The World of Surprises. Qatar 2022, at least so far, has proved anything but obvious, as evidenced by the defeats of Argentina and Germany, but also the level of the so-called "medium-small", decidedly higher than expected. In fact, the globalization of football means that even national teams with little tradition have many players from the main European championships, with a consequent increase in competition to the detriment of the "usual known". There first week of Qatar 2022, in short, he offered various ideas, demonstrating that a World Cup, even if played in a country that has little to do with football (and let's not go into the merits of off-field issues, which have already been widely debated), is always a show.
Brazil and France are confirmed as the strongest, Spain also does well
However, one does not live on surprises alone, so let's start with the (many) certainties, starting with Brazil (score 7,5) and France (7), two of the three favorites in the starting blocks (we'll talk about the third, or Argentina, shortly). The Seleçao and the Blues put on a show, putting on the plate those eagerly awaited technical topics well known all over the world. Net of the opponent we give half a point more to Brazil, given that the Serbia was definitely higher thanAustralia, but in general both give the idea of being able to win against anyone, so much so that the appointment in the final would seem to be the only one capable of establishing who, between the two, is really the best in the world. On shields Richarlison (vote 8) and Mbappé (same vote), but watch out for injuries: those of France (Benzema, Pogba, Nkunku, Kanté and Lucas Hernandez) were already known (apart from Theo's brother), those of Brazil instead (Neymar and Danilo), albeit less serious, reached the first game and remove very important horsepower from the engine of the two superpowers. Very good too Spain (score 7, such as the goals scored against Costa Rica).
The Spaniards have enchanted so far, even if the Costa Rica test is too soft to give definitive judgments. A 7-0, however, is always a lot of stuff, so Luis Enrique can smile and confide in his terrible kids, already capable a year and a half ago of reaching the semifinals of the European Championship and only stopping in front of a great Italy (sic ).
To review: England, Portugal, Holland, Belgium are not convincing
The rest of the "big group" is more or less good, but it's definitely a step behind the other three. The last in order of time to take a step back was England (6,5), stopped on the tie by the USA. Not a result to throw away, but the group remains open and qualification will be decided in the next round in the thrilling derby against Wales. A victory would have avoided last minute worries, but Southgate's men appeared to be distant relatives of those who, just a few days ago, had buried Iran with goals. In short, the true nature of the Three Lions is still to be discovered, although the values are unquestionably high.
Some problems too Portugal and Belgium, which essentially only save the results: the 3 points are in the pocket, but the performances against Ghana and Canada do not allow for flights of fancy. On the cover, for obvious reasons, it ended above all Cristiano Ronaldo (score 6,5), the first player in history to score in five different World Cups: in reality CR7, penalty aside, didn't seem to be in great shape, but the feeling is that he will really give everything to better play the last great world championship review of his splendid career . So so also the Belgium (6) victorious but very far from the standards of 2018, when he only surrendered in the semifinals. Either due to the absence of Lukaku (the aim is to recover him for the next match), or due to the drop in performance of Hazard and other old glories, this national team is no longer as brilliant as before, even if it can still count on an absolute top like De Bruyne and on a group with consolidated international experience. Finally theHolland (score 5,5) by Van Gaal, grappling with one of the less talented and less successful generations of recent times. A Clockwork Orange has given way to a fairly scholastic team, with no top players (the best so far is the PSV striker Gakpo, vote 7) and anything but spectacular: the result is that after the very tight victory over Senegal, a draw has arrived with Ecuador which leaves the qualification issue open, even if there shouldn't be any problems with Qatar.
Saudi Arabia and Japan are undertaking historic feats, which heart Iran and Ecuador
And then how can we forget the companies of Saudi Arabia and Japan (9 for both), able to beat two armies like Argentina and Germany, and comeback? We don't know if it was just a sensational exploit or if there will be a sequel, but certainly what the Saudis and Japanese did is already in the history of the World Cup. A big round of applause also goes toIran (8)first to challenge the Tehran regime by refusing to sing the anthem, then by beating Wales and giving itself a very tempting chance to go even to the round of XNUMX: everything will be decided in the direct confrontation with the USA, for what is already a candidate to be the match with the most off-field meanings of the entire tournament. Great start for theEcuador (7,5), which after the victory over Qatar was repeated with a decidedly more complicated draw with the Netherlands: now La Tricolor is paired with the Orange in the standings and will go to play for the round of XNUMX in a sort of play-off with Senegal, starting however from a point advantage that will allow them to pass even with equal. Not bad for a team that started with very few expectations and instead turned out to be tough, just like its striker Valencia (8).
Flop: Argentina and Germany, it's already in or out
Two big companies are such because there are usually as many giants who fall, thus becoming the flops of the tournament. Mind you, nothing is compromised, though Argentina and Germany can no longer be wrong. The Germans, in particular, are already facing a challenge with no return: either they beat Spain or they risk saying goodbye to the World Cup very far in advance (even mathematically in the event of a defeat and a draw or Japan's victory over Costa Rica). Flick (4,5 rating, for him and for the team) he will have to look for the right key to properly load his own, who appeared decidedly "not very German" (in the sense of concreteness) in the presence of the Samurai. The disaster par excellence, however, at least so far, is that of theArgentina (4), indicated by all as a possible winner and instead humiliated by Saudi Arabia. In the dust, for obvious reasons, it ends above all Messi (5, but only for the penalty scored), crushed again by the shadow of Maradona, too big even for him. Argentina hopes that Leo will finally be able to shake off the pressure and drag his teammates along, but the start is anything but encouraging, so much so that the match against Mexico is already a sort of final.
Qatar is the worst host team ever
Finally Qatar, not as a country but as a national one (vote 3). So far, the Spanish coach Sanchez's group, built with the sound of millions (and passports generously granted left and right), is a real disaster, so much so that it has earned the title of worst host team ever: it had never happened, in fact, that the home team had zero points after two days. A "trophy" that Emir Al-Thani, used to buying everything he wants (including the organization of the World Cup), would have gladly done without...
