FIFA World Cup 2022: Asian and African sides produced gorgeous ends in Qatar one of the crucial thrilling group phases at a World Cup got here to an finish on December 2. The Round of 16 fixtures have been confirmed after some large names crashed out early.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 3, 2022 03:54 IST
South Korea have been one of many 3 AFC sides to succeed in Round of 16 (Reuters Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: The build-up to FIFA World Cup 2022 was all about Qatar and the controversies surrounding the Arab nation internet hosting the showpiece occasion. However, as soon as the main target shifted to soccer, it was a continuous thrill trip. The group stage of the FIFA World Cup was a topsy-turvy trip over 47 matches and it ended with a bang on Friday, December 2.
There have been tales of heroics, redemption and upsets earlier than the Round of 16 fixtures have been confirmed on the ultimate match day of the group stage. Traditional powerhouses have been shaken, Asian sides scripted historical past whereas African groups proved they’re a drive to reckon with in one of the crucial thrilling group phases within the historical past of the World Cup.
For the primary time since 1994, no workforce received all three group video games. 4-time champions Germany have been proven the door whilst they didn’t enter the match as favourites.It was the second successive time Germany exited the World Cup within the group stage. Semi-finalists in Russia in 2018, Belgium have been ousted as their golden technology flopped on the greatest stage in Qatar.
Qatar weren’t in a position to do what Russia did 4 years in the past as they grew to become the second host nation to exit within the group stage of the World Cup.
3 AFC SIDES IN ROUND OF 16
For the primary time within the historical past of the match, as many as 3 Asian sides (AFC included) – Japan, South Korea and Australia, made it to the knockout phases. USA, who didn’t qualify for Russia World Cup Finals, showcased they’re a much-improved aspect, becoming a member of England to the Round of 16 on the expense of Iran, who fought onerous in Qatar regardless of all the difficulty again residence.
Saudi Arabia produced the most important upset of the World Cup within the group stage, stunning Lionel Messi’s Argentina of their opening match. Lionel Scaloni’s males made it out of the group stage however they weren’t in a position to lay down an early marker of their famous person’s last World Cup marketing campaign.
🇦🇺 Australia 🇯🇵 Japan and 🇰🇷 Korea Republic are heading to the knockout stage.
This is the primary time in males’s #FIFAWorldCup historical past that three AFC groups are within the final 16.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022
JAPAN, MOROCCO TOP GROUPS
Japan misplaced to Costa Rica however made it to the Round of 16 after topping Group E. They defeated former champions Spain and Germany to flaunt their prowess in Qatar.
Senegal and Morocco flew the African flag excessive in Qatar, reaching the Round of 16. In reality, Morocco impressed every body, ending above 2018 runners-up Croatia and Belgium to win Group F.
PORTUGAL, BRAZIL SHOCKED
And the group stage had a becoming last day. South Korea shocked Portugal 2-1. Uruguay defeated Ghana in a grudge match 2-0 however they weren’t in a position to progress to the Round of 16.
Cameroon grew to become the primary African workforce to beat Brazil in a World Cup match whereas Serbia gave Switzerland a run for his or her cash.
If the knockout stage can reside as much as the fun trip that the group stage was, we’re in for a spectacular World Cup in Qatar. Here’s how the Round of 16 fixtures appear like.
ROUND OF 16: FIXTURES AT QATAR 2022
Netherlands v USA on December 3 at 8:30 pm IST
Argentina v Australia on December 4 at 12:30 am IST
France v Poland on December 4 at 8:30 pm IST
England v Senegal on December 5 at 12:30 am IST
Japan v Croatia on December 5 at 8:30 pm IST
Brazil v South Korea on December 6 at 12:30 am IST
Morocco v Spain on December 6 at 8:30 pm IST
Portugal v Switzerland on December 7 at 12:30 am IST
Published On:
Dec 3, 2022
