Hit or Miss?
A comprehensive review of the Winners and Losers through Gameweek 2 of the FIFA World Cup
It’s fair to say a lot has changed since Gameweek 1 of the FIFA World Cup. With footballing giants returning to form and 40 goals being clattered through the posts, we take a look at whose stocks rose, and whose took a big tumble on the eve of the final Gameweek of the Group Stages.
LOSERS
In a similar fashion to last week, we’ll first dive into the teams who failed to show up or couldn't catch a trick through Gameweek 2
THE SUN IS SETTING — Belgium
After a less-than-convincing win in Gameweek 1, the Belgian ‘Red Devils’ dished up another sub-par performance in Gameweek 2, this time against Morocco. However this time, they faced the consequences. With a do-or-die clash against Croatia to come, finalists just 4 years-ago, they will quickly need to rediscover their form and confidence before their campaign, and the bright fire of their ‘Golden Generation’ is extinguished. Something tells me Kevin De Bruyne won’t let that happen. An injection of youth and a starting XI overhaul seems likely.
SLIGHT ROAD BUMP — England
After an impressive first-up showing against Iran, putting 6 past the Asian nation and crushing concerns over their overly conservative gameplan, many pundits (myself included) got carried away. And with a team boasting the talent the ‘Three Lions’ have at their disposal, there’s no surprise why. However, despite boasting attacking superstars Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount, they failed to trouble American goalkeeper Matt Turner. Probably lucky to escape that match with a draw, they will need to trade off their defensive security in favour of scoring goals. Giving Man City superstars Phil Foden and Jack Grealish more game-time could potentially unlock this team’s dangerous potential.
BACK TO REALITY— Saudi Arabia
After their famous Gameweek 1 victory against Argentina, all eyes were on the ‘Green Falcons’ against Poland to see if they could back up that performance. SPOILER ALERT…they couldn’t. That big win came at a cost, with the Saudis lacking the same vigour and energy in their 2nd up performance. Missing the same defensive discipline and attacking quality from their Argentinian masterclass in their 2–0 loss to the Poles, they can still progress with a favourable result against Mexico. That now appears unlikely.
HARD TO READ — Denmark
One of the disappointments of the World Cup for me to date, the usually ever reliable ‘Danes’ have yet to reach their full straps. Have been a hard team to read, having played an inspired Tunisian outfit and the Red Hot ‘Les Bleus’, but with just 1 point from 2 matches, they will need to turn it on now. Have the quality to get it done against Australia and secure their first win of the tournament, but for a team that promised to fly under the radar pre-tournament, they have found themselves in a rather compromised position. It could come down to the wire.
THE HARD TRUTH — Japan
Football has a cruel way of bringing teams back down to Earth. And Japan felt the full brunt of that. Destined to secure their place in the Round of 16 after an inspired 2nd half performance against Germany in Gameweek 1, and facing the lowly Costa Rica in Gameweek 2, the ‘Samurai Blue’ were on the receiving end of a shocking upset. Dishing up a lifeless performance in Gameweek 2, their chances of progressing to the Round of 16 now remain on life-support. Which Japan will we see against Spain?
LOSING ON & OFF THE PITCH — Serbia
Anytime a sporting team ends up in the news for something off the pitch, it generally spells trouble. And that’s the situation Serbia found themselves in. Following their 2–0 loss to Brazil in Gameweek 1 (far from a disastrous result), the team did Qatar a favour, and caused more headaches for FIFA, stirring up their own political drama. Embroiled in a pre-match scandal, investigated for a violent flag in their locker room which took aim at separatist state, Kosovo, the team also squandered a comfortable 3–1 lead to Cameroon on matchday. Have it all to do against Switzerland now.
WINNERS
With very few standouts across the 2 Gameweeks, compiling this list was difficult. But the following teams did the greatest good for their Round of 16 causes during Matchweek 2.
