All roads lead to the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on Thursday when World Cup: Ecuador vs Brazil is the entertainment on offer… and this is a big deal for the hosts.
The CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers have been a breeze for Brazil who have already qualified with 35 points from 13 games while Ecuador have an excellent chance of joining them in Qatar, currently in third place on 23 points and with a six point cushion over fifth placed Peru.
But, of course, Tite’s Brazil is one of the best teams in world football, second in the FIFA rankings and no less than 44 places above Gustavo Alfaro’s Ecuador. The visitors have a few players missing but they have riches in depth and will test their hosts to the full. A defeat for Ecuador wouldn’t be a disaster but if they can get something from this game they will keep their course to Qatar on track.
Talking Points
Ecuador are no longer underestimated
La Tri have become a very competitive team under head coach Alfaro as they have shown with a series of impressive results over the past six months. A draw with Colombia and a friendly victory over Mexico was bettered by a superb 2-0 win over star studded Chile,; though they were helped by the dismissal of La Roja’s midfield enforcer Arturo Vidal. Villarreal’s 24 year old wing back Pervis Estupian opened the scoring and
Brighton’s young midfielder Moises Caicedo made it 2-0 deep into injury time. The talented 20 year old already has 17 international caps and two goals and he looks to have a bright future in international and Premier League football.
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia in action with Brazil’s Marquinhos
The old man of the team, Fenerbahce’s 32 year old striker Enner Valencia, is still banging them in with 34 goals from 67 international games; he has three so far in this competition but is being outdone by Toluca’s 25 year old striker Michael Estrada who is top scoring with five goals
Brazil squad men are playing for places
The Selecao are on the way to Qatar and they’ll be one of the favourites when they get there, no doubt, but they still have five CONMEBOL qualifiers to play and that gives Tite ample opportunity to fine tune his team. He has two top class keepers to choose from; Manchester City’s Ederson is at the top of his game, while Alisson is a key player in Liverpool’s team. The Reds had a tricky meeting away to Crystal Palace at the weekend and that was a decent workout for the stopper. He was a busy man as the Eagles fought hard to get back into the game before succumbing 3-1.
Chelsea’s Thiago Silva could well start at the back alongside Real Madrid’s Eder Militao, who was on target for Los Blancos at the weekend; and Militao’s club team-mate Casemiro will surely run the midfield. But there could also be a place for Aston Villa’s new signing Philippe Coutinho, who is hoping to rediscover his best form on a return to the Premier League.
Vinicius Junior makes up the Los Blancos three and he’s likely to start up front, while with no Neymar or Roberto Firmino in the Brazil squad, there is another chance for Raphinha to stake his claim for a place. He was in electric form in Leeds’ encounter with Newcastle on Saturday and is fast becoming one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League. With two goals already in qualifying, he’ll be keen to take any chances which come his way.
History
While Brazil are five times World Cup winners, Ecuador first showed up at the finals in 2002 and have since appeared twice, reaching the Round of 16 in 2006.
Both teams are in good shape; la Tri are six games unbeaten since a 2-1 reversal to Venezuela in October, while Brazil are unbeaten in seven since their Copa America final loss to Argentina back in July.
The Selecao has enjoyed the better of the head to head Ecuador vs Brazil results, winning nine of the last 13 meetings while drawing three and losing just once. The last time the teams met a 1-1 draw was the outcome in the 2021 Copa America, a result which ended Brazil’s ten match winning sequence. Militao headed Brazil into the lead but Angel Mena latched on to a Valencia flick on to fire in the equaliser.
Brazil won the three previous meetings with Ecuador, scoring seven goals without conceding.
At a price of 3.11 the Ecuador vs Brazil betting oddsgive the hosts a fair chance of getting the three points while the Selecao is at SBOTOPodds of 2.21. Brazil are unbeaten in their last 23 away games and have won five and drawn two on the road in this competition, so while a home win is unlikely, a draw certainly isn’t.
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On reflection, though, looking afresh at some of the fixtures coming up, coupled with the standings the continent over, there are plenty of reasons to look forward with optimism and anticipate World Cup qualifying highlights this next week.
So far, we know the identity of 13 nations competing in Qatar with the hosts, who receive an automatic qualification ticket, joined by Germany, Denmark, Brazil, Belgium, holders France, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands and Argentina.
While we wait to see how qualifiers elsewhere around the globe pan out this week though, do forgive me for retaining a degree of being underwhelmed given the number of key absences.
There is no bigger absentee than reigning world footballer of the year Lionel Messi.
Argentina have left their captain out of their squad for qualifiers against Chile and Colombia as the Paris St Germain forward continues his recovery from Covid-19.
The twice World Cup winners and current Copa America champions have, of course, qualified for the finals in Qatar and sit second in the 10-team South American group.
The 34 year-old Messi was omitted from their 27-man squad after not playing for PSG since just before Christmas in French Ligue 1.
Messi spent the festive period in Argentina before testing positive and trained separately from his team mates on his return to Paris.
Messi is not the only big name missing out but, again, Brazil’s choice to omit his club team-mate Neymar is also understandable given the qualification position.
Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained with PSG in November, has been left out of Brazil squad.
Neymar has been left out due to an ankle injury, the latest setback since his world record move in 2017.
Indeed, Neymar’s injuries have meant that he has missed almost 100 games for PSG since signing in 2017.
The South American picked up the odd ailment through the opening months of his spell in France, but a debut campaign at PSG was brought to a premature conclusion in February 2018 by a broken metatarsal.
A similar injury was suffered in January 2019, leading to several weeks on the treatment table, while hamstring trouble held him back in the 2019-20 campaign.
Adductor issues have been common since then, while the current problem has prevented him playing since late November.
The priority will naturally be to try and get him back in action for PSG’s mouth -watering Champions League tie with Real Madrid next month and the World Cup in Qatar.
There is some other surprise news in the Brazil squad after boss Tite left out Renan Lodi for their qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay because the Atletico Madrid full back has not had a full course of Covid-19 vaccines.
Tite does not agree with those who are reluctant to take the vaccine in the midst of the pandemic.
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho and Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta have been included on the roster but will miss the game against Ecuador on Thursday (January 27) through suspension.
So, plenty of absentees for a nation which has already sealed a spot for the World Cup and is unbeaten in qualifying.
All in all, it is just another chapter in an unusual international break during which there will be World Cup qualifying matches in South America, North America and Asia, all while the Africa Cup of Nations continues.
And to add a further layer of complexity to the situation, some players will have a short holiday while others will head off on training camps with their clubs.
Enjoy!
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World Cup 2022: South Korea to Waste No Time in Booking Their Ticket to Qatar
Lebanon vs Korea Republic
The Taeguk Warriors are within arm’s reach of earning automatic tickets to World Cup 2022, and a win over Lebanon this Thursday at the Saida International Stadium will help them get the job done as soon as possible.
Korea Republic are placed second in Group A with 14 points after the first six matches. They are in great shape given their lead over the rest of the pack, but with four more games to go, their job isn’t finished just yet.
Lebanon, meanwhile, are in danger of missing out for Qatar. The Cedars are the fourth seed in the group with five points – which is only one point behind UAE. However, they can still make it if they’ll somehow finish third in Group A.
Paulo Bento’s side are the huge favourites in the SBOTOP pre-match betting odds given how they’ve fared in their recent games. But given what happened in their reverse fixture at the Suwon World Cup Stadium last September, all signs point to another competitive matchup ahead.
Talking Points
Premier League standouts doubtful to play for South Korea
Korea Republic are without their two best players in the final third as Heung-Min Son and Hwang Hee-Chan are both unlikely to play.
Heung-Min Son was held back due to a hamstring strain that he sustained during their EFL Cup tie against Chelsea few days ago, while Hwang Hee-Chan has been dealing with the exact same injury since December last year.
Both aren’t expected to play this Thursday and also in their next match against Syria on February 1.
But even without their best attackers, the Taeguk Warriors have enough weapons at their disposal that can help them get the job done in their next four matches.
Hwang Ui-Jo of Bordeaux had his first career hat-trick in their Ligue 1 victory over Strasbourg last Sunday, so he’s expected to lead up front and create World Cup 2022 highlights. On the defencive end, they still have the robust centre-back duo of Kim Min-Jae and Kim Young-Gwon.
Since squeezing a tight victory over Lebanon last September, Korea Republic followed up with four wins against Iraq, UAE, and Syria while drawing against table leaders Iran.
Paulo Bento’s side had two international friendlies last week to prepare for this match and they got a huge boost after they crushed European sides Iceland and Moldova with an aggregate tally of 9-1.
A sliver of hope for Lebanon
Lebanon have a great opportunity at their hands to claim the solo third spot in Group A, and an upset over Korea Republic will certainly help their chances.
Unlike Korea Republic, Lebanon are at the back of a 1-0 loss against UAE last November and they haven’t had an international friendly to prepare for this game.
Lebanon’s Hassan Ali Saad battles for the ball against Iraq’s Ali Faez during World Cup 2022 qualifier last October 2021 at Khalifa International Stadium
The odds may be stacked against the Cedars on Thursday, but they’re one tough nut to crack and they have capable attackers who can cause problems for their visitors.
Hassan Ali Saad and Mohamad Jalal Kdouh will play huge roles in trying to create attacking opportunities for Lebanon, while Bassel Jradi is another player who has an eye for goals.
History
Korea Republic have been assertive against Lebanon in their head-to-heads. In their last 11 matches prior to Thursday, the Taeguk Warriors won seven times while the Cedars have only won once along with three draws.
The only win for Lebanon happened in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, and it was a memorable one since they upset Korea Republic with a scoreline of 2-1 to advance to the final round.
Because of the upset, Korea Republic sacked manager Cho Kwang-Rae following a barrage of criticism for his team’s lacklustre performance despite being the heavily favoured side to advance to the fourth round.
These two sides last met in September 2021 where Korea Republic escaped with an uninspiring 1-0 victory as Kwon Chang-Hoon scored the lone goal at the hour mark.
Despite missing some key players, Korea Republic remain favourites in the updated World Cup 2022 odds.The Taeguk Warriors are installed at 1.49 to win, while Lebanon are the underdogs at 5.80 and a draw is at 3.60 in the 1X2 market.
The hosts can certainly give their visitors problems just like before, but since their previous meeting, Korea Republic have had a huge improvement in their overall form.
Korea Republic’s dominant international friendly wins over Iceland and Moldova should serve as a reminder on how much damage they can cause. And unfortunately for the Cedars, they’re likely to be on the receiving end this Thursday.
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World Cup 2022: Japan Can’t Afford Slip-up Against Rivals China
Japan vs China
World Cup 2022 qualifying in Asia is going down to the wire. As things stand, Japan have a narrow one-point lead over Australia for the second automatic qualification place in Group B. Still, the Samurai Blue can’t afford to slip up at home when they host old rivals China.
The Chinese are second from bottom in the group with just one win in six games, and the World Cup 2022 betting odds will be heavily against them as they take on Japan at the Saitama Stadium.
But the Chinese held Australia to a 1-1 draw in their most recent qualifier in November, and they will surely be keen to sabotage the Samurai Blue’s World Cup hopes.
Talking Points
Japan missing key defensive duo
Japan midfielder Takumi Minamino in action during a World Cup 2022 qualifier against Oman in Muscat
Japan still have a lot of work to do to qualify for their seventh straight World Cup in Qatar. The Samurai Blue are currently in second place in Group B, four points behind leaders Saudi Arabia and one point ahead of third-placed Australia.
The Japanese have won three straight qualifying games after their narrow 1-0 defeat to the Saudis. Although, they could only eke out 1-0 away wins against Vietnam and Oman. Midfielder Junya Ito scored the winning goal on both occasions.
The Japanese defence will be without two key players in captain and centre-back Maya Yoshida and Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu due to injury. The two have been Japan’s centre-back partnership for the last few qualifiers and will be sorely missed.
In their absence, veteran right-back Hiroki Sakai could be brought in to fill in at centre-back alongside Naomichi Ueda.
Meanwhile, Japan’s attack has struggled to create too many goals in qualifying. They have scored just five times in six games. Yuya Osako will likely continue to lead the line, with Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino and Ito offering support. Minamino has been in decent form for Liverpool, with two goals and an assist in his last six appearances.
Talented 20-year-old and Olympian Takefusa Kubo (13 caps, 0 goals) has also been called up and could be a potential game-changer off the bench.
New China coach set for tough debut
China’s hopes of qualifying for Qatar are not looking good. They are second from bottom in the Group B standings with just one win, two draws, and three defeats in their first six games.
Although, the Chinese are coming into this match against rivals Japan in some sort of form after back-to-back 1-1 draws with Oman and Australia.
Unfortunately, though, those results were not enough to save head coach Li Tie’s job as he was fired last December. Li Xiaopeng has now taken over as national team coach and will look to get some positive World Cup 2022 results.
“My tactics are how to keep our dream alive after the match with Japan. We know Japan well and they have many good players. We need to focus on ourselves and play our game,” Li said.
Veteran forward Wu Lei (27 goals in 77 caps) scored both goals as he raised his tally to four goals during the third round of qualifying.
China were expected to have some reinforcements for Wu Lei in the form of forward Fei Nanduo, but the naturalised Brazilian has returned to his home country due to family reasons and will miss the team’s upcoming qualifiers.
But the Chinese will still have two other Brazilian-born internationals in Luo Guofo and A Lan available against Japan. The 33-year-old A Lan is the most experienced of the three, scoring three goals in eight appearances for China.
History
The football rivalry between China and Japan has been quite a close one. The two countries have met each other a total of 39 times in international football, with Japan holding a very slight 16-15 edge in terms of wins, with eight draws.
SBOTOP odds have Japan installed as massive 1.20 favourites to get the home win over rivals China, who are significant 10.00 underdogs away from home. A draw is at 5.40.
The Chinese certainly have an uphill task away against the Japanese, especially with a new coach who has not had much time to implement his system.
The absence of two key defenders will hurt the Japanese, but they should still have enough talent to get the win they need. However, the Chinese will not make it easy and will likely play quite a defensive style to make this another low-scoring affair.
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World Cup 2022: Can Messi-less Argentina Keep Unbeaten Run Alive in Chile?
Chile vs Argentina
Argentina will be without talisman Lionel Messi for their upcoming World Cup 2022 qualifiers after his recent bout with Covid-19.
La Albiceleste have already qualified for Qatar and are still without defeat after 13 games. They will look to keep that unbeaten run going when they face Chile in their upcoming qualifier.
La Roja are currently in sixth in the CONMEBOL standings and are in danger of missing out on the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Can Chile take advantage of Messi’s absence and hand Argentina their first defeat in qualifying?
Talking Points
Messi missing for Argentina
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has been left out of the Argentina squad for this upcoming round of World Cup qualifiers. The Paris Saint-Germain star had only recently returned from his bout with Covid, and with Argentina’s place in Qatar already secure, head coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to give the 34-year-old a bit more rest to regain his fitness.
With Messi – the third-leading scorer in South American qualifying with six goals – not in the side, the onus will be on Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala to lead the Argentine attack.
Dybala is the more in-form player of the Italy-based duo, having scored three goals in his last five appearances for Juventus. But the 28-year-old has hardly been at his best for his country and has only scored twice in 31 career caps.
Martinez has scored just once in his last six appearances for Serie A champions Inter, but he has a much better track record in international football with 17 goals in 35 caps, including five in this qualifying campaign.
Aside from Messi and injured Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, Argentina don’t have any other major absentees from their squad. Veteran Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso are all available in midfield, while Nicolas Otamendi will continue to marshall the Argentine defence.
Chile’s World Cup hopes in doubt
Chile’s World Cup 2022 odds of qualifying are looking uncertain at the moment. They are currently sixth in the South American standings, although they are just one point behind Colombia for the fourth and final automatic spot.
La Roja lost their most recent qualifier 0-2 to Ecuador, which snapped a run of three straight wins. Midfielder Arturo Vidal was sent off after just 13 minutes and will now be suspended against Argentina.
Vidal’s absence is a huge blow for Chile. The 34-year-old has 32 goals in 131 international caps, and he has provided his share of World Cup 2022 highlights with a team-leading four goals in qualifying.
Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal celebrate after Paraguay’s Antony Silva scored an own goal in their recent World Cup qualifier
Record goalscorer Alexis Sanchez (46 goals in 144 caps) is fit to play, though, and he has been in fine form for Inter, scoring four goals over his last eight appearances.
The similarly in-form Ben Brereton will likely partner Sanchez up front. The Blackburn Rovers striker is second in the EFL Championship with 20 goals and has scored twice in his last three appearances for his country.
Meanwhile, Chile have been quite decent defensively despite wing-back Mauricio Isla (33 years old) and centre-back Gary Medel (34) getting up in age.
Goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo, 38, has conceded just 16 times in qualifying, the fourth-best defensive record in South America.
History
Argentina have absolutely dominated Chile over the years. They have won an astounding 61 of 94 matches, with Chile winning just eight.
Two of Chile’s wins have come in the last seven years, but both have come on penalties in the Copa America.
Moreover, Argentina and Chile have drawn each of their last three meetings, including back-to-back 1-1 draws in June 2021.
SBOTOP odds have Chile priced as narrow 2.59 favourites at home, while Argentina are pegged at 2.78 to win without Messi. A draw is at 2.99.
While Argentina are still quite formidable with no Messi in the squad, they might not have all that much motivation to go all out to win against Chile since they have already qualified. Meanwhile, Chile are still fighting for their lives and will be keen to give the Argentines a good battle.
That’s why I anticipate another hard-fought contest between the two sides, with the match ending in another draw.
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World Cup 2022: Honduras Plan to Play Spoilers Against Pacesetters Canada
Honduras vs Canada
Two nations who are at the opposite sides of the CONCACAF World Cup 2022 qualifying table are set to go toe-to-toe once more this Thursday evening at the Estadio Olimpico.
Canada are looking to assert themselves over the rest of the pack by extending their table lead with yet another win. As of this writing, they have 16 points while USA and Mexico are right behind them at 15 and 14.
Honduras, on the other hand, are languishing at the bottom with only three points to show after the first eight matches. They are likely unable to join the festivities in Qatar, so it’s all about salvaging some pride at this point.
The pre-match SBOTOP betting odds have the Maple Leafs as the favourites to win in this fixture, albeit only via a small margin.
The reason why it is so is because their previous meeting ended in a highly competitive affair, and perhaps we might see a similar outcome anew.
Talking Points
Honduras won’t go down without a fight
Los Catrachos have had a bad campaign in the World Cup 2022 qualifiers. Heading into this contest, they’ve lost five straight matches in all formats.
Hernan Dario Gomez tried to prepare his men for Thursday by competing against Colombia in an international friendly last Monday, but to no avail as they were defeated 2-1.
Granted, that both teams didn’t field in their best starting XI, Honduras’ lack of chances in the said fixture (only one shot on target) is a big red flag.
CF Montreal striker Romell Quioto projects to address that issue since he is their main protagonist in the final third. The 30-year-old has 12 goals in 54 international appearances for Hondura.
Joining him up front is the young Edwin Rodriguez who offers searing pace, while Colorado Rapids’ Bryan Acosta and Bordeaux’s Alberth Elis will man the midfield.
Former Wigan Athletic defender and skipper Maynor Figueroa is relentless as they come despite his advancing age, and he’ll link up with FC Motagua’s Carlos Melendez to form their centre-half partnership.
Canada have gaps to fill
Canada are having a renaissance of sorts with their golden generation of young talent, and they’re here to stay as a force to be reckoned with in the CONCACAF for the foreseeable future.
The Maple Leafs are the only unbeaten team left through the first eight qualifying games (W4, D4), and they would certainly fancy their chances of getting another road win after they did it against the likes of Mexico, USA, and Jamaica.
Canada’s Stephen Eustaquio celebrates with Junior Hoilett following their 1-4 win over Haiti during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup
However, they’ll have to confront the fact that some of their players won’t be available in this fixture.
Alphonso Davies’ absence leaves a glaring hole on the left side as he wasn’t included in John Herdman’s lineup due to a myocarditis diagnosis after a bout with COVID-19. Other than Davies, midfielder Stephen Eustaquio is also out since he’s positive for the coronavirus.
With the two of them out, there’ll be more opportunities for Jonathan David and CONCACAF Gold Cup standout Tajon Buchanan to create more World Cup 2022 highlights for Canada.
History
History favours Honduras in their overall head-to-heads against Canada. In their last 13 matches before this Thursday, Los Catrachos have the major edge with six wins while the Maple Leafs have only won twice along with five draws.
Canada have yet to defeat Honduras in quite some time as their last victory dates back to November 2015.
Nothing would be more satisfying for the visitors than getting a compelling victory against their hosts this Thursday, especially since Honduras gave Canada their second-worst loss in national team history.
The Maple Leafs suffered a humiliating 8-1 loss to Los Catrachos which extinguished their World Cup qualifying hopes on October 2012.
Their previous meeting took place last September where both sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw as Cyle Larin and Alexander Lopez scored one penalty each.
Canada only hold a slim edge over Honduras in the latest World Cup 2022 odds. They are installed to win 2.12, but Honduras aren’t far behind at 3.25 and chances for a draw are priced at 3.10 in the 1X2 market.
The Maple Leafs are vying for more points since it would ultimately confirm their tickets to Qatar, so we see them going hard against Los Catrachos for this contest.
Although we expect them to win since they have the better recent form, this won’t be a walk in the park for Canada since Honduras enter this match with nothing to lose.
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Fast forward two and a half years and the stakes remain high again with World Cup qualifying at stake and potentially five teams vying for one automatic place.
That’s because Brazil and Argentina have already qualified for Qatar 2022 and Ecuador are in a healthy position leaving Los Cafeteros vying with Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Bolivia for that all important final CONMEBOL qualification berth.
The top four teams will earn a direct spot at football’s showpiece tournament later this year while the fifth-ranked side will advance to an intercontinental play-off.
With only goal difference separating these two nations (Colombia are fourth and Peru fifth), you don’t need me to tell you how important this clash is in Barranquilla.
Talking Points
Certainly, there is scope for plenty of World Cup qualifying highlights.
The hosts start as favourites but they will know they face a buoyant Peruvian side hot on the heels of back-to-back qualifying victories in November.
Colombia should still be far too strong though with the likes of James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Porto forward Luis Diaz and Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado in their ranks.
Midfielder Victor Cantillo has also been called up with the 28-year-old’s inclusion following the withdrawals of Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma and Atalanta forward Luis Muriel (Covid-19).
For Peru, there remains no Paolo Guerrero as he continues his recovery from injury, although watch out for Italian-born Peruvian Gianluca Lapadula who is fast becoming a new icon for the national team.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca during their match against Brazil
They will surely need more than that though in their bid to reach successive World Cups after a 26-year absence.
History
Since they met for the very first time in the hitherto unknown Bolivarian Games, a match Peru won 4-2, there has usually been plenty of excitement when these two meet.
Colombia certainly hold the recent upper hand with Peru winning only one of their last 12 clashes.
That is fairly fresh in the memory though as it came in the Copa America last summer when Sergio Pena and an own goal sealed a 2-1 success. Miguel Borja replied for Colombia with a penalty.
Colombia gained revenge just a few weeks later with a 3-2 victory in the tournament’s third-place play-off as goals from Cuadrado and Diaz (two), including a last-minute winner, sealed the bronze medal position.
Yoshimar Yotún and Gianluca Lapadula had kept Peru in the hunt.
The last time Peru won on Colombian soil was in 2011 – a 2-0 win in the Copa America quarter-finals.
Overall, Colombia have 27 wins, Peru 19 triumphs and there have been a further 22 draws.
Colombia start as clear favourites with the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds backing them First Half 1X2 @ 2.48, 1X2 @ 1.71, First Half Asian Handicap – 0.25 @ 1.96 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.97.
Given the attractive odds, optimistic Peruvians may well fancy putting a wager on their team which include First Half 1X2 @ 4.70, 1X2 @ 5.00, First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.94 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.25.
A repeat of that most recent meeting – Correct Score 3-2 – is on offer at a staggering @ 42.00, while a re-run of their last meeting in Colombia, Correct Score 2-0, is available @ 6.60.
Goals are anticipated judging by over 2.25 goals @ 2.13 but total goal 0-1 @ 2.37 is also appealing for a pay day, as is the 1X2 Draw @ 3.35 and Double Chance Peru or Draw @ 2.02.
I am going to go for a Colombia victory, despite the resurgence of Peru.
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World Cup 2022: The Road to Qatar Looms Ever Closer
USA vs El Salvador
The road to Qatar and World Cup 2022 qualifying is about to hot up in the CONCACAF.
That’s because it’s time for the penultimate qualifying window for Qatar 2022 as the USA put their unbeaten run against El Salvador on the line.
Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, is the venue for a meeting between two nations who are, on paper, poles apart.
However, should the unexpected happen, then the World Cup dreams of the Stars n’ Stripes could be about to come tumbling down.
Talking Points
In theory, that should not even happen.
The US have six matches remaining to book their place in this autumn’s soccer showpiece.
While they have a point advantage over Mexico in the standings and have leaders Canada in their sights, by contrast only Honduras are keeping El Salvador off the bottom of the standings.
The fact the US were able to defeat Mexico in November shows they still have what it takes to beat the leading North American rivals.
Gregg Berhalter’s men have not always looked impressive but are in a solid position to reach international football’s grandest stage of all after missing out in 2018.
What’s more, with home advantage in this one, it would be a shock of mighty proportions if the Yanks, unbeaten in their last 18 matches played on American soil, were to be defeated.
Mexico coach Gerardo Martino with El Salvador coach Hugo Perez during the CONCACAF Qualifierss
La Selecta have never ever beaten the US and, while head coach Hugo Perez led his team to a run of good results early in 2021, with FC Tulsa striker Joaquin Rivas looking lively up front, they have stuttered over the past six months with just one victory since July.
Yes, they have missed David Rugamas, who found the back of the net eight times in the earlier qualifying stages but has not featured in this phase of the competition.
But it is far more than that.
In what may be a sign of their frustration, El Salvador have committed 63 fouls in their last four qualifying matches, while also picking up two red cards.
All in all, the World Cup qualifying highlights this Thursday should belong to the States.
History
As you would expect, this fixture has produced one of the most one-sided set of results in the game.
The nations have met 24 times since first locking horns in 1977 and the USA have won on 19 occasions with the other five encounters ending all square.
Nine months earlier in the States, albeit in a friendly, saw a romp as the Americans ran out 6-0 winners in Fort Lauderdale when Paul Arriola, Chris Mueller (two), Sebastian Lletget, Ayo Akinola and Brenden Aaronson were the goal-getters.
The goalless draw four months ago actually broke a cycle of five straight wins for the USA in this fixture, including a 2-0 win in 2017 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final when Omar González and Eric Lichaj were on target.
In fact, you have to go back to 1989 for the last time Peru avoided defeat on American soil – a goalless draw in qualification for the 1990 World Cup.
The very first meeting was a friendly in 1977 in El Salvador when goals from Greg Villa and Rick Davis earned the States a 2-1 win.
The hosts are available in a variety of ways, such as First Half 1X2 @ 1.74, 1X2 @ 1.24, First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.08 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.07.
The contrast with El Salvador is clear as they are priced First Half 1X2 @ 7.60, 1X2 @ 10.00, First Half Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 1.80, Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 2.13.
