The First Game in Group Stage is Most Important

How important is the first game in the group stages of the World Cup?

Since group play was instituted for the first round in 1950, countries that win their first match have moved onto the next round 82.5 percent of the time (85-18). Teams that have lost their opening games have gotten out of the first round only 17.6 percent of the time (20-94). And if you tie, you have more than a fighting chance - 61.5 percent (48-30) of playing in the second round.