(spoiler) ATWC Stats after Matchday One : goalscorers, assists, ratings, best XI...

Pelé and Eusébio were the stars of matchay one in the groups with two goals each. Will they meet each other later in the All-Time World Cup tournament ?

Goalscorers

2 goals : Pelé (Brazil), Eusébio (Portugal), G. Müller (Germany) Kocsis (Hungary), Madjer (Algeria), Yeboah (Ghana).

1 goal : Stoichkov fk (Bulgaria), Lewandowski (Poland), Mané (Senegal), Suarez (Uruguay), Mbappé, Vieira (France), C. Ronaldo, Fernandes (Portugal), Al-Jaber (Saudi Arabia), Meazza (Italy), Santa Cruz (Paraguay), B. Oblak, Suker, Katalinski (Yugoslavia), J. Charles (Wales), Sang-chul (South Korea), Quinn (Rep. of Ireland), Villa, Butragueño, Hierro pk (Spain), Milla, M'Boma (Cameroon), Matthaüs (Germany), Honda (Japan), Blokhin, Streltsov, Shevchenko (USSR), Puskas (Hungary), Hagi, Raducioiu (Romania), Delgado (Ecuador), Patenaude (United States), Nihat (Turkey), Panenka (Czechoslavakia, pk), Fellaïni (Belgium), Lineker, Robson, Charlton (England), Joya, Cubillas fk (Peru), Maradona pk, Messi (Argentina), Borgetti (Mexico), Falcao (Colombia), Liedholm (Sweden), Cruyff, Kluivert (Holland), Yekini, Kanu (Nigeria), Figueroa, Zamorano (Chile).

Assists

2 assists : Zidane (France), Eusébio (Portugal).

1 assist : Bocandé (Sénégal), Didi (Brazil), Boniek (Poland), Cavani (Uruguay), Arce (Paraguay), Susic (Yugoslavia), Giggs (Wales), Sun-hong (South Korea), Finnan (Rep. of Ireland), Michel (Spain), Eto’o, Lauren (Cameroon), Breitner, Netzer (Germany), Kagawa (Japan), Streltsov (USSR), Puskas (Hungary), A. Valencia (Ecuador), Dempsey (United States), Vercauteren (Belgium), Ghoulam, Assad (Algeria), Matthews (England), Herrera (Mexico), Skoglund (Sweden), Polo, Ab. Pelé (Ghana), Cruyff (Holland), Oliseh, Finidi (Nigeria), Vidal fk, Beausejour (Chile).

Motm's

1 : Pelé (Brazil), Boniek (Poland), Trabelsi (Tunisia), Santamaria (Uruguay), Zidane (France), Eusébio (Portugal), Santa Cruz (Paraguay), Modric (Yugoslavia), Given (Rep. of Ireland), Milla (Cameroon), G. Müller (Germany), Streltsov (USSR), Puskas (Hungary), Howard (United States), Ondrus (Czechoslovakia), Madjer (Algeria), Séchehaye (Switzerland), Charlton (England), Maradona (Argentina), Ochoa (Mexico), I. Cordoba (Colombia), Yeboah (Ghana), Finidi (Nigeria), Figueroa (Chile).

Free-kick goals

Stoichkov, Bulgaria vs. Uruguay (group stage, group A, matchday 1)
Cubillas, Peru vs. England (group stage, group H, matchday 1)

Penalty-kick goals

Eusébio, Portugal vs. Saudi Arabia (group stage, group B, matchday 1)
Hierro, Spain vs. Cameroon (group stage, group D, matchday 1)
Panenka, Czechoslavakia vs. Turkey (group stage, group G, matchday 1)
Maradona, Argentina vs. Morocco (group stage, group J, matchday 1)

Own goals

Zitouni, Algeria, for Belgium (group stage, group G, matchday 1)

Passarella, Argentina for Morocco (group stage, group J, matchday 1)

Top-rated players :

8 : Eusébio (Portugal), Howard (United States), Séchehaye (Switzerland), Finidi (Nigeria), Figueroa (Chile).

7,5 : Pelé (Brazil), Santamaria (Uruguay), Given (Rep. of Ireland), Puskas, Kocsis (Hungary), Madjer (Algeria), Cruyff (Holland).

