Group A
Group A of this year's World Cup consisted of hosts Qatar, the Netherlands, Ecuador and African Champions Senegal. In my predictions, I predicted Senegal to win this group over the Netherlands. That didn’t happen but both teams progressed into the last 16 with Netherlands finishing top ahead of Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar. Netherlands looked pretty decent and managed to pick up 7 points with an aggregate score of 5-1 whilst Senegal progressed on 6 points due to beating both Ecuador and Qatar. To be fair to Ecuador, they showed a good account of themselves and finishing the group with 4 points was impressive. Enner Valencia also showed his quality by scoring a total of 3 goals. When it comes to Qatar, they just weren’t good enough for this tournament. They were horrendous in the opening game of the tournament (2-0 defeat to Ecuador) and it didn’t get much better as they then went on to lose 3-1 against Senegal and 2-0 against the Netherlands. At least they scored a goal! Overall, Netherlands and Senegal are two good teams who can cause everyone problems, but I wouldn’t fear them.
Group B
Group B consisted of Euro 2020 finalists England, Gold Cup Champions USA, Wales and IR Iran. In my predictions, I had England topping the group over USA and that is what happened. England stormed through Iran in their opening game of the tournament, then struggled massively against the United States in a dull nil-nil draw before they breezed past Wales in the second half (3-0 win). For me, USA are a very interesting team. In their 3 group games, they only managed to score 2 goals, yet they only conceded one and that was also a penalty. The US genuinely look like a solid team. Iran managed to finish third after a 2-0 victory over Wales. Considering they lost the first game 6-2, they did a good recovery job. Now onto Wales. They didn’t play very well in their first game against the USA, but they managed to pick up a good point after a late Gareth Bale penalty. I then watched the first half of the Iran game at school and it wasn’t good and it got even worse in the second half as they managed to let in two 90+ minute goals to suffer a shambolic defeat to IR Iran. They didn’t play any better against England either and they were comfortably beaten. Also, both Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were awful. Overall, England look pretty decent when they want to be and USA look like a hard team to break down so I’m intrigued to see just how far they can go.
Group C
Group C consisted of one of the tournament’s favourites Argentina, Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia. In my predictions, I had Argentina topping the group ahead of Mexico and even though I got Argentina right, it was Poland who beat Mexico to qualification. Argentina suffered a shocking defeat against Saudi Arabia in their opening game of the tournament but 2-0 wins over both Mexico and Poland helped them qualify in 1st place. Poland managed to get through in second place on goal difference, but you have to give them credit because they got the results they needed (0-0 VS Mexico, 2-0 VS Saudi Arabia). Mexico didn’t have the tournament they were hoping for even though they managed to beat Saudi Arabia in the last game of the group. 1 more goal was all the Mexican’s needed for a spot in the last 16. Finally, Saudi Arabia can be happy with their efforts, no one will forget their iconic victory over Lionel Messi’s Argentina and they gave a good account of themselves against Mexico. That game was by far my favourite of the tournament so far (that I have seen). Overall, Argentina are a very good team that no one wants to play whilst Poland can be happy that they have made it into the last 16.
Group D
Group D consisted of reigning Champions France, Denmark, Australia and Tunisia. In my predictions, I had France topping the group above Denmark and even though I got France right, it was Australia who managed to finish in second place. Wins for France against Australia and Denmark meant they were through before they ended up playing and then losing to Tunisia. After being thrashed 4-1 by France in their opening game of the tournament, they recovered brilliantly by beating both Tunisia and Denmark 1-0 to get through. Tunisia can also be happy with their efforts, earning 4 points against Denmark and France is amazing. They will be slightly annoyed with their defeat against Australia though. As for Denmark, they have had an absolute shocking tournament. They only scored 1 goal and showed no quality. Overall, despite losing to Tunisia, France are not a team you want to play and they are rightly a favourite for this competition. Even though Australia aren’t the strongest team on paper, they’ve performed well enough to the point where you can believe they could pull off a few more surprises.
