What a joyride this world cup has been. If you are a neutral, you cannot ask for better indulgence to fill your weekend. From the early upsets by Saudi Arabia and Japan to the recent heroics of Morocco, it has been nothing less than a roller coaster ride.
The more I think and analyse the games so far, the more I’m convinced that the gap between the top and the bottom is shrinking. Apart from the early eliminations at the group stages, the games have been thoroughly competitive and entertaining.
Having side that, the skill gap is still huge but what has changed is how the minnows or less gifted sides are approaching these games. Rather than succumbing to the pressure and playing a losing game, they are playing to their strengths.
Morocco is a fantastic example of how one should approach these games. Not losing a single game in this world cup, they have beaten Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. With the crowd to their side, they play as an organised defensive unit, who can hurt you on the counter. You need lot of confidence and self-belief to pull it off time and again the way they have done it throughout their campaign.
Key Moments
Saudi Arabia kick-started the madness by upsetting Argentina with a 2-1 result. Nobody expected the mighty Argentina (pun intended) would start their campaign with a defeat. Given where they are right now, every game was a final for them. Credit where its due, Argentina have managed to hold its own with key results at all important moments throughout their campaign.
Japan turned out to be the black horse in the group of death a.k.a Group E. Brushing aside the likes of Germany and Spain, they topped the group which no one expected at the start of the campaign. Spain just managed to make it to the round of 16, thanks to their goal advantage they earned with the 7-0 thumping of Costa Rica.
The knockouts finally saw Japan bowing out with their heads held high. With the game going to penalties after a well fought 1-1 with Croatia, the Japanese couldn’t hold on to the pressure and the experience which Croatia has in this competition.
Morocco on the other hand gave a sucker punch to Spain by knocking them out on penalties. La Furia Roja would be gutted given the amount of possession they had and superior quality of their squad. None of that holds any value, as the final score line is all that matters in cup competitions.
There were other key moments in the group stages. Croatia, Morocco, and Japan stood out for me given the pedigree of opponents they were competing against.
Quarter Final Madness
Each and every game of the quarter finals have been thrilling to say the least.
Netherlands-Argentina was a game of grit and fight. Argentina leading 2-0 at 70 minutes, it should have been job done for the La Albiceleste.
The Dutch had other ideas. They pulled one back on the 83rd minute courtesy of Wout Weghorst strike and leaving the second one late until the 11th minute of stoppage time with a well worked unconventional set piece.
It was game played in high temper and a lot of controversies. The referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz pulled out 15 yellow and 1 red card, the highest in this competition in a single game. Argentina finally nicked it, thanks to the heroics of ex-Arsenal stopper Emi Martinez who has been outstanding throughout the competition.
Croatia-Brazil was the biggest upset of the competition. Croatia used all their experience in this competition and weathered to Brazilian storm. The dead lock was only broken at the end of the first half of extra time. With a brilliant move Neymar put one behind the brilliant Livaković which looked like a heartbreak for the Croats. But they had other ideas and equalled the score line with an emphatic counter attacking move. The rest is history. The Croats used their experience again in the penalty shootout and sent Brazil home with a 4-2 score line.
Morocco did what they are best at. Defended deep and provided a sucker punch on the counterattack. The Portuguese were the brighter side throughout the game, but even introduction of their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was not enough to take them through.
My favourite tie of this competition was England vs France. A completely open game with both sides going for it. Felt like a classic derby where failure was not an option for both sides. Respective state leaders added to the drama by wishing each other on Twitter and the usual banter that goes with it.
France started brightly and made an impact immediately. Tchouameni shot a schemer from 18 yards. This proved to be a wake-up call for the English who upped the ante from there on. Surprisingly the French sat back and looked to play on the counter, which was not a good move in my opinion. They paid for it just after the restart with Saka winning a well worked penalty. Harry Kane with his usual composure put it past Lloris to make it 1-1.
The final moments of the game were extremely tensed and eventful. The French went ahead again with an Olivier Giroud header on the 78th minute. Within five minutes the three lions won a penalty courtesy of a senseless push by Hernandez on Mount.
Kane should have equalled it, but shockingly fluffed his lines. While that was the end of the England fight. I felt England looked the better team overall, apart from few moments of magic by the French.
But it was not to be for the English.
Wrapping up
This takes us to the final three games of this eventful world cup. I can’t wait for it 😁
Will the Arab Underdogs make history, or will Messi finally taste success on the world stage, or will the Croats finally come of age and the lift the ultimate prize. The French remain the favourites to take it home second time in a row.
What are your thoughts and predications as we enter the final stages of Qatar 2022.
Let met know in the comments below.
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