0
0
The opening two days of the 2022 FIFA World Cup did not produce any upsets, but oh boy, have they been coming thick and fast this week.
On Tuesday, Newcastle, I mean Saudi Arabia, downed two-time winners Argentina 2-1, scoring twice in the second half for a come-from-behind victory. The win was celebrated in style with the Saudi king declaring the following day as a national holiday.
The following day saw Japan beat Germany by the same scoreline with the four-time champions unable to deal with the pace of the Japanese Kamakazi attacks.
Ghana put up a spirited performance before going down 3-2 to Portugal and even had a chance in the dying minutes to level matters with the Portuguese keeper having the ball nipped away from his feet but the Ghanaian striker slipped just before taking the shot with a gaping goal mouth staring at him.
Iran then produced a stellar performance in beating Wales 2-0 on Friday. The Welsh looked lethargic and were unable to deal with the Iranian counter-attacks.
Saudi Arabia though were unable to reproduce their feat against Poland in their second match and despite being the more dominant side against Poland, they eventually lost 2-0. The first Polish goal came against the run of play before the Arabic side missed a penalty with former Arsenal goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczęsny producing an excellent save.
Argentina also turned things around with a solid 2-0 victory over Mexico last night to leave them in second place in Group C behind the Polish and ahead of the Saudi’s on goal difference, with Mexico bottom of the group after their opening-round draw with Poland.
Iran’s victory over Wales, following their 6-2 hammering by England, sees them move to second in Group B, one point ahead of the USA, who played to a goalless draw with England, leaving them needing to beat the Iranians in the final group game to qualify, while a point for Iran will be enough as long as Wales do not beat England.
England’s goal difference has almost assured them of a place in the last 16 as Wales will need to beat their Island neighbours by four goals if they are to progress at the expense of King Charles’ side.
In Group A, the hosts Qatar are out having lost to Ecuador and Senegal. The Netherlands have the easiest route into the next round as their final game is against Qatar while the winner of the Ecuador vs Senegal match will progress.
Should the match end in a draw, Ecuador will progress thanks to a better goal difference.
Poland’s match against Argentina will decide Group C’s winner but Saudi Arabia will be hoping that a win for them over Mexico, along with a Polish draw, would see them top the group – the biggest upset to date!
France have already clinched their place in the next round thanks to their 2-1 win over Denmark last night and their final match against Tunisia will should confirm their place as group winners but the fight-out between Australia, who beat the Tunisians 1-0 yesterday, and Denmark will decide who goes through.
A draw for the Socceroo’s will be good enough for the men from Down Under to progress.
Today, Japan will look to take top spot in Group E as they face Costa Rica, who were thumped 7-0 by Spain, who in turn take on Germany in what could surely be the match of the tournament so far.
This coming week is going to be intensive as the sides fight and scamper for a place in the round of 16 with some of the more fancier sides either hoping and praying or just playing for pride, like Germany – who, if they lose to Spain today, will be out of the World Cup!
On the predictions front, Woody, as always, claims his non-participation at the outset, but then swaggers in when initial results go his way.
And he is leading the pack, having built up a lead of five points over Chippy, who started slowly but has steadily been picking up some good points.
I am like a yo-yo! Just when I think I am catching up to the pack, one player goes and scores a late goal, or a team concedes late and then I am buggered, although I am only three points adrift of ChippyBoy.
Paddy, who boasted about his SuperBru prowess at work, is lagging somewhat, eight points behind me, but I reckon he is a hustler and will come storming back in the later rounds, which will Woody screaming #WOut!