Even the draw @ 5.20 is not expected, four months after their stalemate.
Goals are not necessarily anticipated given there have been some low scoring affairs and the USA have hardly been prolific in qualifying so far with 12 goals in eight games.
Over 2.50 goals @ 1.96 and total goal 2-3 @ 1.85 contrast with total goal 0-1 @ 3.05 and 4-6 @ 3.35.
Double Chance El Salvador or Draw @ 3.50 or another goalless draw – Correct Score 0-0 – will pay out @ 9.75.
I cannot see past a USA success from start to finish and my *** tip is First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.08.
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World Cup 2022: The Reggae Boyz Are Out to Stop El Tri
Jamaica vs Mexico
Jamaica have only once qualified for the World Cup but what an indelible mark they made.
In fact, I remember the summer of 1998 in France well as the ‘Reggae Boyz’ and their colourful football and fans became the second favourite team of many.
The first English speaking Caribbean nation to qualify for the finals, they gained thousands of new followers along the way and helped create a carnival atmosphere.
Regardless of the result this week, their World Cup 2022 qualifying hopes have long ended, but could they turn back the clock and put a dent in the hopes of a fellow rival?
Talking Points
Jamaica’s Damion Lowe and Liam Moore jump for the ball during a Concacaf Gold Cup match against Costa Rica in July 2021
The nation they host is Mexico, the hosts of the first-ever World Cup I witnessed and watched with amazement as a schoolboy in 1986.
Since then, they have reached all bar one tournament, reaching the last 16 on each occasion.
So against Jamaica, who have only one qualifying victory so far, El Tri will be confident of creating World Cup 2022 highlights.
They need to respond after November defeats against the United States and Canada turned what seemed a smooth ride into a more precarious one.
All this will be played out in front of an empty National Stadium in Kingston, which will be closed to fans due to local Covid-19 protocols.
The hosts will be without the services of exciting winger Leon Bailey through injury but, after netting his first two goals for his country in November, West Ham’s Michail Antonio could be one of the home side’s main goal threats.
Boss Paul Hall has a number of options in defence, including centre-backs Ethan Pinnock and Liam Moore.
Mexico will be without the suspended Hirving Lozano, while there are fitness doubts over Raul Jimenez, Jesus Corona and Osvaldo Rodriguez.
Of the three, Jimenez is the most unlikely to feature amid reports the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker may not play in the whole international break, which involves three matches for both.
How they could do with his goals against Jamaica who, despite their lowly position, are unbeaten in their last four qualifiers.
Jamaica have only beaten Mexico on five occasions but one of those victories came in their last competitive meeting.
That was in 2017 when a late Kemar Lawrence goal settled the Gold Cup semi-final in their favour.
Since then, they have only met once. That was in September earlier in the qualifying campaign when Mexico ran out 2-1 winners courtesy of goals from Alexis Vega and Henry Martin (again a late winner) with Shamar Nicholson replying for undermanned Jamaica.
The last time they met on Jamaican soil in a World Cup qualifier was in 2013 when a solitary Aldo de Nigris goal earned Mexico a narrow win.
Before that, it was role reversal as a goal from Ricardo Fuller gave Jamaica the points against the Mexicans then managed by Sven Goran Eriksson.
Overall, Mexico have 20 successes in this fixture, including in eight of their first nine clashes (the first in 1962), and there have been three draws.
The SBOTOP World Cup 2022 qualifying betting odds certainly back them to do so.
El Tri can be backed 1X2 @1.69 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.29 and even First Half 1X2 @ 2.39 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.95.
Jamaica are priced well adrift compared to that with the variety of odds including First Half 1X2 @ 5.20, 1X2 @ 4.80, First Half Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 3.00 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.25.
Given the hosts’ recent defensive improvement, perhaps we should not expect too many goals with over 2.25 goals @ 2.11, total goal 0-1 @ 2.36, 2-3 @ 1.84 and 4-6 @ 4.80 among the options.
Double Chance Jamaica or Draw @ 2.02, 1X2 Draw @ 3.35 and another 2-1 Mexico success – with Correct Score – @ 7.40 have all been considered by me.
I do think Mexico will narrowly edge this but only after an improved showing from the hosts in the second half.
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World Cup 2022: Red Cards, High Drama, and Peril for Chile
It’s hot enough out in South America. But when the continent’s biggest football nations collide, the temperature goes off the scale and the atmosphere reaches fever pitch.
And this week we watched some huge results roll in as tempers flared and the stars delivered as two players were sent off in the clash between third-placed Ecuador and leaders Brazil.
The top four of the World Cup 2022 CONMEBOL group will qualify automatically with the fifth place team playing off against a team from the Asian confederation, and that may be the best Chile can hope for after goals from Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina all three points.
Brereton Diaz replied for La Roja but their hopes look increasingly slim, while Argentina and Brazil have already packed their bags for Qatar.
Ecuador will feel they could have had all three points but they had a goal chalked off and two penalties overturned by VAR, including one in the dying seconds of the match.
Casemiro’s goal came after just five minutes when he smashed the ball home in a goalmouth scramble and it all seemed to be going pear-shaped for the hosts when their keeper Alexander Dominguez saw red for a poor challenge.
But the numbers evened up with only 20 minutes gone as Spurs right-back Emerson Royal picked up his second yellow in quick succession.
Ecuador’sWorld Cup 2022 resultshave given them a brilliant chance of qualifying for the World Cup for the fourth time and they are sitting in third place, which is seven points clear of seventh-placed Colombia who have a game in hand.
With matches against Peru, Paraguay, and a home fixture against Argentina to come, a win and a draw should be enough for La Tri to make their travel plans for Qatar.
VAR loves Liverpool players
Fans of Premier League clubs outside the self anointed ‘Big Six’ have quickly come to realise that the advancement of video technology is not the answer to all their problems, and they understandably had fears that the richest clubs, more often than not, get the big decisions have not been eased much.
Well, the trend followed Liverpool stopper Alisson who was sent off twice in the game with Ecuador only to have his red cards rescinded on both occasions by the video ref, which was hard to stomach for La Tri who had the rough end of it all night.
Brazil are in the pack of leading contenders according to the World Cup 2022 betting odds.And if VAR is as kind to them in the Middle East, then they have every chance.
Suarez still delivers for Uruguay
Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring for Uruguay in the match against Paraguay
A 1-0 win away to Panama means Uruguay sit in fourth place in the CONMEBOL table and new head coach Diego Alonso can feel happy with his work, and that of talisman Luis Suarez.
The veteran Atletico Madrid striker took a pass from Diego Godin and fired in a stunner to win the game in the 65th-minute.
Paraguay keeper Antony Silva could only watch as Suarez showed he still has what it takes at the very top level. But the match ended on a sour note for Paraguay as centre-back Gustavo Gomez was sent off.
Five–way battle for the final qualifying place
Uruguay have plenty of work to do, though, since they sit in fourth place but only three points ahead of seventh-placed Chile, with Colombia and Peru in between. And Bolivia, who are one place and a point behind Chile but with a game in hand, will still have hopes of qualifying, or at least making the play-off place.
Paraguay, in ninth and with only three games left, probably have too much to do but a play-off spot is not entirely out of the question.
Next up, there is a huge game when Colombia host Peru when the winner will leapfrog Uruguay into fourth place, but a draw would leave both teams sitting outside the top four and Alonso’s team hanging on with three rounds to play. Meanwhile, Bolivia could make some progress when they travel to bottom nation Venezuela.
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World Cup 2022: Canada vs USApitches together the top two sides in the CONCACAF table; both are well on the way to qualification, along with Mexico, and while this isn’t a ‘Winner Takes All’ clash, the victors will take hold of the top place with just four games to play.
The hosts come into the match on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Honduras, while the USA narrowly beat El Salvador 1-0, in a game they really should have won more convincingly, and the Maple Leafs will fancy their chances when the two sides meet in Hamilton on Sunday.
The pre-match Canada vs USA betting oddsare telling us this is a tough game to call, with all three results in play and all at a price lower than odds of 3.00. And while USA sit a huge 29 places above Canada in the FIFA World Rankings (11th and 40th) this young Canada side will have plenty to say when they welcome their North American neighbours.
Talking Points
Canada’s Young Guns full of confidence
The Maple Leafs are still unbeaten in the qualifiers as they lead the CONCACAF qualifying league table on 19 points from nine games with USA and Mexico, who they have already beaten 2-1, in hot pursuit.
Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan makes a save vs Honduras’ Atiba Hutchinson during their World Cup qualifier in Toronto
John Herdman’s young side is unbeaten in nine games, unbeaten at home in 13 and they have won the last four matches on the bounce; so they have plenty of stats to back up their confident mood. We expected Honduras to play a spoiling game against Canada but there was little they could do when the Maple Leafs constructed a brilliant goal to double their lead following an early own goal by the hosts. Veteran Keeper Milan Borjan made a brilliant save to preserve their advantage and then Canada’s young stars took the game away from Honduras.
22 year old Brugges striker Tajon Buchanan won the ball with a high press and released midfielder Liam Fraser. The 23 year old launched a pin point 40 yard ball which Jonathan David controlled with his head, before chipping the keeper with a beauty of a finish. The Lille striker has just turned 22 and he looks a real talent. Herdman was delighted, saying: “We knew we could be really dangerous in transition. I thought that’s where we were clinical tonight.
USA beat the chill to stay in touch
Gregg Berhalter’s USA had to endure freezing temperatures as they squeezed past El Salvador, but the hard fought win kept them just a point behind Canada and another victory in Hamilton would see the Stars and Stripes go top. At 29F it equalled the record low temperature for a home international as Fulham defender Antonee Robinson scored the crucial goal on 52 minutes which left the US on 18 points and in second place.
Berhalter has some young stars of his own to match the Maple Leafs. Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie , Lille striker Timothy Weah and Barcelona wingback Sergino Dest could all make an appearance on Sunday and, should the Stars and Stripes make it to Qatar as expected they will be players to watch…but then in stifling heat!
The 1986 World Cup is the only appearance Canada have made at a world finals, in stark contrast to the USA who have made ten appearances and even made the semi-final, 92 years ago in 1930.
While there’s little to choose between the two nations for this game, the Stars and Stripes have had the better of the head to head Canada vs USA results, winning six to Canada’s one of the 11 encounters since 2005, the other four games being drawn.
The last meeting, in September, ended in a 1-1 draw when Kyle Larin equalised after Brenden Aaronson had given the Stars and Stripes a second half lead. And the last encounter on Canadian soil, back in 2019, was an historic night as 17,000 fans saw Alphonso Davies score a first goal against the US since 2007; and when Lucas Cavallini scored to make it 2-0 that confirmed a first Canadian victory over their neighbours in 34 long years.
In terms of recent form, both nations have won four of the last six games; while Canada are unbeaten, the USA has draw one and lost one, away to Panama in October.
At a SBOTOP price of 2.42 the Stars and Stripes are marginally favourites to win this neighbourly tussle, while Canada are at 2.68 and the draw is 2.92.
We’re set for an entertaining encounter with plenty of young talent on display on each side, but the Maple Leafs have been so strong on home soil I suspect they will keep their unbeaten run going and hold on to top spot.
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I’ve not followed them since but now, as Los Ticos try and save their World Cup 2022 qualifying bid four years on, I’m secretly hoping they return to football’s biggest stage of all for their colourful and passionate fans deserve to.
They face a tough test against Mexico in the Azteca this weekend mind.
Talking Points
The central Americans helped their qualifying hopes with a narrow victory over Panama yesterday thanks to a Bryan Ruiz goal which moved them to within two points of their opponents (placed fourth in the standings).
Meanwhile, two late goals in three minutes helped Mexico come from behind to defeat 10-man Jamaica at Independence Park in Kingston.
Mexico fans cheering for their team outside the Independence Park
The fourth-placed team will go to an intercontinental play-off against a nation from Oceania in June, something Costa Rica will be targeting at the expense of Panama.
That is why this match is so important as they strive to return to the world’s stage.
Los Ticos have finished in second spot in the final stage of World Cup qualifying over their previous two campaigns, but they will have their work cut out to finish in that same position this time around, currently trailing the USA by six points and leaders Canada by seven.
This clash could also see two Mexicans near international milestones.
Andres Guardado is inching closer to the all-time caps record for El Tri and has 172, five fewer than Claudio Suarez. Meanwhile, if selected, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will move into a tie with Carlos Salcedo for sixth in the all-time appearances list with 124 caps in a Mexican national shirt.
There’ll be little time for records on Sunday though – the points are all that matters as the race to secure those all-inclusive spots in Qatar hots up.
Out of 58 matches in which they have met, Mexico have only been beaten by Costa Rica on seven occasions.
The Central American and Caribbean Games Final in El Salvador in 1935 was their first ever clash which resulted in a 2-0 Mexican win – and they have won most encounters since.
Thirty-four in fact with a further 17 draws, including seven of their last eight matches (two via a penalty shoot-out).
The most recent was in San Jose in September when a Orbelin Pineda penalty on the stroke of half-time settled the contest in Mexico’s favour.
In fact, you have to go back to 2013 when Costa Rica last tasted victory over the Mexicans when Ruiz and Alvaro Saborio were the men on target in a 2-1 triumph.
What they would give for such World Cup qualifying highlights this weekend as that has been their only victory in 23 matches stretching back to 2001.
That was also the last time they won on Mexican soil when late goals from Rolando Fonseca and Hernan Medford did the damage.
Both sides qualified for the tournament the following summer.
The Qatar World Cup 2022 doesn’t start until the back end of the year; but we’re already into 2022 and you know how quickly time flies; so I’m going to get in early and take a look at the nations who will, in my opinion, shine brightly when the football showcase begins.
I’ll take a look at this piece in 12 months time and see just how close, or how far away, I am. I reckon I can find the winner from five picks and I’m going to take a punt on one outsider. So if I can predict three of the four semi-finalists then I’d say that’s a success.
Here goes…
Two red hot prospects…
Brazil
Nobody in their right mind would have five chances to pick the 2022 winner and leave out the Samba Boys of Brazil. The five times World Cup winners and nine times Copa America champions are managed by former Corinthians boss Tite, and the 60 year old master strategist has a sparkling array of talent from front to back.
As the last line of defence he can choose from the Premier League’s finest, Liverpool’s Alisson and Manchester City’s Ederson. Alisson had two red cards rescinded in the Selecao’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador last week but he is normally the most reliable of stoppers while Ederson’s distribution is second to none. With PSG’s Marquinhos at the back, Real Madrid’s Casemiro in midfield and Neymar up front they have superstars everywhere. Look out for Leeds United winger Raphinha who is fast becoming a Selecao favourite.
France
Italy and England might both fancy their chances in Qatar but the early World Cup 2022 betting oddsare backing the reigning champions to push Brazil all the way… and I agree. Les Bleus are the boys for the big occasion and Europe’s best chance of success.
Head coach Didier Deschamps was a playing legend and he understands his own players implicitly, even managing to get a tune out of Manchester United’s midfield enigma Paul Pogba. France were unbeaten in a tough qualifying group containing Ukraine, and the conveyor belt of talent keeps on delivering. Young stars such as centre backs Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano, and 22 year old striker Moussa Diaby have joined the band of proven winners.
Luis Enrique’s Spain came through their group with flying colours, seeing off a challenge from tough operators Sweden and Greece, and they have a good chance of going deep into the competition in Qatar. They were very unlucky to lose to eventual winners Italy in the Euro 2020 semi-final; having totally bossed the game with 65 per cent possession and 16 shots to seven they cruelly went out on penalties.
Manchester City’s defensive midfielder Rodri could be a key figure, as could his domestic team-mate Aymeric Laporte in the heart of defence. Leipzig’s Dani Olmo and Valencia’s Carlos Soler provide the running in midfield while forward Alvaro Morata is due a big tournament, and 22 year old Milan striker Brahim Diaz could well be the breakout star.
Can Spain emulate their 2010 success and emerge as champions? I think they may fall just short but they’ll certainly be worth watching.
Argentina
With 153 caps and 80 goals for the Albiceleste the great Lionel Messi could bow out from international football at the World Cup; and what a story it would be if he lifted the famous trophy. Head coach Lionel Scaloni can rely on the 35 year-old’s fitness, and he still has the magic in his boots to win any game.
Argentina forward Lionel Messi will be 35 at the start of the World Cup 2022
Alongside Messi, Lautaro Martinez is one player who can write some World Cup 2022 newsheadlines. The 24 year old Inter Milan striker has 18 goals from 36 internationals and he’s in great club form, as is Atletico Madrid’s wide man Angel Correa.
Having ended their 28 year trophy drought by beating Brazil in the 2021 Copa America, the Argentines will no longer lose in their heads. They can only be beaten on the grass, and that’s easier said than done.
And a dark horse…
Netherlands
It’s so good to see the Oranje back on the world stage after they failed to qualify for Russia 2018. They have come back much stronger and Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk form arguably the best centre back partnership in world football. With Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong in midfield and Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen up front, a new generation of Dutch footballers are set to win fans world wide.
So friends, the road to Qatar is looming ever closer and there’s a whole host of domestic football to enjoy in the meantime, the climax of the 2021/22 campaigns and the start of 2022/23. Here at SBOTOP we’ll be across all the action every step of the way and then we’ll be at the winter World Cup; and I bet these five teams will play a big part in an extravaganza of footy delight. And one of them will win it…
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World Cup 2022: Second-string Selecao Take on Second from Bottom Paraguay
Brazil vs Paraguay
Brazil’s lead at the top of South America’s World Cup 2022 qualifying standings has been cut to four points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Ecuador.
With Brazil already qualified for Qatar, Tite gave several players a chance to play last time out. Will he field another makeshift Selecao side when they take on Paraguay at home in their upcoming qualifier?
But despite missing Neymar and other first-team regulars, the World Cup 2022 betting odds still have the Brazilians favoured heavily at home against Paraguay, who are second-from-bottom in qualifying.
Talking Points
Brazil backups could get another run-out
Brazil suffered a rare qualifying setback as they drew 1-1 away to Ecuador last time out. It was just the Selecao’s third draw in this qualifying campaign, although their lead over second-placed Argentina has been cut to just four points.
With their qualifying spot in Qatar secured and star forward Neymar out injured, Brazil coach Tite made several changes to his starting lineup to give other players a chance to impress.
Atletico Madrid’s Matheus Cunha, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Leeds United’s Raphinha all started alongside Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho in attack, but not of them stood out all that much.
Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho applauds the fans after their Premier League game against Manchester United
With Neymar, Roberto Firmino, and Richarlison all out, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho are the Selecao’s leading scorers with 18 goals apiece.
Tottenham right-back Emerson Royal also got a rare start, but he got a red card and will be suspended against Paraguay. Emerson’s suspension could see newly recalled 38-year-old Dani Alves getting another start.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Tite will hand starts to other members of the squad. Bruno Guimaraes, who is rumoured to be headed to Newcastle, Antony, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Barbosa are all contenders to get a starting spot in their second qualifier of the month.
Brazil’s backups will look to keep up their terrific home record in qualifying. They have won all six home games in qualifying, with 15 goals scored and just one goal conceded.
Paraguay still struggling to pick up points
Paraguay’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been quite a disappointment. They are currently second from bottom in the standings with just two wins in 15 games.
Paraguay’s most recent World 2022 results have seen them go winless in their last six games while losing four of the last five. They lost 1-0 to Uruguay last time out, with captain and centre-back Gustavo Gomez getting sent off in the 90th minute. Gomez is the country’s most experienced player with 59 caps, so his loss against Brazil will be a big loss.
Paraguay are also woefully short on attacking ability, which has been a big part of their struggles. They have scored just nine goals in 15 games, by far the fewest in qualifying.
Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron is the team’s most high-profile attacker, but the midfielder has scored just three goals in 42 international caps.
Striker Angel Romero had a hot run with four goals early in qualifying and also had two goals in last year’s Copa America. However, he has not scored since and was not called up for this latest round of qualifiers.
Paraguay have a dreadful away record in qualifying. Since their victory against Venezuela, they have gone winless in their last six away matches, with three defeats and three defeats. They have also failed to score in each of their last five.
History
Unsurprisingly, Brazil have dominated Paraguay, 50-13, while the two have drawn 19 times. Paraguay went a stretch of four games when they drew with Brazil, but they lost twice in extra-time in the Copa America.
Brazil have since won three games in a row, with Paraguay failing to score in each one of them. They won their first World Cup qualifier 2-0 with goals from Neymar and Lucas Paqueta.
SBOTOP odds have Brazil installed as significant 1.33 favourites. Paraguay are priced at 8.75 while a draw is at 4.70.
While Brazil don’t have much left to play for, a handful of players will be eager to make a better impression after their disappointing display in Ecuador.
The Selecao have superior talent, and coupled with home advantage, they should have more than enough to get past the struggling Paraguayans.
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The hosts have been coming up on the rails in the South American qualifiers in recent weeks and currently preside in the last automatic qualifying spot, four points behind their visitors and one ahead of Uruguay who are sitting uncomfortably in the play-off place. Peru beat Colombia 1-0 last time out while Ecuador earned a point in an action packed 1-1 draw with Brazil.
World Cup: Peru vs Ecuador is the most fascinating tie of this round, with three games left to play Ecuador could seal their place in the finals with a win, and a victory for the hosts would give them a real chance of progressing while making their visitors look nervously over their shoulders.
The pre-match Peru vs Ecuador betting odds rate Los Incas as favourites for this clash, and little wonder given home advantage and recent form. They made it three victories on the bounce with their shock win against Uruguay when they showed they can take real punishment and stay in a game. With 30 shots to four the Uruguay team might wonder how they lost, but Peru limited them to just two shots on target in the 90 minutes, which meant Edinson Flores’ well taken 85th minute effort took all three points in a classic smash and grab.
31-year-old keeper and skipper Pedro Gallese organised his defence superbly and they put their bodies on the line to protect their last line of defence. Head coach Ricardo Gareca was delighted, saying: “We know we depend on our efforts and this team has to fight in each final. We have another one on Tuesday and we are ready for that.” The last time Peru made the finals was in 1982 to Gareca will expect his team to battle all the way in this campaign.
Peru will have to fight Ecuador without top scorer Christian Cueva and Aldo Corzo, both suspended. So Celta Vigo midfielder Renato Tapia is likely to line up alongside DC United’s creative midfielder Flores, while Serie A fans might recognise Benevento striker Gianluca Lapadula.
Ecuador on the brink
Felix Torres celebrates after scoring Ecuador’s first goal against Brazil
We’re already looking forward to the World Cup finals in Qatar and Ecuador fans are at the dreaming stage after a 1-1 draw with Brazil cemented their third position and inched them closer to the finals. They could have had three points against Brazil had VAR not overturned two penalties awarded by the ref, but head coach Gustavo Alfaro can be proud of his players’ efforts. Felix Torres headed Ecuador’s equaliser after Casemiro gave the Selecao a lead. But a red card for keeper Alexander Dominguez and a yellow for talisman Enner Valencia means Ecuador will be without two of their most experienced players for the clash with Peru. Top scorer Michael Estrada will lead the line while Jorge Pinos is lined up to deputise in goal.
History
Peru have the more impressive history of the two teams; they are twice Copa America champions, the last time in 1975, and they have made the World Cup finals on five occasions.
Ecuador have reached the Copa America semi-finals on two occasions and have reached the World Cup finals three times.
Peru won the return fixture 2-1, but the most remarkable of all the Peru vs Ecuador results came over 80 years ago, way back in 1938 when the Incas recorded their biggest ever win, beating Ecuador 9-1 in Bogota, Columbia.
Both teams come into the game unbeaten in six, and the Incas are unbeaten in six at home.
At prices of 2.21 and 3.02, Peru and Ecuador will both believe they can win this game, but los Incas need the points more as they are one of a number of teams chasing the last qualifying spot, and with Uruguay and Paraguay still to play they have three huge games to contend with. If the hosts can fashion a victory then that would drag Ecuador back into the melee; so the visitors would be happy with a draw, with Paraguay and Argentina still to play.
Both teams have key players missing particularly in attack, and while Peru’s defensive prowess was on show in their last outing they will have to be incisive in attack to break down Ecuador who will be set up to frustrate. I can see the two sides cancelling each other out and another 1-1 result for La Tri, at odds of 5.22, would be just the job for them.
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The standings see Ecuador with some wriggle room in third and Peru in the fourth and final automatic berth but there’s not much in it.
And with Uruguay, Colombia, Chile and Bolivia hot on their heels and still possessing hopes of reaching Qatar, we could be set for some World Cup qualifying highlights.
Not that they showed any signs of easing up as they damaged Chile’s qualification hopes last week (their 28th unbeaten game in a row across all competitions) when goals from Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez defeated one of their fiercest rivals.
On the same day, Colombia made life very difficult for themselves as they went down to a late home defeat to Peru on Friday night.
In a result which cost them the opportunity to climb back up to fourth, second-half substitute Edison Flores secured a smash and grab 1-0 victory away as goalkeeper David Ospina’s gaffe cost goal-shy Colombia.
Peru barely had a shot on goal all match but, five minutes from time, Ospina let Flores’s fierce effort from a tight angle beat him at his near post as Peru snatched an unlikely victory on the counter-attack.
Yes, Colombia had dominated throughout but failed to score for the sixth successive match – a run of more than 550 minutes.
After such a lack of clinical finishing for five matches in a row, how they now need to find their shooting boots or their World Cup hopes will be over.
To labour the point, against Peru, only 28 of Colombia’s shots were on target.
Four Argentine clean sheets from their last four qualifiers at home may well spell further frustration for Colombia who will be without the suspended Yerry Mina, but Argentina’s ranks will be even more depleted through four suspensions of their own.
All four – Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo de Paul and Leandro Paredes- are out of contention after being cautioned against Chile.
Argentina’s Angel Di Maria holding the Copa America trophy
Since Argentina thrashed Colombia in their first-ever meeting in the 1945 Copa America, it has been largely domination for the two-times world champions.
They have 24 victories to nine Colombia successes and eight draws.
On saying that, they have one win apiece and two draws in their most recent four meetings, including in last summer’s Copa semi-final when the teams drew 1-1 before Argentina prevailed on spot-kicks en route to winning the competition.
In that game, Martinez put them ahead before an equaliser from Luis Diaz forced extra-time and the subsequent penalty shoot-out
A month earlier they had met in World Cup qualifying in Barranquilla when the Argentines raced into a 2-0 lead inside eight minutes through Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes before a Luis Muriel penalty reduced the arrears and the Colombians levelled in the final minute through Miguel Borja.
In the 2019 Copa, Colombia – then managed by Carlos Quieroz – won 2-0 in a group game, courtesy of goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata.
You have to go back to 1993 and a famous Colombian victory to the last time they won on Argentine soil.
On that occasion, a side containing the likes of Diego Simeone and Gabriel Batistuta were humbled on home turf as Faustino Asprilla grabbed a hattrick and inspired a 5-0 romp in Buenos Aires.
CONCACAF World Cup 2022: Mexico Aware of the Panama Threat
Mexico vs Panama
Third plays fourth in the CONCACAF match of the week when World Cup 2022: Mexico vs Panamais the entertainment on offer at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
The top three teams will qualify for the Qatar World Cup while the fourth-placed team will face an inter-confederation playoff. After a fine set of results Panama are just a single point behind Mexico and the USA who hold second place, both on 18 points while Canada is in pole position on 22.