7 : Cafu, Cerezo (Brazil), Barthez, Zidane (France), G. Müller, Schuster (Germany), Streltsov (ex-USSR), Jennings (N. Ireland), Maradona (Argentina), Yeboah (Ghana).

6,5 : Boniek, Tomaszewski (Poland), Godin (Uruguay), VR Andrade (Uruguay), Desailly, Amoros (France), Santa Cruz (Paraguay), Modric (ex-Yugoslavia), Sang-chul (South Korea), Finnan (Rep. of Ireland), Milla (Cameroon), Uchida (Japan), Blokhin (ex-USSR), Hagi (Romania), Charlton (England), Cubillas (Peru), Fillol, Messi (Argentina), Zaki, Hakimi, Benatia (Morocco), Ochoa (Mexico), Goram (Scotland), I. Cordoba (Colombia), Polo, Ab. Pelé (Ghana), Bravo, Beausejour, Vidal (Chile).

6 : C. Alberto, Didi, Ronaldo (Brazil), Mané, Bocandé (Senegal), Zmuda, Anczok, Kasperczak, Maszczyk, Lewandowski (Poland), Chipperfield (Australia), Trabelsi (Tunisia), JL Andrade (Uruguay), Bonev, Stoichkov (Bulgaria), Navas (Costa Rica), Arce (Paraguay), B. Oblak (ex-Yugoslavia), Woon-jae, Sung-yueng (South Korea), Hierro, Michel, Butragueño, Villa (Spain), Geremi, Eto’o (Cameroon), Matthaüs (Germany), Yashin, Khurtsilava, Demyanenko (ex-USSR), A. Valencia, Delgado (Ecuador), Dempsey (United States), Planicka, Ondrus (ex-Czechoslovakia), Nihat (Turkey), Witsel (Belgium), Ghoulam (Algeria), Evans (N. Ireland), Banks (England), Joya (Peru), Ardiles (Argentina), Osorio, Suarez, Marquez (Mexico), Hellström, R. Nilsson, Liedholm (Sweden), Higuita, Rincon, Alvarez (Colombia), Kofi (Ghana), Oliseh, Yekini, Amokachi (Nigeria), Davids, Robben (Holland), Zamorano (Chile), Thoresen (Norway).

Top-rated goalkeepers only :

8 : Howard (United States), Séchehaye (Switzerland).

7,5 : Given (Rep. of Ireland).

7 : Barthez (France), Jennings (N. Ireland).

6,5 : Tomaszewski (Poland), Fillol (Argentina), Zaki (Morocco), Ochoa (Mexico), Goram (Scotland).

6 : Navas (Costa Rica), Woon-jae (South Korea), Yashin (ex-USSR), Planicka (ex-Czechoslovakia), Banks (England), Hellström (Sweden), Higuita (Colombia).

Group Stage Matchday One Best XI :

Howard (U.S v Ecu)

Cafu (Bra v Sen)

Figueroa (Chi v Nor)

Santamaria (Uru v Bul)

I. Cordoba (Col v Swe)

Schuster (Ger v Jap)

Cerezo (Bra v Sen)

Finidi (Nig v Hol)

Pelé (Bra v Sen)

Eusébio (Por v Sau)

Cruyff (Hol v Nig)

A 100% South-American defense (!) with a North-American keeper (!) a German-Brazilian two-man midfield, Pelé-Eusébio or Eusébio-Pelé in the centre of the attack, a Nigerian right wing and a Hollandese "left wing" (a position he occupied, amongst others).

Eusébio & Cruyff

Top-rated teams

65 : Chile (v Nor).

64,5 : Brazil (v Sen).

63,5 : USSR (v S. Af.), Poland (v Au), Ghana (v At).

63 : Uruguay (v Bul), France (v C-R).

62 : Germany (v Jap).

61 : Portugal (v Sau), Yugoslavia (v Wal).

60,5 : Colombia (v Swe).

60 : Spain (v Cam).

