World Cup 2022: Six Shocks During the Group Stages
1. Germany have crashed out!
On a dramatic night of football, Japan eliminated Germany from the World Cup on Thursday after a 2-1 victory over Spain.
Germany finished third in Group E after being eliminated due to goal difference. This is the second World Cup in a row that they have been eliminated in the group stages.
The Germans’ 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their last group game was not enough to guarantee them a place in the round of 16.
It could have been a different story as Japan’s winning goal was initially ruled out by officials but the decision was overturned by the VAR (video assistant referee).
2. Saudi Arabia’s win against Argentina
When Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in their first match, it delivered one of the most stunning results in World Cup history.
The team trailed 1-0 in the first half after football superstar Lionel Messi scored a penalty for his team in the first 10 minutes of the game.
But the Saudi Arabian team turned it around after half-time, with Saleh Al Shehri scoring the equaliser and Salem Al Dawsari firing another into the back of the net sparking screaming cheers from the stands.
Saudi Arabia became the first non-European team to defeat Argentina at the World Cup since Cameroon in 1990.
3. Underdog Japan’s comeback wins
So far, Japan has been crowned the comeback champions of the Qatar World Cup.
After a 2-1 win over Spain, they were the surprise winners of their group, Group E.
Nobody predicted them to win this game, and they also defeated Germany 2-1!
They only had 18% of the possession in their game against Spain, but they scored two quick goals in the second half, showing that they are not a team to be underestimated.
4. Belgium’s early elimination
Belgium is leaving early after a goalless draw with Croatia.
This is the first time the team has been eliminated from the World Cup group stages since 1998.
They finished third in the previous World Cup in Russia four years ago and are currently ranked second in the world, so this is really surprising.
They have many talented players on their team, including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku had several chances at goal in the second half, but the striker just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.
5. Tunisia defeats France
Despite failing to qualify for the knockout stages, Tunisia shocked France with a win.
France is the former World Cup champion, having won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, so no one expected them to be defeated by Tunisia.
Despite this, the current champions have advanced to the round of 16 and finished first in Group D, having defeated Australia 4-1 and Denmark 2-1 in their previous matches.
Tunisia won this game by a hair’s breadth after France had an equalizing goal ruled out for offside in the final minute of stoppage time!
Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri said they were happy to beat a team like France.
6. South Korea win against Portugal
South Korea faced an uphill battle in order to progress as they needed to defeat Portugal.
At 90 minutes in they were level at 1-1, but Hwang Hee chan’s injury-time strike secured South Korea’s progression into the knockouts.
And their success had other consequences: despite a 2-0 victory over Ghana, Uruguay fell one goal short of earning second place in the group, meaning they were eliminated.
The news was delivered as the final whistle blew, and Luis Suarez was spotted crying on the bench as he received it.
