In the four matches at the 2018 Men’s World Cup on SAT 16 JUN 2018, penalty takers went three for five.

• France 02-01 Australia: The video assistant referee was used for the first time in a Men’s World Cup, to award a penalty to France after a 55th minute incident when Antoine GRIEZMANN was brought down by Joshua RISDON. Griezmann then stepped up and converted the penalty. Moments later, Socceroo captain Mile JEDINAK equalised from the spot after Samuel UMTITI handled the ball in his own area. Les Bleus, though, came away with the victory after Paul POGBA’s long range shot in the 80th minute struck the underside of the bar and bounced over the line.
• Argentina 01-01 Iceland: In their first ever Men’s World Cup match, Iceland stood tall against one of the favourites and earned a valuable point in Group D. Sergio AGÜERO put Argentina ahead in the 19th minute, but four minutes later, Alfreð FINNBOGASON equalised after a scramble in front of the other goal. Lionel MESSI had an opportunity to reclaim the lead in the second half, only to put his spot kick directly into the hands of Iceland keeper Hannes HALLDÓRSSON.
• Peru 00-01 Denmark: The Incas made their first Men’s World Cup appearance in 36 years, and late in the first half, they earned a spot kick through VAR. After the foul by Yussuf Yurary POULSEN, Christian CUEVA stepped up to take the penalty, but he put it over the bar. Several other Peruvian attempts on goal either went astray or were saved by Kasper SCHMEICHEL, and Poulsen himself would make Peru pay with a goal on a counterattack just before the hour mark. France and Denmark sit atop Group C, with les Bleus ahead on goals scored. Thursday sees the group resume with France-Peru and Denmark-Australia.
• Croatia 02-00 Nigeria: Croatia take top spot in Group D, with an own goal by Oghenekaro ETEBO and a goal from the penalty spot by Luka MODRIĆ separating the two sides. They meet Argentina on Thursday, with Nigeria facing Iceland on Friday.