Draws dominate, favorites stumble and newcomers surprise; see summary of Monday's World Cup games (15)

Draws and stumbles among favorites: see a summary of Monday's World Cup games (15)
Reproduction/TV Globo
Monday (15) was marked by draws in the World Cup.
The round had five matches and no winner. Between favorites that disappointed and teams that took the opportunity to make history, the balance set the tone of the games.
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Iran overcomes tension off the field and draws in its debut
The most anticipated debut was that of Iran. After facing diplomatic difficulties to enter the United States due to the geopolitical scenario, the Iranian team had to overcome another challenge: seeking a 2-2 draw with New Zealand, the worst placed in the FIFA ranking among the teams qualified for the World Cup. The result marked the New Zealanders' return to the World Cup after 16 years.
Iran overcomes tension off the field and draws in their debut
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Protests in the street, support in the stadium and frustration on the field: Iran debuts in the World Cup from which they almost missed out
Salah celebrates his birthday with an assist, and Belgium stumbles
By the same group, Belgium also stumbled. The generation that still has remnants of the team that eliminated Brazil in the 2018 World Cup was left in a 1-1 draw with Egypt, which returned to compete in the World Cup after eight years. And the Egyptian party had a special character: Mohammed Salah. On the day he turned 34, the striker provided the assist for the African team's goal.
Salah celebrates his birthday with assistance
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Brazilian debut in refereeing
The match also had a reason to celebrate for the Brazilians. Santa Catarina's Ramon Abatti Abel made his World Cup debut. In Turvo, the referee's hometown, family members watched the match in a festive atmosphere. And the Brazilian's first game at the World Cup was peaceful, with no controversial moves or major complaints.
Brazilian referee's family prepares a banquet with polenta, chicken and 'lots of wine' for his World Cup debut
Santa Catarina referee Ramon Abatti Abel made his World Cup debut
Reproduction/TV Globo
Uruguay disappoints in world champion's debut
Another world champion that disappointed was Uruguay. Two-time World Cup champions, Celeste drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia and narrowly avoided defeat in their debut. The game also had an illustrious presence in the stands in Miami: the Italian Roberto Baggio, voted best player in the world in 1993 and an indirect character in Brazil's four-time championship in 1994.
Uruguay disappoints in world champion's debut
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Vozinha becomes hero in Spain's stumble
But the biggest surprise of the round came in the duel between Spain and Cape Verde. Considered one of the favorites for the title, the Spanish team was unable to come from 0-0 against the African debutant.
The person largely responsible for the result was goalkeeper Vozinha. At 40 years old, one of the oldest players in this World Cup gave a memorable performance and held off the Spanish pressure, who finished 27 times throughout the match.
The nickname came from his childhood, as he was raised by his grandparents. The real name is Josimar, a tribute to the full-back of the Brazilian team that played in the 1986 World Cup. Four decades later, the goalkeeper became a hero of Cape Verde in his first participation in the history of the World Cup.
And the celebration ended the way the Cape Verdean fans dreamed: with a party in the stands and the feeling that this World Cup has already entered the country's history.
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Vozinha: at 40 years old, one of the oldest players in this World Cup gave a memorable performance and held off the Spanish pressure
Reproduction/TV Globo

Source: G1