The Chile national team's players were good in every lines

Discipline 

1 yellow card : Gueye (Senegal), P.B. Diop (Senegal), Neill (Australia), Bresciano (Autralia), Pisczek (Poland), Maszczyk (Poland), Helveg (Denmark), Sassi, Trabelsi, Bouazizi (Tunisia), D. Penev (Bulgaria), Valverde (Uruguay), Oviedo (Costa Rica), Zubromawi, Madani, Abdulhamid (Saudi Arabia), V. Caceres (Paraguay), Vidic (ex-Yugoslavia), Hughes (Wales), Giles (Rep. of Ireland), Kalla, Song (Cameroon), Lahm, Breitner (Germany), Ihara, Honda (Japan), Radebe, Motaung, Fortune (South Africa), Sipos (Hungary), De La Cruz, Estupiñan (Ecuador), McKennie, Harkes (United States), Dobias, Ondrus, Pluskal (Czechoslovakia), Alpay, Emre (Turkey),  Gerets, Albert (Belgium), Ghoulam (Algeria), Gerets, Albert (Belgium), Ghoulam (Algeria), McIlroy (N. Ireland), Liechtsteiner (Switzerland), Guerrero (Peru), Wright (England), Naybet (Morocco), Suarez, Salcido, Herrera (Mexico), Souness, Bremner (Scotland), Asprilla (Colombia), Sesta (Austria), Rojas (Chile), Rekdal (Norway).

ATWC : Opening Game and Opening Ceremony

As the World Cup top-team of all time, the first group stage game of Brazil was picked for the opening game of the FYT All-Time World Cup and it will be against Senegal (group I, with also Poland and Australia).

OPENING GAME in NY/ NJ Stadium, East Rutherford, United States (capacity 82.500) :

BRAZIL - SENEGAL : 2 - 1 

Lucien Laurent scored the first World Cup goal ever and Sadio Mané is the scorer of the first goal in the FYT All-Time World Cup. Brazil win the opening game though, showing their superiority in spite of that one goal small margin. Senegal did not repeat the feat of 2002 (against the reigning champions of that time, France). Mission completed for Brazil. We expected a bit more from them but an opening game is always difficult, especially for the favorites.

GOALS (Mané, Pelé, Pelé) :

21' : long ball from the Koulibaly's feet... at the entry of the penalty area, Bocandé, with a reversed header worthy of an acrobat, finds Mané who had deserted his right flank of the first 15 minutes and scores at close range at the far post.

37' : after this air pocket, Brazil take control of the match and Pelé, perfectly served by Didi, scores the equalizer from the 16 yards, slightly on the right, with a perfect diagonal shot. Maybe Sylva could have done better, though.

68' : Pelé inherits the ball in the middle of a confused action, infiltrates the penalty area, and beats Mendy with a sharp shot.

Yellow cards : Gueye 48', P.B Diop 60'.

RATINGS :

Brazil :

Gilmar 5 - Cafu 7 - C. Alberto 6 - T. Silva 5,5 - R. Carlos 5 - Falcao 5 (Dunga 70') - Cerezo 7 - Pelé 7,5 - Didi 6 (Rivelino 70') - Garrincha 4,5 (Jairzinho 82') - Ronaldo 6. Tot. : 64,5.

Senegal :

Sylva 4 (E. Mendy HT, 5) - Coly 5 - R. Mendy 5,5 - Koulibaly 5,5 - Ba 5,5 - Sène 5,5 (S. Diao 72') - Gueye 4,5 - P.B. Diop 5 - Fadiga 5,5 (E-H. Diouf 79') - Mané 6 - Bocandé 6. Tot. : 58.

Gilmar (5) : he's been surprised by the Bocandé-Mané duet at the 20th minute. Otherwise, he had a rather good game... or average, perhaps.

Cafu (7) : without being really dangerous offensively, he greatly participated to the Brazilian territorial domination.

C. Alberto (6) : he imposed himself without forcing, which is the hallmark of a leader. His restarts from the back were noticeably good, especially in his understanding with Cafu. 

T. Silva (5,5) : he's been beaten by Bocandé in the air on goal number one in this ATWC, was surprised like his collegues in a couple of occasions but overall had a decent game.

R. Carlos (5) : without being bad, he left a rough impression.

Falcao (5) : like Didi, he played at a stately pace... but he was less prominent. Both were replaced at once. Dunga lost his first duel then got better and better until the final whistle.

Cerezo (7) : he's been impeccable in everything he had to do.

