World Cup Qatar 2022 Winners & Losers: Match Week 2
Image Credit: Nasif Tazwar
By: Anthony Tazbaz
With the second round of Group Stage matches completed, we now look at some of the winners and losers of the past few days.
Winners
Robert Lewandowski & Poland
After a disappointing 0-0 draw versus Mexico on Week 1, Poland bounced back with a convincing 2-0 win versus a reeling Saudi Arabia. Piotr Zielinski scored the go-ahead goal following a pass from star forward Robert Lewandowski. Later in the game, Lewandowski found redemption following his saved penalty in the previous game, by scoring at the 82nd minute to put the Eastern European nation up two goals. This result helps Poland gain an advantage in goal differential, now at +2 and a group best. Poland find themselves in the Winners category this week because this win puts them first place in Group C, meaning they will only need a draw to ensure qualification for the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Lewandowski finds himself here due to his first World Cup goal and his crucial assist in the first half. Can he continue his form next game versus Argentina?
France
Les Bleus find themselves on the list for the second time (first time singled out) following their 2-1 victory versus Denmark, consequently booking a ticket for the Round of 16 and further cementing Group D supremacy. The French have mostly star forward Kylian Mbappe to thank, following his brace, including a late winner against a porous Danish squad. With two victories in as many games, they become the first nation to qualify for the knockout stages and look set to face the runner-up of Group C. It remains to be seen whether France can finish their group stage campaign with a perfect record as they face Tunisia for the final match. If successful, they would achieve a perfect record for the first time since they hosted and won in 1998.
Costa Rica
Although CONCACAF is faring poorly in this tournament, Costa Rica deserves a shoutout following their 1-0 victory versus Japan. As a result, Costa Rica saved Germany from humiliation, as well as themselves—both of whom remain in the mix for a potential knockout stage position. However, what is even more impressive is the fact that only a few days ago, they conceded seven goals in one of the most humiliating defeats in the World Cup’s history. Last time we witnessed a shock of such magnitude was in 2010 in South Africa, where Portugal won by the same score versus North Korea. From a 7-0 loss to a 1-0 victory, Costa Rica demonstrated incredible resilience and its loyal fanbase have a lost to be proud about, regardless of the potential outcome versus Germany in Week 3. Costa Rica’s defence and star goalkeeper Keylor Navas demonstrated flashes of their 2014 run to thew quarterfinals, following a first-place finish in a group of death. Next match every football lover will realize whether this victory was simply a fluke or a true spark for Los Ticos.
Brazil
La Seleção once again find themselves in the winners’ columns following a scrappy 1-0 victory versus Switzerland. Despite dominating in possession and holding Switzerland to ZERO shots on goal, it took a late winner from Casemiro to grab all three points and become the second nation after France to clinch a spot in the Round of 16. Their record of two wins and zero goals conceded ultimately fuels the narrative that Brazil remain favourites to win the World Cup. With difficult tests versus Serbia and Switzerland passed with flying colours, Brazil now faces the opportunity versus Cameroon to clinch first place in Group G and win all three games: a first since 2006 in Germany.
Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Last but not least, the fifth winner constitutes a group of winners. Following a poor set of results in Week 1, all African teams significantly improved and obtained positive results in Week 2 (Tunisia exempted).
In Group A, Senegal found themselves comfortably defeating the hosts Qatar 3-1, delivering the Middle Eastern nation a massive blow to their tournament campaign and suffering from premature elimination. Having lost 2-0 to the Netherlands on Day 2, a win versus Ecuador would see them through to the Round of 16.
Despite Senegal’s successes, Group F saw the biggest upset perpetrated by an African nation: Morocco defeating Belgium 2-0 due to two late goals. With their initial performance ending in a respectable 0-0 draw versus defending-finalist Croatia, this performance versus the Red Devils puts them in the driver’s seat to the Round of 16. While Belgium will face a steep mountain to climb as they face a strong Croatia who is high on confidence following a crushing 4-1 victory over Canada, Morocco face an eliminated and inexperienced Canadian squad. A win versus the North American nation will guarantee them a spot in the Round of 16, while a draw and a Belgium loss versus Croatia will also ensure a meeting with another nation in the knockout stages.
Cameroon also deserves to be listed amongst the winners, despite not winning. Up against a heavily favoured Serbian side, Cameroon found themselves down 3-1 by the 53rd minute. However, head coach Rigobert Song’s decision to bring in team captain Vincent Aboubakar altered Cameroon’s fate. He made an immediate impact by scoring a cheeky goal by chipping the ball over Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić, which brought them back into the game and reduced the deficit to 3-2. Only two minutes later, he had a hand in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s goal, which levelled the score. As a result, Cameroon remain in the race for the second position for Group G with one point from two games. On the flipside, this draw prevented Serbia from eliminating Cameroon and drawing level on points with Switzerland, who remain second in Group G with 3 three points.
Finally, Ghana and their talisman Mohammed Kudus have every right to be on this list. Their 3-2 win versus South Korea—arguably the most entertaining match of the World Cup—keeps them alive in the race for the second position in Group H. Aided by Mohammed Kudus’s brace, Ghana will enter their final group stage match versus Uruguay with a high level of confidence and belief that they can repeat a similar run to 2010, where they suffered from elimination in the quarterfinals at the hands of, you guessed it, Uruguay. This match will be one for the ages and a possible poetic story, where Ghana have to chance to exert revenge on their opponents and all but guarantee ending Luis Suarez’s successful yet infamous international career.
