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World Cup: Group Recap, Part 2

Photo of Interns Interns03/12/2022 - 10:45 am

The FIFA World Cup group stage has officially been completed. 365Scores analyse the second half of the final 16 teams.

A total 120 goals were scored in the 48 group games at Qatar 2022, averaging 2,5 goals per game. There were 122 goals in the group stage at Russia 2018, and 136 goals at Brazil 2014.

We take a look at how Groups E-H fared:

– Group E

Qualified: Japan / Spain
Eliminated: Germany / Costa Rica

In what was deemed the ‘group of death’, Group E delivered captivating football throughout the three rounds of matches. Spain thrashed Costa Rica, 7-0, meanwhile Japan came from behind to triumph over Germany, 2-1.

Costa Rica then completed a smash-and-grab win over Japan, while heavyweights Spain and Germany played out a 1-1 stalemate. The group finale was scintillating, with all four teams able to qualify for the last-16.

Spain and Germany were both leading at half-time in their final group match-ups on Thursday, which would have sent both teams through to the knockouts. Lo and behold, another seven goals were scored across the two games, with the Group E standings constantly changing during the second-half.

At one point, both Spain and Germany were heading home before the Germans netted three times in the final 20 minutes of the 90′ which moved Spain back above Costa Rica.

Just like they did against Germany, Japan came from behind to beat Spain, 2-1. Two hard-earned victories meant the Blue Samurai claimed top spot in a very tough group. La Roja came runners-up, courtesy of a superior goal difference to Germany (6:1). This means Die Mannschaft have crashed out from the groups at back-to-back World Cup tournaments.

Alvaro Morata scored in each of Spain’s three group games and the 30-year-old striker is the joint-top scorer at Qatar 2022.

– Group F

Qualified: Morocco / Croatia
Eliminated: Belgium / Canada

Earlier on Thursday, another European heavyweight in Belgium was knocked out after their goalless draw with Croatia.

Prior to 2022, Morocco had won only two games out of 16 at the World Cup. Head coach Walid Regragui guided the Atlas Lions to double that tally, with wins over Belgium and Canada, and advance to the knockouts for the first time since 1986.

Morocco finished top of Group F to become the first African nation to top a World Cup group this century, the previous being Nigeria in 1998. Two African nations, Morocco and Senegal, have progressed to the Round of 16.

Croatia did enough to qualify for the next phase, while Belgium crashed out having scored a single goal across their three matches.

The Belgian Red Devils needed victory to avoid elimination, but they had poor luck in hitting the target. Romelu Lukaku was introduced for the second half but the attacker squandered four big chances in the face of goal, as Croatia held onto the qualification spot.

Roberto Martinez stepped down as Belgium head coach having failed to achieve anything after six years in the job.

Canada ended bottom of Group F and they have lost all six of their matches at the World Cup finals – the joint-worst record in competition history.

– Group G

Qualified: Brazil / Switzerland
Eliminated: Cameroon / Serbia

As expected, Brazil advanced with relative ease after winning their first two matches versus Serbia and Switzerland.

The South Americans, however, failed to secure victory over Cameroon on Friday evening, meaning this is the first time since 1994 that no country has won each of its three group games. The Indomitable Lions also became the first African team to beat Brazil at the World Cup.

The Swiss became the 16th and final team to confirm its place in the first knockout round, as they overcame Serbia, 3-2, in the last batch of group matches.

It was too little, too late for Cameroon, who would have came runners-up had Serbia avoided defeat by Switzerland. The Serbs ended bottom of Group G with just a single point from nine.

– Group H

Qualified: Portugal / South Korea
Eliminated: Uruguay / Ghana

Portugal were one of just three teams to win their opening two games, thus qualifying for the Round of 16. Ghana had got the better of South Korea, 3-2, while Uruguay and South Korea settled for a goalless draw.

All eyes were on Ghana and Uruguay, who were expected to fight it out for a place in the knockouts. The Black Stars were seeking retribution against the very team who pipped them in the 2010 quarter-finals.

It was an eventful opening quarter of the contest at Al Janoub Stadium. The Ghanaians were awarded a penalty, but Andre Ayew did not convert from 12 yards. Minutes later Mohammed Salisu made a goal line clearance to deny Darwin Nunez from opening the scoring.

It wasn’t the first time Luis Suarez was the source of Ghana heartache, as the attacker twice set up teammate Giorgian de Arrascaeta in the space of seven minutes. After not finding the net in their first two matches, the Uruguayans were in prime position to progress at half-time versus the Black Stars.

In the corresponding fixture, South Korea scored after 90 minutes to snatch a 2-1 win over Portugal and also displace Uruguay in the last-16. Both Ghana and Uruguay crashed out of the tournament.

Bruno Fernandes scored two goals and produced two assists in Portugal’s opening two games.

In the Round of 16, Brazil take on South Korea, while Portugal and Switzerland go to battle. Morocco face Spain, and Japan meet Croatia. Hanging in the balance is a potential quarter-final bout between and Portugal and Spain.

Initial odds – Bet365:

Japan 3.75
Croatia 2.15
Draw 3.20

Brazil 1.25
South Korea 13.00
Draw 5.75

Morocco 7.00
Spain 1.57
Draw 3.75

Portugal 1.90
Switzerland 4.50
Draw 3.30

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Photo of Interns Interns03/12/2022 - 10:45 am

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