing Alisson and a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.
Brazil however would find their bearings, and a moment of individual brilliance from Vinicius Junior just over ten minutes later in the left hand side of the box saw his curling effort smash home to restore the scoreline at 1-1 in the 32nd minute.
Over the next 20-30 minutes Brazil kept up their momentum enough to test Yassine Bounou in the Moroccan net only for the Atlas Lions shot stopper to prove up to the task to deny a Paqueta volley right before halftime and Thiago just after the restart.
Jake Catanese
Then both teams settled in and seemed quite comfortable to see out the game with their respective point, up until a late double save by Alisson deep into stoppage time almost saw Morocco steal this one.
Overall an evenly matched game on the field and in the box score, with a near dead heat in possession and in expected goals. Brazil's 5-of-12 shots on target generating 1.27 xG to Morocco's 3-of-14 shooting performance generating 1.38 xG.
SWITZERLAND 1, QATAR 1
I'm just going to come out and say it, Switzerland, what'd you do?
The Swiss seemingly had this in the bag, getting an early penalty when Qatar keeper Mahmoud Abunada took out Remo Freuler in the box and Breel Embolo converted the spot kick without a problem.
But the Swiss never found their second goal, and they really should have. Yes, Abunada made five saves and a few of them were very good, but this was mostly down to wasteful finishing from the Swiss who took 26 total shots, 18 of them inside the area with 9 total shots blocked by Qatar. Not putting this game away absolutely came back to haunt them in the worst way.
Jake Catanese
Several minutes into second half stoppage time, when Qatar's captain Boualem Khoukhi rose above defender Miro Muheim to power home a Homam Ahmed cross into the top corner. It would eventually go down as an own goal to Muheim but the presence of Khoukhi made little doubt as to how the equalizer happened.
Group B is now a shambles, with everyone tied on a single point after a pair of 1-1 draws. The Swiss fumbled two points against the easiest opponent they're going to face and now need to beat hosts Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina if they want to top the group while the other three team now see a wide open door into the knockout stages.
AUSTRALIA 2, TURKEY 0
If the United States' win over Paraguay to start Group D was the most dominant win of the tournament so far...the Aussie's performance might be number two on that list.
No, statistically Turkey dominated this one, but they were always likely to do that. But despite a massive edge in shots and possession, it was the Aussies that played within their strengths and capabilities and finished their few chances with aplomb.
Australia decided to go with some young up and comers as well and it paid off in spades for them. 20 year old Watford man Nestory Irankunda getting things started in the 27th minutes by latching onto a long ball from Paul Okon-Engstler and using a deft touch to split two defenders before smashing low into the near corner of Ugurcan Cakir's net.
The Socceroos also started young Patrick Beach in goal with the 22 year old Melbourne City A-League keeper making his third ever international appearance over centurion Mathew Ryan. And Beach played like a veteran, poised and well positioned throughout the night, recording an Australian WC record eight saves on thirty total shots with the help of his defense blocking a dozen of them.
Jake Catanese
His biggest save of the night just minutes after the Aussies opener when he turned Abdulkerim Bardakci's long range effort onto the post with a full extension fingertip save. Despite a lot of pressure and Arda Guler putting three shots on target, Turkey could not find a way past Beach and the committed Aussie defense.
With the Crescent Stars seemingly waiting for the inevitable moment of magic to happen, Connor Metcalfe obliged in the 75th minute with a solo effort following a turnover, starting a 20 yard run into a long range finish and a stunning 2-0 result.
Now the Aussies have all to play for in Group D in their next match against the United States, as both teams try to take control of the top spot and secure their spot in the knockouts. Turkey and Paraguay will try and rebound against each other and get their first results, Group D continues play on Friday, June 19.