Didi (6) : he did not start his match the best way then progressivily started to shine and perfectly served Pelé for the equalizer. In the second half, he was in perfect control of his art - for 25 minutes more. He was replaced by Rivelino (70') who helped at continuing to control the game and was also a potential menace for Senegal with his shooting abilities.

Pelé (7,5) : we expected more from his relation with Garrincha and young fellow Ronaldo but he's been (once again) decisive and delivered a complete performance, also helping at midfield. * Man of the Match *.

Garrincha (4,5) : below the level we expect from him, his duel with Ibrahim Ba "Eusébio" was quite balanced. His crosses were all cleared by the two towers : Koulibaly and Roger Mendy. His replacement Jairzinho (82') did not have really the chance to show much of his talents. 

Ronaldo (6) : it would not be fair to judge him only based on "end product" statistics. In this match he quite often exiled himself on the left wing. He apparently gave cold sweat to Koulibaly and Sylva only two times but he was a constant menace. He also send one shoot or two at Mendy in the second half, which were perfectly blocked.

Sylva (4) : the legendary Senegalese goalkeeper knew tonight a cruel destiny. Even not half-faulty on the goal scored by Pelé, he was subbed out at half-time ! His coaching staff possibly thought that it was unforgivable at such a supreme level that is the All-Time World Cup and, with overzealousness, they decided to replace him with French-born Edouard Mendy. The latter shown good things on long-range shots but was also beaten once, by the same man (if he's a human). E. Mendy : 5.

Coly (5) : he did not take advantage of the spaces offered to him as he always feared about the ball distribution of Cerezo or Didi, about the moves of Ronaldo and about the climbs of Roberto Carlos. Had a serious game, but maybe a bit too serious.

R. Mendy and Koulibaly (5,5): they've been good but... Pelé.

Ba (5,5) : the father of "Ibou" Ba shown that his legendary status was not undeserved.

Gueye (4,5) : this very good element, at times, only looked like a sparring partner to Pelé. Gueye had there an opportunity to shine but The King did not miss his first rendez-vous with the All-Time World Cup.

P.B. Diop (5) : he was up there when it came to deal with Falcao but he also had to deal with the offensives of Cafu.

Sène and Fadiga (5,5) allowed Senegal to play in an hybrid formation between a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3. They spared no effort. But they were facing Brazil.

Salif Diao and El-Hadji Diouf replaced them around the 75th minute. The scoreboard remained identical.

Bocandé 6 : his combination with Mané was sublime. Who turns around who ? We still don't know. But even though they stormed the Brazilian defenders in several occasions, they did not produced that much of clear chances for Gilmar to be really worried.

Mané 6 : he's been the best Mané, tonight. But Brazil won.

A bit earlier in the night... it was the OPENING CEREMONY !

DEEP PURPLE PLAYED THEIR HEAVY ROCK CLASSIC "CHILD IN TIME" FOR THE  FYT ATWC. IT IS THE SONG, THE HYMN OF THE TOURNAMENT.

(All airports look the same)

THE OPENING ACT WAS... ALEXI LALAS !

In the afternoon, the musicians of Deep Purple ...

... but also members of Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Scorpions, Metallica...

... played a mini-tournament against some journalists' teams.

After the game Brazil vs. Senegal where Pelé was awarded the 'Man of the Match' trophy, the King received another nice little gift...

... a limited EP especially made for him by the Iron Maiden guys !

Bruce & Steve of Iron Maiden

ATWC : GROUP A

 The group, the schedule, the stadiums, the squads, the games (please click on the pictures for a better view).

THE GAMES

DAY 1 : 

DENMARK - TUNISIA at Ion Oblemenco Stadium, Craiova, Romania (capacity 30.900)

DENMARK - TUNISIA 0 - 0

Zzzzzzz... after a nice opening game, we've been (already) cooled down. Where was the "Danish Dynamite", where were the "Eagles of Carthage's" claws ? Not that bad of a 0-0 though. But we're now crossing fingers for the next game of Group A (Uruguay against Bulgaria) raises a bit the level.

Yellow cards : Helveg (25'), Sassi (38'), Trabelsi (58'), Bouazizi (72').

