REVIEWING GAMES 5 TO 8: THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

 WC 2022 REVIEW: PART TWO

OVERVIEW OF GAMES 5 TO 8

-Mitansh Kagalwala

Day Three of the World Cup came fast, furious, and full of surprises. Saudi Arabia came from behind to shock Argentina, Tunisia held Denmark, Mexico drew to Poland courtesy of regular World Cup hero Guillermo Ochoa, and France routed the Australians. Here's what we made of it: 

Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi 10’ (P); Saleh Alshehri 48’, Salem Aldawsari 53’

We’re only 3 days into the World Cup, and we’ve already got one of the biggest upsets of all time. Argentina were coming off a 36 games-unbeaten streak, including victories against Brazil and Italy. Saudi, on the other hand, came into the game following a loss to Croatia, a draw against Panama, and narrow victories against Iceland and North Macedonia. Of course, the Saudi’s won. They put on a defensive masterclass, along with one of the best offside traps you’ll ever see (3(!) Argentinian goals were correctly ruled out in the opening half-hour), completely shutting out Lionel Messi and co. Argentina started well, but soon faded, their changed gameplan of looking for the long ball failing against Saudi’s high line. The Saudi’s were also as clinical as can be, with two excellent finishes to take the lead. Once that happened, they shut shop for the last 40 minutes. Argentina’s midfield capitulated in the last 20 minutes, unable to supply the Argentinian forwards. Unfortunately, it seems that all the Anulo Mufa’s in the world haven’t worked for Lionel Scaloni’s men.

Photo Via: FIFA


Denmark 0-0 Tunisia

Fun fact for you: there were two players on the field currently playing in the Superligaen, the Danish league. And both were playing for Tunisia. In another half-upset, the Tunisians held up against the Danes, foiling Christian Eriksen and his men. Denmark had their chances: Eriksen forcing Aymen Dahmen into a fine save, before Andreas Cornelius could only hit the post with the goal at his mercy at the back post. At the other end, Kasper Schmeichel put in a fine performance, harried by the Tunisians throughout, and only an extremely solid performance from the goalkeeper and his defence, particularly Andreas Christensen, won Denmark a point in the game. The result leaves the second spot in Group D on a knife-edge.

Poland 0-0 Mexico

Given the circumstances of the Argentina-Saudi game, this match was of pivotal importance. In an exciting game where clear cut chances are few and far between, being clinical is extremely important. Given that Robert Lewandowski was on the pitch, you’d expect this one to be firmly in Poland’s grasp. The forward did win in a penalty, and stepped up to take it himself. Only for Guillermo Ochoa to guess right and palm the shot away. 5 World Cups later, and Ochoa is still unbeatable in Mexico’s goal. Mexico finished the game with 11 shots (4 on target), 61% possession, and an xG of 1.59, and will certainly feel like they should have come away with more than a point. The result sees Saudi Arabia finish matchday 1 at the top of the group, and this result has thrown Group C wide open.

France 4-1 Australia

Adrien Rabiot 27’, Olivier Giroud 32’, 71’, Kylian Mbappe 68’; Craig Goodwin 9’

World Champions curse? What World Champions curse? France started their defence of the World Cup in style, putting to their Aussies to the sword in an excellent display. Kylian Mbappe was at his fluid, fiery best, dribbling the ball at you one moment, and rocketed past the next. It seems the young prodigy is determined to right the wrongs of the Euros, and take the World Cup back with him to Paris. Olivier Giroud put up another typical performance, in some ways the star man, scoring a brace, in others, not so much. In doing so, the French striker, filling in for the injured Karim Benzema, equalled Thierry Henry’s goalscoring record for France with his 51st strike. The game was not without concerns for Didier Deschamps, however, with injury taking out another Frenchman. Lucas Hernandez went down early in the game, but France had an able replacement at left-back: his little brother Theo. Theo provided the assist for the equalizer, and, after that, it was France’s game. A statement of intent from the French if there ever was one.

 

CHECK OUT THE REST OF OUR WORLD CUP SERIES

FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 DAY ONE REVIEW

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