World’s Biggest Tournament FIFA World Cup, group stage, as it happened…
The FIFA World Cup 2022 kicked off amidst protests and calls for a boycott. A flurry of questions was raised about the host nation. Accusations were made that Qatar had controversially won the bid to host the FIFA World Cup in December 2010. This was followed by a narrative against the host nation regarding the loss of a vast number of lives and the unfair treatment of the migrant workers who worked day & night for the construction of the infrastructure to host the tournament effectively.
Group Stage
Group A
The hosts, Qatar, could not put up a great fight and lost all three games in the group stage, managing to score only once in the entire tournament. The Netherlands and Senegal went on to qualify for the round of 16 by winning two games each. Enner Valencia showed great heart for Ecuador but couldn’t help his side pass through the group stage.
Group B
The group was predicted as the group of death before the start of the World Cup. England, the USA, Iran, and Wales were expected to fight for the top 2 spots. The English side managed to qualify over their neighbors Wales to reach the knockout stage. The USA clinched 2nd spot over Iran.
Group C
The first upset of the world cup came from Group C when Argentina was handed a loss at the hands of Saudi Arabia in their opening game. Despite this loss, Messi’s team secured the top spot with 6 points in the bag. The fight for qualification went on to the ultimate day of the group stage, with Lewandowski’s side, Poland, just managing to pull through by a goal difference of only one over Mexico.
Group D
Despite struggling with multiple injuries in the squad, the defending champions France managed to secure the top spot in the group. Surprisingly, Australia secured the 2nd spot defeating Denmark, who was considered likely to qualify. Tunisia bowed out in style, beating France in their final group game.
Group E
The group saw Japan upsetting 2014 champs Germany, and 2010 Champions Spain, winning both games by 2–1. Despite sharing equal points with Spain, Germany crashed out on the goal difference. Costa Rica beat Japan but still finished last in the group.
Group F
The runners-up of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Croatia, had to settle for the 2nd spot, as a surprise element in Morocco topped the group. The star-studded Belgian squad failed to qualify, and Canada finished winless at the bottom of the group.
Group G
The Brazilian team, considered the favorites to lift the trophy this year, topped their group and qualified alongside Switzerland. Serbia and Cameroon crashed out of the group, managing fewer points than the other teams.
Group H
The battle for the qualification spot was not over until the last game in the group stage as Ronaldo led Portugal and South Korea made it to the knockout stage. Uruguay and Ghana finished at 3rd and 4th spots, respectively.