FAR FROM PUSHOVERS— Ecuador
Making their 1st World Cup appearance in 8 years, ‘La Tri’ have certainly impressed in their return. Following a complete 2–0 victory over hosts Qatar on opening night, the South Americans showed no signs of a hangover with another great showing against the ‘Oranje’. One of the form teams heading into the competition, the Netherlands were ambushed and dominated after scoring the opening goal. Will be a fascinating encounter against Senegal, the ‘Kings of Africa’ later tonight. On the current form, they should progress.
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT?? — Enner Valencia
He’s not a team, but Enner Valencia may as well be one. Barring Kylian Mbappe, no player has had the type of tournament this man has produced. The veteran Fenerbahce forward and Ecuadorian Captain has had a huge saying on proceedings, scoring all 3 of his nations goals through 2 matches. In the form of his life, a nasty knee injury incurred last time out should do little to hamper his next-up performance. Watch out Senegal!
BOUND TO HAPPEN — Argentina
Boasting A-Grade talent and a stacked lineup, it should come as little to no surprise that ‘La Albiceleste’ are back on the winners list. Although a match-up against Mexico was never going to be easy, the Argentinians were simply too good, wearing down ‘El Tri’ in the 2nd half. With a stunning goal from Lionel Messi and a superb strike from substitute Enzo Fernandez, hitting form at the right time, you wouldn’t want to come up against them. A mouth-watering fixture with Poland, featuring 2 of the greatest players of this generation, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski is next. Despite Lewandowski’s presence, they should win it comfortably.
HOW GOOD? — France
The defending-champions, title-holders (whatever you want to call them) are looking red hot. Are the pick of the bunch with Brazil right now, and they seem to have put their pre-tournament jitters (infighting and injuries) behind them. With an incredibly watchable gamestyle, and the perfect blend of youth and experience, they have cruised into the Round of 16. A disgruntled Tunisia will ask them questions, but their class should prevail. Would be surprised if they didn’t have one eye on the Argentina-Poland match, a match which will likely determine their Round of 16 opponents.
IT’S BEEN A WHILE — Australia
As an Aussie native and a proud Australian, it fills me with great joy writing this. Far from the most storied of nations, a win against Tunisia has fuelled Round of 16 hope heading into a match-up with Denmark. Have proven they can score throughout this tournament, after struggling in open play in past Editions, and will need to score again against a classy Danish outfit. If they can find the back of the net, and maintain defensive focus through the full 90 (a noticeable weakness so far), a match-up with Argentina beckons.
HAKIM THE DREAM AND WHAT A TEAM — Morocco
After an impressive yet unrewarding nil-all draw with Croatia in Gameweek 1, Morocco backed it up with a blistering 2nd up performance. Out of favour Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has done little wrong, as have his team-mates. Alongside Ecuadorian forward Enner Valencia, Manager Walid Regragui remains one of the stories of the tournament, establishing an unbreakable defense. After appearing unlikely to progress pre-tournament, ‘The Atlas Lions’ can finish top of their group with a win against Canada. Have been proven wrong before, but something tells me this team won’t just make the Round of 16, but could make a deep, deep run.
SOLID — Brazil
Not much else to say here. In a week where so many of the standout performers of Gameweek 1 crumbled, Brazil held firm. Establishing themselves as the favourites for the title, Brazil were made to work for their 1–0 victory against Switzerland. Nonetheless, it was a dominating performance against a highly respected and defensively sound opponent. Unlike fellow challengers France, they have shown quality in both attack and defense. Will be challenged against Cameroon, but as Brazil always does, they will find a way to win.
POWER RANKINGS:
If a higher-ranked team played a lower-ranked team now, I would have the higher-ranked team winning. For example, the 5th-ranked Spain on the basis of its current form would beat the 6th-ranked England.
- Brazil
- France
- Portugal
- Argentina
- Spain
- England
- Croatia
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Morocco
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Ghana
- Belgium
- Poland
- Uruguay
- Mexico
- Senegal
- Iran
- Japan
- USA
- Serbia
- Cameroon
- Australia
- Korea Republic
- Wales
- Saudi Arabia
- Canada
- Tunisia
- Costa Rica
- Qatar