With four games to play Panama still have the USA and Canada to play, so they will have a huge say in the final outcome, but if Mexico can see off the threat of Los Canaleros then they will take a big step towards the finals. The hosts come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw at home to Costa Rica while Panama won at home to Jamaica 3-2, so the pressure is now on El Tri to deliver in a huge game.
Talking Points
Mexico looking for their cutting edge
Mexico’s meeting with Costa Rica was never going to be a walkover but Gerardo Martino’s team would have hoped for more than a point, and the pre-match Mexico vs Panama betting odds put them right at the front in this next game against Panama. He has an experienced group of players, led by midfield general Hector Herrera, with some talented strikers playing in Europe’s best leagues.
Jesus Corona in action during Mexico’s match against Costa Rica
Wolves forward Raul Jimenez and Napoli’s Hirving Lozano have been the mainstays up front in recent seasons, with support from Sevilla’s Jesus Corona and Martino will be relying on one of them to avoid drawing another blank.
The top two, Canada and USA came head to head last weekend and goals from Cyle Larin and Sam Adekugbe gave the young Canadian team a priceless three points, meaning the US, Mexico and Panama are in a three-way battle for two places. Now Mexico must be ruthless to see off one of their two main rivals.
Ambitious Panama have no respect for reputation
Los Canaleros are down in 63rd place in the FIFA World rankings 49 behind 14th placed Mexico but they won’t arrive at the Azteca arena with any fear whatsoever. They have already beaten USA in this campaign and, last weekend, they saw off a dangerous Jamaica side 3-2 which all but ended the Reggae Boyz’ hopes of qualification.
Panama went behind early in the game when West Ham’s prolific striker Michail Antonio gave Jamaica an early lead from the penalty spot, and when Eric Davis missed a penalty things began to look a little gloomy for Los Canaleros. But Jamaica gave them a helping hand with an own goal to level the scores before the break. Then Davis made amends for his penalty miss with a 51st minute goal, and Azmahar Ariano Navarro made it 3-1 with a sweeping finish. Jamaica’s Andre Gray halved the deficit but Panama held out for a deserved win.
Head coach Thomas Christiansen will be delighted by the way his side attacked with great intensity, but Mexico will be hopeful they can breach a Panama defence that has not kept a clean sheet since the middle of October. El Tri have scored in six of their last seven home games and so they will expect to hit the net more than once on Thursday.
History
Mexico have been to the World Cup finals 16 times while Panama are trying to make their second appearance, having debuted four year ago at Russia 2018; and pretty much all the stats are pointing to a home win here, which will make Panama’s task so much harder.
El Tri have had the better of the head-to-head Mexico vs Panama results, winning nine, drawing five and losing two of their encounters with Panama.
The return fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in Panama in a game dominated by Mexico, but they trailed to a Rolando Blackburn goal until the 75th minute when Sevilla striker Corona popped up with the leveller. Mexico won the previous four meetings, scoring ten goals and conceding just one and they are currently unbeaten at home in ten matches.
Mexico are hot favourites at a SBOTOP price of 1.28 while the draw is at 4.55 and Panama are way out at 8.22.
Four of Panama’s last six games and five of Mexico’s have yielded three goals or more so I expect more of the same on Thursday from a Mexico side hungry for goals. A 3-0 home win is at odds of 7.14 and, incidentally, that was the outcome on the two encounters prior to the 1-1 draw in Panama.
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CONCACAF World Cup 2022: Mexico Aware of the Panama Threat
Mexico vs Panama
Third plays fourth in the CONCACAF match of the week when World Cup 2022: Mexico vs Panamais the entertainment on offer at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
The top three teams will qualify for the Qatar World Cup while the fourth-placed team will face an inter-confederation playoff. After a fine set of results Panama are just a single point behind Mexico and the USA who hold second place, both on 18 points while Canada is in pole position on 22.
With four games to play Panama still have the USA and Canada to play, so they will have a huge say in the final outcome, but if Mexico can see off the threat of Los Canaleros then they will take a big step towards the finals. The hosts come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw at home to Costa Rica while Panama won at home to Jamaica 3-2, so the pressure is now on El Tri to deliver in a huge game.
Talking Points
Mexico looking for their cutting edge
Mexico’s meeting with Costa Rica was never going to be a walkover but Gerardo Martino’s team would have hoped for more than a point, and the pre-match Mexico vs Panama betting odds put them right at the front in this next game against Panama. He has an experienced group of players, led by midfield general Hector Herrera, with some talented strikers playing in Europe’s best leagues.
Jesus Corona in action during Mexico’s match against Costa Rica
Wolves forward Raul Jimenez and Napoli’s Hirving Lozano have been the mainstays up front in recent seasons, with support from Sevilla’s Jesus Corona and Martino will be relying on one of them to avoid drawing another blank.
The top two, Canada and USA came head to head last weekend and goals from Cyle Larin and Sam Adekugbe gave the young Canadian team a priceless three points, meaning the US, Mexico and Panama are in a three-way battle for two places. Now Mexico must be ruthless to see off one of their two main rivals.
Ambitious Panama have no respect for reputation
Los Canaleros are down in 63rd place in the FIFA World rankings 49 behind 14th placed Mexico but they won’t arrive at the Azteca arena with any fear whatsoever. They have already beaten USA in this campaign and, last weekend, they saw off a dangerous Jamaica side 3-2 which all but ended the Reggae Boyz’ hopes of qualification.
Panama went behind early in the game when West Ham’s prolific striker Michail Antonio gave Jamaica an early lead from the penalty spot, and when Eric Davis missed a penalty things began to look a little gloomy for Los Canaleros. But Jamaica gave them a helping hand with an own goal to level the scores before the break. Then Davis made amends for his penalty miss with a 51st minute goal, and Azmahar Ariano Navarro made it 3-1 with a sweeping finish. Jamaica’s Andre Gray halved the deficit but Panama held out for a deserved win.
Head coach Thomas Christiansen will be delighted by the way his side attacked with great intensity, but Mexico will be hopeful they can breach a Panama defence that has not kept a clean sheet since the middle of October. El Tri have scored in six of their last seven home games and so they will expect to hit the net more than once on Thursday.
History
Mexico have been to the World Cup finals 16 times while Panama are trying to make their second appearance, having debuted four year ago at Russia 2018; and pretty much all the stats are pointing to a home win here, which will make Panama’s task so much harder.
El Tri have had the better of the head-to-head Mexico vs Panama results, winning nine, drawing five and losing two of their encounters with Panama.
The return fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in Panama in a game dominated by Mexico, but they trailed to a Rolando Blackburn goal until the 75th minute when Sevilla striker Corona popped up with the leveller. Mexico won the previous four meetings, scoring ten goals and conceding just one and they are currently unbeaten at home in ten matches.
Mexico are hot favourites at a SBOTOP price of 1.28 while the draw is at 4.55 and Panama are way out at 8.22.
Four of Panama’s last six games and five of Mexico’s have yielded three goals or more so I expect more of the same on Thursday from a Mexico side hungry for goals. A 3-0 home win is at odds of 7.14 and, incidentally, that was the outcome on the two encounters prior to the 1-1 draw in Panama.
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World Cup 2022: Uruguay, Chile Keep Qatar Hopes Alive
The World Cup 2022 qualifying picture in South America is starting to take shape, with a handful of countries still fighting for the two spots behind Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador.
Luis Suarez and Uruguay are suddenly in the driver’s seat for the coveted fourth and final automatic qualifying spot after their big win over Venezuela, coupled with a Peru draw, saw them jump to fourth.
Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez kept Chile’s chances of going to Qatar alive with a brace against Bolivia as they continue fight it out with Peru and struggling Colombia for fifth spot and a play-off berth.
Brazil and Argentina are already assured of their place in Qatar, but they keep winning anyway despite the absence of their PSG stars, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Read on below as SBOTOP lists down the top takeaways from third-to-last matchday of the South American World Cup 2022 qualifying tournament.
Uruguay new favourite for fourth after victory over Venezuela
Uruguay put in arguably their best performance of this qualifying campaign as they thrashed bottom-side Venezuela 4-1 to give new head coach Diego Alonso two wins from his first two games in charge.
Tottenham new boy Rodrigo Bentancur got La Celeste off to a dream start by scoring in the opening minute, and Giorgian de Arrascaeta made it two on 23 minutes. Veteran strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez then got into the act with goals of their own to seal the win.
But it was Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri who stole the show as he brilliantly set up one goal and drew the penalty which led to another.
The victory was huge for Uruguay as they have now moved to the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot after Peru’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
La Celeste’s last two qualifying games in March will be against their direct rivals for that fourth spot. They take on Peru in Montevideo, then travel to Santiago to take on Chile in the qualifying finale.
Alexis brace gives Chile a fighting chance
Chile’s chances of qualifying for their third straight World Cup are still very much alive after their 3-2 win over Bolivia. Alexis Sanchez bagged a brace to lead La Roja to the much-needed victory.
Chile star Alexis Sanchez celebrates after winning 2-3 against Bolivia in their latest World Cup 2022 qualifier
The 33-year-old Sanchez, who now has 48 career international goals in 146 caps (both Chilean records), finally ended his lengthy goal drought for his country. His last goal came back in June 2021 and the one before that came in October 2020. Alexis has also been playing quite well for Inter this season and has four goals over his last eight appearances.
But even with Chile’s win over Bolivia, their World Cup 2022 odds of qualifying are not great. They remain three points behind Uruguay for the fourth automatic qualifying spot and have two very tough final qualifying games against Brazil away and against Uruguay at home.
But if Sanchez can continue the fine form he’s shown of late into March for the final two qualifiers, then La Roja should still have a fighting chance of making it to Qatar.
Raphinha shines, Vinicius fails to impress for Brazil
Leaders Brazil bounced back from their 1-1 draw with Ecuador as they thrashed second-from-bottom Paraguay 4-0 at home. It was a dominant performance from the mostly second-string Selecao, as Raphinha, Philippe Coutinho, Antony, and Rodrygo got the goals in the absence of injured star Neymar.
Raphinha produced more World Cup 2022 highlights as he tries to earn his way into the squad for Qatar. The Leeds winger has now scored three international goals in seven appearances in qualifying, all of which have come within the last six months.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr had another disappointing showing. The Real Madrid man did not get a single shot off in the two games against Ecuador and Paraguay and was also subbed off on in both matches. He has now appeared in 11 games for his country and has yet to score a goal.
Clearly, Vinicius is having a more impressive club campaign than Raphinha, with 15 goals and 8 assists already for Real, who are favourites to reclaim the La Liga title.
But Raphinha’s sudden rise has strengthened his chances of making the World Cup 2022 squad, so Vini Jr will have to step up his game with the Selecao and prove to Tite that he is deserving of a spot in the side.
Lautaro steps up again for Argentina in Messi’s absence
Lautaro Martinez once again stepped up for Argentina as he scored the lone goal in their 1-0 win against Colombia. La Albiceleste went a perfect two for two in the latest round of World Cup 2022 qualifying matches despite missing superstar Lionel Messi.
Lautaro, who also got the winner in Argentina’s 2-1 win away to Chile, has been in fantastic goalscoring form for his country. He has now scored seven goals in qualifying (tied for second along with Neymar and Luis Suarez) and has eight goals in his last 12 international appearances.
Lautaro’s continued ascent bodes very well for Argentina heading into the World Cup. With Messi getting up in age, Lautaro gives the team another top-class striker capable of getting the goals they need to make a deep run in Qatar.
Colombia in serious danger of crashing out
While Ecuador are now secured a top-five spot, Colombia are in serious danger of failing to make the World Cup. Los Cafeteros, who made the quarter-finals back in 2014, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Messi-less Argentina, pushing their disastrous winless run in qualifying to seven games (4 draws, 3 defeats, 0 goals scored).
Seventh-placed Colombia are four points adrift of fifth-placed Peru for the play-off spot, and while they face strugglers Bolivia and Venezuela in their last two games, they need other teams to falter to stand any chance of making it.
So despite all the talent at their disposal – James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado, Davinson Sanchez, Radamel Falcao and Liverpool new boy Luis Diaz – Colombia could very well be out of contention for Qatar when it’s all said and done.
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World Cup 2022: South Korea Host Iran in Crucial Showdown
Korea Republic vs Iran
Top spot in AFC World Cup 2022 qualifying Group A will be on the line when South Korea host Iran in Seoul. Both nations have already qualified for Qatar with several games to spare, but they will still be hoping to end the campaign on a high.
The South Koreans will be especially keen to beat their old Asian rivals, not only to overtake them in the standings, but also to end their extended winless run against them.
And their World Cup 2022 odds of doing so at home have received a huge boost with the likely absence of a couple of Iranian stars due to Covid.
Talking Points
Son and Hwang back to boost South Korean attack
South Korea have been taking care of business in the third round of World Cup qualifying. They are still unbeaten in eight games and have won each of their last four matches since playing out a 1-1 draw with Iran back in October.
South Korea’s defence has been rock-solid in this round. They have conceded just two goals in eight games and have kept four clean sheets in a row, which has to please head coach Paulo Bento.
Korea Republic’s Son Heung-Min in action during their World Cup 2022 qualifiers against Syria
Meanwhile, star forwards Son Heung-Min and Hwang Hee-chan were both absent in their latest round of qualifiers away against Lebanon and Syria, but the South Koreans did just about enough to squeeze out the victories they needed.
The good World Cup 2022 news for the Taeguk Warriors is that their Premier League stars are back in the squad to bolster their attack against Iran.
Hwang suffered an injury scare in Wolves’ win at Everton, but he bounced right back and appeared as a substitute in their shock 3-2 defeat against Leeds United, who came back from two goals down in the last half hour.
Meanwhile, Son will be in fine form after scoring a brace in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over West Ham. Son is the country’s top scorer in the third round of qualifying with three goals and has 30 goals in 96 international caps for his country.
Iran lose key players due to Covid
Iran are in the driver’s seat to win Group A. They are currently on 22 points and hold a two-point lead over South Korea.
Like the South Koreans, Iran have built their success on the foundation of a strong defence. They have conceded just two goals through their eight qualifiers and kept clean sheets in their back-to-back 1-0 home wins over Iraq and UAE last time out.
However, Iran coach Dragan Skoi has been struck a major blow as several key players, including star striker Mehdi Taremi and midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh, have tested positive for Covid and look set to miss out.
Taremi’s absence will be especially crucial. The 28-year-old is having a terrific season for Porto with 16 goals and 13 assists in all competitions. He is also Iran’s most reliable goalscorer in the third round of World Cup qualifying with four goals.
With Taremi absent, Sardar Azmoun will likely lead the Iranian attack in Seoul. The 27-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker, who has just recently recovered from an injury, has a terrific strike rate for his country with 39 goals in 60 games.
History
Iran and South Korea played out a 1-1 draw in their first meeting in Tehran in October. Son Heung Min had given South Korea the lead just after half-time, but Alireza Jahanbakhsh equalised 14 minutes from time to salvage a point for the hosts.
It was the third consecutive draw between the two Asian superpowers and the seventh straight game Iran have avoided defeat against South Korea.
The Taeguk Warriors have beaten Iran just once over the last 15 years. That came in the quarter-finals of the 2011 Asian Cup, and South Korea still needed extra-time to top their rivals.
All in all, Iran have a 13-9 edge over South Korea in terms of wins, with 10 draws.
SBOTOP odds have South Korea installed as 2.12 favourites to beat Iran, who are priced at 3.30. Meanwhile, a draw is at 2.90.
The advantage is quite clearly with South Korea. Not only will they be at home, but they will also have their two star strikers in Son and Hwang, while Iran will be without Taremi, which is a huge blow to their attack.
South Korea will also have significantly more motivation in this match; they must win to end their long winless drought against Iran and also to jump ahead of the Iranians in the standings.
With all these factors in mind, look for the Taeguk Warriors to finally get that much-awaited win over Iran in Seoul.
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World Cup 2022: The Swedes Won’t Make Friends With the Czechs at Solna
Sweden vs Czech Republic
A huge World Cup 2022 fixture is happening between Sweden and Czech Republic this Thursday at the Friends Arena, and it’s something that neither side will easily concede given the high stakes involved.
Both nations are two consecutive games away from securing their spot in Qatar for the actual World Cup, including this must-win game. And the winner this Thursday will have to go through Poland on March 29.
Sweden and Czech Republic haven’t faced each other on international competitions in quite some time. The former has the upper hand according to the SBOTOP pre-match betting odds and the fact that the hosts have a healthier group also reinforces this notion.
But the Czechs have shown over these last few years that they aren’t backing down from any challenge, and it makes you wonder on whether they can spring another surprise.
Janne Andersson’s side has arguably been one of the most disappointing sides here in the qualifiers.
They had a solid start in 2021 where they’ve won nine of their 11 games and have progressed to as far as the last 16 of Euro 2020. But after that, they suffered a poor run of form that has forced them to settle for the play-offs.
They were in a great spot in Group B, but defeats against Spain, Greece, and Georgia have put them in the position they’re in now.
Fortunately for Janne Andersson, he has a full squad to choose from – which includes a bevy of talented players from young to old.
Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak is in form as he has scored three goals in his past six international appearances, and he’ll be backed by Dejan Kulusevski, Emil Forsberg, and debutant Anthony Elanga.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also been called up by Sweden and he’ll play a vital role as one of the team’s renowned veterans, although he’ll be suspended for this match. Meanwhile, marshalling the back are the likes of Victor Lindelof and Ludwig Augustinsson.
Czech Republic’s big guns are out
Patrik Schick celebrates during a Euro 20220 match
Czech Republic have also been a disappointing side here in the qualifiers as they were unable to build on their surprising Euro 2020 campaign where they went to as far as the quarter-finals.
Four wins, two draws, and two defeats weren’t enough for the Czechs to secure their berth from Group E, with Wales and Belgium leading the pack.
It doesn’t help either that they won’t have a full squad to choose from ahead of this contest. Patrik Schick is dealing with a calf injury and his 17 goals in 33 appearances will be hard to replace. Meanwhile, Jaroslav Silhavy’s entire first-choice defence from last year’s Euro 2020 is also unavailable.
Antonin Barak and Matej Vydra are to lead their frontline and will have to play beyond themselves, while Tomas Vaclik will have a tougher time manning between the sticks with inadequate cover at centre-half.
History
The international games between Sweden and Czech Republic have only come few and far between. They’ve only faced each other three times where the Swedes have the slight edge with one victory, while the other two ended in draws.
There have been a handful of goals whenever they meet up and it’s likely that such trend will continue, although we might see the Swedes secure a clean sheet against the Czechs on Thursday.
Sweden and Czech Republic’s previous meeting was an international friendly at the Friends Arena back in 2016 where the game ended with a 1-1 scoreline as Marcus Berg and Matej Vydra each found the back of the net.
Don’t be fooled by the name of Sweden’s home stadium called the Friends Arena since their home record hasn’t been exactly friendly against their visitors. Sweden have won their last nine matches in Solna, scoring 18 goals and conceding just four.
Sweden are favoured by the World Cup 2022 odds for this upcoming matchup. They are installed at 2.85 to win, while Czech Republic are priced at 4.60 and a draw is at 1.89 in the 1X2 market.
The Swedes are likely to score the goals and World Cup 2022 highlights for this contest given their array of talented frontmen compared to what the Czechs have as of the moment, so we’re inclined to recommend going for Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.85 as an alternative bet. While another competitive matchup is expected here, in the end, the Swedes should move on and face Poland next week for another do-or-die contest.
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World Cup 2022: Wales Look to Take Crucial Step Toward Qatar in Cardiff
Wales vs Austria
Wales still need two more wins to make it to World Cup 2022, which would be their first time qualifying for a World Cup since their only appearance in 1958.
The first of the Dragons’ two potential tests will come in their play-off semi-final tie against Austria at home in Cardiff.
The Austrians are coming off a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign which saw them finish fourth in their group behind Denmark, Scotland, and Israel. But they still have a shot to make it to Qatar due to their strong Nations League display.
The World Cup 2022 betting odds actually have Austria as slight favourites, so can The Boys slay the Dragons to take one step closer to Qatar?
Talking Points
Wales hoping to have star duo Bale, Ramsey
Wales are coming off a second-place showing in Group E of UEFA World Cup qualifying, five points behind group winners Belgium.
After losing to Belgium in their group opener, the Dragons went undefeated in their last seven qualifiers. However, draws to Estonia and the Czech Republic proved costly for their qualifying hopes.
Robert Page, who led the team to a round-of-16 berth in Euro 2020, remains the team’s caretaker manager in Ryan Giggs’ absence, and he has opted to call up team captain and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale despite an injury concern.
Bale has had another disappointing season with Real Madrid. His only appearances for the Spanish giants this calendar year have come in February against Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain.
However, he can still bring his best for his country. He scored a hat-trick and provided an assist in his last three matches for Wales.
Wales’ Aaron Ramsey in action against Hungary’s Zsolt Nagy during Euro 2020 qualifier in 2019
With striker Kieffer Moore out of the squad due to injury, Bale (36 goals in 100 caps) and Ramsey (20 goals in 71 caps) will have to produce some World Cup 2022 highlights for the Dragons.
Daniel James, who has been a crucial player in Leeds’ Premier League campaign this season, could also get the start against Austria.
Austria’s World Cup hopes still alive
Austria’s hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998 are still alive despite a distant fourth-place finish in Group F of qualifying. The Austrians’ performance in the UEFA Nations League earned them a spot in the play-offs.
Despite their disappointing qualifying campaign, Austria still finished strong with two big home wins over Israel (4-2) and Moldova (4-1) back in November.
Marko Arnautovic scored three goals in those last two games, including two from the penalty spot, as he raised his total to 32 goals in 96 caps.
Arnautovic will likely lead the Austrian attack along with Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer and Stuttgart’s Sasa Kalajdzic.
Captain Julian Baumgartlinger has missed out of the squad as he failed to fully recover from a knee injury. Florian Grillitsch and Sabitzer will likely continue to deputise in midfield in Baumgartlinger’s absence, with the likes of Louis Schaub – who scored a brace against Israel – and RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer also contenders to start.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s David Alaba will spearhead the Austrian defence. Alaba has primarily played at left-back for his country, and he could have a crucial role in containing club team-mate Gareth Bale.
History
Wales and Austria have met 10 times in total. The Austrians have a 5-3 edge in terms of wins, while there have been two draws.
However, the Welsh have won two of their last three meetings. That includes their most recent matchup in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers. After drawing 2-2 in Vienna – Arnautovic bagged a brace – Wales won 1-0 in Cardiff thanks to a Ben Woodburn goal.
SBOTOP odds actually have Austria as slight 2.63 favourites to win away from home. Wales have 2.74 odds to win, while a draw is at 2.99.
As those odds indicate, these two sides are quite evenly matched, with very little between them. And while Wales have the big-name stars in Bale and Ramsey, it remains to be seen what they have left as age and injuries have taken their toll.
But while Wales don’t exactly have a huge edge over Austria, home advantage should still count for something. That’s why I’m taking the Dragons to get the home win and move one step closer toward qualification.
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All eyes are on San Jose on Thursday where the match between Costa Rica vs Canada is the big game in the CONCACAF on the road to World Cup 2022.
A win for John Herdman’s rapidly improving Canada will be enough to see them through to the finals for the first time since Mexico 1986, while Costa Rica are hoping to make the play-offs and reach a fifth World Cup finals in six campaigns.
Los Ticos are fifth in the table and need to grab the fourth place from Panama over the final three games. They are currently a point behind but have momentum on their side.
Meanwhile, Les Rouges are the only unbeaten team in the competition and are about to end their 36-year wait to join the best football nations in the world on the biggest stage.
Costa Rica come into the game on the back of a 1-0 victory over Jamaica while Canada won 2-0 away to El Salvador, a result which took Herdman’s team four points clear at the top of the table.
The very latest World Cup 2022 betting odds tell us we have a great game on here with all three results well in play. And if Les Rouges pick up the win they crave, the celebrations in Canada will go on long into the night.
Talking Points
Costa Rica’s Old Boys are doing the business
Los Ticos have an experienced set of players who have been there and done that many times for their countryand they’d love nothing more than one last hurrah at the 2022 finals.
Bryan Ruiz in action during Costa Rica’s match against Jamaica
Just one win in the first seven games put Costa Rica under pressure, but head coach Luis Fernando Suarez has galvanised his team to make a play-off place a distinct possibility.
Costa Rica are skippered by former Fulham star Bryan Ruiz who has 137 caps and will become the second-most capped player in the nation’s history if he makes an appearance against Canada.
PSG keeper Keylor Navas earned his 100th cap in Los Ticos’ win over Jamaica while goal scorer Joel Campbell picked up his 109th cap.
Navas is in fine form and in line to become the CONCACAF goalkeeper of the tournament, picking up three consecutive clean sheets in a big win over Panama and a goalless draw with Mexico before the triumph over Jamaica.
All Costa Rica need to do is to better the results of Panama over the next three games and another shutout for Navas against Canada will be a big leap forwards.
Canada’s history makers can take the next step
Les Rouges have stood back and watched the World Cup finals from afar for almost four decades, but surely they are on their way to Qatar having recently ended a sequence of long running records which have held them back.
During the last three games, Canada won in El Salvador for the first time since 1996, which is the first time in Honduras since 1985 and for the first time against the USA in World Cup qualification since 1980.
A North American summit with USA was a real test and Les Rouges came through with flying colours to stretch their lead at the top of the CONCACAF table.
Twin strikers 26-year old Cyle Larin and 22-year old Jonathan David are in superb form and they can add on to the World Cup 2022 highlights. Larin is the nations all-time leading scorer with 23 goals while David scored his 20th international goal in the win over El Salvador.
And like Los Ticos, Canada registered clean sheets in their last three games as keeper Milan Borjan put in a series of impressive performances in front of a well-organised and confident defence, but they are still without star wing back Alphonso Davies.
The Bayern Munich man is currently out with a complication following a COVID-19 infection and is scheduled to return in April.
History
There is a beautiful balance to the head-to-headswith both nations winning four of the 12 meetings and there have been four draws.
Canada won the last encounter in 2021 – a 1-0 win on home soil as David scored the crucial goal.
In terms of recent form, Canada have the advantage, winning the last six games and are unbeaten in 11. Meanwhile, Costa Rica have won three, drawn one, and lost two of their last six games.
The hosts are at SBOTOP odds of win with the draw at 2.85 and they certainly have the experience to stop Les Rouges.
Neither Canada nor Costa Rica expect to make the latter stages of Qatar 2022, but they both believe they can qualify for the finals and I’m backing Canada to take the step they need to book their ticket. Both defences are in fine form and a 1-0 away win at odds of 5.41 is a likely outcome.
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Italy welcome the Republic of North Macedonia to Palermo on Thursday in a winner-takes-all play-off clash in search of a place at World Cup 2022.
The victors will take on the winners of a clash between Portugal and Turkey in the Path C final which is scheduled for Tuesday 29th March. And that shows the size of the task facing Italy who are desperate to avoid a repeat of the humiliation in failing to qualify for Russia 2018.
This gamebrings together two nations at the opposite ends of the food chain as the visitors are 61 places behind Italy in the latest FIFA rankings at 67th.