Man of the Match : the most active player on the pitch thus the most in view, Hatem Trabelsi, wins the "MotM" trophy. He's been vital for Tunisia don't loose track of their goal in this match : not to lose (a minima).

On the Danish side, the one who was the most in view was Allan Simonsen, who was appearing there only for the second time in a World Cup game.

RATINGS :

Denmark :

P. Schmeichel 5,5 - Sivebaek 5 - Helveg 5 - M. Olsen 5,5 - Lerby 5 - Bertelsen 5 - Middleboe 5 - Simonsen 5,5 - M. Laudrup 5 - Praest 5 (J. Olsen 69') - Elkjaer 4 (John Hansen 81'). Tot. : 55,5.

Tunisia :

Attouga 5,5 - Trabelsi 6 - Jaïdi 5,5 - Badra 5,5 - Berrekhissa 5 - Skhiri 5,5 - Sassi 4,5 (Bouazizi 60') - Khazri 4,5 - Dhiab 4,5 - Temime 5 (Msakni 70') - Santos 4 (Sellimi 80'). Tot. : 55,5.

URUGUAY - BULGARIA  at Prater/ Ernst Happel Stadium, Wien, Austria (capacity 53.000)

URUGUAY - BULGARIA : 1 - 1

A match of more action than Denmark vs. Tunisia with 1 goal for each side but another draw game. With even more rawness, too. Every teams are ex-aequo after this first matchday, in Group A.

Given the result of the match, the tactical choice of the Uruguayan staff was much criticized in Montevideo.

GOALS (Suarez, Stoichkov fk)

36' : Valverde sends an aerial cross to Cavani. Intelligently, the latter chose to bring down the ball in the path of Suarez, who leaves no chance to Mikhaïlov and scores.

72' : Stoichkov with a free-kick. With the left foot, obviously. Mazurkiewicz tried hard to save it, but it was hopeless.

Yellow cards : D. Penev (20'), Valverde (85').

Man of the Match : Stoichkov did not weigh enough on the game before his (splendid) free-kick to be awarded "MotM". Santamaria impressed both defensively, alternatively against Asparuhov and against Bonev, and by his capacity to always find the best solution when exiting the ball from his back position. 

RATINGS

Uruguay :

Mazurkiewicz 5 - Godin 6,5 - Nasazzi 5 - Santamaria 7,5 - Valverde 5,5 - JL Andrade 6 - O. Varela 5,5 - VR Andrade 6,5 - Francescoli 4,5 (Petrone 79') - Suarez 5,5 - Cavani 5,5 (Forlan 75'). Tot. : 63.

Bulgaria :

Mikhaïlov 5,5 - Kishishev 4 (Shalamanov 73') - G. Dimitrov 5 - D. Penev 5 - Ivanov 4,5 - Boskhov 5 - Letchkov 4 (S. Petrov 73') - Balakov 5 - Bonev 6 - Asparuhov 4,5 (Berbatov 82') - Stoichkov 6. Tot. : 54,5.

Only two goals were scored on matchday one, including this free-kick by Hristo Stoichkov

DAY 2 : 

URUGUAY - DENMARK at Arena Nationala, Bucharest, Romania (capacity 55.600)

URUGUAY - DENMARK : 2 - 2

It goes witout saying that everbody expected much from this match... and they've been well served. It was a battle. That being, although there's been a couple of heaty moments, the aggressivness of the players never exceeded the limits. It was also a technical, tactical battle... from which the Uruguayans first seemed to emerge victorious.

But the Danes, who only managed to earn one point in their first match against an already tough and talented Tunisian team reacted in the second half, thanks to some well-chosen changings.

In the end, a major part of the supporters from both sides who gathered at the Arena Nationala were still happy not to lose this crucial game, just like the players and staffs.

The Danes should have to earn at least another one point in their last match against Bulgaria to get their ticket to the next round though, and it could be another tough mission. But nothing is impossible to these Vikings who managed to raise their level, tonight, against the four-time World champions : at the back, if Sivebaek had to leave the pitch prematurely (at half-time), he was replaced by a very interesting Maehle whilst the use of Lerby at the left back position was convincing again. Olsen played his role of libero to the perfection. The Elkjaer-Laudrup duet seemed to click, and the younger brother of Michael, Brian, shown great things as soon as he had just came into play. Schmeichel was not decisive though. He'll have to be, in view of the paw kicks that the Bulgarians are able to deal.

