What not to miss on World Cup Day Six | OneFootball

Doesn’t the World Cup just put that extra little spring in your step in the morning? Long may it continue.

If you’re Colombian, Japanese, Polish or Senegalese, you might have been feeling a little left out so far, but that’s all about to change.

Here’s what to keep your eyes peeled for on day six.

James Rodríguez returns to the big stage

James was one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup, where his performances and that insane volley earned him a glamorous move to Real Madrid.

Unfortunately, it didn’t really work out for the lad at the Bernabéu but after a solid season of getting his career back on track at Bayern Munich, he’s back at the World Cup and Colombia will be expecting big things from him.

Whether he’ll feature against Japan today remains to be seen, however.

Colombia boss José Pékerman revealed that the 26-year-old has been struggling with muscle fatigue and may miss out but if he doesn’t play, at least Radamel Falcao should finally make his World Cup debut at the ripe old age of 32.

Lewandowski v Mané

Group H has the potential to offer some of the early stages of the tournament’s most intriguing match-ups and Poland v Senegal is no exception.

Both teams have proper dark horse potential at this World Cup and the top class strikers in either dressing room means this game is definitely worth a watch.

Lewandowski scored 16 goals in just 10 games in the qualifiers, prompting Poland’s post office to release five million stamps with his face on them in the run up to the tournament.

But Poland had the worst defensive record in European qualifying and Senegal’s Mané – who netted 10 times in the Champions League last season – could cause them some problems.

“Sadio Mané is a unique player and he cannot be compared to any other Senegal player, even the major ones we’ve had in the past,” said Senegal boss Aliou Cissé in his pre-match press conference, and we can’t wait to see what the Liverpool forward can bring to his first World Cup.

El Hadji Diouf’s are big shoes to fill.

Mo Salah, Mo Salah, Mo Salah, running down the wing

After his Champions League final injury kept him out of Egypt’s opening group game against Uruguay, Mohamed Salah is poised to start against Russia tonight, and the World Cup can’t wait to meet him.

The Liverpool man was one of the best players in Europe last season, netting 44 goals in all competitions along the way, yet there are those who believed he shouldn’t be considered one of the world’s greats until he’s done it on the grandest stage of all.

The 26-year-old is unlikely to be 100% fit and can’t be expected to perform miracles for an unfancied Egypt side but we still fancy him to leave his mark on this tournament one way or another.

And for his team, it’s probably now or never. Lose to Russia and they can probably start packing their bags but beat the hosts in Saint Petersburg, and it’s all to play for in Group A.