Losers
Wayne Hennessey & Wales
The Dragons saw themselves running away with a point following their 1-1 draw versus the United States. This week, however, the Welsh squad was not so lucky. Although it appeared that they could conclude their second match with a 0-0 draw or snatch all three points with a late winner, everything started to crumble in the final five minutes before stoppage time. As Iran continuously pressed forward, one play led to a fateful decision by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. Coming out of his box, a collision with Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi led to an obvious red card for the Welsh goalkeeper, prompting manager Rob Page to bring in his backup goalkeeper for an outfield player, resulting in being down to 10 men.
Roughly ten minutes later, Iran finally broke the deadlock, scoring eight minutes into stoppage time, and then again three minutes later. This loss culminated into a disappointing campaign: two points out of six and still needing to face the might of England. Ultimately, suffering a loss in stoppage time to the least favoured team in Group B at 10 men is without a doubt an incredibly bitter pill to swallow. Wayne Hennessey, aged 35, will miss their final game and will likely have played his final World Cup game in his career.
Belgium
If you can be thankful for one thing, it is that you are not a Belgium supporter at this very moment. Despite running away with three points versus Canada in their first match, their second match demonstrated their inability to try the same. Two late goals by Morocco handed the Red Devils a humiliating defeat, one which shatters the morale of a squad whose players are not used to losing at both the club and international level. Worse, tensions are reportedly at incredibly high levels, which could boil over onto the pitch and potentially undermine their performance versus Croatia. This game will be a make-or-break moment when we could really see the end of this Golden generation. Although their worldwide reign is virtually over, going home after the group stage would be disastrous, especially when you are favourites to win the group.
CONCACAF
So far, CONCACAF nations have fared poorly. While Costa Rica bounced back from their 7-0 defeat versus Spain with a 1-0 victory versus Japan, the USA, Mexico, and Canada continue to perform at a subpar level at best.
Although the United States displayed a good performance versus England, they must feel hard done after only picking up one point for a second time. In a game where the Americans were the better team, The Stars and Stripes can dwell on their missed chances and their inability to score when gifted a genuine scoring chance. In their final match versus Iran, America will desperately need to find a way to score or else they could face a humiliating elimination against their geopolitical rivals.
Mexico, once the dominant force in CONCACAF, may just as well no longer be such. Losing 2-0 and facing absolute domination versus Argentina, Mexico also have little to show for in attack with no goals. In addition, they are having an incredibly hard time obtaining genuine scoring chances. However, El Tri can thank Poland, who defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0, thus keeping Mexico in the mix for a knockout stage position. Up against Saudi Arabia next, the Mexicans will have to give it their all and hope for a favourable result in the Argentina versus Poland match. Ultimately, if they fail to advance to the knockout stage, the next match could constitute a farewell for veterans Andrés Guardado, Héctor Herrera, and Guillermo Ochoa.
Finally, Canada sees themselves on this list due to their humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of Croatia. Despite a commendable display versus Belgium, a fired up and seemingly overconfident John Herdman, and an explosive start which saw Canada score their first-ever World Cup goal after only 70 seconds of play, Canada conceded four unanswered goals and never seemed able to compete against a solid Croat side. As a result, this loss eliminates Canada, only the second nation to suffer such an outcome at this juncture of the tournament. Next match, however, Canada faces an opportunity to demonstrate resiliency against a strong Moroccan side. Although their victory will have minimal implication with respect to their position, Canada can at least go home on a high note with a potential first World Cup win or point in their history, and hand Morocco a significant blow to their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
André Onana
The Cameroonian goalkeeper finds himself on this list due to his tantrum with head coach Rigobert Song during a training session before their match versus Serbia. After Song approached Onana to play less recklessly, take fewer chances with the ball, and play as a traditional goalkeeper, the Inter Milan shot stopper profoundly refused and remained adamant about his preferred playing style. Consequently, Onana’s stance infuriated Song, thereby requiring Cameroonian Federation President Samuel Eto’o (you might remember him as a player) to intervene and mediate the fiery argument. In the end, Onana stood firm and agreed to leave the squad ahead of their tie.
As a result, Onana returned to Cameroon and will reportedly retire from the national team at the conclusion of the tournament. Just like that, one morning you train, and the next you are no longer a member of the squad and are facing a difficult decision of retiring from your nation’s team. Although Onana finds himself on this list due to his stubbornness for not adapting his playing style for the greater good of the squad, Cameroon also loses a great goalkeeper, arguably the best goalkeeper Cameroon ever produced (once he reaches his prime).
Uruguay
Finally, Uruguayan squad constitutes the last loser on this list. Winless in their first two games—a 0-0 draw versus South Korea and a 2-0 loss versus Portugal—this squad have yet to score a goal. Despite their attacking prowess comprising veteran forwards Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez, as well as young stars Darwin Núñez and Federico Valverde, this squad is not only struggling to score goals but also finding an abundance of great scoring chances. So far, La Celeste obtained a measly four shots on target in their first two games.
Their first match versus South Korea saw them dominating the ball but being wasteful in the final third, with only one shot on target. When facing Portugal, Uruguay saw themselves get completely dominated by the Portuguese, who had 60% ball possession and never let Uruguay get into the game and find a rhythm. When facing Ghana in their final match, Uruguay will need to win if they were to advance. To book their ticket, Uruguay will need to build on their defensive strategy while also score. With all of that attacking firepower, finishing the World Cup with no goals and potentially last place in Group H would constitute one of the biggest humiliations for the South American nation.
