Capo Verde does it again, Uruguay and Ecuador flirt with disaster, Portugal punches back | World Cup Group Stage, Round 2

Another highly entertaining round of group stage football is behind us, and we're having deja vu!

That's thanks to Capo Verde, who once again held a former World Cup champion to a draw – this time Biela's Uruguay. Who did the African islanders put together such a high-octane performance in the Miami heat?

Fellow debutants Curaçao also shocked a South American dark horse favorite in Ecuador with a 0-0 draw. We praise Eloy Room's historic 15-save performance, as well as Dick Advocaat's resolute outfield players.

Then we move on to discuss the tournament disappointments so far. Uruguay and Ecuador are on the brink of elimination, Turkey's been dumped out already, and Senegal and Belgium have much work to do. What's gone wrong for these talented groups?

Next, we touch on some tournament big boys, including much-needed responses from Portugal and Spain, a come-from-behind win for Germany over Ivory Coast, and a comedown draw for England against a resolute Ghana. We also luxuriate in another world-class Messi performance and wax poetic about Argentina's excellence.

Finally, we do our superlatives, a check-in on our James Rodriguez Award contenders, and look ahead to a spicy slate of games in the upcoming days.

Cheers to Dick Advocaat and Bubista!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

02:05 – Cabo Verde + Curaçao

09:35 – disappointments (Uruguay, Ecuador, Senegal, Belgium)

25:25 – Portugal

30:25 – Spain

32:10 – Germany

38:00 – England

41:15 – Argentina

45:45 – CONCACAF

46:45 – superlatives

56:10 – James Rodriguez Award