Group E
Group E contained European Giants Spain and Germany, Asia’s Japan and North America’s Costa Rica. In my predictions, I had Germany topping the group over Spain and I got 50% of that right (Spain) but I never expected Japan to top the group. In their first game, Japan went from being 1-0 down to beating Germany 2-1. In their final group game, Japan went from being 1-0 down to beating Spain 2-1 to secure top spot in Group E. The even more ridiculous part of Japan’s tournament is the fact that they lost to Costa Rica. Spain have had a mixed tournament. They absolutely destroyed Costa Rica 7-0 in their first game, then picked up a solid point against Germany before they lost to Japan. In fact, the size of victory Spain got over Costa Rica is the reason why they are in the next round. As for Germany, they are a mess. This is the second consecutive World Cup tournament that they have gone out in the group stage. 4 points isn’t bad, but it still wasn’t enough. When it comes to Costa Rica, they were decimated by Spain in their first game of the tournament, but they then turned it around by managing to beat Japan 1-0. At one point, Costa Rica took the lead against Germany and had they managed to hold on, they would have got through which would have been insane. Overall, Japan are clearly a really good team who can beat anyone. However, they are also a team that could lose to anyone. As for Spain, there is pressure for them to perform now and I really find them hard to judge. They could show up and be a contender or they could flop in the last 16.
Group F
Group F contained contenders Belgium, 2018 finalists Croatia, Canada and Morocco. In my predictions, I had Belgium topping the group above Croatia. I got Croatia right but not Belgium! Morocco topped the group! When I did my preview, I had Morocco in the “outsiders” category (the worst 8 teams), but I did say that they possessed so much more quality than the fellow teams in that category. They got a good point in their first game against Croatia, a famous 2-0 victory against Belgium before they managed to beat Canada 2-1 to secure an amazing first place in Group F. When it comes to Croatia, they did a good job so they can be happy with their efforts. Also, I got all 3 of Croatia’s predictions right (results) so I’m happy about that. Now let’s talk about Belgium. I watched their 1-0 win against Canada and they didn’t look good at all in that game. However, they got all 3 points which felt like a big deal. In their second game, they suffered a shock 2-0 loss against Morocco to make life difficult for themselves and in their final game against Croatia, they just couldn’t score meaning they have crashed out in the group stage. Finally, this wasn’t a good tournament for Canada who managed to lose all 3 games. However, at least they scored 2 goals so they did do better than their only previous World Cup appearance. Overall, Morocco look pretty good so I’m really intrigued to see how they get on. As for Croatia, they are always a tough team to play.
Group G
Group G consisted of the most successful World Cup team ever Brazil, Dark Horses Switzerland and Serbia and finally Cameroon. In my predictions, I had Brazil topping the group over Switzerland on goal difference. That is exactly what happened. Brazil picked up important wins over Serbia and Switzerland meaning they could play a rotated team in their final group stage. They did this and then lost 1-0 to Cameroon. That’s not a great result and in fact, it’s their first loss since the Copa America final in 2021. Switzerland may have lost to Brazil, but they picked up wins against both Cameroon and Serbia and that was all they needed to do. In a group as tough as this, Cameroon can be delighted with their efforts. They picked up a good point against Serbia and for them to beat Brazil is a pretty amazing achievement. Finally, Serbia didn’t have the tournament they were hoping for. It was always going to be a tough group to get out of but to only pick up 1 point will feel like an underachievement. Overall, everyone should fear Brazil but that doesn’t mean they aren’t beatable. As for Switzerland, they are a consistently good team that will cause just about anyone problems.
Group H
Group H consisted of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Luis Suarez’s Uruguay, Heung-Min Son’s South Korea and Thomas Partey’s Ghana. In my predictions, I had Portugal topping the group ahead of Uruguay. 1 part of that happened. Wins against Ghana (3-2) and Uruguay (2-0) meant Portugal were already through going into the final game of the group stage. They then became another one of the many big teams who have lost their last group game so it will be interesting to see how they get on. I cannot believe that I am writing South Korea finished in second place. They drew nil-nil against Uruguay in their opening game of the tournament before they lost 3-2 to Ghana meaning they were pretty much out. However, Hwang-Hee Chan managed to score in the 91st minute and due to Uruguay beating Ghana, South Korea got through on goals scored. What a great story. You can also now add Uruguay to the list of under-performing countries at this year's World Cup. Yes, they beat Ghana in the last game of Group H, but it didn’t end up mattering as they had already dug themselves too big a whole after the first two games. Ghana may have finished last in the group, but they can still be happy with their efforts. They pushed Portugal all the way and they beat South Korea. To think this team was the lowest ranked team at these finals is quite mad. Overall, Portugal have an incredibly strong squad but are they consistent enough to go the distance in Qatar. As for South Korea, they have to enjoy the experience because they’ve earnt that.