And so here at SBOTOP, we’re backing the sixth-placed Azzurri to come through, and then take their chance against a dangerous Turkey or the 2016 European champions.
Talking Points
Italy prepare the big guns
Head coach Roberto Mancini was a hero when the Azzurri won Euro 2020 in a penalty shootout over England and the memory of their disastrous 2018 World Cup qualification campaign was forgotten. Well, almost.
Draws at home to Switzerland and away to Northern Ireland left Italy short of points and now they are back in a sudden death scenario, so Mancini is calling on some of his biggest names to see this job through.
The boss has brought back the granite through the Juventus centre-back pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci in front of colossal keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
With Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, and Nicola Barella in midfield and Lazio hitman Ciro Immobile up front, this is a team of superstars fresh in the memory of lifting the European title.
So what has gone wrong?
Italy would have been in among my hot picks for Qatar 2022 if they had kicked on from Euro 2020. But having failed to break through Northern Ireland’s stiff resistance, they finished two points behind Switzerland and now their destiny is in the balance.
The Azzurri have never failed to qualify for the World Cup twice in succession, last missing out in 1958 (before 2018) and promptly qualifying in 1962.
With just two wins in seven games, the Azzurri have lost momentum. And now is the time to find it again or that worst nightmare will become a reality.
North Macedonia’s second chance
Ezgjan Alioski scored a nice goal with a shot from 20 meters in the last moments of the match
We expect theWorld Cup 2022 highlightsto be a story of attack versus defence for much of the game. But make no mistake, Blagoja Milesvski’s side are not here to make up the numbers, having tasted finals football for the first time at Euro 2020.
North Macedonia are unbeaten in four games away from home and they finished strongly with a 5-0 win against Armenia and then a 3-1 victory over Iceland.
Wing-back Ezgjan Alioski is well-known to Leeds United fans having represented the Whites for four superb seasons in the Championship and Premier League. He scored 21 times in 161 games and was a key figure in Leeds’ return to the top-flight.
And he was on target to send North Macedonia on their way to victory over Iceland, while Napoli midfielder Elif Elmas scored a second-half brace.
Having qualified for their first ever tournament at Euro 2020 and despite failing to pick up a single point, they won many fans and are hungry for more success.
North Macedonia even shocked Germany with a 2-1 win which helped them to secure second place as the Germans ran away with the group, so Italy must beware.
History
As four-time World Cup winners and twice European champions, Italy are streets ahead of North Macedonia in terms of history, but that won’t help the Azzurri on Thursday.
The two teams have met twice before. In 2016, Italy won the away leg 3-2 and drew at home 1-1 in their infamously failed attempt to qualify for Russia 2018.
Recent form is comparable too. Italy have won two, drawn three, and lost one of the last six games, while North Macedonia have won three, drawn two, and lost one.
The pre-match World Cup 2022 betting oddsare squarely behind a home win. Italy are at 1.20 to win, the draw is at 5.99, and a North Macedonia win is at 10.12.
This is a nervy situation for the Azzurri to be in and the thought of failure will be unbearable for their fans, but I think they will hold their nerve. A 2-0 win is the most likely result at odds of 4.45, while 3-0 is at 5.80. But if they reach halftime at 0-0, you will be able to cut the tension in Palermo with a knife.
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World Cup 2022: The Road to Qatar – This is Last Chance Saloon
Portugal vs Turkey
It is hard to believe that World Cup 2022 will be without at least one of the reigning European champions Italy or the nation whose crown they claimed last summer, Portugal.
Yet that is what the draw has produced, bizarrely to some.
First though, Cristiano Ronaldo and co. have to get past Turkey in this FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final.
Talking Points
If the truth be known, Portugal would probably have been low down on the list of sides Turkey were hoping to draw in these play-offs, especially given the fact that the Selecao have won all five competitive meetings between the nations.
CR7 heads the talent pool which also includes Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio, the Manchester United trio of Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes (and Ronaldo), Manchester City stars Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva and Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota.
It’s not all roses for the home side, mind, with Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias out injured and his team-mate for club and country, full-back Joao Cancelo, suspended, while experienced Porto centre-back Pepe has Covid-19.
They still begin as favourites and will be expected to create World Cup 2022 highlights after the disappointment of missing out on automatic qualification last autumn following a late defeat to Serbia.
In the other corner stands Turkey, who also have potential match-winners of their own. Their main names include Atalanta centre-back Merih Demiral and Leicester City’s Caglar Soyuncu, Marseille winger Cengiz Under, Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and Lille’s experienced striker Burak Yilmaz.
Since crashing out of Euro 2020 without a single point to their name last summer, Turkey have only suffered one defeat in seven games – although it was a 6-1 humbling at the hands of Holland – and they marched to successive wins over Latvia, Gibraltar and Montenegro to round off Group G. Yet their defence has been far from resolute and they face an uphill task if they are to end their 20-year wait to reach a World Cup.
After coming so close in qualifying – the Serbia defeat was preceded by a draw at the Republic of Ireland – Portugal will surely not squander this golden opportunity at home again.
This is the two teams’ first meeting for a decade. Two goals from Umut Bulut secured a 3-1 Turkish success in their last matchup, which was a friendly in Lisbon.
That was one of only two Turkish victories over Portugal in eight matches going back to their first-ever clash in 1955 – again that was a friendly and resulted in a Turkey win.
When it matters, Portugal have always won, as shown in their Euro 2008 opener when second-half strikes from Pepe and substitute Raul Meireles secured all three points in Geneva.
They also met in the quarter-finals of Euro 2000 in Amsterdam when two goals either side of half-time from Nuno Gomes sealed victory.
That was a match in which Turkey were reduced to 10 men after half an hour and never recovered.
The European Championship has actually thrown up a number of head-to-heads, including at Euro 96 when centre back Fernando Couto scored the only goal with a 66th-minute volley in a match played at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
The last time they met in a World Cup qualifier was in 1965 when the legendary Eusébio netted the only goal of the game on Turkish soil – Portugal would go on to reach the semi-finals in the following year’s tournament.
Portugal have home advantage and that will sway the SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds in their favour even more.
The Selecao are available in a variety of ways including First Half 1X2 @ 1.95, 1X2 @ 1.41, First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 1.95 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.23.
Turkey are well adrift 1X2 @ 7.60 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.36, not to mention First Half 1X2 @ 6.80 and First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.36.
The draw is on offer @ 4.30.
A re-run of their last meeting – Correct Score 1-3 – is available @ 170.00 but I’d be more tempted to opt for a repeat of their most recent competitive clash with Correct Score 2-0 @ 5.80.
I am actually going to go for a Portugal success from start to finish with Half Time Full Time Home @ 1.77 my *** prediction.
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World Cup 2022: Canada’s Celebration Party is in Panama!
Panama vs Canada
World Cup 2022: Panama vs Canadamight have been a nervy affair, a dramatic climax to the North American qualifiers, but instead, when the Maple Leafs blow into the Estadio Rommel Fernandez Stadium on Thursday they are set for a celebration.
Les Rouges top the CONCACAF table on 28 points and have already qualified for the World Cup finals while Panama are stranded in fifth and unable to catch Costa Rica in the play-off place. So the party is on for Canada while Panama look on with envy. Los Canaleros come into the game on the back of an almighty thumping at the hands of the USA, while Canada confirmed their place at Qatar 2022 with an impressive 4-0 win over Jamaica.
The pre match Panama vs Canada betting odds say we’re in for a tasty encounter, with the hosts looking to salvage some pride, but Les Rouges can earn themselves a better draw in the finals if they top the CONCACAF group with a win or a draw.
However the Panama vs Canada highlights pan out there will be smiling faces in the away dressing room before and after the game, as their resounding victory over Jamaica in Toronto signalled the end of 36 years of frustration for Les Rouges. And now John Herdman will be the first coach to lead Canada to a finals tournament since 1986.
In that year Canada finished bottom of their group without scoring a single goal and I’ll be happy to bet they’ll do better than that in 2022. Herdman’s team has attacked throughout the qualifiers and have scored 23 goals, leading that table too, as record goal scorer Cyle Karin helped himself to 13 goals in qualifying. He can become the joint top scorer of all time in the CONCACAF qualifiers if he can score a brace against Panama. That would bring Larin level with Honduras legend Carlo Pavon who scored 15 goals in the 2002 qualifiers.
Meanwhile Herdman has become a national hero having promised to lead Canada to the World Cup finals in his first campaign as head coach: “I don’t think they believed us,” he said. “I’m happy for them because all of these fans have waited and waited and waited, and hung in with us – and we’re going. They believe now.”
Panama sunk by Pulisic
Rolando Blackburn in action during Panama’s match against USA
They had a chance to keep their World Cup hopes flickering when they travelled to the USA on Sunday but Los Canaleros blew it big style, though there was little many teams could have done to stop the Stars and Stripes’ star Christian Pulisic score a hat-trick in the 5-1 trouncing. He scored his first two goals from the penalty spot, but his third was a piece of magic as he took a cross from Antonee Robinson before spinning around Fidel Escobar and sliding the ball through his own legs and into the net. His home club Chelsea is in a period of turmoil at the moment, but Pulisic showed no signs of concern in a masterful display which ended Panama’s hopes once and for all. Thomas Christiansen’s side was in a strong position at the start of this sequence of games but a home draw with Honduras and the defeat to the USA spelt the end; and they now have one last chance to give their fans something to cheer about against Canada.
Los Canaleros have played with aggression and enthusiasm throughout the campaign, but they may find it difficult to recover in time for the visit of the table toppers.
History
Les Rouges have had the better of the head to head results with four wins, seven draws and one defeat in their 12 encounters with Panama. Canada won the previous meeting 4-1 with a second half flurry of goals after Rolando had opened the scoring for Panama, before an own goal levelled the scores at the break. Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan and Jonathan David all got on the score sheet as Les Rouges marched to victory.
Panama have been hard to beat on home soil though, last losing on their own turf back in 2019, when Mexico ran out 3-0 winners.
At an SBOTOP price of 4.34 to win, Panama can restore some pride, while a draw is available at odds of 2.99. But I think Los Canaleros had the stuffing knocked out of them by the Stars and Stripes, while Canada are riding a wave on the way to Qatar and the party will carry on in Panama.
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And that is exactly how it proved during a night of World Cup 2022 highlights.
Five years ago, Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal and Egypt sealed their places in Russia after finishing top of their respective pools.
This time it has a slightly different look and, with the line-up confirmed, some of the game’s biggest names, both teams and individuals, will not be there.
However, Africa’s finest will include the continent’s most famous national team of them all.
For Cameroon, which brought us the magical tales of Roger Milla and saw off the likes of world champions Argentina en route to the World Cup quarter-finals in 1990, saw off Riyad Mahrez’s Algeria in the most dramatic fashion.
The Foxes were hoping to stun the Lions again but, after Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s 12th-minute goal which brought Cameroon level on aggregate, the scene was set for a dramatic night.
Hosts Algeria pressed and pressed and, even when Islam Slimani had the ball in the net, it was dubbed offside.
Into extra-time, it was more of the same as substitute Ahmed Touba found Slimani and the ball spun off his head into the bottom right-hand corner.
Or so we thought until VAR ruled it out after showing the ball went in via his elbow.
Algeria frustration was palpable until the 118th minute when, with a penalty shoot-out looming, the unmarked Touba headed home a Rachid Ghezzal corner, Andre Onana was finally beaten, and Algeria were seemingly in dreamland.
However, there was to be one final twist when, in the third minute of injury time, Karl Toko-Ekambi stole in to give Cameroon an incredible away goals victory – agony for Algeria, ecstasy for the Lions.
In a repeat of last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final – a match which went the distance as Senegal triumphed over Egypt in a shoot-out – lightning did strike twice as the recently crowned African Cup of Nations winners caused yet more heartbreak for the Pharaohs and Mohamed Salah.
Yet again it went the distance, yet again Senegal prevailed on spot-kicks as a fourth-minute opener from Boulaye Dia levelled the tie from the first leg and a passionate Senegalese crowd saw their team through by the narrowest of margins after 120 minutes.
If that was tight, so were proceedings in Nigeria who faced off against Ghana.
Despite the away goals tiebreaker being abolished by UEFA for its club competitions in 2021-22, the rule is still in effect for FIFA World Cup qualifying, including two-legged play-offs.
That is how Ghana triumphed, their place in Qatar secured on away goals at the expanse of the Super Eagles, who have so embraced the competition and world football in the modern era, most notably in America in 1994.
Ghana levelled on the night through a penalty from captain William Troost Ekong and, after Victor Osimhen saw a goal disallowed for the hosts, they held on.
It ended on an ugly night as the behaviour of angry Nigerian fans overshadowed the game as local spectators peppered both the Ghana fans and players with water bottles – forcing the latter to cower and cover their heads as they battled their way down the tunnel following a mass pitch invasion.
Nigeria supporters during their World Cup qualifier against Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium
FIFA may well take a dim view of scenes which will require considerable explaining from both Nigerian security and football officials.
Aside from Ghana, Morocco will also be there after ending the dreams of DR Congo in Casablanca.
The Atlas Lions were on top from start to finish as goals from Azzedine Ounahi (two), Tarik Tissoudal and Achraf Hakimi sealed a 5-2 aggregate win and back-to-back World Cup appearances (and a sixth ever appearance in the tournament).
World Cup qualification proved trickier for Tunisia than you may have expected.
Leading spirited Mali from the first leg, they weren’t able to extend their lead on the night but the goalless draw still saw them through as Mali’s wait for a first World Cup goes on.
The drama of the play-offs complete, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is set to break new ground in football history as the first edition of the competition held during both the northern hemisphere’s winter, and in the Middle East.
The much-anticipated draw will take place on Friday. Make sure you study the SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds and the groups before what should be a wonderful spectacle.
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World Cup 2022: Portugal and Poland are Through to Qatar
There are officially 27 nations who have already qualified for World Cup 2022 as of this writing, which includes Portugal and Poland most recently.
Yes, the play-off finals in Europe delivered more drama as Portugal and Poland had to go through the wringer to get to where they’re at right now, making their qualifying journey as satisfying as it is.
While both Portugal and Poland are in a jubilant mood, the same can’t be said for Wales, Scotland, and Ukraine as tension builds with their matches being moved to a later date due to events beyond their control.
Continue to read down below as SBOTOP is here to keep you up-to-date with the latest World Cup 2022 news.
While all eyes are on Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of this game, it was his Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes who provided the spark for Portugal to confirm their spot at Qatar last night.
Bruno Fernandes put in an impressive display as his brace was enough to dispatch North Macedonia, who were looking to defy the World Cup 2022 odds once more after pulling off an upset against Euro 2020 champions Italy.
Portugal were primed to take over when Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota came close in the first few minutes, but it was Bruno Fernandes who landed the first blow two minutes after the half-hour mark.
Fernandes intercepted a bad pass and he conspired with Ronaldo via a one-two to drill a low strike past North Macedonia keeper Stole Dimitrievski.
In contrast, North Macedonia rarely troubled Portugal keeper Diogo Costa. But after the first half, they were slightly the more aggressive side.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they couldn’t find the equaliser and Bruno Fernandes delivered the dagger at the 65th-minute by linking up with Diogo Jota on another counterattack.
With the game out of reach, Portugal was content playing keep away to prevent any possible comeback from North Macedonia.
Bruno Fernandes have bagged a brace in an international game for only the second time ever since their 4-0 friendly against Israel last June 2021. His only competitive goals prior to North Macedonia came against Luxembourg.
Moreover, this will be the sixth consecutive World Cup for Portugal, who have qualified via the play-offs for the third time after 2010 and 2014.
Poland end their three-decade drought against Sweden
Poland booked their spot at World Cup 2022 with their first victory over Sweden since 1991, courtesy of second-half goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski.
It was a cagey first half as both sides had a couple of chances. Sweden tried to hit first as Emil Forsberg was denied by Wojciech Szczesny while Matty Cash’s shot wide at the other end and Jan Bednarek’s volley was parried away by Robin Olsen.
After the first half, Poland decided to bring in substitute Grzegorz Krychowiak and the midfielder made an immediate impact when he was fouled into the penalty box by Jesper Karlstrom, leading to a converted penalty kick from Robert Lewandowski.
Robert Lewandowski celebrates as he scored Poland’s first goal against Sweden in their World Cup qualifier
The Swedes pushed for an equaliser but they couldn’t find a way past Szczesny, who made another huge save against Emil Forsberg’s shot.
Those missed opportunities doomed the Swedes as they found themselves down by two goals when Piotr Zielinski spearheaded a counterattack and calmly put the ball into the net at the 72nd-minute.
Sweden made a curious move to bring in Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who missed their game against Czech Republic – off the bench to try and provide a spark up front, but it was already too late.
Robert Lewandowski was the happiest man last night as he’s on his way to his second-ever World Cup. At the same time, his 75th international goal moved him to joint third alongside the late Sandor Kocsis on the all-time UEFA international scorers list.
Ferenc Puskas (84) and Cristiano Ronaldo (115) are the only players who have more than the Bayern Munich striker.
Wales play the waiting game
There’s only one more European qualifiers spot available with only three teams left to fight for it. Scotland and Ukraine will compete in the Path A play-off semi-finals, and the winner will take on Wales.
Ukraine’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland has been postponed by FIFA following the Russian invasion into their country. Their play-off semi-final was due to be played at Hampden Park on March 24, but it is now moved until June.
Scotland and Wales have expressed support to this decision by FIFA as they await on the amended fixture schedule from the tournament committee.
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It took until the final matchday, but South American World Cup 2022 qualification is now settled.
After being at risk of missing out, Uruguay continued their strong finish to qualifying as they wound up third behind Brazil and Argentina.
Speaking of strong finishes, the Selecao scored their third straight 4-0 win to set a new qualifying points record and still have one game to spare.
Meanwhile, Peru held off the last-ditch challenge of Colombia to clinch fifth place and the inter-confederation play-off spot.
Read on below as SBOTOP shares the key takeaways from the final full round of South American World Cup qualifiers.
Record-breaking Brazil in strong shape
Let’s start at the top as Brazil put on another ruthless performance with their 4-0 demolition of second-from-bottom Bolivia.
The win was the Selecao’s third 4-0 triumph in a row, and it also saw them set a new points record in qualifying with 45. They could still add to that record tally in their replay against Argentina.
With Neymar surprisingly out of the lineup, Richarlison had the responsibility to lead the Brazilian attack. Former Lyon team-mates Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes were also handed starts in midfield.
Paqueta gave the Selecao the early lead after 24 minutes, and Richarlison all but sealed the win with a goal on the stroke of half-time. Guimaraes got on the scoresheet six minutes after the hour mark, and Richarlison added a fourth in stoppage time.
This latest round of World Cup qualifiers has done Richarlison a world of good. The Everton star struck three times in two games after not scoring for the Selecao since last June – although he did score five times at the Tokyo Olympics – and he will surely be a key player in Qatar.
Brazil are always among the favourites in any tournament they are in, and the World Cup 2022 betting odds will likely have them priced as one of the top teams to beat. Their recent form certainly shows they are in strong shape at the moment and could once again be serious contenders for the crown come November.
Uruguay coaching change proves crucial
Uruguay’s decision to sack veteran coach Oscar Tabarez in November of last year was a tough one. After all, the 75-year-old had been so successful in his record-setting 15-year spell as national team boss. He led La Celeste to a semi-final run in the 2010 World Cup and a Copa America title in 2011.
Uruguay star Luis Suarez in action during their South America World Cup 2022 qualifier against Chile
Powered by the new manager bounce, La Celeste closed out their qualifying campaign with four wins in a row, including a 2-0 win over Chile in their finale, to finish third in the standings.
With the exception of a few new faces in Darwin Nunez, Ronald Araujo and Facundo Pellistri, Uruguay are still composed mostly of the same old core players led by Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Diego Godin.
But the change in coach was just the change they needed to play up to their immense potential in qualifying. They will be a dangerous foe for any nation to face in Qatar.
Colombia comeback too late as Peru claim play-off spot
After back-to-back trips to the World Cup knockout rounds – including a quarter-final run in 2014 – Colombia will not be making it to Qatar.
La Tricolor fell one point short of fifth place and the inter-confederation play-off despite winning their last two games against bottom sides Bolivia and Venezuela. Those wins were too little too late as Los Cafeteros squandered several chances to pick up more points earlier in qualifying. Their eight draws were the most in South America.
It’s a disappointing blow for a nation that possesses such impressive world-class talent, with James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Juan Cuadrado, and Duvan Zapata to name just a few. But their qualifying campaign was marred by dysfunction. Coach Reinaldo Rueda must take responsibility for his inability to get the most out of his talented squad, and he will most likely pay with his job.
By comparison, Peru do not possess any notable names playing in any of Europe’s top leagues. But thanks to their impressive teamwork and determination, they could be headed to their second World Cup in a row if they prevail in the play-off against their opponents from the AFC.
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When Is FIFA 2022 Starting? World Cup 2022 Schedule, Dates and Times
The biggest and most anticipated sporting event in the world is inching ever closer as World Cup 2022 is set to kick off on November 21 in Qatar. But while the groups have already been drawn and the World Cup 2022 schedule has been laid out in full, the list of 32 qualified teams is not yet complete, with eight teams left to battle it out for the three remaining spots in Qatar.
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
Scotland and Ukraine still need to play their semi-final tie in the UEFA qualifying play-offs, and the winner will move on to play Wales, who beat Austria thanks to Gareth Bale, in the final on June 5. Meanwhile, the UAE and Australia will battle it out for the right to take the Asian spot in the inter-confederation play-offs. The winner of UAE and Australia will take on Peru on June 13, while Costa Rica will face New Zealand on June 14.
UEFA Second Round Path A
Wednesday, June 1
Scotland vs. Ukraine
Sunday, June 5
Wales vs. Scotland/Ukraine
AFC Fourth Round
Tuesday, June 7
United Arab Emirates vs. Australia
Inter-confederation play-offs
Monday, June 13
United Arab Emirates/Australia vs. Peru
Tuesday, June 14
Costa Rica vs. New Zealand
FIFA World Cup 2022 fixtures, dates and times
Didier Deschamps & Antoine Griezmann of France celebrate with the World Cup Trophy
The FIFA World Cup 2022 schedule has already been released. The group stage will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 3. During the group stage, each day will feature four matches. Among the top World Cup 2022 fixtures to look forward to in the group stage are defending champions France vs Denmark, Spain vs Germany, and beaten 2018 finalists Croatia vs Belgium.
The first two rounds of matches will kick off at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm local time (6pm, 9pm, 12am and 3am in the GMT +8 time zone). Kick-off times in the final round of group games and knockout-round matches will be at 6pm and 10pm local time (11pm and 3am GMT+8). The final is scheduled to kick off at 6pm local time (11pm GMT+8)
The top two teams per group in the World Cup 2022 table after the group stage will move on to the knockout round, which begins on Dec. 3. The final will be played at the Lusail Stadium a week before Christmas on Dec. 18.
Group stage schedule
All times GMT+8
Monday, Nov. 21 Senegal vs. Netherlands, 6pm England vs. Iran, 9pm
Tuesday, Nov. 22 Qatar vs. Ecuador, 12am United States vs. Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, 3am Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia, 6pm Denmark vs.Tunisia, 9pm
Wednesday, Nov. 23 Mexico vs. Poland, 12am France vs. UAE/Australia/Peru, 3am Morocco vs. Croatia, 6pm Germany vs. Japan, 9pm
Thursday, Nov. 24 Spain vs. Costa Rica/New Zealand, 12am Belgium vs. Canada, 3am Switzerland vs. Cameroon, 6pm Uruguay vs. South Korea, 9pm
Friday, Nov. 25 Portugal vs. Ghana, 12am Brazil vs. Serbia, 3am Scotland/Wales/Ukraine vs. Iran, 6pm Qatar vs. Senegal, 9pm
Saturday, Nov. 26 Netherlands vs. Ecuador, 12am England vs. USA, 3am Tunisia vs. UAE/Australia/Peru, 6pm Poland vs. Saudi Arabia, 9pm
Sunday, Nov. 27 France vs. Denmark, 12am Argentina vs. Mexico, 3am Japan vs. Costa Rica/New Zealand, 6pm Belgium vs. Morocco, 9pm
Monday, Nov. 28 Croatia vs. Canada, 12am Spain vs. Germany, 3am Cameroon vs. Serbia, 6pm South Korea vs. Ghana, 9pm
Tuesday, Nov. 29 Brazil vs. Switzerland, 12am Portugal vs. Uruguay, 3am Netherlands vs. Qatar, 11pm Ecuador vs. Senegal, 11pm
Wednesday, Nov. 30 Scotland/Wales/Ukraine vs. England, 3am Iran vs. United States, 3am Tunisia vs. France, 11pm UAE/Australia/Peru vs. Denmark, 11pm
Thursday, Dec. 1 Poland vs. Argentina, 3am Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico, 3am Croatia vs. Belgium, 11pm Canada vs. Morocco, 11pm
Friday, Dec. 2 Japan vs. Spain, 3am Costa Rica/New Zealand vs. Germany, 3am South Korea vs. Portugal, 11pm Ghana vs. Uruguay, 11pm
Saturday, Dec. 3 Cameroon vs. Brazil, 3am Serbia vs. Switzerland, 3am
Round of 16
All times GMT+8
Saturday, Dec. 3 1A vs. 2B, 11pm
Sunday, Dec. 4 1C vs. 2D, 3am 1D vs. 2C, 11pm
Monday, Dec. 5 1B vs. 2A, 3am 1E vs. 2F, 11pm
Tuesday, Dec. 6 1G vs. 2H, 3am 1F vs. 2E, 11pm
Wednesday, Dec. 7 1H vs. 2G, 3am
Quarter-finals
Friday, Dec. 9 Quarterfinal 1: 1E/2F vs. 1G/2H, 11pm
Saturday, Dec. 10 Quarterfinal 2: 1A/2B vs. 1C/2D, 3am Quarterfinal 3: 1F/2E vs. 1H/2G, 11pm
Sunday, Dec. 11 Quarterfinal 4: 1B/2A vs. 1D/2C, 3am
Who Will Compete In FIFA 2022? World Cup 2022 Qualified Teams and Group List
World Cup 2022 is going to be the first tournament hosted in the Middle East and the first to be held between November and December. World Cup Football is just a few months away and the FIFA World Cup 2022 team list is almost complete as 29 out of the 32 spots are already taken. Games are to be played across five cities in Qatar: Al Khor, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Doha, and Lusall.
World Cup 2022 will commence on November 21 and it will end a week before Christmas on December 18. Learn more about the detailed schedule of games here.
France are the defending champions after winning it in 2018. Croatia were the runners-up, while Belgium and England finished third and fourth respectively.
Four-time champions and winners of Euro 2020, Italy, failed to qualify for a second successive World Cup for the first time in their history. They are the only former champions that failed to qualify in this year’s edition of the competition.
The previous World Cup hosts, Russia, were disqualified from joining as a consequence to their invasion of Ukraine. Nigeria also didn’t qualify as they went out to Ghana on away goals in their final playoff round, after having qualified for three previous World Cups and six out of the last seven.
Two inter-confederation playoff matches that are to be played in June, featuring one country from each of four different regions, will determine two berths for Qatar: AFC-CONMEBOL and CONCACAF-OFC.
