There have been several significant upsets in the 92-year history of the FIFA World Cup. But this single edition racked up several, which makes everyone question whether the Qatar World Cup is the World Cup of the Underdogs. Football fans worldwide have witnessed unpredictable results in this edition’s Group Stage fixtures. It all started when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina for the first time in a big tournament on the international stage. So without further ado, here are the 2022 World Cup’s top five shocking defeats.
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
The defeat of Argentina by Saudi Arabia will probably be among the most improbable outcomes. On paper, the world’s third-ranked team should have had no issue with the Saudis, ranked 51st in the world. However, the Albiceleste lost for the first time in three years. Lionel Messi’s seventh World Cup goal in 20 games was when he converted a penalty. Messi became the first player from his nation to score in four competitions. Argentina had the chance to run riot in the first half, but three goals disallowed for offside held them back. Saudi Arabia’s 10-minute offensive onslaught in the second half led to the most astonishing comeback. Messi and his teammates in the Lusail Iconic Stadium were utterly stunned and devastated when the final whistle blew. The shock Saudi Arabia pulled off at the World Cup may have been the most famous in recent memory.
Germany 1-2 Japan
The defeat of Germany, one of the World Cup champions, to Japan could rank among the most critical outcomes in the country’s history. Going out to the group stage of a second straight World Cup was inconceivable after losing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty in the 33rd minute gave the Germans the lead over Japan in the first half. But in the second half, Japan’s vigour and intensity overwhelmed the men in white, as goals from Asano Takuma and Doan Ritsu put the 2014 world champions on the verge of defeat.
Despite battling to tie 1-1 with Spain in their second game and defeat Costa Rica 4-2 in their third group stage encounter, Germany was eliminated from the competition on goal differential, with Japan and Spain taking first and second place in the group. Another unprecedented World Cup upset was produced by Japan thanks to a highly controversial goal. They defeated Spain 2-1 to take first place in Group E. They desperately needed that goal differential for Luis Enrique’s team to proceed as runners-up ahead of Germany.
Tunisia 1-0 France
At the Education City Stadium, Tunisia shocked World Cup champion France thanks to a single goal from French-born Wahbi Khazri. But the unexpected triumph was insufficient for them since they couldn’t advance to the Round of 16. In the 58th minute, Khazri manoeuvred a winning goal through a crowd of defenders. Then, Khazri, the captain of Tunisia, delivered the moment supporters had longed for when he raced outside the box and calmly slid the ball into the bottom right corner. Later in the second half, PSG Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann were introduced to get back into the game. In the final minute of injury time, Griezmann scored for France, but VAR disallowed it for offside as Tunisia hung on to claim an unexpected win. The massive crowd of Tunisia supporters inside the stadium broke out in tears, and Tunisian players ran onto the field in unbridled joy. However, their happiness was short-lived as fans checked their smartphones for developments from the other Group D games as word of Australia’s lead spread across the stadium.
South Korea 2-1 Portugal
Portugal suffered its first setback in the tournament at the hands of South Korea. Portugal had no stake in the game on Friday because they had already advanced to the last 16. However, after the early goal by Portugal, Kim Young-Gwon gave his nation hope when, in the 27th minute, a corner struck Ronaldo in the back and dropped to the defender, who quickly swept the ball home for the equalizer. Despite facing a Korean defence in the first half, Portugal continued to appear threatening whenever they moved forward. Portugal had more ball possession, but South Korea’s Son posed a challenge on the break.
South Korea defeated Portugal with a winning goal by Hwang Hee-chan in the 90th minute to advance to the Round of 16. Hwang scored after captain Son Heung-min ran the field length while controlling the ball to set the goal. The South Korean players huddled in the centre circle. South Korea’s emotions overflowed after the final whistle because it meant everything to them. They gathered around, bursting into jubilant celebrations to commemorate reaching the World Cup’s knockout Round for just the third time. South Korea’s dramatic triumph lifted them from fourth to the second position in Group H.
Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
Brazil, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, was startled as their last Group G match finished in absurd circumstances. Brazil had a large portion of the game under control, outshooting Cameroon 21 to 7 and controlling 65% of the ball possession. After scoring in the 92nd minute with a header, Vincent Aboubakar was immediately dismissed for receiving a second yellow card for celebrating by ripping off his shirt. But even so, Cameroon was still eliminated, as Switzerland advanced to the 2nd spot after yet another suspenseful night. This match proved that Brazil lacks an edge without Neymar. The PSG forward’s ankle ligament injury has made him a significant doubt for the remainder of the competition. Aboubakar scored a goal against Brazil to become the first African to do it. Brazil is not as dangerous or threatening in attack without their No. 10. However, Brazil won Group G and advanced to Round 16, while Switzerland finished second.
