The World Cup turned its first page on Friday, December 2, 2022, in Qatar, with the last group matches and the final classification of each group, which determined the teams qualified for the final phase…
As with every World Cup, the first two weeks of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, from November 20 to December 2, were rich in highlights, drama and twists. The defeat of Argentina at the start of the World Cup in Group C, against Saudi Arabia (1-2), and that of Germany in Group E, against Japan (1-2), will have been the first big sensations of the fortnight, which ended with the elimination of Germany and Belgium, two serious favorites.
If the other heavyweights alternated between performances and more average services, the Asian and African teams, on the other hand, demonstrated that they could have their place in the big leagues, with Japan, South Korea, Senegal, Ghana, but also Morocco qualified. Tunisia and Cameroon, winners of France and Brazil, will not have been unworthy either.
In group A, the Netherlands have often appeared sluggish, with all the same two victories at the finish against Senegal and Qatar by the same score (2-0), but a draw against Ecuador (1-1). Senegal finished second with two wins and one loss. Qatar, host country, leaves without the honors.
Group A standings
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Netherlands | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
2 Senegal | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
3 Ecuador | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
4 Qatar | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
In group B, despite two very good scores on the scoreboard (6-2 against Iran and 3-0 against Wales), England was sometimes hesitant, as against the United States (0- 0). Solid Americans who manage to snatch a good second place and qualify with two draws and a victory over Iran, an almost transparent nation in this World Cup. Gareth Bale’s Wales was also only a shadow of itself.
Group B standings
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 England | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 7 |
2 UNITED STATES | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
3 Iran | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | -3 |
4 Wales | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -5 |
In group C, after being beaten by surprise by Saudi Arabia at the start, the Argentinians gradually regained their game, defeating Mexico and then Poland by two goals to nil. Poland qualified with a bit of luck, finishing second with just one win, one loss and one draw. With two defeats and a draw, Mexico will be one of the big absentees from the final phase. Saudi Arabia, led by Hervé Renard, are eliminated with two defeats on the clock, but can be proud of having shaken Lionel Messi’s Albiceleste by playing the perfect shot in their first match.
Group C standings
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Argentina | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
2 Poland | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
3 Mexico | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 |
4 Saudi Arabia | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | -2 |
In group D, France was initially reassured with two solid matches against Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-0), but showed its limits, especially on the bench, against Tunisia in the last match (lost 1-0). The Tunisians nevertheless miss the qualification, Australia having validated its ticket during the last day by leaving in particular Denmark (1-0), another big piece which stops there.
Group D standings
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 France | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
2 Australia | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
3 Tunisia | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
4 Denmark | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
In group E, Germany’s defeat against Japan on the first day (2-1) sounded like a thunderclap and set the tone: Hans Flick’s men continued their mistakes, with a draw snatched against Spain (1-1) and a chaotic and vain victory against Costa Rica in the last day (4-2), while Japan achieved a second exploit against Spain (2-1). On arrival, the Mannschaft suffered a huge snub, still eliminated in the first round, like four years ago. After a crushing 7-0 victory against Costa Rica at the start of the World Cup, La Roja for its part lost momentum thereafter and finished second with a draw and a defeat.
Group E classification
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Japan | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
2 Spain | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
3 Germany | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
4 Costa Rica | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | -8 |
In group F, the big disappointment comes from the third of the last World Cup, Belgium, which after a victory against Canada (1-0), sank against the brave Morocco (0-2) and was unable to make the difference against Croatia (0-0). The course of the Atlas Lions is remarkable, with a draw against the reigning vice-world champions and two victories against Belgium, therefore, and against Canada (2-1). Croatia, checked twice, qualified in second place.
Group F standings
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Morocco | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
2 Croatia | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
3 Belgium | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
4 Canada | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | -5 |
In group G, Brazil qualified from the start with two victories against Serbia (2-0) and Switzerland (1-0). The Helvetians, France’s fallers at the last Euro, for their part validated their ticket on the last day against Serbia (3-2), after a sluggish start to the campaign: a victory against Cameroon and a defeat. in front of the Seleção. Cameroon could have achieved the feat, in particular with a prestigious victory against Brazil (1-0) in the dying seconds of the group stage, but the Indomitable Lions can bite their fingers for having failed before against Switzerland (beaten 1-0) and Serbia (3-3).
Group G standings
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Brazil | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
2 Swiss | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
3 Cameroon | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
4 Serbia | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | -3 |
In group H, Portugal also secured the essentials by winning their first two games against Ghana (3-2) and Uruguay (2-0), but Ronaldo and his team were surprised on the last day by being beaten by South Korea (2-1). It was therefore the Taeguk Warriors who moved into the round of 16 despite a draw against Uruguay (0-0) and a defeat against Ghana elsewhere (3-2). The teammates of Cavani and Suarez, with a final victory against Ghana (2-0) could hope, but the Asian awakening will have been too strong in this World Cup.
Group H standings
| RankCrew | Points | Mj | G | P | NOT | BP | BC | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Portugal | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
2 South Korea | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
3 Uruguay | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
4 Ghana | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 7 | -2 |