The final European world cup spot is also going to be determined in June after Ukraine requested that the matches will be rescheduled given their current situation with Russia. Wales will play the waiting game for UEFA Path A and they will host the winner between Scotland and Ukraine in a single-elimination playoff final.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is one of the stadiums in the upcoming World Cup 2022
FIFA 2022 Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Qatar have automatic qualification since they’re the hosts, while Ecuador qualified after taking the fourth spot of the CONMEBOL qualifiers. Senegal won their first-ever AFCON championship last February and are one of the Group A favourites here alongside Netherlands.
FIFA 2022 Group B: England, Iran, USA, UEFA Path A Winner
After finishing as Euro 2020 runners-up, England secured their place in November by topping their qualifying group. Iran topped Group A during the third round of the Asian qualifiers, while USA are also heading back to the World Cup after placing third in the CONCACAF qualifiers table.
FIFA 2022 Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Saudi Arabia finished on top of Group A during the third round of the Asian qualifiers and Mexico were second in the CONCACAF qualifiers. Poland were the winners in UEFA Path B. Argentina won the 2021 Copa America and placed second in the CONMEBOL standings.
FIFA 2022 Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, AFC-CONMEBOL Winner
France and Denmark finished on top of Group E and F for Europe. Tunisia have qualified for a World Cup tournament for the sixth time in history after doing well in the CAF qualifiers.
FIFA 2022 Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, CONCACAF-OFC Winner
Spain and Germany clinched their spots as they finished on top of Groups B and J in the Europe qualifiers, while Japan finished second behind Saudi Arabia in Group B during the third round of the Asian qualifiers.
FIFA 2022 Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Belgium were once the top-ranked team by FIFA and they are through after topping Group E in Europe. Croatia, on the other hand, were above in Group H. Canada have qualified for the first time since 1986, while Morocco round out Group F.
FIFA 2022 Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Brazil are currently the top-ranked nation by FIFA and were dominant in the CONMEBOL. Serbia and Switzerland took the top spot in Group A and C of the Europe qualifiers, while Cameroon will be qualifying for their eighth World Cup.
FIFA 2022 Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Portugal were the winners in UEFA Path C while South Korea qualified alongside Iran in Group A of the Asian qualifiers. Ghana will be returning to the tournament after missing out on Russia 2018 and they will meet a familiar foe in Uruguay, who eliminated them during the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals.
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In a spectacle never seen before in the state of Qatar, the best 32 football nations and the finest players on the planet will descend on the Western Asian country for a month of mind-blowing football.
And World Cup 2022 will break new ground as the first to be played during the European winter months, taking place between November 21st and December 18th.
Qatar is the first Middle East nation to host the tournament and the eyes of the world are watching as organisers hope the mascot La’eeb will warm the eight newly-purpose built stadiums. But it is a step into the unknown for many as the country is proposing fan zones where supporters from around the world can drink alcohol in this strict Muslim society and players will be asked to perform in air conditioned arenas.
Qatar is determined to show the world how they can change this flagship competition, while the big nations and players just need to show that they can win in any circumstances.
The favourites
Karim Benzema during the Euro 2020 match
29 of the 32 places have been filled and we already know the composition of the groups, and 2018 Champions France have been highlighted as one of the hot favourites according to the early World Cup 2022 betting odds.
PSG star Kylian Mbappe – who looks like he could be on the way to Real Madrid in the close season – could at the age of 23, win back-to-back World Cups. Mbappe will be alongside Los Blancos’ hitman Karim Benzema who, with 43 goals and 14 assists this season, has enjoyed his best campaign and he’s a decent bet for the Golden Boot.
The South American qualifying group was resolved quickly and Brazil will be a serious contender with Neymar leading the team. This is a big moment for the PSG striker after his terrible injury at the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil. Alongside him, the brilliant dribbler, Vinicius Junior, will get the fans on their feet and this could be the Selecao’s year.
Vinicius’ club-mate Thibaut Courtois will be between the posts for Belgium, and he’ll try to keep the clean sheets his country needs to turn the Golden Generation into winners.
He’s had 19 shutouts for Los Blancos so far this campaign, and should the Red Devils defend successfully then they too could have a real chance, particularly if Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne can transfer his club form to the international stage.
While Belgium recently knocked off the top of the FIFA rankings by Brazil, Germany, in contrast, have been working under the radar with a nicely blended team without a big superstar.
Thomas Muller, at 32 years of age, has his last chance to be Germany’s highest World Cup scorer of all time and he has 10 goals so far and is six behind top scorer Miroslav Klose.
Here at SBOTOP, we’re also keeping a close eye on the young squads of England and Spain, both of which could have won Euro 2020 but were outfoxed by the wily Italians who, despite winning that competition will be absent for a second consecutive World Cup.
As well as Germany’s Muller, there will be a number of big names who will be making their last appearances in the World Cup 2022 highlights.
Lionel Messi would simply love to lead Argentina to glory. His team has a solid defencive base which allows Messi and his co-creative players to express themselves as they did successfully to end Argentina’s trophy drought at the 2021 Copa America.
And the man who has stood alongside Messi as one of the two best players in a generation will lead the line for Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo also makes his swan song.
His team has a better balance now with Rafael Leao and Bernardo Silva enjoying superb domestic seasons and CR7 can get the Portugal fans dreaming of a World Cup to add to their 2016 European Cup triumph.
With 115 goals from 186 appearances so far, Ronaldo is a phenomenon. And if he can pull this off, he will become a deity in his homeland.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski will have his eyes on the Golden Boot and if Poland can go deep into the competition, then surely he will add a few to his international tally of 75.
Meanwhile, Croatia will say goodbye to two of their best players of all time. The mercurial Luka Modric has been outstanding for Real Madrid this season and, at 36 years of age, he looks and plays like he’s a decade younger.
And this is almost certainly the last chance for Inter Milan’s wide-man Ivan Perisic to make his mark on the biggest stage of all. Both Modric and Perisic shined at the 2018 World Cup and they’ll be sadly missed by their nation in the years to come. Six months from now, we’ll be ready and raring for the tournament to start and Qatar can surprise us in this world event to prepare the perfect stage for the superstars of the beautiful game.
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World Cup 2022: Battle-Hardened Ukraine Go Head to Head with Scotland
Scotland vs Ukraine
Hampden Park will be packed to the rafters on Wednesday as Scotland welcome Ukraine for their World Cup 2022 semi-final play-off.
The victors will be just one step away from the Qatar finals and both come into the clash on a great run of from. Of course, the nation of Ukraine is suffering terribly at this moment in time and their players will need to have 100 per cent focus on this match. Scotland, too, must shut out the external noise and deliver for their fans.
Wednesday will be a night for football and nothing else, and the winners will face Wales in the play-off final on Sunday 5th June. Scotland are slight favourites at odds of 1.64 to make it through while Ukraine are at 2.99, so this game promises to be an end-to-end, winner-takes-all contest.
Talking Points
Robertson the Brave is ready to go again
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has always relied on his skipper Andrew Robertson, so impressive at Euro 2020, to motivate his team on the pitch, and he leads by example. The Liverpool left-back comes into this game on the back of a Champions League final heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid and it will take a strong character to pick himself up for another huge game. But Robertson has bravery in bucket loads and Clarke can rest assured he’ll be the man at the front on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson looks dejected after losing the Champions League final against Real Madrid
A superb defender and dangerous crosser of the ball, Robertson is Scotland’s best player by a margin, but Clarke does have other high-quality men in his armoury. Manchester United defensive midfielder Scott McTominay and Leeds centre-back Liam Cooper are set to start, while Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn is a real handful and a summer transfer target for West Ham. McGinn scored in Scotland’s recent 2-2 draw with Austria and he is the hosts’ most dangerous goal threat.
Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney remains injured and that is a loss for the Scots, but Robertson will ensure the 11 on the pitch all deliver their best.
Ukraine’s Premier quality
Fans around the world will be watching the World Cup 2022 updateson Wednesday and the vast majority will be rooting for Ukraine. But head coach Alexandr Petrakov will try to focus his team on the match in front of them, which is win or bust.
The visitors have a team packed with talent and some familiar names to Premier League fans. Midfield ace Oleksandr Zinchenko was a key man in Manchester City’s Premier League title campaign and he scored in Ukraine’s last game, a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Everton left-back Vitaly Mykolenko was instrumental in the Toffees’ late run for survival and has a fierce shot on him, while West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko is a consistent performer for his country. With Real Madrid keeper Andriy Lunin in the line-up and Atalanta’s livewire attacker Ruslan Malinovskyi also set to start, this is a team which is hard to score against and also carries a serious attacking threat.
Ukraine had a virtually flawless qualifying campaign and had the misfortune of being in the same group as France. The defending world champions edged out Petrakov’s men but they were unbeaten throughout the campaign, twice drawing with Les Bleus.
This is the first meeting between these two teams since 2007, when each won their home tie in the 2008 Euro qualifiers. So neither has the psychological edge and both are in fine form.
Whichever nation makes it through this tie, theWorld Cup 2022 betting oddswill take a good look. Either Scotland or Ukraine would be a decent bet to make it through the group stages at least.
The Scots are unbeaten in eight and the only loss in their qualifiers came against group winners Denmark. Meanwhile, Ukraine are unbeaten in ten games, and seven on the road, so they will be a tough nut to crack.
With home advantage and at SBOTOPodds of 2.20 Scotland are favourites to make it through to the play-off final while Ukraine are a dangerous opponent at a price of 2.91.
A correct scoreline of 1-1 is at 5.03 and, with both teams on unbeaten runs that outcome is a real possibility. Robertson will rally his team and the fans but Ukraine are made of stern stuff and their players will be determined to give their friends and family, back home, something to smile about.
This clash will be an emotional affair and with no little quality. It’s a shame both teams can’t go through…
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World Cup 2022: Two Nations Out to Make History in Cardiff
Wales vs Ukraine
And so it all comes down to this.
Who will make Qatar 2022? – Wales, bidding to reach a World Cup for the first time since 1958, or Ukraine, seeking a spot which they last gained in 2006.
World Cup 2022 qualifying comes to Cardiff on Sunday teatime and the prize at stake is a place at the biggest sporting show in earth in 2022.
Talking Points
By the very nature of the situation facing the Ukraine, ever since it was invaded by Russia in February, the majority of neutrals will be willing on Oleksandr Petrakov’s men.
Not only did they produce World Cup qualifying highlights, but they lifted a nation.
Bars and restaurants in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities were unable to show the match because of a wartime curfew. Instead, solders watched it in the trenches, millions of Ukrainians watched it in the bomb shelters, some fans watched at home, all the while Russian missiles were striking.
Air-raid sirens could also be heard across Kyiv shortly before the players came onto the pitch for an emotional rendition of the Ukraine national anthem.
Fans hold Ukraine national flags during the World Cup 2022 play-off between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park
After the final whistle Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, even sent a message of congratulations to the team which looked comfortable in possession with a serious threat posed on the counter attack.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is deployed at left-back by Manchester City but was sparkling as an attacking midfielder at Hampden with he, Ruslan Malinovskyi and Andriy Yarmolenko continuing to support the lone front man Roman Yaremchuk.
Indeed, Yarmolenko’s opener in Glasgow means he is just three behind Andriy Shevchenko’s record of 48 international goals for Ukraine.
All in all then, they will be out to defy the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds once again.
Far from full strength, they were beaten 2-1 by Poland in the Nations League on the same night as Ukraine’s triumph over Scotland.
Rob Page’s side took a lead through Jonny Williams’ sweet strike but were eventually beaten 2-1 thanks to a pair of late quick-fire goals – a result which was hardly a surprise as they rested key men with Sunday in mind.
It was in March when Wales booked their place in this final by beating Austria 2-1 in their semi-final in Cardiff.
Gareth Bale was at his magnificent best that night, scoring a sublime free-kick before firing home a majestic second to secure the win.
That meant Wales have only lost two of their last 25 competitive home games, a run that dates back almost a decade.
And it is that man Bale who all home eyes will be on again this weekend.
During the Covid pandemic it emerged he had made a £500,000 donation to help NHS staff in Wales. Bale and his wife Emma gave the huge sum of money to the official NHS charity of Cardiff and Vale Health Board which focuses on providing extra services for patients and staff that normal NHS funds don’t provide.
Wales are slight favourites and priced 1X2 @ 2.58 with the visitors @ 2.92. The draw is on offer @ 2.96.
Asian Handicap odds are also fairly even with Wales -0.25 @ 2.28 and Ukraine -0.25 @ 2.47 among the options.
I do expect there to be goals, though not too many, so how about over 2.25 goals @ 2.19?
This will be close, but I do think Wales, in front of their home support, will have too much for a nation with far more than football on their minds and this could just be one game too far, one emotion too many for the spirited Ukrainians.
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World Cup 2022: Dragons End Drought – and Ukraine Fairytale
The final European spot for World Cup 2022 has been filled. Wales have booked their place in the major tournament for the first time in 64 years as they edged past Ukraine 1-0 thanks to an Andriy Yarmolenko own goal.
The Ukrainians – who got past Scotland in the semi-final amid their difficult situation – fought remarkably hard in search of an equaliser, but the heroics of Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey denied them on several occasions as their World Cup journey came to an end.
Read on below as SBOTOP shares some key takeaways from the dramatic World Cup play-off final in Cardiff.
Brave Ukrainians battle to the bitter end
As the entire world knows all too well, Ukraine were playing in unbelievably difficult circumstances as their country remains at war. But despite the hardships they’ve had to face in recent months, the Ukrainians defied the World Cup 2022 odds by grabbing a stunning 3-1 win against Scotland at Hampden Park to make their way to the play-off final.
Ukrainians showed a tremendous amount of fight and determination in that match, and they carried it over to the final in Cardiff.
Oleksandr Petrakov picked the exact same starting XI, and his side once again came out with an aggressiveness in attack as they created most of the early chances on goal.
Andriy Yarmolenko looks dejected after losing against Wales in their World Cup 2022 play-off final
But unfortunately for the visitors, luck was not on their side as Wales took the lead as Ukraine captain Yarmolenko headed a Gareth Bale free-kick into his own net as he tried to clear it.
Undeterred, Ukraine continued to pepper the Welsh goal with shots in the second half, but they just could not get the breakthrough they desperately needed.
Ultimately, it was not to be for Ukraine as Wales held on for the win. But despite the disappointment of missing out on World Cup qualification, the brave Ukrainians could still hold their heads up high as they gave it their all until the very end and produced another courageous performance that their countrymen could be proud of.
Hennessey the hero as Wales hang on
Just like in their semi-final win over Austria, it was another Gareth Bale set piece that sent Wales on their way to victory. Granted, there was a huge slice of fortune with that goal, but it still gave the Welsh the advantage.
While Bale’s free-kick led to Wales’ only goal, it was veteran goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey who emerged as Wales’ play-off final hero as he made several important stops to preserve their narrow lead.
For the most part, Hennessey only had to deal with speculative long-range efforts from Ukraine, which he would be expected to save. But his reaction save on substitute Artem Dovbyk’s header was an absolutely brilliant piece of goalkeeping and one of the top World Cup 2022 highlights in the play-offs.
Wales could and probably should have won by more than one goal as they created some good chances in the second half. Aaron Ramsey wasted a glorious opportunity on a brilliantly worked counterattack, Bale had a shot well-saved by Ukraine keeper Heorhiy Bushchan, and substitute Brennan Johnson struck the post.
But the own goal proved to be enough in the end as Hennessey’s heroics – he finished with nine saves overall – helped Wales hang on to book their place to the World Cup in Qatar.
Wales need Ramsey to regain form before World Cup
Wales’ system over the years has been simple: get organised on defence, then launch counterattacks with Bale and Ramsey and hope the two stars can provide the quality in the final third. That system has been successful for the most part and was crucial in them qualifying for their first World Cup in 64 years.
Now that they’re in, the Welsh have a great opportunity to make it to the World Cup knockout round. They’ve been drawn in Group B along with England, Iran, and the USA. While the US are likely to offer some stiff competition, Wales are arguably the better team and should fancy their chances of making it through as group runners-up.
However, Wales will need Ramsey to return to somewhere close to his best if they hope to make some noise in Qatar. The 31-year-old missed a big chance against Ukraine, which underlines his lack of form at the moment.
Ramsey has had a rough last couple of years as his move to Juventus has not panned out. His loan move to Rangers this past January was also underwhelming as he missed the crucial penalty in their Europa League final loss to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bale and Ramsey are both in their 30s now and are no longer in their primes. But while Bale has still shown glimpses of the quality he possesses for the national team, Ramsey must rediscover his form in the next few months for the Dragons to play up to their true potential in the World Cup.
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Australia’s hopes of qualifying for World Cup 2022 – which would be their fifth straight World Cup berth – are still alive.
The Socceroos are headed to the inter-confederation play-offs against Peru after coming away 2-1 winners in a tough battle against the UAE.
Australia came into the match in poor form as they won just one of their last seven qualifying matches and finished a distant third in Group B behind Saudi Arabia and Japan.
But despite the absence of star Tom Rogic, the Socceroos showed some impressive fighting spirit to overcome the Emiratis.
Read on below as SBOTOP shares three key takeaways from this Asian World Cup 2022 qualifier.
Socceroos show resilience
Australia did not come into their big World Cup qualifier against the UAE in the best of shape. The Socceroos had a disappointing third round of qualifying as they won just four of 10 games – including one in their last seven – to finish a distant third in Group B behind Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Graham Arnold’s side also did not look all too convincing in their 2-1 friendly win against Jordan, which raised further concerns about their ability to overcome the UAE.
Australia’s Ajdin Hrustic celebrates after scoring the winning goal in their World Cup 2022 qualifier against UAE
But amid all that adversity, Australia were playing relatively well against the UAE. Granted, they were not too active offensively in the first half and needed captain Mat Ryan to make some smart saves.
The Socceroos stepped up their game in the second half, though, and they took the lead through Jackson Irvine on 53 minutes.
However, the Socceroos suffered a setback as the UAE struck back just four minutes later. A defensive miscue from Irvine allowed Caio Canedo to score the equaliser.
But instead of shrinking, the Socceroos showed impressive strength and resiliency as they took the game to the Emiratis. And they were rewarded with a rather fortuitous goal six minutes from time as Ajdin Hrustic struck a sweet volley which took a wicked deflection from UAE defender Ali Salmeen that gave Khaled Eisa no chance.
It was an impressive performance overall by the Socceroos, who showed their mental strength amid the adversity they’ve had to endure in recent matches.
Playmakers show promise ahead of Peru play-off
Without a doubt, the biggest concern surrounding the Socceroos in recent matches had been their lack of quality and creativity in attack. And that concern was only magnified by Rogic’s withdrawal from the squad.
However, a trio of players stepped up in Rogic’s absence against the UAE. Jackson Irvine and Martin Boyle were both excellent in the match. They combined brilliantly for the opening goal and were responsible for most of the team’s World Cup 2022 highlights. And Hrustic – who was part of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League-winning side – also stepped up and delivered the most crucial contribution of the match.
Looking ahead to the play-off final, Australia will have another big challenge to overcome against a Peru side that is well-organised and tough to break down defensively. But the performance of Hrustic, Irvine, and Boyle against the UAE was quite promising as it showed the Socceroos do have the playmakers who can cause the Peruvians some problems.
Missed opportunity for UAE’s second Golden Generation
While Australia kept alive their hopes of qualifying for their fifth consecutive World Cup finals, the UAE will have to wait four more years to end their three decade-long wait to return to the World Cup stage.
This terrific generation, which includes all-time leading scorer Ali Mabkhout, the talented Omar Abdulrahman, and Walid Abbas, led the country to Gulf Cup glory in 2013 and reached the last four of the Asian Cup in back-to-back tournaments in 2015 and 2019. But they fell short in qualifying for the World Cup 2018 and were again unable to overcome the World Cup 2022 odds this time around.
The likes of Mabkhout and Abdulrahman are now in their 30s, and the likelihood of them still being at their best four years later when the next World Cup rolls around are quite remote.
But despite their inability to lead the UAE back to the World Cup, they will still go down as some of the greatest players in the country’s history.
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In the other inter-continental play-off, Costa Rica face New Zealand on Tuesday when the final place will be decided and the Costa Ricans are expected to come through that test, while Wales took the 30th place last week with a dramatic play-off victory over Ukraine.
At 22nd in the FIFA World ranking, the Incas are 20 places above Australia and they came through an extremely tough South American group with good enoughWorld Cup 2022 resultsto finish fifth behind Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Ecuador.
A 2-0 win over Paraguay in their final match clinched the play-off place ahead of heavyweights Colombia and Chile so they are certainly battle-hardened.
Ricardo Gareca has transformed Peru since taking over in 2015
Colombia features names such as Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and the legendary Radamel Falcao so Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca can be proud of his squad, but he will be determined to see the job through.
The boss has worked wonders since he took over the Incas in 2015, inheriting a side which had lost 16 of its 17 away games over the previous two qualifying campaigns. He organised his team from the back and made them harder to beat, and the results over the past seven years have been impressive.
Peru faced France at the last World Cup and Les Bleus know what to expect if they meet again, commenting that their 2018 group match with Peru was one of their toughest games, ending in a narrow 1-0 win for France.
This team is certainly hard to break down. But going forward, 30-year-old attacking midfielder Christian Cueva is the man who can make the difference. With 15 goals in 91 caps he can play in the middle or out wide on the left. He is a clever dribbler with quick feet and he likes to drift in to try his luck on the edge of the penalty area.
Hrustic keeps Soceroos’ dream alive
Australia edged past the UAE to reach this play-off and it took an 84th minute deflected goal from Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Ajdin Hrustic to see the Socceroos through.
His heavily deflected volley deceived the UAE keeper and head coach Graham Arnold is now one step away from leading his team to Qatar. Hrustic is a star on the rise, winning the Europa League with Frankfurt, and he is the man to watch in a fit and functional side.
Former Brighton keeper Mat Ryan, now at Real Sociedad, skippers the side and has the most big match experience and he’s sure to be a busy boy on Monday.
The World Cup 2022 betting oddswon’t feature either of these two teams when we’re looking for a winner, but both have a pretty good history in the competition.
Peru have made five appearances at the finals, first in 1930 and, in 1970, the Incas reached the quarter finals in Brazil. They also featured in the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia and were 2019 Copa America runners up.
More recently, the Socceroos have appeared on the World Stage four times in succession, first qualifying in 2006 and they have been ever-presents since.
2006 was their best performance, ending with a Round of 16 defeat to eventual winners Italy, but that was the high point and the Socceroos have not registered a victory since 2010.
Recent form favours Peru who have won four, drawn one, and lost one of the last six, the defeat being a hard fought 1-0 reversal to a star-studded Uruguay.
Meanwhile, Australia have won three, drawn one, and lost two against rather more modest opposition, the two defeats coming against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
A place at World Cup 2022 is the prize and both teams will go all out for the win. The Socceroos will believe they can upset the odds and the Double Chance: Australia or Draw is available at 1.82, suggesting the underdogs will push Peru all the way.
The Incas aren’t big scorers, notching 19 goals in their 18 qualifying matches, and a tight game and a 1-0 Peru win at odds of 4.74 looks in the cards and that would spark wild celebrations in Lima. I strongly suspect we’ll see Peru on the world stage again in November.
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Their 2-2 draw with Switzerland was one such example and, but for a bit more good fortune, they would have already qualified for Qatar as they finished fourth in the CONCACAF group, just behind the USA on goal difference.
That they were three points behind Canada and Mexico, who held their first two positions, shows how close the battle was in North and Central America, yet that only tells half the story.
For last November, they had taken just six points from their first seven qualifiers.
In came Gerson Torres and the core parts of their 2014 team – when they reached the World Cup quarter-finals – such as Bryan Ruíz, Keylor Navas and Celso Borges were revitalised.
Indeed, they have won seven and drawn one of their last eight matches, recording six clean sheets in that period.
No wonder when they have the likes of Navas – a triple Champions League winner with Real Madrid (2016-18) – as their last line of defence.
While on one side, Costa Ricans have been regulars at World Cup tournaments this century – my first encounter with them was in Italia 90 and a famous victory over Scotland – New Zealand are anything but.
In fact, there is a distinct difference between the opponents they have faced in the Oceania qualifying section and those in Concacaf.
The Kiwis were dominant as they secured first place in their qualifying group but the fact they are ranked as the 101st best international team in the world (Costa Rica are 33rd) tells its own story.
They have talented players, not least in their main attacking threat, Chris Wood of Newcastle United, while another name you may know is a fine defender who also graced the English top flight in Winston Reid.
Chris Wood during the warm up of Newcastle United’s game against Burnley
New Zealand are actually sweating on Reid’s fitness after the experienced defender missed Thursday’s goalless draw with Oman in a warm-up friendly.
Despite this, they go into this play-off as underdogs.
Although they know they are outsiders, they will look to use the hurt caused by painful home defeats against Mexico (2013) and Peru (2017) to make it to the tournament for only the third time in their history.
It was in 1982 when New Zealand delighted neutrals the world over with their spirit, even though they lost all their group games to Scotland, Brazil and USSR, scoring twice and conceding 12 in three games.
However, in 2010 in South Africa, they were rather unfortunate, drawing all three group matches against Slovakia, Paraguay and Italy – that 1-1 draw was one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history – only failing to reach the knockout stages by the narrowest of margins.
The achievements of the class of 2010 must be the aim for the 2022 intake but it remains a big ask.
History
The nations have only met once before and that was a friendly in 2007 when Costa Rica ran out 4-0 winners in San Jose.
On that occasion, Alvaro Saborío netted two penalties with goals from Alonso Solis and Ruiz sandwiched between.
Costa Rica are firm favourites with the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds.
Los Ticos can be backed 1X2 @ 1.66 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.96 compared to the All Whites, offers on whom include 1X2 @ 5.40 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.31.
The 1X2 Draw after 90 minutes is available @ 3.40.
If you expect goals, then look at Total Goal 0-1 @ 2.23, 2-3 @ 1.86 and 4-6 @ 5.20.
A repeat of their only previous meeting – Correct Score 4-0 – will pay out at an attractive @ 38.00.
If New Zealand can sneak a 1-0 win in Doha then a pay day awaits of @ 11.50, again with Correct Score.
I do think Costa Rica will win this one, though it will be fairly close.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
= €10 (CONFIDENT)
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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It was billed as opportunity knocks for Chile and heartbreak for Ecuador.
But no, the talk that Chile could replace their South American counterparts at Qatar 2022 is now consigned to just that – talk.
Ecuador shall go to the ball – and there is relief all around.
In the words of the president of the Ecuadorian FA, “sporting justice has been done”.
There was concern they could miss out but the nation which thought it had secured World Cup 2022 qualifying and clinched its place in March can now breathe more easily.
Where did all the fuss come from?
From a rival, of course, who they had finished above in the standings.
It all centred on defender Byron Castillo with the Chilean Soccer Federation suggesting he may have been born in Colombia and not Playas, Ecuador – the issue of his possible place of birth leading to a full blown investigation that threatened to cost them their spot at the biggest sporting event of the year.
Claims of an ineligible player used by the Ecuadorian Football Federation during World Cup qualifying meant the nation’s place at Qatar 2022 hung in the balance.
They claimed that in deploying an ineligible player, La Tri should be removed from the tournament, which they reached as the fourth-placed team in the South America pool.
However, in their search to prove wrongdoing, Chile may well have missed that Castillo’s nationality had already been disputed and proven a year or so ago.
