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Leicester City at the FIFA World Cup – Story so far Part One

By Josh Curnock

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 17: A fan holds up a replica World Cup trophy as he enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Germany and Mexico at Luzhniki Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 17: A fan holds up a replica World Cup trophy as he enjoys the pre match atmosphere prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Germany and Mexico at Luzhniki Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Group B – Portugal 3-3 Spain

SOCHI, RUSSIA – June 15: Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates after scoring a goal against the Spain during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA – June 15: Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates after scoring a goal against the Spain during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium on June 15, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Unfortunately for Leicester City fans we didn’t get to see Adrien Silva or new signing Ricardo Pereira in action for Portugal, as Southampton’s Cedric Soares and Monaco’s Joao Moutinho were chosen ahead of them.

Nether the less the World Cup came alive that night as spectators around the globe were treated to a fantastic game of football – with Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing a hat trick!

News before the game was surrounded in how Spain would cope with the replacement of their manager 48 hours before their first game. After a rocky start, they certainly came alive and shown they weren’t fazed by the situation – showing their quality and experience.

A point against the former World Champions isn’t to be sniffed at and with games against Iran and Morocco left to play you would think they still have a chance of progress past the group stages.

Group C – Peru 0-1 Denmark 

SARANSK, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark clears the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Peru and Denmark at Mordovia Arena on June 16, 2018 in Saransk, Russia. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
SARANSK, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark clears the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Peru and Denmark at Mordovia Arena on June 16, 2018 in Saransk, Russia. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

The first Leicester player to play at this year’s World Cup was Kasper Schmeichel. In a nervy encounter against the South America side the Danes turned in a resilisant display to win 1-0 thanks to Yussef Poulsen. Denmark had Schmeichel to thank as much as Poulsen, as the shot stopper pulled of a string of saves to keep Peru at bay.

It could have turned out so different had Christian Cueva put away his penalty – Schmeichel did enough to put him off as Cueva missed the penalty.

It was a great start for Denmark which will give them a good platform to get out of the group, with games against France and Australia still to come.

Here’s what Schmeichel had to say:

Group D – Croatia 2-0 Nigeria 

KALININGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Luka Modric of Croatia challenge for the ball with Wilfred Ndidi of Nigeria during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
KALININGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 16: Luka Modric of Croatia challenge for the ball with Wilfred Ndidi of Nigeria during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Croatia and Nigeria at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 16, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

On 16th July 2018 Nigeria created history for Leicester City by fielding 3 Leicester players on the pitch at one time at a World Cup. Wilfred N’Didi started the game for the super eagles but he was unable to stop Nigeria going 1-0 down at half time after an own goal.

Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho came on in the second half but they were unable to prevent Croatia from winning 2-0 thanks to a Luka Modric penalty.

Nigeria have it all to do now sitting bottom of the group and games against Argentina and Iceland left to play it would take some effort to make it out of the group.

Despite the poor result, Kelechi Iheanacho remained upbeat, here is what he had to say:

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