Last 16 Preview:
Netherlands VS USA
The Netherlands take on the United States in the first knockout game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Netherlands topped their group with 7 points with an aggregate score of 5-1 whilst USA finished second in their group with 5 points with an aggregate score of 2-1. Overall, I think these two teams are pretty close in ability and they are certainly both very solid in the defensive areas of the pitch. I think this game will be tight and whichever team wins this game will definitely be a problem in the quarter finals.
My Prediction: 0-0 (P)
Argentina VS Australia
Argentina go into this matchup as clear favourites but they can’t afford to become too complacent against a well drilled Australian side. Argentina topped their group with 6 points with an aggregate score of 5-2 whilst Australia finished second in Group D with 6 points and an aggregate score of 3-4. Neither team has conceded since their first game of the tournament. Overall, I’m intrigued to see what Australia can do to cause Argentina problems. Argentina should win this, but they did lose to Saudi Arabia, so you just never know.
My Prediction: 3-1
France VS Poland
Reigning Champions France will expect to progress to the last 8 but Poland won’t go down without a fight. France topped Group D with 6 and an aggregate score of 6-3 whilst Poland finished second in Group C with 4 points and an aggregate score of 2-2. Both teams come into this game on the back of a defeat in their last group stage game. Overall, Poland are a solid team and they will take confidence from Tunisia’s result over France but that was a heavily rotated French side. I think France could breeze through this game.
My Prediction: 4-1
England VS Senegal
Euro 2020 finalists England take on African Cup of Nations Champions Senegal in an exciting looking matchup. England topped Group B with 7 points and an aggregate score of 9-2 whilst Senegal got through Group A with 6 points and an aggregate score of 5-4. Both teams won the games they should have won in the group stages, but they struggled when playing teams who possess quality. Overall, this should be a good game. I think it would be wrong to say Senegal can’t win this game with the players in their squad. However, England fans won’t see it that way and they will be very disappointed if their side gets knocked out.
My Prediction: 2-1 (AET)
Japan VS Croatia
I didn’t expect to see Japan and Croatia face off in the last 16 but here we are. Japan topped Group E with 6 points and an aggregate score of 4-3 whilst Croatia managed to finish second in Group F with 5 points and an aggregate score of 4-1. All 5 of those goals came in one game (VS Canada). Overall, I think this game is really interesting. Japan topped their group with 2-1 wins over both Germany and Spain yet they lost to Costa Rica whilst Croatia went through the group stage without losing and only conceding 1 goal. Japan look like a team that can cause major problems, but we also know how good Croatia are as a footballing nation. This is definitely one of the games I am most looking forward to in the last 16.
My Prediction: 0-1
Brazil VS South Korea
The highest ranked team in the tournament Brazil take on South Korea in a must watch game. Brazil topped Group G with 6 points and an aggregate score of 3-1 whilst South Korea managed to squeak through with 4 points and an aggregate score of 4-4 funnily enough. Overall, Brazil should win this comfortably. They are a terrific team that are so difficult to score against. However, you just can’t count out South Korea. When it comes to momentum, South Korea have a lot more than Brazil. Will that be enough to cause another major upset though?
My Prediction: 3-1
Morocco VS Spain
Morocco come into this game with Spain looking to make it into the World Cup quarter finals for the first time in their history. Morocco surprised nearly everyone by topping Group F with 7 points and an aggregate score of 4-1 whilst Spain managed to get through with 4 points and an aggregate score of 9-3. That Costa Rica result proved massive for them. Overall, this is an exciting game. Spain are the favourites and given their history, they should be. However, they limped their way into the last 16 whilst Morocco have won their last 2 games. An upset could be on the cards here.
My Prediction: 2-1
Portugal VS Switzerland
I’m really hoping I get everything done so I can watch this game on Tuesday as I think it’s going to be great. Portugal topped their group with 6 points and an aggregate score of 6-4 whilst Switzerland also got through with 6 points and an aggregate score of 4-3. Overall, I expect this game to be really close. Portugal beat Uruguay and Ghana but then lost to South Korea in their final group game whilst Switzerland beat Cameroon, lost to Brazil and then beat Serbia to secure a spot in the last 16. Over my time watching football, I’ve come to learn that Portugal aren’t the most consistent team and you never count out the Swiss. Could that come true again Tuesday Night?
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