The FIFA World Cup group stage is nearing completion and we already know more than half of the final 16 teams.
Groups A-D are done and dusted and all relevant nations’ fates have been sealed, while Groups E-H wrap up on Thursday and Friday.
– Group A
Qualified: Netherlands / Senegal
Eliminated: Ecuador / Qatar
After missing the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands stamped their mark on return to the world stage. Die Oranje topped Group A with two wins and a draw, conceding just one goal across their three matches.
Cody Gakpo found the net in all three group games to become the first Dutchman to achieve this feat, and the 23-year-old is the first Netherlands player to score three goals in the group stage since Robin van Persie in 2014.
Cody Gakpo for Club & Country this season:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 29, 2022
👕 32 appearances
⚽ 18 goals
🅰️ 18 assists
Unreal productivity. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/4jAgpkFLHu
Ecuador and Senegal fought it out for a place in the Round of 16, and it was the reigning African champions who prevailed. A 2-1 win over their South American opposition meant the Teranga Lions qualified for the last-16 for the first time since 2002.
Two decades ago, Aliou Cissé was captain of Senegal and now he is six years into his post as head coach of the national team. Earlier this year, Senegal won its first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and now they have outdone themselves with qualification to the knockouts.
Many expected Senegal to progress prior to the tournament, though the last-minute withdrawal of Sadio Mané thought to have derailed their hopes and chances. Even without their most influential component, the Teranga Lions got the job done.
Qatar were the first host nation to lose its opening match at the World Cup finals and they were also the first team eliminated after losing their first two matches.
Subsequently, the Arabian state lost their third and final group game, exiting the tournament with the worst record of all hosts in World Cup history. Qatar are also the first host nation to not win any of their matches at the showpiece event.
– Group B
Qualified: England / USA
Eliminated: Iran / Wales
Generally speaking, England made light work of their opposition with two wins and a draw in Group B. Other than a goalless stalemate with USA, the Three Lions shipped in nine goals against Iran and Wales to advance as group winners.
Two goals versus Wales took Marcus Rashford’s tally to three at the tournament and, up until now, no player has scored more at Qatar 2022.
Team USA progressed as group runners-up after edging Iran in their final group encounter. USMNT have leaked a single goal in 270 minutes and they have yet to concede from open play at the tournament.
In what was their first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1958, Wales ended winless with just a single point in Group B. The Dragons scored a solitary goal, as Gareth Bale converted from the penalty spot against USA.
The #USMNT has kept clean sheets in consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since its first two matches in the competition in 1930. #usa #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/qJEsYjQXUF
— 365Scores (@365Scores) November 29, 2022
– Group C
Qualified: Argentina / Poland
Eliminated: Mexico / Saudi Arabia
Argentina survived a scare in their World Cup opener in which they were beaten by underdogs Saudi Arabia. La Albiceleste bounced back with 2-0 victories over Mexico and Poland, advancing to the Round of 16 as group winners.
Lionel Messi has scored two goals and provided one assist, and only Rashford and Bruno Fernandes have been directly involved in more goals at Qatar 2022.
Margins were super fine on Wednesday, as Mexico and Poland vied for a spot in the knockouts. Mexico required a win over Saudi Arabia and for Poland to lose to Argentina, while also needing to overturn a four-goal deficit.
Both matches were goalless at half-time but the action followed in the second period as Argentina and Mexico both raced into a 2-0 lead. This left Mexico and Poland with identical records and the only metric which could separate them was FIFA Fair Play.
Poland were on course to qualify by virtue of fewer yellow cards received at this tournament (5:7) but Mexican hearts were crushed as Saudi Arabia grabbed a stoppage-time goal to see the Polish progress with a superior goal difference.
– Group D
Qualified: France / Australia
Eliminated: Tunisia / Denmark
France were the first team to advance to the last-16 after they won their opening two games against Australia and Denmark. With qualification sealed, manager Didier Deschamps rested the bulk of his strongest team for the final group tie versus Tunisia.
France are the first World Cup winners since Brazil (2002) to advance from the groups at the following tournament. With Les Bleus seriously injury-stricken, Kylian Mbappé has stepped up to the plate with three goals.
Also going through, for the first time since 2006, are Australia. The Socceroos triumphed over both Tunisia and Denmark to confirm their place in the knockouts, level with group winners France on 6 points.
Tunisia edged France following late VAR controversy, though it was not enough for the North Africans to advance due to Australia’s triumph over Denmark.
The Danes endured a majorly disappointing World Cup campaign after they reached the semi-finals at the Euro tournament last year.
In the Round of 16, England take on Senegal, while the Netherlands and USA go to battle. France face Poland, and Argentina meet Australia. Hanging in the balance is a potential quarter-final bout between England and holders France.
Initial odds – Bet365:
Netherlands 1.95
USA 4.33
Draw 3.30
Argentina 1.20
Australia 15.00
Draw 7.00
France 1.28
Poland 13.00
Draw 5.00
England 1.25
Senegal 7.50
Draw 3.75