In 2019 the Barcelona defender was under investigation for adulterating his birth documentation but eventually, in April last year, it was determined that Castillo was indeed Ecuadorian.
And so, FIFA has issued a favourable ruling in the Castillo case and rather than be thrown out of Qatar 2022, the Tricolor can now focus on the World Cup and look forward to Group A encounters with the host nation, Holland and Senegal in November.
Whether we can expect many World Cup qualifying highlights from a nation competing in the tournament for a fourth time remains to be seen.
Their previous best, incidentally, came in 2006 in Germany when they reached the last 16, only losing narrowly to England and a David Beckham free-kick.
World Cup trophy during the 2018 finals
They are not even expected to reach that far this time, given they are ranked 46th in the world, and I am certain the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds will agree closer to the time this autumn.
For now, though, their inclusion is a cause for celebration for a nation which has long been minnows of international football.
Did Chile, which finished in seventh place in South American qualifying and had been in the last chance saloon for some time, have a point or did their claim Castillo – who played in two matches against them during qualifying when he was ineligible – smack of desperation?
Chile was itself the target of a 1994 World Cup ban after goalkeeper Roberto Rojas feigned injury during 1990 World Cup qualifying.
Then it was discovered that Rojas used a hidden razor blade to cut himself, making it look like he was injured by a flare that never hit him. Chilean players refused to retake the field after the incident citing security concerns, but video showed the sequence of events to be a hoax.
The 2-0 forfeit loss was enough to knock out Chile from the 1990 World Cup and see it subsequently punished with a ban from the 1994 tournament.
Fellow North Americans, Mexico, was banned from the 1990 World Cup – just four years after hosting the tournament – after the “Cachirules” scandal, in which it fielded four over-age players at the CONCACAF Under-20 championships.
There have been other stories too but, alas, this is a not a history lesson.
This is about the here and now.
After missing out on Russia 2018, they were indebted to Gustavo Alfaro for taking them back to the global stage, one they previously graced at Korea/Japan in 2002, Germany in 2006 and Brazil eight years ago.
That they qualified alongside regional powerhouses Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay also showed it was no fluke and they are there very much on merit.
Ecuador have made it to the biggest football show in town and, for them, well and truly, the World Cup party can begin!
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World Cup 2022: Redmayne’s Dance Moves and Heroics Send the Socceroos to Qatar
Australia 0-0 (5-4 on pens) Peru
Australia have reached their fifth consecutive World Cup with a 5-4 penalty shootout win after a 0-0 draw against Peru last night at the Al Rayyan Stadium.
This inter-continental play-off match was as good as advertised since it turned out to be a nail-biting affair. And in the end, it was the Socceroos who secured their spot for World Cup 2022 following a rollercoaster qualification campaign.
Andrew Redmayne became Australia’s hero as he made crucial saves during the penalty shootout, which proved to be the main difference for the Socceroos.
Graham Arnold’s side became the 31st nation to join the exclusive 32-team cast in Qatar. On the other hand, the final spot for November’s festivities is up for grabs between Costa Rica and New Zealand, and their match will happen in just a few hours from now.
Although there weren’t any goals from Australia and Peru, there are still a couple of World Cup 2022 highlights to look into and SBOTOP is here to recap them one by one.
Highlights of the game
Australia manager Graham Arnold coaching his side during the World Cup 2022 qualifying match
Australia were on roll heading into this match and they set the tempo early on. But despite having the edge, they couldn’t get any clear-cut chances.
One of Australia’s rare opportunities came at 41st minute when Martin Boyle whipped a cross to Jackson Irvine, but the St. Pauli midfielder sent his headed effort wide.
Following a dry first half from either side, it was Los Incas who came out strong in the second half as they tested Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan – who made a vital save as Sergio Pena teed up Christofer Gonzales. Minutes later, Aaron Mooy had a shot from 20 yards that drifted out wide.
Come the 80th minute, the Socceroos had three good opportunities to break the deadlock. Ajdin Hrustic’s tame spot-kick was easily saved by Pedro Gallese. Aziz Behich narrowly missed his curling ball after breaking through the Peruvian backline minutes later, and Awer Mabil found Hrustic via a through-ball but Gallese came to the rescue once more.
Edison Flores had two chances of his own to try and steal the match for Los Incas as he tested Mat Ryan a couple of times towards the end of extra time but couldn’t convert.
After 120 minutes couldn’t separate Australia and Peru, the qualification for the World Cup in Qatar came down to the penalty shootout, and Graham Arnold made one bold move that would turn out to be genius by bringing on Andrew Redmayne to replace Mat Ryan.
Christian Cueva was then stretchered off due to an injury and was replaced by Alex Valera. It was a huge blow for the Peruvians since Cueva is likely to have been one of their best penalty takers ahead of the shootout.
Martin Boyle missed the first for Australia while Gianluca Lapadula made it for Peru and it looked like Los Incas were about to win. However, Luis Advincula misfired and the Socceroos converted five straight.
Alex Valera, who was brought on to replace Christian Cueva earlier, was under immense pressure to draw level.
Andrew Redmayne danced along the goal line and waved his arms around as part of his penalty-saving tactics, and it worked to perfection as he dove down to his right and blocked Valera’s low ball.
Joyous scenes followed for Australia thanks to the “Grey Wiggle”, although Redmayne refused to take credit for winning the game and the spot for Qatar.
Australia are no longer new to matches like these as they’ve participated in a record six previous inter-continental play-offs prior to last night.
There are now three inter-continental play-off ties that have been settled by penalties, and all of them were won by the Socceroos.
Substitute Andrew Redmayne – the hero for the Socceroos – only had two caps prior to this game.
The shots between Australia and Peru were pretty even as the Socceroos had 11 total shots while Los Incas had 10. Peru, though, had the slight edge in the possession at 53-per cent.
What’s next?
After going through a gauntlet and defying the World Cup 2022 odds to book their berth in Qatar, Australia will take a break in these next few weeks.
They’ll take on New Zealand in a friendly at Eden Park in late September before facing France for their first Group D match at Qatar in November. The Socceroos are also grouped alongside Denmark and Tunisia.
As for Peru, it’s back to the drawing board for Ricardo Gareca and co. Like Australia, they’ll also have a long break, but they won’t have any international competitions anytime soon.
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World Cup 2022 Qatar: You Won’t See These Five Stars
The world of football is looking forwards to a showcase tournament in a totally new environment when the World Cup 2022 kicks off in Qatar in November.
The best players on the planet will be there as the 32 qualifying nations land on the global stage; but there will be some notable absentees. European Champions Italy are missing out on the World Cup for the second tournament in succession, and that means some of the players who starred at Euro 2020 will be watching the action on the television. Had Roberto Mancini’s men made the final then the World Cup 2022 betting odds would have placed them in the group of potential winners.
The Azzurri are ranked sixth in the world by FIFA; and there are four other big hitters from the top 30 missing, as South American giants Colombia and Chile missed out, as did Sweden and Nigeria. And that means some special talents will be taking a month off; so let’s take a look at five of the best.
Nicolo Barella, Inter Milan; Italy
You could take your pick from the Italian league of big name players who will be absent in Qatar; Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile and Domenico Berardi, all featured in the SBOTOP Serie A Team of the Year would have graced the global stage. And, had he been in Qatar, Nicolo Barella would surely have featured heavily in the World Cup 2022 highlights too, having impressed so much at the Euros.
Italy’s Nicolo Barella in action with Germany’s Niklas Sule
Inter Milan’s midfield ace has been in Nations League action, and he scored a brilliant goal in the Azzurri’s 2-1 win over Hungary last week, rifling a right footed shot from outside the penalty area into the top left corner. At 25 years of age he already has 38 international caps, scoring eight goals and he is one of the first names on Roberto Mancini’s team sheet.
Juan Cuadrado, Juventus; Colombia
Colombian centurian Juan Cuadrado is one of the most exciting players in world football on his day, and in his 111 games for his country he has been the danger man most opposing defences fear the most. Now 34 years of age Cuadrado’s trophy cabinet is full; he won the Premier League with Chelsea before moving to Juventus in 2015 and he’s become a fans favourite in Turin, helping the Old Lady to win five Scudettos. Twice a Copa America semi-finalist with Colombia, the last time in 2021, the 2022 World Cup was probably the last chance we’ll have to see Cuadrado on the world stage, but he’ll be featuring in the next Copa… that’s for sure.
Fans in Qatar will miss his electric runs down the right flank, though left sided defenders will be happy they won’t face his technical genius and trickery.
With 17 goals in 74 internationals Red Bull’s attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg has been Sweden’s most creative talent when Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t on the field. And, at 30 years of age, he’ll certainly expect to make Euro 2024 and possibly the next world cup. He’s the only Swede to score four goals in a major finals competition, which he did at Euro 2020 and he was unlucky not to score more, hitting both the post and the crossbar in a Round of 16 loss to Ukraine.
Alexis Sanchez, Inter Milan; Chile
Chile’s most capped player is also the country’s top scorer as Alexis Sanchez has scored 48 goals in 148 appearances. He is often lauded as his nation’s greatest player of all time, leading them to back to back Copa America wins in 2015 and 2016. And he became the most expensive player in Chile’s history when he moved to Barcelona for a fee of 37.5m Euros in 2011. He won six trophies with the Blaugrana before transferring to Arsenal for 35m Euros and he won the Fans PFA Player of the Year award in 2015 while in North London.
A Scudetto winner with Inter Milan, at 33, Sanchez is still a special talent, and he’ll be sadly missed at the World Cup.
Victor Osimhen, Napoli; Nigeria
Despite missing a big chunk of the season with a horrific facial injury, suffered in an accidental clash of heads with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, Osimhen still made the top ten scorers in Serie A with 14 goals. And that made him Napoli’s top scorer in a campaign where they were in the hunt for the Scudetto until the last couple of games.
At 6ft 1in Osimhen is a powerful striker as good in the air as on the ground and, at 23, he has a long international career ahead of him. By the time the 2026 World Cup come around Osimhen will be in his prime.
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World Cup 2022: How Qatar’s Group A Mates Made It Through
Qatar were the first country to secure their spot for World Cup 2022 when they were chosen to host the tournament over a decade ago. As a result, they no longer needed to go through the rigorous qualifying process.
On the other hand, their three Group A opponents – the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador – had to earn their place in the finals the usual way.
Read on below SBOTOP tells the tale of how all four Group A teams made their way to World Cup 2022.
Qatar
Qatar’s debut appearance in the World Cup is 12 years in the making. Their bid to host World Cup 2022 won in 2010, beating four other contenders in Australia, South Korea, Japan and the United States. As a result, they were set to become the first Arab state to host the World Cup.
FIFA’s awarding of the World Cup to Qatar was met with much controversy, as allegations of bribery emerged. There were also concerns about the temperature during the tournament given Qatar’s extreme heat in the summer, which is why the tournament was moved to December.
But despite these controversies, Qatar was able to keep the World Cup, and they are set to play in football’s premier tournament for the first time.
In lieu of qualifying games, Qatar have played in several friendlies and tournaments to prepare for the World Cup. They won the Asian Cup for the first time in their history in 2019, beating Japan 3-1 in the final.
They were also guest nations in the 2019 Copa America as well as the 2021 Gold Cup. After losing two of three games in the Copa America, they reached the semi-finals of the Gold Cup, narrowly losing 1-0 to eventual champions, the United States. Qatar’s Almoez Ali was the tournament’s top scorer with four goals.
Senegal
Senegal’s Sadio Mane reacts during an Africa Cup of Nations match
Senegal had a strong campaign in the group stage of CAF World Cup qualifying. The Lions of Teranga went undefeated with five wins in six games in a group that included Togo, Namibia, and Congo as they scored 15 goals and conceded just four.
Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored in each of their first three group games, which were all comfortable wins, but didn’t score again in the last three. Famara Diedhiou and Ismaila Sarr scored three of Senegal’s six goals in those three games to secure top spot.
Senegal then drew Egypt in the World Cup play-offs, a rematch of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final which the Lions of Teranga won on penalties.
After Egypt won the first leg 1-0, Senegal won the second leg by the same scoreline to send the tie into penalties once again. And just like in the AFCON final, Senegal emerged victorious, with Mane scoring the decisive penalty.
Ecuador
Ecuador were the big surprise in South American qualifying. La Tri won three of their first four qualifying matches and didn’t look back as they grabbed the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot ahead of star-studded sides Colombia and Chile.
While lacking in star talent compared to their other South American neighbours, the Ecuadorians were impressively organised by coach Gustavo Alfaro. They conceded just 19 goals in qualifying – tied for the third-best defensive record – while Michael Estrada led the team with six goals.
Despite failing to win their last four games, Ecuador did enough to stay ahead of Peru, who ended up losing to Australia in the inter-continental play-off.
La Tri drew three of their last four games – they held Peru to a 1-1 draw in their crucial clash and also forced 1-1 stalemates at home against the top two, Brazil and Argentina – to secure fourth spot and their fourth World Cup berth.
The World Cup 2022 odds have the Netherlands as the big favourite to win Group A, and with good reason. The Oranje had a strong qualifying campaign as they won UEFA Group G with seven wins, two draws, and just one loss.
Frank de Boer was in charge for the first three games of qualifying, but he stepped down after a disappointing Euro 2020 and was replaced by Louis van Gaal.
The Dutch went undefeated in the last seven qualifying games under van Gaal (five wins, two draws) while scoring 21 goals as they topped Group B, two points ahead of Turkey. Memphis Depay finished as the co-leading scorer in qualifying with 12 goals. Depay has continued his fine goalscoring form for his country in the UEFA Nations League, and will be keen to create some World Cup 2022 highlights in Qatar.
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At fifth in the FIFA rankings, Gareth Southgate’s team is by far the best in this group, with the USA in 15th, Wales 18th and Iran 21st. So the World Cup 2022 betting odds will tell us the Stars and Stripes should make the Round of 16 and then go out, while England will be on the fringe of the final four.
But the World Cup sometimes throws up a surprise and England’s Nations League results have been poor, prompting questions over the future of their head coach. Having reached the semi-final of World Cup 2018 and the final of Euro 2020, the fans hope this could be their year but I suspect that, ultimately, England expects…disappointment.
England
So why is this SBOTOPwriter so glum about the prospects of the top team in this group? The Three Lions coasted through the qualifiers, winning European Group I in superb style with eight wins and two draws and a goal difference of 39 to three.
Well, the disappointment of losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties to an Italy team which was older in years and more modest in ability, but mentally and physically tougher, still rankles. You can have all the potential in the world and a bunch of nice guys who are social media influencers, but if you can’t win when the stakes are at their highest then you have a fatal flaw. And I believe this England side and their manager have that problem.
Will they win the group? Probably. But England seem to be lacking confidence at the moment, sitting bottom of their Nations League group with two draws and two defeats, one a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Hungary.
Player to watch: Harry Kane
Now 28 years of age, one of the most prolific strikers in English football history is yet to hold aloft a trophy or pick up a winners medal. He has been loyal to perennial chokers Spurs in the Premier League, earning a 2019 Champions League runners-up medal and he has a Euro 2020 runners-up medal with England.
While he may struggle to lead a team to success, individually Kane is a truly brilliant goal scorer and is a decent bet to repeat his Golden Boot performance at the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Iran
At 21, Iran was the highest-ranked nation in the Asian qualifiers and they won their Group C with six wins and two defeats, away to Bahrain and Iraq. Dragan Skokic’s team scored 24 goals in two games against Cambodia, winning 14-0 and 10-0, and then gathered momentum in the third round group, leading their table with eight wins, one draw and a single defeat, pushing a strong South Korea side into second place and the UAE into third.
Player to watch: Sardar Azmoun
The prolific 27-year-old striker has scored 40 goals in 63 outings for Iran and bagged 52 in 79 games over two and a half seasons with Zenit St Petersburg, before joining Bayer Leverkusen following the outbreak of war in Eastern Europe. He’s a powerful player, strong in the air and with great bursts of speed, and was, in his early days likened to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
United States
With seven wins, four draws and three losses in their CONCACAF qualifying group, the USA cut it mighty fine to qualify for Qatar, trailing Canada and Mexico and beating the play-off nation Costa Rica on goal difference only. Losses to Canada, Costa Rica and Panama put this young team under pressure but they came through by a whisker.
Player to watch: Christian Pulisic
At 23 years of age, the three times US Soccer Male Athlete of the Year winner is the jewel in the Stars and Stripes crown. He has 21 goals in 51 international appearances and 19 in 74 matches for Chelsea. A classy attacking midfielder he is the man most likely to spark any US success.
Wales
Drawn in a group with Belgium, Wales were never going to qualify automatically and they did well to edge out the Czech Republic to take second place. And then they had to navigate a really tough play-off against Ukraine as neutrals around the world hoped their opponents would come through. But an Andriy Yarmolenko own goal and a heroic display from keeper Wayne Hennessey saw Rob Page’s team packing their bags for Qatar.
Player to watch: Gareth Bale
Wales star Gareth Bale in action during their Nations League match against Netherlands
He’s sure to feature in the World Cup 2022 highlightsat some stage and, with 39 goals he is the Dragons’ top scorer of all time. Bale is also just three caps behind Charlton defender Chris Gunter who has 109, so he is surely Mr Wales! Bale once angered Real Madrid fans by hinting he’d rather play for Wales and now he has another chance to show it.
At 32 years of age he still has that odd flash of brilliance which so delighted Spurs fans back in the day.
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Just as Dutch boss Louis van Gaal did at the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals when he brought on his back-up goalkeeper in the dying stages of extra-time against Costa Rica, Australia rolled the dice by bringing on third-choice goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne just before the penalty shootout as a goalless draw neared its dramatic conclusion.
Of course, the reality of a first ever World Cup during the northern hemisphere’s winter has been known about for some time but is only now truly beginning to sink in.
I can still remember the day in late 2010 when it was announced the tournament had been awarded to Russia for 2018 and then Qatar four years later.
That was always going to mean significant upheaval to the domestic programme across Europe’s elite leagues, yet the reality appears to have dawned more since the fixture list for the 2022-23 English campaign was released five days ago.
For now we can see very clearly that there will be a six-week hiatus to top-flight club football from mid-November through to Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, the Championship will pause from the early part of November until the end of the group stage.
It is far from ideal that any club football is taking place during the tournament and it should not be allowed to happen again, yet the decision to award this tournament to this country at this time of the year was made in the Sep Blatter era and many will have their own views on that period in our game.
A period in which FIFA’s then chairman supported Qatar’s bid, although has since said the governing body may have made the wrong decision.
Whatever the reality, it is widely agreed the hosting of the tournament is controversial and, with memories of Manchester City’s title triumph and Nottingham Forest’s promotion via the play-offs still fresh, there is no question that a mid-season World Cup could well dictate the rhythm of the summer transfer window for some clubs.
The chance to sign a player who may not have to travel halfway round the world for up to a month will appeal to some; the chance to stay injury-free may well be on the minds of players, while the sports science departments at some clubs may have to rejig training plans to ensure players — plenty still feeling the effects of two relentless and draining campaigns — are ready.
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski in action with Belgium’s Axel Witsel
In Group C, Argentina have been assured of their place at the showpiece since November, while Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia all qualified within six days of each other in March.
While the South American giants and Copa America holders, spearheaded by the brilliant Lionel Messi, have not been in action since June 5, the CONCACAF Nations League has taken the attention of Mexico until June 15 with five games in little over a fortnight. Whether that helped manager Gerard Martino focus his mind towards his final squad or hindered his preparations with yet more football is unclear!
Likewise, four games in a fortnight in the Nations League were surely something Poland wanted to avoid as players need sufficient time to recover from another non-stop campaign.
This SBOTOP observer is guessing at least Saudi Arabia played their friendly encounters at the start of the month out of choice, rather than necessity.
The need to secure top spot in Group C in November is clear and the World Cup betting odds make Argentina clear favourites.
Mexico probably have the edge over Poland too, although given that the second-place team from Group C may well face world champions France in the last 16, the onus on winning the group is clear.
The South Americans should have the edge because of their footballing ability but at least the temperatures should ensure there is no distinct advantage.
With the World Cup finals being held between November 21 and December 18, the temperature in Qatar should reach around 25C (77F).
Had the finals been held in June and July, as they normally are, the matches would have been played in temperatures exceeding 40C and possibly reaching 50C.
Qatar initially proposed that it would host the finals during the summer in air-conditioned enclosed stadiums, but the plan was rejected.
It will still be Argentina and Mexico to progress for me, although never rule out a nation whose attack is spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski.
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World Cup 2022: France’s Title Defence Won’t Be as Smooth as Most Would Think
Football’s biggest party is just around the corner as the World Cup 2022 is set to commence this November where 32 nations battle for the recognition of being the sport’s best team.
Here at SBOTOP, we’ve already previewed Group A, B, and C, so today we’re going look into Group D and examine how the four teams here made it to the biggest stage.
Reigning champions France are headlining the group alongside Denmark, Tunisia, and Australia. Remarkably, Group D will see a repeat for three nations who were bunched in the same group just like before as France, Denmark, and Australia were all once part of Group C.
In 2018, France and Denmark advanced to the next phase while Australia finished last. Tunisia, like Australia, didn’t make it either as they were third in Group G behind Belgium and England.
France
France qualified for the World Cup after topping Group D in the European qualifiers. In the eight group stage matches, Les Bleus never lost a game with five wins and three draws.
When the qualifiers started, France were also competing in Euro 2020 and in the 2021 UEFA Nations League where they had a mixed bag of results.
In Euro 2020, they went to as far as the Round of 16 but they eventually lost to Switzerland via penalties after a 3-3 draw in full time. Meanwhile, they won the most recent UEFA Nations League by beating Spain in the final.
Fast forward to today, France aren’t in their best form as they’re currently last in Group A1 of the ongoing UEFA Nations League since they’ve yet to win a single match after four tries.
But despite their poor stretch lately, the World Cup 2022 odds see Les Bleus as a force to be reckoned with given their abundance of talent from all sides of the pitch.
Their front three of Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe, and Christopher Nkunku in particular will definitely strike fear to opposing defences since they’re capable of producing plenty World Cup 2022 highlights in Qatar.
Denmark
Denmark will aim to continuously build on their remarkable showing in Euro 2020 here at the World Cup.
The Danes’ campaign had a horrific start in the European showpiece when Christian Eriksen had a cardiac arrest in their opening day loss to Finland, but they powered through his absence and made it to the final four where they fell short to eventual runners-up England.
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand coaches during their UEFA Nations League match against France
Following their success in Euro 2020, Denmark were dominant in Group F of the European qualifiers as they’ve won nine out of their 10 group stage matches and right now they’re also doing well in the UEFA Nations League, leading Group A1 with nine points after the first four games.
Kasper Hjulmand’s side has been doing it by committee and he has an intriguing core of youngsters and veterans, with the fully recovered Christian Eriksen leading the way alongside the likes of Joakim Maehle, Andreas Christensen, Kasper Schmeichel, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Jonas Wind.
Tunisia
Make it back-to-back World Cup appearances for Tunisia and their sixth overall, and they’ll be looking to impress in Group D. They were successful in the CAF qualifiers since they finished on top Group B with four wins, one loss, and one draw.
The Carthage Eagles are embarking on a new era as Jalel Kadri is taking over at the coaching helm, replacing Mondher Kebaier after falling short of their expectations when they only went to as far as the quarter-finals during the AFCON earlier this year.
Tunisia’s preparations ahead of November have been going well as they’ve recently won the Kirin Cup, beating Chile and Japan with an aggregate tally of 5-0.
No one from Group D should take this team for granted given their weapons, namely Wahbi Khazri from Saint-Etienne, and youngsters Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane from ES Tunis and Hannibal Mejbri from Manchester United.
Australia
After a strong start to their qualifying campaign, the Socceroos’ automatic qualification disappeared as they tailed off with losses to Japan and Saudi Arabia and they had to earn their Qatar berth the hard way.
Australia had to overcome UAE in a separate Asian qualifying play-off to meet Peru in a single-elimination intercontinental play-off barely a week later.
The Socceroos held their nerve against Los Incas to beat them 5-4 on penalties after going 0-0 in full time, thanks to Andrew Redmayne’s heroics.
This will be Australia’s fifth consecutive World Cup appearance and they’re aiming to progress through the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006.
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The most talked about World Cup 2022 in modern times is inching closer folks as we have just 150 days to wait before the opening fixture between Senegal and Netherlands at the Althumama Stadium in Doha.
It will be a World Cup like none before it since it’ll be played in the European winter between November 21st and the final on December 18th, so the run up to Christmas will look totally different in homes throughout the world.
Festive decorations will have a footy theme in millions of households and the television schedules will be dominated by the action in Qatar as World Cup 2022 updates roll in around the clock.
For those lucky enough to have tickets for the showcase tournament, it will have a different feel to those preceding it, with fans expected to show deference to the culture of the host nation. Conservative clothing and sensible drinking will be the order of the day as fans will behave themselves in and around the stadiums.
The players will have to adapt to unusual conditions too, in air conditioned stadiums, while fans will be able to hire tents at £160 a night as Qatar is reported to be running out of affordable hotel spaces.
Meanwhile, FIFA have decided to allow 26-man squads, the same number authorised at Euro 2020 in a move likely to favour the biggest football nations with more than two players per position available.
In six months time it will all be over, but the speculation is beginning to mount. So let’s take a look at the five most fancied teams and see what their players are up to at the moment.
The World Cup 2022 betting odds have Tite’s Brazil as the favourites to lift a sixth world cup and a first in 20 years. The Selecao have a star-studded side, from their two Premier League winning keepers in Ederson and Alisson, right through to Neymar who will lead the attack.
The 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star has been the subject of speculation that he may be on his way back to Barcelona if the two teams can come to an agreement and two other strikers may also be on the move.
Didier Deschamps France are defending champions and they once again will carry Europe’s hopes on their shoulders. Since winning the 2018 tournament, Les Bleus have won the UEFA Nations League, though they have made a poor start to the 2022/23 competition.
The squad is dripping with talent and Kylian Mbappe has endeared himself to his nation’s fans by opting to stay in the French league with Paris Saint-Germain instead of heading to Real Madrid, while Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku could be the 2022 breakout star. The attacking midfielder had a brilliant Bundesliga season and he is coveted by a host of top teams.
England
England manager Gareth Southgate is determined to lead his squad to victories in the upcoming World Cup
It’s difficult to know what to make of England at the moment. The 2018 semi-finalists had their best chance of winning a trophy since 1966 when they faced Italy in the final of Euro 2020. But with an early lead in front of their home fans at Wembley, against a team which has failed to qualify for successive World Cups, they choked.
And the Three Lions have looked disjointed and bereft of confidence in four Nations League games which have yielded draws against Italy and Germany and two losses to Hungary, including a 4-0 drubbing last time out. Head coach Gareth Southgate is beginning to feel the pressure.
Spain
The SBOTOP preview of Group E will be out at the weekend and we’ll be taking a look at Luis Enrique’s young side who, after impressing at Euro 2020, will be a team to watch in Qatar.
The Barcelona duo of striker Ansu Fati (19) and midfield star Gavi (15) were still at school during the 2018 World Cup but they are both likely to feature for La Roja in November.
Two more Barca youngsters in centre-back Eric Garcia and striker Ferran Torres will both push for a start, while the experience will come from their 33-year-old teammate and captain Sergio Busquets.
