In our last World Cup newsletter, we spoke of the irresistible pull of the tournament. Less than a week into this edition, the magic is already working its spell, even if it means those of us in this part of the world must stay up or drag ourselves out of bed at ungodly hours to witness the battles unfolding on the pitch.

Interestingly, the “upsets” so far have been hard-earned draws pulled off by teams ranked 61st, 67th and 85th in FIFA’s world rankings. These may not be wins, but they are already the stuff of folklore — mighty Spain held to a 0-0 draw by little Cape Verde, a cluster of islands off Africa’s West coast spanning just over 4,000 square kilometres.

The goals have been sensational too. On the grandest of stages, players small and large are going for glory from distance, and it is a joy to watch. For those of us who follow European football week after week, the World Cup offers a reminder of what free-flowing, expressive football can look like at its best. And though ticket prices have gone through the roof and commercialised hydration breaks are choking the rhythm of the game, watching the wizard Lionel Messi wave his wand and produce yet another record-breaking spell, days before turning 39, is a reminder that the sport, at its core, always wins.

The magic dims, though, when geopolitics intrudes. The Iranian team, compelled to fly in and out of the United States before and after every match, gave us a magnificent spectacle in their draw with New Zealand — yet the treatment of their contingent remains a stain on this World Cup’s legacy. One hopes FIFA resolves the visa issues affecting players, fans and officials without further delay.

Another week of intense action awaits in the second round of group fixtures. Grab that cup of coffee, burn the midnight oil, and let the beautiful game take you on its magic ride.

Stay tuned for The Hindu’s daily coverage of the World Cup.