Winners Morocco
Morocco became just the fourth African team to reach the quarterfinals, joining Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002), and Ghana (2010). The Atlas Lions rewrote history as they stunned Portugal to become the first-ever African team to qualify for the semifinals.
Morocco’s deep run in this tournament is no fluke. Riding on the back of the support of the African continent and the Arab World, Morocco has conceded just one goal, an own goal, throughout their impressive run. A properly drilled defensive unit has helped the North Africans keep the likes of Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata, Kevin De Bruyne, and Cristiano Ronaldo quiet. After taking down two European powerhouses in Spain and Portugal, Morocco will be hoping to their own when they come up against defending champions France in the semifinals.
Argentina
Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opener sent shockwaves around the world of football. One of the pre-tournament favourites had been stunned silent by the Saudis, putting Messi’s hopes of winning the elusive World Cup in the balance.
Yet here we are. Nearly three weeks later, Argentina sits pretty, looking forward to a semifinal clash against Croatia. The South Americans barely scraped through past the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. That will be the least of bothers to Messi and Co as they prepare for their first semifinals since they managed a runners-up position in Brazil in 2014. Whether the greatest ever player can go on to win gold in the biggest football tournament in the world remains to be seen.
Croatia
Since they failed to make it out of the group stages in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Croatia has developed a knack for deep runs in the subsequent tournaments. The Vatreni went all the way in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, only falling short at the last hurdle.
In Qatar, Croatia has silently gone about its business, putting in dogged performances and revelling in the underdog tag. After a shaky group stage performance, Luka Modric and Co went on to cause a major upset on their way to the semis when they sent Brazil packing in the quarterfinals.
France
France came into this World Cup looking a bit shaky after a disappointing UEFA Euro 2021 campaign. This was followed by a lacklustre performance in the Nations League earlier in the year. A string of injuries before the World Cup got underway saw stars like Ngolo Kante, Christain Nkunku, Paul Pogba, and Karim Benzema ruled out.
Yet the French machine kept rolling. Les Bleus finished top of the group before dispatching Poland and England to set up a semifinals date with Morocco. Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and Olivier Giroud have all stepped up to ensure that the defending champions’ dream of winning back-to-back World Cups remains alive.
Only Morocco stands between the Frenchman and a second World Cup finals appearance in 4 years. You’d hardly bet against Les Bleus not going all the way and retaining the title. Confident enough to back France to win the World Cup? Well, you can find the best odds and offers at gambling.com.
Saudi Arabia
A surprise inclusion, Saudi Arabia came to Qatar ready to fight, and fight they did, to the last minute. They produced one of the greatest World Cup upsets when they stunned favourites Argentina in the group opener. Poland made light work of the Saudis in the second game, but Saudi Arabia kept pushing. They might have been down, but they weren’t going out without putting up a good fight.
Saudi Arabia put up a spirited fight against Mexico in the last group-stage game, scoring a late goal but ultimately coming up short. Given the star-studded level of opposition, they were up against, Saudi Arabia made a good account of themselves.
Losers
Brazil
Top of their group, Brazil made light work of South Korea in the Round of 16. The Samba boys danced their way through that match, even courting criticism regarding their celebration from some quarters. In the quarterfinals, everything that could have possibly gone wrong went wrong for Neymar and Co. A resolute Croatia forced Brazil into extra time before sending them packing via penalties. It is now 20 years and counting since Brazil last won the World Cup.
Spain
Spain barely made it out of their group. Even then, Luis Enrique’s side was far from convincing, managing a draw, a win, and a loss in the group stages despite enjoying plenty of possession. Up against Morocco in the Round of 16, La Furia Roja came up short as they were knocked out on penalties. It is now ten years, and counting since the kings of tiki-taka won a tournament.
Germany & Belgium
Getting knocked out of the group stages once might be a misfortune; twice? Not so much. A combination of hard luck and carelessness saw the German machine crash out in the group stages of two World Cups in a row. Germany will be feeling hard done by after Japan’s crucial goal against Spain was allowed to stand, although the ball appeared to have strayed over the line. However, Germany’s pathetic performances since winning the World Cup in 2014 will boil down to their inability to see out a game they were leading 1-0 against Japan. That loss was enough to send Germany home and Japan to the table of Group E.
The less said about Belgium, the better. Their golden generation couldn’t get out of a group where they had been firm favourites to secure the top spot. Many will question the mentality inside the Red Devils’ camp after De Bruyne’s “No chance, we’re too old” remarks when asked whether Belgium could win the World Cup.
Qatar
Qatar became the first host to lose the opening match. It then became the second host after South Africa (2010) to be eliminated in the group stages before becoming the first host to lose all its three group matches.
Portugal
For Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, this was supposed to be the graceful last dance. Group winners in a group that had Uruguay, Ghana, and South Korea, Portugal were backing themselves to go all the way. A 6-1 mauling of Switzerland in the Round of 16 only reinforced their self-confidence. Against Morocco, Portugal huffed and puffed with little to show for their efforts. Ronaldo and Co registered just three shots on target despite enjoying 74% of possession and over twice as many passes as Morocco. Yet at full-time, one of the best players of his generation was on his knees, his head in his hands and his dreams of ever winning a World Cup with Portugal just about over.
