No matter which team you supported, one thing is for sure – the latest edition of FIFA Men’s World Cup has been the most entertaining in recent history, and arguably in the history of the competition. Twists, drama, questionable refereeing, one man shows, upsets, magic – this was an edition that kept the magic alive till the last kick of the penultimate game.
However, from a neutral perspective, if a fan who supports no team in particular, and is in for the fun and entertainment of the game, I believe the one aspect of this competition that managed to hook them are the underdog stories. This definitely was an edition where the underdogs roared and emerged as forces to be reckoned with. Cameroon emerging victorious against Brazil, Tunisia downing the reigning champions France, and arguably the biggest shock of them all, and the most pivotal one as well – Saudi Arabia fighting with their everything to put a halt to the 36 game unbeaten run of reigning Copa America winners Argentina, and consequently, putting Argentina’s chances of even progressing through to the round of 16 under serious jeopardy.
But the upset stories were not just limited to one off shocks. Morocco becoming the first African country to step foot into the prestigious semi final stages of the World Cup, and a much older and considerably weaker Croatia once again making it into the semis will be stories etched in the history of the World Cup folklore. And these are the stories that we will be exploring, understanding, and underlying the significance of in this article.
The Biggest Upset, Perhaps in World Cup History (And the Most Significant One this Time)
The case of Argentina certainly was a curious one. Yes, in one hand, they were one of the favorites for this World Cup. They were the reigning Copa America champions, and at the same time, they were undefeated for a record equalling 36 matches.
However, there was another side of the Argentine story. Their dependence on Messi for the Copa America win was noticeable. And since then, Messi has had an underwhelming season before the start of this one. Moreover, such massive stretches of undefeated streaks don’t always provide sources for hope. Italy was in a similar streak before they failed to overcome the World Cup playoffs and ultimately the Euro winners couldn’t take part in this year’s World Cup. The World Cup is on a completely different level.
However, in any sense of the discussion, Argentina were massive favorites against Saudi Arabia, there was no question about it. And when Messi scored from the penalty spot, everyone was picturing a 4 or 5 nil scoreline.
However, not Hervé Renard.
The Saudi Arabia coach would not even imagine giving up. After a wasteful first half from the Argentine perspective, Renard tore into his team, asking if they wanted to take selfies with Messi or beat his team. Renard’s half time talk seemed to spur Saudi Arabia into life.
Ultimately, Saudi Arabia came back as an inspired team facing a lackadaisical Argentina. And Saudi did manage to make a comeback for the ages.
Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2 goals to 1, and everything every Argentine fan, as well as every football fan in the world thought of the World Cup went straight out the window.
For Argentina, this result was extremely significant. Assumed to be the easiest match in the group, this match showed Argentina that they were all over the place. And this understanding led to a tactical flexibility that we would see in the latter stages, as well as the introduction of game changers such as the best young player of the competition Enzo Fernandez, a close competitor for the prize Julian Alvarez, and the midfielder who played a pivotal role even in the final, Alexis Mac Allister.
Other Shocks in the Group Stage: Tunisia, Cameroon, and Japan Beating All the Odds
The upsets that Tunisia and Cameroon caused did not have a significant impact. Both the matches were similar in more ways than one. Both France and Brazil fielded teams that were comparatively weaker. Their places at the Round of 16 were already confirmed, and they did not want to take the chance of injuring any of their key players.
Often these matches go to the bigger side’s favor. However, this World Cup showed how every single team had to earn each of their victories. Tunisia and Cameroon put up spirited performances, and did the unthinkable. Both of them beat the weakened Goliaths. However, sadly none of the Davids made it to the next round.
Japan’s triumph over Germany, however, was not only crucial for both the teams, but also somewhat expected. The German team did not look confident coming into the tournament, and had just lost Timo Werner – one of the team’s key attackers – through injury. Germany was a side mixed with players who were too old and players who were too young. The harmony, the experience, and the energy wasn’t there.
Still, it was Germany. And they looked to be cruising through a Gundogan penalty. Japan, however, shocked the Germans and the football world to its very core when they scored two late goals in the space of 8 minutes. Germany ultimately couldn’t make it through to the next round, while Japan managed to make it through to the next round as group champions by further beating Spain 2-1, proving that the Germany game was not a one off.
Belgium’s failure to get past the first round was another significant upset. However, the protagonist of the Belgian demise gave birth to one of the greatest fairy tales in World Cup history, so I thought dedicating a specific section to them was fitting.
Morocco’s Dream Run: Not a Story of Defending and Praying, but a Story of Determination, Grit, and Relentlessness
An African team getting into the semis of the World Cup? Surely, the chances are close to zero.
And if you were told an African team would go into the semis, having conceded only an own goal on the way, and beating tournament favorites Belgium, Spain, and Portugal – surely you would have burst out in laughter.
Yet, it happened. The marvelous, miraculous, mullish Moroccans made it happen. And nobody can say that it was just luck.
This Morocco team was a team full of guts and bravery. They fought for every single ball, defended until their legs dried out, and then some more; and pounced on the slightest opportunity offered by the strongest of opponents like a pack of bloodhounds. With the class of Ziyech and Boufal, the omnipresence of Amrabat in the middle, and the cunning and experience of Hakimi complemented by the sky-reaching En-Nesyri, the ultimate fighter Saïss, and the resilient to the death Bounou – this Moroccan side were as tough as they come. And ultimately though France did manage to knock them out – anyone who watched the match would agree that with a touch more class at the top, Morocco could easily have reached the finals.
The Moroccan triumph, their glorious run will live long in the memory, that’s for sure. Their tactics depended on being disciplined for every single minute spent on the field. And this fundamental attachment to basics was what made them slay the giants.
The monstrous mentality made the Moroccans the giants in the greatest stage of them all.
Argentina’s Triumph: An Upset?
As stated before, Argentina’s case was a curious one. 36 matches undefeated, but lots of them against teams not incredibly strong. Reigning Copa America champions, but so were Chile when they missed out on the World Cup 4 years ago.
However, if we just for once forget the name of the team and look at the squad, then it becomes clear that whatever the team was, they weren’t even in the top 4 in the competition, at least on paper. And their case wasn’t helped when Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia.
However, alongside all those relatively unproven young talents, there was the man who has proven himself arguably more than anyone in the history of the game. If anybody could, it would be he.
And Lionel Messi did. He started the comeback with his incredible strike against Mexico, quite possibly the most important goal of his life. Before that’s when the tide started to turn. That’s when Argentina’s youth became men – that’s when the world started to believe.
From the outside, Argentina’s win seems like a story written in the stars. But only if you watched their games, you’d understand how much of a miracle it was.
So, at least in my opinion, Argentina’s win was one of the miracles that this World Cup blessed us with.
World Cup 2022: The Greatest Edition of the Grandest Stage?
It certainly makes an incredibly strong case. The tournament had absolutely everything. And this version of the World Cup certainly is a flag bearer of why no European Super League should ever come into existence.
The elite fell, the apparent weak ones rose. The Davids conquered the Goliaths. The fairytales everyone dreamt of became true. Emotions went through the roof almost every single game. Hearts broken, dreams fulfilled, tears of joy, tears of anguish – World Cup 2022 took us through an unforgettable journey. And it will be a monumental task for any edition of this great tournament to top this one.
However, if the future World Cups are looking to take the challenge, you’ll find no fan complaining!