As for the Celeste XI, they lined-up Scarone instead of the quite disappointing Francescoli from the first match. A good idea, as he was at the origin of the second goal. He had to deal with the Dane XI newcomer Gravesen surrounded by Middleboe and Bertelsen and he did very well, until the Dane's come-back, when Uruguay was waiting... which did not help him to express himself.

The whole Uruguayan team's face changed since they conceded that two-one goal. Until then, each of his parts was perfect, individually and collectively. They have four points though, with supposedly the lesser team of the group to face in the last match.

GOALS (Varela, Cavani, Elkjaer, Elkjaer)

44' : V. Andrade crosses the ball to Varela who found a shooting position at the 16 yards. The shot is well taken but perhaps Schmeichel could have done better... 1-0 just before half-time.

55' : Scarone finds Cavani in the penalty area, it's a goal ! The drakkar seems to sink.

66' : B. Laudrup escapes from his two guardians, Varela and VR Andrade... serves Elkjaer in the depth, and it's a goal. It's not 2-0 Uruguay anymore, it is 2-1.

77' : M. Laudrup crosses the ball from the left side to... Eljaer, who imposes himself in front of Nasazzi, Santamaria and Mazurkiewicz. 2-2 !

83'... we were not far from the third Dane goal...

88' : nice try, Forlan. But it's off the bar for a few.

Yellow cards : Valverde 30', Godin 68', Bertelsen 70'.

Man of the Match : the jury recognized the great game of M. Olsen, in spite of the two goals conceded and in spite of the equalizing brace by Elkjaer.

RATINGS

Uruguay :

Mazurkiewicz 4,5 - Godin 5 - Nasazzi 5 - Santamaria 5 - Valverde 4,5 (Pérez 68') - JL Andrade 5,5 - Varela 5,5 - VR Andrade 5,5 - Scarone 5,5 - Suarez 5 (Forlan 80') - Cavani 6 (Petrone 84'). Tot. : 57.

Denmark :

Schmeichel 4,5 - Sivebaek 4,5 (Maehle 46', 5,5) - Helveg 4,5 - M. Olsen 7,5 - Lerby 6 - Bertelsen 5 - Gravesen 5 - Middleboe 5 (J. Olsen 70') - Simonsen 4,5 (B. Laudrup 60') - M. Laudrup 6 - Elkjaer 7. Tot. : 59,5.

This is the third draw game out of three games, in group A !

Morten Olsen was awarded the MotM trophy in this Uruguay vs Denmark

BULGARIA - TUNISIA at Prater/ Ernst Happel Stadion, Wien, Austria (capacity 53.000)

BULGARIA - TUNISIA : 1 - 1

The Bulgarians were seen as the favorites in this game, which was proven right by their performance in the first half and denied in the second half.

GOALS (Stoichkov, Temime)

38' : Stoichkov, assisted by Bonev, who plays as a "9 and half" in this team.

67' : Temime scores ! Great assist, Dhiab.

Yellow Cards : Kishishev 8', Badra 17', Letchkov 55', Sassi 80'.

Man of the match : Dhiab, who took the reins in the second half. Temime was more constant over the match and scored that goal, but Dhiab stole the show in the second half (when the most spectacular player of the first half perhaps was Stoichkov).

Tarak Dhiab : remember well this name, this face and... this left foot

RATINGS

Bulgaria :

Mikhaïlov 5,5 - Kishishev 4,5 - G. Dimitrov 5 - D. Penev 5 - Ivanov 5 - Boskhov 5 (S. Petrov 70') - Letchkov 5  - Balakov 5 - Bonev 6 - Berbatov 4,5 (Kostadinov 79') - Stoichkov 6. Tot. : 56,5.

Tunisia :

Attouga 6 - Trabelsi 6 - Jaïdi 5 - Badra 5 - Berrekhissa 5 (Maâloul 58') - Skhiri 5 - Bouazizi 4 (Sassi 60') - Khazri 5 - Dhiab 6,5 - Temime 6,5 - Santos 4 (Sellimi 80'). Tot. : 58.

Fourth draw game in four games...