Argentina
Head coach Lionel Scaloni ended Argentina’s 28-year wait for a trophy when they lifted the 2021 Copa America and now he hopes to win a first World Cup since 1986. It would be a fitting end to captain Lionel Messi’s international career who, at 34 years old, will almost certainly play in his last World Cup.
This could also be a big tournament for Inter Milan hit man Lautaro Martinez who, at 24 years, already has 20 international goals in 38 appearances.
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Two European heavyweights come face to face in Group E of the Qatar World Cup 2022where both Spain and Germany will aim to go deep into the competition.
Led by the vastly experienced Sergio Busquets, Spain have an exciting young side and Germany too are in a transition phase under new head coach Hansi Flick, who has plenty of fine young players to work with. But both teams will need to make a strong start in a group which also contains World Cup veterans Japan and hard-to-beat Costa Rica.
The action opens on the 23rd November when Germany meet Japan and Spain face Costa Rica. But the tie of the group will be a rematch of the 2010 World Cup semi-final when a Carlos Puyol header beat Germany and sent La Roja to the final… which they won.
Germany took the World Crown in 2014 but neither reached the latter stages in 2018 when Spain went out in the Round of 16 to hosts Russia, while Germany finished bottom of their group.
Flick will try to erase the memory of that disaster as Germany go into a major finals without former boss Joachim Loew for the first time since 2004. They will find a tough opponent in Japan, who reached the knockout phase in 2018 for the third time in five finals, seeing off Poland and Senegal in the process.
Costa Rica make up the group, appearing in their seventh World Cup finals and they have dreams of emulating their best-ever performance, a quarter final appearance in 2014.
Spain
Luis Enrique’s Spain have been picked out as one of SBOTOP’s potential winners after they navigated their qualification group in style, seeing off the challenge of a tough Sweden side. The emergence of players such as highly rated defender Pau Torres and striker Ferran Torres has lifted Spain back to the top of the European pile, reaching the Nations League final before losing to France.
This is a creative, attacking team and promises to be one of the most entertaining, but it also has a steely quality which has emerged with determination following an unlucky semi-final exit to Italy at Euro 2020.
At 17 years of age, Barcelona’s centre midfield starlet is a phenomenal prospect, widely viewed as one of the best young players in the world. With ten caps already Gavi is Spain’s youngest-ever capped player and has already been likened to his club boss Xavi.
Germany
After winning the 2014 World Cup, Germany were expected to kick on, but they did just the reverse, failing to make the knockout stages in 2018 and labouring at Euro 2020. But they have been back to their imperious best, qualifying with the joint-highest points total in Europe alongside Denmark with 27 points from ten games – nine wins and a solitary defeat.
Unbeaten in 13 games since their Euro 2020 loss to England, this is a nation on the up again. The pre-tournament World Cup 2022 betting oddssuggest Germany will make the quarter-finals at least, and then they are in with a chance of going all the way.
Player to watch: Joshua Kimmich
In a team with talents such as Kai Havertz, Ilkay Gundogan and Serge Gnabry, the stand out performer is FC Bayern midfielder Kimmich. At 27 years of age, he is in his prime as the near-perfect box-to-box midfielder, able to break up play and pick a killer pass at any moment.
Japan
The Samurai Blue had a comfortable passage through to the finals, seeing off Australia to qualify automatically from the AFC region and they will be hopeful of reaching the Round of 16 again, and maybe going a step further for the first time.
Ranked 23rd in the world, this is an experienced football nation with stars including Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino and Sampdoria’s Maya Yoshida in their ranks. Coach Hajime Moriyasu has been with Japan since 2018 and has developed a well-balanced outfit, organised in defence and ambitious in attack.
Player to watch: Takumi Minamino
Takumi Minamino with the ball during one of Liverpool’s Premier League matches last season
Expect some entertaining World Cup 2022 highlightsto come from Liverpool’s versatile forward. Minamino’s opportunities at Anfield have been limited with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in the attacking group, but he’s done well when called upon and is a classy performer.
Costa Rica
A third-minute goal from Joel Campbell was enough to see Los Ticos through to the finals with a 1-0 win over New Zealand in the intercontinental playoff. And it was no more than head coach Luis Fernando Suarez deserved as he guided his team to fourth place in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, missing out on automatic qualification on goal difference alone, finishing level on points with the USA.
In 2022 Costa Rica have won seven, draw one and lost one, keeping seven clean sheets in the process, with PSG veteran keeper Keylor Navas between the sticks.
Player to watch: Joel Campbell
Former Arsenal striker Campbell was the man to fire Los Ticos to Qatar and he’s the most likely to score the goals for his team in Group E. He can play down the middle or out wide and, with 25 goals from 117 internationals, he is a vital outlet in a well-disciplined side.
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World Cup 2022: Belgium, Croatia Welcome Canada Back to the Big Time
For the first time in 36 years, Canada are back on the biggest stage in football as they qualified for World Cup 2022. The co-hosts of the next World Cup in 2026 will be welcomed back to the tournament by perennial powerhouses Belgium as well as 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and Morocco.
The World Cup 2022 odds have the Belgians installed as the big favourites to win the group, but all three of Canada, Croatia, and Morocco had impressive qualifying campaigns and look capable of claiming second spot.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps how all four teams in Group F made their way to World Cup 2022.
Belgium
It was yet another impressive qualifying campaign from Belgium, who have made it to their third straight World Cup and their fifth consecutive major tournament.
The Red Devils went undefeated in Group E with six wins and two draws – one of which was a dead rubber in their group finale away to Wales – as they extended their remarkable unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers to 28 straight matches (23 wins, 5 draws).
Such was Belgium’s dominance that they were behind for all of 42 minutes throughout qualifying as Roberto Martinez’s side scored 25 goals and conceded just six in the eight games. They conceded more than one goal just once in eight games, and that came in a 5-2 drubbing of Estonia.
Unsurprisingly, Romelu Lukaku remained among the goals as he scored five goals in qualifying. Hans Vanaken was second on the team with three goals, two of which he scored in their 8-0 thrashing of Belarus, one of the biggest wins in UEFA World Cup qualifying.
Canada
Canada’s Cyle Larin celebrates his goal with Richie Laryea during their World Cup Qualifying match against Jamaica
Canada were already guaranteed a spot in the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts along with the United States and Mexico. But the Maple Leafs made sure they would be making back-to-back appearances as they qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years and just their second World Cup ever after a terrific qualifying campaign.
Canada finished top in the third round of CONCACAF qualifying, ahead of the region’s established heavyweights, Mexico and the United States.
Coach John Herdman, who took charge in 2018, has been instrumental in Canada’s rise in CONCACAF. Les Rouges have won 30 of 43 matches under him, with 4 draws and only 9 defeats. They won 8 of 14 games in the third round of qualifying, with 4 draws and 2 losses.
Canada had a bit of a shaky start as they drew four of their first five games, although two of those draws were away to both the United States and Mexico. But after that, they went on a blistering six-match winning streak, which included huge home wins over both the USMNT and El Tri.
Despite suffering shock 1-0 defeats away to Costa Rica and Panama in their last three qualifiers, Canada still qualified on top, edging out Mexico with a superior goal difference.
The Canadians boast a couple of talented young forwards in Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, who combined to score 11 of their 23 goals in qualifying. Those two, along with Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies, were Canada’s key players in qualifying and figure to create some World Cup 2022 highlights in Qatar.
Croatia
After their terrific run to the World Cup final in 2018, Croatia are back in Qatar with the hopes of replicating that unlikely success in Russia.
With captain and midfield maestro Luka Modric still going strong, the Croatians produced one of their best World Cup qualifying campaigns as they won seven, drew two and lost just once in 10 games to win Group H, edging Russia by a single point.
And despite lacking big-name defenders, the Croatians conceded just four goals in 10 games, which was one of the best defensive records in European qualifying.
Croatia suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Slovenia in their World Cup qualifying opener, but they then went on a terrific six-game run where they did not concede a single goal. That run eventually came to an end in a 2-2 draw at home against Slovakia. But they bounced back to thrash Malta 7-1, then beat Russia 1-0 at home in their crucial group finale to clinch top spot in the group.
Morocco may seem like the least renowned team in this group, but don’t make the mistake of underestimating the Atlas Lions, who had an outstanding qualifying campaign. The Moroccans were the only side in Africa to come away from the second round of qualifying with a perfect record of six wins out of six.
Vahid Halilhodzic’s side steamrolled through Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Sudan as they scored 20 goals and conceded just one, which was a remarkable record. Moreover, they won all but one of their six games by three or more goals. Then came the two-legged playoff, where Morocco drew DR Congo. After a surprise 1-1 draw away from home in which they needed to come from behind, the Atlas Lions roared to a 4-1 win in the second leg at home – by far the most convincing victory of the five playoff ties – to reach the World Cup once again.
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World Cup 2022: Group G Could Come Down To Serbia-Swiss Shoot-Out
It may seem some time away but the World Cup 2022 will be here before we know it and Group G will be well worth watching.
Not a ‘group of death’ but certainly one of the more balanced pools it would appear for it has paired together the world’s number two ranked international team in Brazil, Switzerland (14th), Serbia (25th) and everyone’s favourite underdog, Cameroon (38th).
While, let’s be honest, few expect anyone but Brazil to win the group, there could be plenty of World Cup highlights and the Serbia-Switzerland clash on December 2 could well determine who takes second spot and a place in the knockout stages.
Yet Brazil will always be among the favourites, as the SBOTOP World Cup betting odds show, and Selecao will have already qualified for over a year by the time they play their tournament opener against Serbia on November 24.
Cameroon’s Collin Fai celebrates after beating Algeria to reach the World Cup 2022
Both the Serbs and the Swiss followed a few days later and it wasn’t until March this year that Cameroon booked their place in the most dramatic of fashions as Africa’s representatives were determined.
On an unforgettable night, Algeria frustration was palpable until the 118th minute when, with a penalty shoot-out looming, the unmarked Touba headed home a Rachid Ghezzal corner, Andre Onana was finally beaten, and Algeria were seemingly in dreamland.
In many ways, the nation managed by former player, Rigobert Song, has now achieved its minimum aim and success in the tournament would be a bonus.
In truth, in the play-off Cameroon were outplayed by Algeria for large spells yet here they are and they did come through a tough group which included Ivory Coast so cannot be underestimated.
All in all, Cameroon haven’t made it through the group stage since 1990 and will rely heavily on the goals of Vincent Aboubakar.
Serbia, also managed by another former player in Dragan Stojkovic, have attacking talent of their own in Dusan Tadic, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Luka Jovic, but kept just one clean sheet in their eight qualifiers and have under-performed at recent World Cups.
Switzerland, meanwhile, now under Murat Yakin, are solid but possibly over-reliant on Breel Embolo.
And so the focus is on Brazil and it is now two decades since the South Americans were the last non-European winner of a World Cup.
Going unbeaten through Conmebol qualifying is a fine achievement and, while there remain some concerns about the retrogressive instincts of Brazilian coaches at club level, Tite is more open-minded than most and an impressive boss.
However, a word of warning. The last World Cup and the thrilling quarter-final exit against Belgium in 2018 was a reminder of the dangers of depending too much on Neymar who has become such an enormous figure that teams he plays for always end up being centered on him, which, as the Belgians showed, can make them easy to stifle.
Only a few weeks ago, he netted two penalties in a 5-1 friendly thrashing of South Korea which took him to 73 goals, a record second only to Pele (77), and ahead of such geniuses as Ronaldo (62) and Romario (56). He is not regarded as highly as any of the three aforementioned though and that is unlikely to change without a World Cup so, at the age of 30, Qatar is Neymar’s golden opportunity.
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World Cup 2022: Portugal Not Exactly the Favourites, But They Still Have Ronaldo
Group H of the World Cup 2022 is probably the hardest one to call since the playing field is pretty much balanced on paper.
Many have Portugal as the favourites, but their World Cup 2022 odds of coming out of this group and making a deep tournament run aren’t that high compared to years past because of their inconsistency these past few months.
So, Group H should be fun to watch since all of these four nations have history with each other one way or another.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps how all of these four teams clinched their spots for the upcoming football showcase in Qatar.
Portugal
All eyes are going to be on Cristiano Ronaldo, whose upcoming World Cup appearance in Qatar will likely be his final one.
The 37-year-old talisman is undoubtedly the key player for the Selecao. However, they cannot solely rely on him to produce a ton of World Cup 2022 highlights in November.
There have been doubts over Fernando Santos’ conservative tactics, but he has great young talent at his disposal to work with – which is one of the reasons why they should be able to progress through the knockout stages.
Besides Ronaldo, they are loaded up front with Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Diogo Jota, and Bernardo Silva, while at the back they have the evergreen Pepe, Joao Cancelo, Danilo Pereira, and Ruben Dias.
The Selecao have had their share of bad defencive games, but kudos to them for improving on that end as of late – having managed to concede only three goals in their last six games across all competitions.
They’ve secured their World Cup berth, as expected, but they almost missed out on the festivities when they failed to take the top spot in Group A during the UEFA qualifiers.
Portugal beat Turkey in the European play-offs Path C, and then they defeated North Macedonia to ensure their eighth World Cup appearance.
Ghana had to earn their spot the hard way for their first World Cup appearance since 2014.
The Black Stars were unconvincing during the AFCON few months ago, which saw them bowing out of the group stage after being on the receiving end of an upset against Comoros for their final match.
In the qualifiers, Ghana topped their group thanks to a controversial penalty against South Africa before beating Nigeria in their play-off on away goals.
Because they qualified for the World Cup, interim coach Otto Addo was given an extension by the Ghana FA which will run until the end of 2022. Moreover, some of their key players that we should keep an eye on are Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, and Daniel Amartey.
Ghana may not have as many household names compared to the other nations here in Group H, but they are a gritty bunch who’s determined to prove that they belong in football’s biggest stage.
Uruguay
Uruguay forward Luis Suarez controls the ball during the World Cup 2022 qualification
They were once in danger of missing out Qatar, but they didn’t as they’ve notched four consecutive wins under Alonso to claim the third spot behind Brazil and Argentina during the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
La Celeste are aiming for their first big trophy since the 2011 Copa America where Tabarez was still in charge. They went to as far as the final eight at the 2018 World Cup, only to lose to eventual winners France.
They will be led once more by their veteran strike duo in Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, but they also have some young pieces in Facundo Pellistri, Fede Valverde, and Rafael Araujo who can contribute to their cause.
SouthKorea
South Korea haven’t missed the World Cup since 1982 and such streak will continue as they’ll compete in Qatar.
Despite being regulars in the World Cup, though, the Taeguk Warriors have never made it out of the group stage since 2010. Their best World Cup campaign was in 2002, which saw them reach to as far as the semi-finals.
Paulo Bento’s side qualified convincingly as they’ve won seven of their 10 third-phase qualifiers matches to finish second in their group behind Iran. Heung-Min Son and Hwang Hee-Chan are the South Koreans most potent threats and they’ll be their main difference makers in Qatar.
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We’re all looking forward to the fast approaching domestic leagues as the action is due to start across Europe in little over a month.
The transfer market is in full swing and fans and pundits are weighing up their teams’ chances in the 2022/23 campaign. The first week in August is when it all kicks off and then, three months later it’s the 2022 World Cup!
All roads and flights will lead to Qatar for the biggest sporting extravaganza on the planet and the SBOTOPteam will be all over the run up to the tournament, all the latest World Cup 2022 news and the action as it unfolds.
It’s a feat of football no-one should miss and here are five reasons why:
Qatar will be totally different
The preparations for the 2022 World Cup haven’t been without controversy. From the moment the world’s biggest competition was awarded to a nation with little history in the game, eyebrows were raised in South America, Europe and Western Africa. There have been health and safety problems during the stadium builds and fans are wondering what to expect when they arrive in the Western Asian state of Qatar.
It will be different that’s for sure, but Qatar is determined to put on the greatest show on earth and, from the curious to the fanatical who will be tuning in to see how it pans out, the world will be watching.
The fact that the competition will be held neither in Europe nor South America means that this tournament will be more open than most with a number of nations who will believe they have a great chance of becoming rulers of the world.
According to the early World Cup 2022 betting oddsBrazil are the marginal favourites to lift the trophy, and with leaders like Thiago, Casemiro and Neymar guiding the prodigious talent of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Gabriel Martinelli this will be some Selecao team.
2018 Champions France are as strong as ever, even managing to leave quality players such as Barca’s Ousmane Dembele out of a recent squad. His future with Barca is yet to be settled but he’ll be on the plane to Qatar no doubt, along with potential Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe.
Spain has a real chance of going at least one better than their Euro 2020 semi-final appearance. There are a huge number of La Liga players in Luis Enrique’s squad, including Villarreal centre back Pau Torres, and other world class talents such as Barcelona’s wonderkids Gavi and Ansu Fati and Manchester City’s Rodri.
And, of course, England and Argentina are also serious contenders.
The young guns are ready to fire
As well as Fati, Gavi, Martinelli and Mbappe there will be a wealth of youthful talent on show from all the top teams. Borussia Dortmund’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham has had a brilliant domestic season and also impressed for the Three Lions with his energetic box to box displays, strong in the tackle and adventurous in support of England’s attack.
Argentina have two young sharp shooters in the form of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and River Plate’s Julian Alvarez, and a legend of the game to guide them along…
Last chance to see some old stagers
Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his last shot at World Cup glory later this year
…Lionel Messi might be at his last World Cup but he’s every bit the talisman Argentina need if they are to add a World Cup triumph to their Copa America crown. And he’s not the only veteran of the biggest stage as Chelsea’s ageless (37) centre back Thiago Silva will be on show.
Portugal might not be the best team in the world, but they still have the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks and he is still as ambitious as ever, recently suggesting he wants to leave Manchester United in search of yet more silverware. And Real Madrid midfield ace Luka Modric will grace the venues with his effortless skills and creative genius.
The only regret is that we have seen the last of Juventus and Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini, as the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second tournament in succession.
A break in domestic football…
And any concern that the competition will lose viewers due to ‘football fatigue’ has been removed by the decision to stage the tournament in November and December. That means that the big leagues in Europe will all take a six week break, smack bang in the middle of the domestic season.
In England the Premier League always continues relentlessly while on the continent there is generally a two week break. But the extended pause in domestic football means no footy for much longer.
Unless of course you tune in to the Qatar World Cup.
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So, predicting the top two in the various World Cup groups should be fairly straightforward right?
Well, in most cases, yes, but as many writers with football knowledge have found out over the years, nothing is guaranteed in international football.
Take Greece’s triumph at Euro 2004, for example, when they emerged champions instead of the all-conquering France, rejuvenated Holland and exciting host nation Portugal.
Fast forward to Euro 2016 (and I am only using a few examples here) when Iceland caused the most embarrassing result in England’s history.
And, of course, the last World Cup in Russia stunned me as the reigning world champions Germany were eliminated at this very stage by South Korea.
With a new format (more teams than ever before participating and only two qualifying for the knockout stages from each group), some of the predictions could be tough to call.
Yet as far as Groups A-D are concerned, I’m going to give it a damn good go!
In Group A, host nation Qatar will bring colour and excitement to the party but I cannot see them coming too close to reaching the last 16, even with a tidal wave of support.
Likewise, Ecuador have only reached the last 16 once – in 2006 when they were narrowly beaten by England – but they are ranked 44th best nation in the world for a reason (Qatar are 49th) which is why I am plumping for African champions Senegal to seal second spot behind Louis van Gaal’s Holland.
Under the wily veteran van Gaal, the Dutch are an exciting prospect and will want to do much better than in last summer’s Euro 2020 when they went out at the last 16 to the Czech Republic.
This time I cannot see past them as table toppers and for me the teams to progress will be:
Group A: 1, Holland; 2, Senegal.
Ronald Koeman is expected to take over the Netherlands head coach role from Louis van Gaal after the 2022 World Cup
Group B is also straightforward to call as far as I am concerned with the British Isles’ pairing of England and Wales having far too much for Iran and the United States.
The match between the latter will no doubt evoke memories of their clash at France 98 which was described at the time as the “mother of all games” and the “most politically charged game in World Cup history”.
Yet I still do not believe it will be anything but a contest to avoid finishing bottom of Group B.
Yes, the two nations are ranked 14th and 23rd in the world rankings – the States above Wales – but they should not be able to beat a side which has reached its first World Cup Finals since 1958.
After waiting so long to secure a place at the biggest sporting show in earth in 2022, Wales will certainly not want to be brief visitors to the party.
The Welsh should not be able to finish ahead of England, even after their wobbles at home to Italy and Hungary last month in the UEFA Nations League – in truth, few appeared interested in those games at the end of an arduous campaign.
It is easy to dismiss Saudi Arabia and they should be no pushovers but, realistically, the other qualifying berth should come down to a battle between Mexico and Poland.
The latter possess a man who, alongside Karim Benzema, has been as prolific a frontman as they come in recent years and this will likely be Robert Lewandowski’s international swansong.
It is actually 1986 since Poland last emerged from the group stages and I think Mexico, who have so often produced exciting World Cup highlights, will pip them this time too.
Group C: 1, Argentina; 2, Mexico.
And so onto Group D where the reigning world champions France will meet Australia, Denmark and Tunisia.
Denmark may have had more talented groups of players than the class of 2022 but, remember, they were the story of Euro 2020, recovering from the almost tragic tale of Christian Eriksen to produce some heart-warming moments and come within a whisker of reaching the final.
The complete World Cup 2022 schedule has been out for some time now, so everyone should have had enough time to mark their calendars for the games they are most eagerly anticipating during the group stage.
But if you haven’t done so yet, here are SBOTOP’s picks for the five biggest group-stage matchups that you should not miss.
England vs USA
Will the third time be the charm for England against the United States? Despite their status as one of the world’s top footballing nations, the Three Lions have not defeated the USMNT in their two prior meetings in the World Cup. The US famously beat England in the 1950 World Cup, and they held them to a 1-1 draw in 2010.
Gareth Southgate has England to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia and the final of Euro 2020 in his two major tournaments, but there is increasing pressure on him to lead this talented Three Lions team to victory in Qatar.
But the USMNT has come a long way since their last meeting in 2010. They also possess quite a talented young side, one that could be capable of keeping their undefeated record against the English intact.
France vs Denmark
The World Cup 2022 odds have reigning world champions France as one of the favourites for the title. But a poor performance in the Nations League – no wins in four matches – has raised some concerns surrounding Les Bleus.
Denmark contributed to France’s downward slide as they beat Les Bleus 2-1 in France in the Nations League opener. And after the two sides meet for the return leg in September, they will once again collide in the World Cup group stage.
The Danes had an impressive World Cup qualifying campaign as they won nine out of 10 games with 30 goals scored. With Christian Eriksen healthy and back in the fold, they will pose the biggest threat to France in Group D, so their matchup could go a long way toward deciding who ends up winning the group.
Belgium vs Croatia
Belgium vs Croatia will be a Group F battle between two of the top midfielders of the last decade as Kevin De Bruyne goes up against the great Luka Modric.
Croatia star Luka Modric celebrates following their victory against France during UEFA Nations League match
Modric will be 37 by the time the World Cup begins, and this could very well be the last time he features in this tournament. But as he showed when he helped Real Madrid win yet another Champions League crown, there is still a lot left in the legendary Croatian’s legs as he looks to make another run at the World Cup final.
Modric and Real Madrid got the better of De Bruyne’s Manchester City en route to the title, but KDB’s Red Devils will be significantly favoured against Modric’s Croatia when they meet in this much-anticipated matchup of midfield maestros.
Poland vs Argentina
Without question the biggest superstar showdown in the World Cup 2022 group stage will be Lionel Messi leading Argentina against Robert Lewandowski’s Poland in Group C.
Messi may not have had the best season with Paris Saint-Germain, but the reigning Ballon d’Or has shown in recent performances with Argentina that he still has a lot left in the tank and will look to take one last shot at winning the World Cup in Qatar.
But Poland pose perhaps the biggest threat to Argentina in Group C, in large part due to Lewandowski’s goalscoring ability. The 34-year-old remains one of the deadliest strikers in the world, and if anyone can produce more World Cup 2022 highlights than Messi during their marquee matchup, it’s him.
Germany vs Spain
While Messi vs Lewandowski is the premier player-vs-player showdown in the group stage, Spain vs Germany is undoubtedly the marquee team-vs-team matchup of the group stage.
The two recent former world champions – Spain in 2010 and Germany in 2014 – are not the truly elite contenders that they were in past World Cups, but they are still talented sides and are quite capable of making a run at the title.
Luis Enrique led La Roja to a semi-final berth at Euro 2020 and lost on penalties to eventual champions Italy. Meanwhile, Hansi Flick’s Germany crashed out in the round of 16 to England and will be keen to make up for their humiliating group-stage exit in 2018.
This will be the first World Cup meeting between the two European giants since 1966, and the Germans will be eager to get some revenge after La Roja humiliated them 6-0 in their most recent meeting in the Nations League in 2020.
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32 teams have qualified for the World Cup 2022 and fans can look forward to a festival of football in November and December when the best players in the world will put on a show to remember in Qatar.
For the likes of the favourites Brazil and France, there was a comfortable passage to the finals but many other nations had to battle hard and some went by the wayside.
As the qualification groups neared their conclusions and the play-offs were completed, there were cheers and tears for the winners and losers with many a dramatic turn of event.
Here at SBOTOP, we followed all the big stories as the action unfolded, and here are four of the best.
Consecutive defeats to Brazil, Argentina twice, and Bolivia at the end of 2021 left Uruguay in a precarious position of seventh in the CONMEBOL table and at serious risk of missing out.
La Celeste scored just one goal and conceded 11 in that depressing run and the worrying state of their campaign saw the end of Oscar Tabarez, who had spent a record 15 years at the helm.
Former Inter Miami boss Diego Alonso took over and with immediate results, winning the next four to see La Celeste on the way to Qatar.
Flamengo midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored the crucial winner over rivals Peru which confirmed Uruguay’s qualification with a game to spare, and that result also booked outsiders’ Ecuador’s ticket to Qatar, leaving Peru to fight it out in the play-offs unsuccessfully – losing to Australia.
With South American heavyweightsColombia and Chile trailing in their wake, Ecuador booked their place despite losing to Paraguay, thanks also to Brazil’s 4-0 thumping of Chile.
Italy out again
Nobody wants to miss out on the World Cup finals, and this time in Qatar is no different. But arguably the biggest World Cup 2022 news story came in Palermo in March when Roberto Mancini’s Italy crashed out in a play-off battle with the minnows from North Macedonia, who were ranked 67th in the world.
And it could hardly have been more exciting as Aleksandar Trajkovski picked up the ball in midfield before driving forward and unleashing a stoppage time winner from outside the area.
The goal sparked wild celebrations in the Macedonian camp while the Azzurri players fell to their knees with the realisation that they had missed out for the second World Cup finals in succession.
It could hardly be more galling for the proud football nation after they won the 2020 European Championships and, since losing to North Macedonia, they have drawn in Nations League clashes with fellow European giants England and Germany.
The World Cup 2022 betting odds won’t give Macedonia much hope when they arrive in Qatar, but at least they made it there.
Wales through at Ukraine’s expense
Wales’ Gareth Bale celebrates after beating Ukraine 1-0 to qualify for the World Cup 2022
The most emotional night in qualification came in Cardiff where Wales beat Ukraine to make it to the World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years. Rob Page led the Dragons to Qatar with the eyes of the world on the game as the Ukraine players battled heroically, just as their compatriots are doing following the outbreak of war in Europe.
And sadly, it was an Andriy Yarmolenko own goal which ended Ukraine’s dreams while Wales started to prepare for the finals.
Keeper Wayne Hennessey was the Welsh hero as Ukraine threw everything at the hosts in search of an equaliser. Qatar will welcome Wales but Ukraine will be sorely missed, as much for their heart as for their undoubted ability on the pitch.
Canada young guns top CONCACAF
Mexico and USA, ninth and 15th in the FIFA World Rankings, were expected to take the first two spots in the CONCACAF qualifying group while Canada fought with the likes of Costa Rica for the final qualification place.
The Maple Leafs are ranked 38th in the world behind Costa Rica too at 31st and they stormed to the top of the table to finish above the two big guns and also ahead of Costa Rica.
Even a final day defeat to Panama couldn’t dampen Canada’s celebrations as John Herdman’s men finished ahead of Mexico on goal difference, while USA edged out Costa Rica in third place also on goal difference.
Canada’s attack will be led by top scorer Cyle Larin in Qatar. The Club Brugges man has 24 goals for his country and he will be alongside the exciting Lille striker Jonathan David.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Bayern Munich wide-man Alphonso Davies will be a man to watch too at the finals.
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World Cup 2022: The Big Boys Will Make a Statement in the Group Stage
The new domestic football season is just around the corner with the summer transfer window in full swing. But time flies fast and before you know it, we’re all going to turn our focus at Qatar to witness the biggest football extravaganza in November – which is World Cup 2022.
It’s true that nothing is guaranteed in international football since the playing field looks more competitive than ever, but we’re going to make our group stage predictions nonetheless.
Experience will be a huge factor in Group E, so we’re picking Spain and Germany to progress to the next round because they have plenty of it. After all, Germany took their fourth World Cup in 2014 and Spain last triumphed in 2010, while Costa Rica and Japan have zero titles combined.
In the 2018 edition of this competition, though, Germany finished at the bottom of their group while Spain went out in the Round of 16, so both nations are aiming to re-establish themselves.
We’ll give Germany the slight edge here because they’ve been in better form as they’re unbeaten in 13 consecutive games since their Euro 2020 defeat to England.
Since taking over as head coach to replace Joachim Low, Hansi Flick has revitalised Die Mannschaft by turning them into a more cohesive unit with their solid mix of young and veteran players. The same can be said for Spain, who are also a formidable squad under Luis Enrique.
Group E underdogs Costa and Rica and Japan will look to prove the pre-World Cup 2022 odds wrong and maybe they’ll win a match, but their overall quality just isn’t up to par with the former World Cup champions.
Group F: 1. Belgium, 2. Croatia
Belgium’s midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in action during a Nations League match against Poland at The King Baudouin Stadium
Canada were one of the feel-good stories since they’ve made it back for the first time In 36 years, but they’re in for a rude awakening at the hands of Belgium, Croatia, and even Morocco.
Les Rouges are the biggest underdogs in Group F and they’ll use this upcoming World Cup to gain invaluable experience since they’ll be co-hosting with USA and Mexico in 2026. If they can manage to get positive World Cup 2022 results, of course that would be ideal.
Following an outstanding qualifying campaign, Morocco are delighted to reach this point but they aren’t also expected to do much come November, although they aren’t to be underestimated because they have a handful of top talents who are playing in Europe’s top five leagues.
So Belgium and Croatia should be able to breeze through Group F and it’s just a matter of who will own the bragging rights when they battle for the top berth.
Group G: 1. Brazil, 2. Serbia
Given their overwhelming firepower, Brazil are going to take the top spot in Group G while the second one is up for grabs between Serbia and Switzerland, although we’re inclined to pick the Serbs.
Serbia have a strong core in midfield and in the attack, but their inconsistent defence is what’s holding them back from achieving their full potential. But if the Serbs enter in a shootout with the Swiss, though, they should be able to win since the latter are a bit short up front.
As for Cameroon, they haven’t made it past the group stage since 1990 and this trend is likely to continue this year.
Portugal remain the favourites in Group H, but their margin for error is smaller than before. As for the second spot, we’ll be swinging for the fences by choosing Uruguay to advance.
Even if you remove Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be making his international swansong. the Selecao still have a ton of ammunition compared to their Group H counterparts and it’s really just a matter on how Fernando Santos maximises this squad.
Ghana are likely to finish last, but the battle for second is going to be interesting between Uruguay and South Korea.
The Taeguk Warriors and La Celeste are seemingly level in terms of overall quality and depth, but we’ll side with the latter since they’re on a roll under new manager Diego Alonso.
To their credit, South Korea haven’t missed the World Cup since 1982, but the daunting task of finally ending their knockout stage drought might be too much for them to handle.
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The very best players in world football will be at World Cup 2022in November. And here at SBOTOP we’ll be tracking the whole competition, every piece of action, all the drama, all the shocks and, of course, we’ll have the best range of World Cup 2022 betting odds to make it a memorable competition!
But there are a handful of nations who have the eye of the tiger and really believe they can come out on top of the world… a week before Christmas.
I’ve picked the five teams I expect to fight it out in the latter stages of the competition but there are others who will produce some special World Cup 2022 highlights and will also fancy their chances.
Former world champions Germany are getting stronger, and they will have dreams of taking over the world again, but it may be too early. 2016 European Champions Portugal also have the capability to go all the way with their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo probably making his last appearance on the global stage.
The Netherlands have quality oozing from their squad and they too will be a joy to watch, but the last four may be a step too far for the Oranje.
I’m sticking with the five favourites so here we go:
Brazil
The Selecao are the team tipped to win their record sixth World Cup and their first in two decades and in Tite they have a head coach well capable of delivering. He has a squad with world-class operators in every position, even boasting the Premier League’s two best goalkeepers in Alisson and Ederson. But it is the flair players the fans flock to watch and we’re bound to get plenty of entertainment from Brazil, and maybe a first win since 2002.
Group challengers
In a group containing Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon there are plenty of potential banana skins and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are always a threat with their physicality and attacking intent.
Player to watch: Neymar
With 74 goals from 119 games the Paris Saint-Germain striker has no critics in his homeland and, if he can stay on his feet, the magic will come.
France
Didier Deschamps lifting the World Cup trophy in 2018
The 2018 world champions have every chance of defending their crown and Didier Deschamps’ team is second favourites to win in Qatar. Les Blues are current UEFA Nations League champions and they will lead the European charge.
Group challengers
Australia and Tunisia shouldn’t pose too many problems for Les Bleus, but Denmark are a real force to be reckoned with and, with players of the quality of Simon Kjaer and Christian Eriksen in their ranks, they are rated by FIFA as the 11th-best team in the world.
Player to watch: Kylian Mbappe
Neymar’s PSG partner burst onto the world stage at the 2018 World Cup and since then he has continued to devastate opposing defences with his pace and otherworldly skills. With 27 goals in 57 appearances for France and 106 in 115 for his club Mbappe is a lethal finisher.
England
The Three Lions almost ended 56 years of hurt when they took the 2020 European Championships final to penalties, only to lose to Italy, and they have a good chance to do well in Qatar with plenty of young talent coming through the team. Can they win a first trophy since 1966?
England always expects!
Group challengers
Iran and Wales, particularly with Gareth Bale who loves to upset the English, will both be hard to break down, but the United States have the best attacking players and the England players will know Stars and Stripes captain Christian Pulisic well enough to beware.
Player to watch: Harry Kane
The World Cup 2018 Golden Boot winner seems to have been around forever but, at 28 years of age, he is in his prime. With 50 goals from 73 England appearances Kane is just three behind the record set by Wayne Rooney and he’s a good bet to repeat his Golden Boot achievement… if England make the last four as expected.
Luis Enrique is putting together a new generation of La Roja and they might be ready to emulate the golden team of 2010 world champions and 2022 European champions. They certainly looked capable at Euro 2020 and are worthy of their mantle of fourth favourites.
Group challengers
Costa Rica and Japan join Spain in Qatar but the group clash against Germany will be one of the matches of the round.
Player to watch: Gavi
Barcelona’s latest wonderkid, still only 17 years of age, has already made ten international appearances and, with his mesmerising ball skills and superb positional sense he could be a Ballon d’Or winner in years to come.
Argentina
The twice World Cup champions took the 2021 Copa America to win a first trophy since 1993 and the first of Lionel Messi’s glittering career. Lionel Scaloni is leading South America’s second-best team, but having beaten Brazil in the Copa America, this band of brothers will believe they can win more silverware.
Group challengers
Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland all deserve respect and Argentina will take every game deadly seriously. I can’t see them losing in the group stage but Mexico and Poland may nick a point.
Player to watch: Lautaro Martinez
All eyes will be on Messi but Inter Milan’s 24-year-old hitman could be a serious challenger for the Golden Boot. With 20 goals in his first 38 internationals he has the ratio to pick up five or more in Qatar.
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This message was edited by SBOTOP on 21-Jul-2022 at 6:48 PM
Every four years the greatest show on earth hits our screens as 32 of the best football nations on the planet come together for the World Cup.
Millions of fans will watch the games live in Qatar and over a billion will tune in worldwide to see the finest talents in football fight it out for the ultimate international prize. The build up in the big football nations such as Brazil, Argentina, France and Germany will be relentless and fans everywhere believe this could be their year.
But there will only be one winner, and for many other teams who arrive in Qatar with high hopes of the perfect tournament, those hopes will disappear without trace. Some of the best teams will come up with a set of World Cup 2022 resultswhich, ultimately, will lead to failure.
It might seem a bit mean but I’ve picked out three nations which I suspect will flatter to deceive, and then… either crash spectacularly or go out of the competition with a whimper.
Okay here we go and, as a proud Englishman myself, there is only one place I can start…
England
Yep; 56 years of hurt and counting! I remember Euro 96 when we all sang ‘Football’s Coming Home’ and we really believed that we were about to lift some silverware just 30 years after the 1966 World Cup. But, after dominating Germany for 120 minutes, the Three Lions went to penalties with the Germans and lost, Gareth Southgate missing the crucial penalty.
England lost a World Cup semi-final to Germany in 1990 by the same method, but didn’t come as close again until the 2018 World Cup semi-final, losing to Croatia, and then they nearly broke the sequence again in 2021. There’s plenty of talent in this young side but England showed a desperately soft belly in the Euro 2020 final when, after going ahead early in the game thanks to a Luke Shaw goal, they retreated into a shell. By the time we reached the penalty shootouts the Three Lions were more like mice as the Azzurri swept their spot kicks home and grabbed the trophy.
There was no redemption for Southgate, now the manager of England’s chokers.
A group containing Iran, United States and Wales shouldn’t present too many problems for England but I won’t be on the edge of my seat when they go to a penalty shootout in the latter stages of the competition.
The World Cup 2022 betting odds place England in the top five alongside Brazil, France, Argentina and Spain and that’s about right. Since Euro 2020 England’s form has been patchy and a semi-final or quarter-final exit looks on the cards.
Belgium
They are known as the ‘Beautiful Losers’ by their neighbours in France and Belgium can’t really complain at that mantle. They boast some of the best players in the world and have spent much of the last six years at the top of the FIFA World rankings; but the nearest Roberto Martinez’s side has come to success was a third place finish in the 2018 World Cup, when they beat England into fourth.
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the greatest players in his generation
With players of the quality of Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard (I could go on) they should have won something, but a recent 4-1 defeat to Netherlands in the Nations League suggests Belgium’s best chances may have passed.
They are in a group which contains Canada, Morocco and Croatia and, as my SBOTOP colleague says, we can expect the Red Devils to make a statement at the group stage; but does anyone really think they will outlast the likes of Brazil, Argentina and France at the Qatar World Cup?
I don’t.
Senegal
The Lions of Teranga kick off the World Cup with a Group A match against the Netherlands, before meeting hosts Qatar and Ecuador in the next few days.
Following their first ever African Cup of Nations triumph, expectations will be sky high for the Lions. But while Qatar should be beatable, Ecuador came through South American qualifying ahead of both Chile and Colombia and will be a force to be reckoned with.
After winning the AFCON in 2022, FC Bayern striker Sadio Mane was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time running and he’s one of a number of world class stars in the team. Kalidou Koulibaly, recently signed for Chelsea, and his new team-mate Edouard Mendy, as well as PSG midfielder Idrissa Gueye will all be on show.
When the tournament opens up with Netherlands vs Senegal on 21st November the eyes of the world will be watching and the hopes of Africa will rest on the Lions’ shoulders, but I suspect their dreams of more glory will end sooner rather than later.
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World Cup 2022: Dutch Stars Dealing with Big Dilemmas
After missing out on Russia 2018, the Netherlands are set to make their triumphant return in World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The Dutch have been drawn into quite an easy Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Ecuador, and Senegal, and they are favoured to come out on top.
However, a bunch of key Dutch stars are facing some significant issues a few months before the start of the tournament that could drastically affect their World Cup 2022 odds.
Read on below as SBOTOP discusses the big dilemmas surrounding the Dutch.
Wijnaldum faces race to make World Cup after leg break
Georginio Wijnaldum’s availability for World Cup 2022 is in serious doubt after he sustained a broken leg. Wijnaldum suffered the injury during training with his new club Roma, whom he joined on loan from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Wijnaldum’s absence would be a massive blow for the Oranje’s World Cup hopes. While he has an underwhelming scoring record in his club career, Wijnaldum has proven to be a prolific goalscorer for the national team; he has scored 26 goals in 86 caps, which is the second-most international goals on the team by a wide margin. That includes three goals in Euro 2020, which led the team.
Moreover, the 31-year-old is also by far the most experienced midfielder in the squad, and his leadership – he’s the team’s vice captain behind Virgil van Dijk – would be greatly missed.
Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners and Steven Berghuis both started the last round of UEFA Nations League matches in Wijnaldum’s absence, and they will be contenders to replace the Roma man if he fails to get fit in time. Both also have an eye for goal as midfielders.
But with respect to them, neither can truly replace the overall impact that Wijnaldum provides for the Oranje.
Frenkie de Jong remains in Barcelona limbo
As if Wijnaldum’s injury wasn’t concerning enough, Oranje coach Louis van Gaal also has to deal with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of his other key midfielder, Frenkie de Jong.
de Jong got the start in Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, but it remains to be seen whether he will still retain his place as a regular starter when captain Sergio Busquets returns from suspension.
Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong with manager Xavi as he gets ready to come on as a substitute in their recent game against Rayo
Wijnaldum’s injury puts even more responsibility on Frenkie’s plate in midfield. He will be tasked to contribute on both ends of the pitch, organising the defence while orchestrating the attack, so he needs to hit top form ahead of the World Cup.
However, there’s the possibility of Frenkie being frozen out at Barca if he refuses to leave or lower his wages. And even a move away from the Camp Nou carries its own set of risks depending on which club he ends up on.
While Frenkie’s future remains uncertain, it’s quite clear that he will be crucial to the Oranje’s overall chances of making noise in World Cup 2022.
Memphis Depay awaiting move away from Barca
Frenkie de Jong isn’t the only Dutchman whose future at Barcelona is yet to be resolved, as striker Memphis Depay is also awaiting a resolution to his situation.
The 28-year-old has reportedly agreed to the termination of his Barcelona contract, although that would only come into effect if he finds an agreement with a new club.
Juventus have been strongly linked with a move for Memphis, but the Old Lady are reportedly closing in on Marseille’s Arkadiusz Milik, which might put the Memphis deal in doubt.
Memphis just might be the most important player for the Dutch heading into World Cup 2022. He is far and away the Oranje’s leading scorer with 42 career international goals in 80 caps.
The decline in quality from him to his replacements is quite steep, with the likes of Wout Weghorst, Vincent Janssen, and Luuk de Jong the main alternatives to provide World Cup 2022 highlights.
The Dutch will be desperately hoping Memphis can sort his future out and get some consistent playing time as his form could make or break the Oranje’s World Cup 2022 campaign.
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World Cup 2022: Asia’s Best Will Get to Shine in Qatar
Asia is going to be well-represented in the upcoming World Cup 2022. Besides hosts Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia will all get to strut their stuff in the much-awaited showpiece football event.
All of these nations got this far because of their positive World Cup 2022 results in the qualifiers, and their stars are going to have huge roles to play if they plan on making some noise in the competition.
Join us as today as SBOTOP lists down some of the top Asian players to keep an eye on in Qatar – whether you’re a supporter or watching as a neutral.
Ajdin Hrustic, Australia
Ajdin Hrustic enters the 2022-23 season with a chip on his shoulder. After spending the last two years at Eintracht Frankfurt, the Socceroos playmaker has now moved to Serie A side Hellas Verona during the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old has played sparingly for Die Adler, although he did hoist up his first-ever Europa League trophy. Overall, he has scored only three goals in 34 appearances for the Bundesliga club.
At Hellas Verona, Hrustic has only made one appearance as of this writing, but he’ll certainly get more game time in these next few weeks which will boost his confidence ahead of Qatar.
As for his time with the Socceroos, Hrustic has already made 19 caps for them. All of his three career goals for Australia came during the World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
Mehdi Taremi, Iran
Iran forward Mehdi Taremi vies for the ball during a World Cup 2022 qualifying match
The World Cup 2022 odds are stacked against Iran in Group B. So for them to have a chance, their strikers would need to be on target against the likes of England, United States, and Wales.
Mehdi Taremi will lead the line once more and he’ll link up with Sardar Azmoun anew. Taremi’s 2022-23 club campaign is off to an auspicious start, scoring four goals already for Porto, which is good for second in the Primeira Liga’s Golden Boot race.
The 30-year-old centre-forward has 58 caps and 27 goals for Iran. During the summer transfer window, Taremi was linked with a move to Chelsea as the Blues were looking for reinforcements up front.
This summer, Kubo looks to have finally found a new place to shine in Real Sociedad. He made instant impact on his debut against Cadiz when he scored the only goal of the game, and he put in another spectacular outing in their Europa League group stage match against Manchester United.
With Alexander Isak moving to England, Kubo should play a crucial role for La Real’s European hopes this term. Also, he just turned 21 years old and he still has plenty of potential to be unlocked.
Hwang Hee-Chan has yet to open his scoring account this season, but he remains an integral cog for both Wolves and South Korea.
The 26-year-old striker last found the back of the net on February 24 when his scored his fifth Premier League goal against Arsenal, although he picked up two assists and a goal for the Taeguk Warriors against Chile last June.
He was heavily linked with a move to Leeds during the summer transfer window, but Wolves manager Bruno Lage blocked the possible transfer.
The Wolves striker has been solid overall and his sole problem right now is converting his attempts, which is fixable. He should be able to break out of his slump just in time for the World Cup.
Heung-Min Son, South Korea
Despite having a slow start to 2022-23, Heung-Min Son is still the best Asian player today and it’s not even close.
The Tottenham winger is fresh from winning the Premier League Golden Boot last season. And with the lofty standards that he set for himself, seeing him scoreless after the first eight games has certainly raised eyebrows.
However, his coaches in Antonio Conte and Paulo Bento aren’t worried at all at his form since Son has proven his quality over these past few years. Son is expected to put South Korea on his back once again in the World Cup, but relying on him alone is never going to be enough for the Taeguk Warriors to end their knockout rounds drought.
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World Cup: Europe or South America…Place Your Bets
With less than two months to wait now the World Cup 2022 in Qatar is looming large and the football world waits to see how the most controversial tournament in recent history will pan out.
There will be cultural and climate nuances which are totally new to most football players and fans, and the World Cup has landed smack bang in the middle of the big domestic leagues in Europe. But amidst the uncertainty surrounding the off-field atmosphere and facilities, the speculation about the on-field action set to unfold is increasing day by day.
According to our SBOTOP odds makers the 12 most likely teams to win the tournament are from Europe and South America, with Africans Senegal predicted to make the Round of 16 alongside Mexico. The World Cup isn’t just about Europe and South America; players from Asia and Africa also have a chance to shine and there will be plenty of World Cup 2022 highlights to come from the likes of South Korea’s Heung-Min Son and Ghana’s Thomas Partey, who are both capable of lighting up the stadiums.
But the clear favourites will come from the two biggest football continents of Europe and South America which have won all 21 of the previous competitions between them. Until 2006 the two continents were running neck and neck at nine wins each, but Europe has pulled away with Spain, Germany and France making it 12-9 to the Europeans.
Brazil are the top tips for may pundits this year, but who do you think will provide the champions…Europe or South America?
Europe
There’s a big choice of potential winners on the European side. 2018 champions France will lead the charge and head coach Didier Deschamps has the richness of talent in his squad to make other national bosses green with envy. The jewel in France’s crown is Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe who burst onto the scene at Russia 2018. He’s still only 23 years old and has scored 28 goals in 59 appearances for his country, and an incredible 113 goals in 122 matches for PSG. He’s a decent bet for the Golden Boot but he put in a poor performance in Les Bleus defeat to Denmark on Sunday, and his row with PSG team-mate Neymar is well publicised. Mbappe will be keen to show the Brazilian who is boss in Qatar.
Denmark are a good outside bet for a semi-final spot as are 2018 finalists Croatia, while England, Netherlands and Germany are title hopefuls, but I would expect Europe’s other big challenge to come from Spain. Head coach Luis Enrique has one of the most exciting group of players in the tournament with a superb balance of youth and experience and one of the lowest squad ages in Qatar. Barcelona duo Pedri and Gavi at 19 and 18 years of age could be breakout stars on the world stage, while their club mate, the 34 year old Sergio Busquets, will lead the team. He has a high quality set of lieutenants in Villarreal defender Pau Torres, Manchester City’s midfield ace Rodri and Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.
La Roja were unlucky not to win Euro 2020 after dominating champions Italy in the semi-final and they are one year wiser now.
South America
Neymar during Brazil’s friendly match against Ghana
If France meet Brazil at some stage it will be deep into the competition, maybe the final, and the box office draw would be the contest between the PSG enemies Mbappe and Neymar. The two have been at loggerheads since the start of the Ligue 1 campaign but there is no denying the quality of them as footballers.
With 74 goals from 120 international appearances the 30 year old Neymar is at the peak of his powers and, alongside players like Barcelona’s Raphinha and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus he is part of the most exciting Brazil team in two decades. With brilliant youngsters coming through, like Real Madrid pair Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior and the big match nous of Manchester United’s Casemiro and Chelsea’s Thiago Silva this is a team which has everything…even the best two keepers in the Premier League in Alisson and Ederson.
Five times winners but not since 2002, the Selecao will see this tournament in Qatar as a huge chance to take their place on the throne of world football once again.
The current World Cup 2022 betting odds rate Brazil as favourites, but Argentina are in the next group, alongside France and Spain, and another PSG man will take centre stage for the Albiceleste as Lionel Messi will probably make his final appearance at a World Cup.
One of the best two players in a generation, alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, it would be some story of Messi leading Argentina to the trophy.
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World Cup 2022: Former Liverpool Teammates are Some of the Top Stars in Group A
Group A of the upcoming World Cup 2022 is arguably the most diverse of the bunch as the four countries competing have come from the four corners of the world.
Hosts Qatar are eager to put on a show in front of their home fans, but they will be the huge underdogs based on the World Cup 2022 odds since they’re grouped alongside Ecuador, Senegal, and Netherlands.
Still, the matchups here are going to be interesting since there is considerable star power coming from these four nations.
So without further ado, join us today as SBOTOP lists down the top standouts to watch in Group A.
Almoez Ali, Qatar
Qatar became the first Arab state to host the World Cup and their debut appearance in the showpiece event is 12 years in the making.
Leading the way for the hosts is Almoez Ali, who has emerged as the face of Qatari football. The 26-year-old striker currently plays professionally for Al-Duhail, whom he captains.
Ali made his senior national team debut in 2016. Since then, he’s had 76 caps total and he’s their all-time leading scorer with 39 goals.
He became the first player in history to score in three tournaments and on three continents – the 2019 Copa America, 2019 Asian Cup where had a tournament-record of nine goals and won MVP, and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup where he was awarded as the competition’s top scorer.
Almoez Ali is determined to continue to write history for his home country, and for sure he’ll have the home fans cheering for him in every World Cup match.
Ecuador have an exciting group of youngsters who are on the rise, but here we will feature the most prominent name on their roster.
Enner Valencia will be looking to make it count in his second World Cup appearance, and maybe this will be his last for his national team career.
The former West Ham United and Everton forward has made 70 appearances for La Tri and he’s their all-time leading scorer with 35 goals. He will be joined up front by 25-year-old Michael Estrada, who was Ecuador’s top marksman during the qualifiers with six goals.
Sadio Mane, Senegal
Senegal are one of the strongest teams in Group A, but they can only go far as Sadio Mane goes. The Bayern Munich hitman is their primary attacking threat since he’s their all-time leading scorer with 34 goals in 93 appearances made.
Mane’s speed and dribbling skills are going to be featured regularly in the World Cup 2022 highlights reel. He’ll link up with the likes of Ismaila Sarr, Boulaye Dia, and Bamba Dieng up front.
Senegal forward Sadio Mane reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations
His Bayern Munich career was off to a brisk start as he scored three goals in his first three league matches, but he struggled for a bit and Die Bayern’s results in September were generally subpar by their standards.
Come October, Mane got back into the scoresheet against Bayer Leverkusen and Viktoria Plzen, and all is well again at Bavaria. If he maintains his great form, he might be one of the dark horses for the World Cup Golden Boot.
Virgil van Dijk, Netherlands
Netherlands are the favourites to come out of Group A since they had a strong qualifying campaign. Despite changing coaches from Frank de Boer to Louis van Gaal, the Oranje didn’t skip a beat at all.
They were third-place finishers in the 2014 World Cup, but they didn’t make it to Russia in 2018. Now that they’re back, they’ll aim to settle some unfinished business.
Frenkie de Jong, Donyell Malen, Cody Gakpo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Ryan Gravenberch will lead a new generation of talent for Netherlands. On the other hand, Memphis Depay, Wout Weghorst, Denzel Dumfries, and Daley Blind are some of their key veterans for us to look forward to as well.
To explain his overall quality, van Dijk was so good that he was second behind Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or race back in 2019. He is also one of the main reasons why Liverpool have won multiple trophies under Jurgen Klopp –including the 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League.
As long as van Dijk is healthy, Netherlands will like their chances not only in Group A, but also in the latter stages of this tournament.
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World Cup 2022: The Stars Shining as Qatar Approaches
World Cup 2022 is little over a month away folks and the big European leagues are in full flow with plenty of action to come over the next few weeks.
It’s a great time to be a football fan and we’re already looking forward to Qatar 2022. The stars of the big nations are fine-tuning in readiness while putting in some superb performances for their domestic clubs.
Nobody wants to pick up an injury in the run up to the global festival of footy, and some players have already suffered that heartbreak. But plenty of others are giving us a glimpse of what we can expect when the World Cup begins on 20th November as the hosts take on Ecuador in Group A.
France and Brazil fans will be pleased to see Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts. The Paris Saint-Germain duo have scored eight goals each and Neymar, in particular, is having a brilliant campaign with seven assists as well from his ten games. According to the early World Cup 2022 betting odds Brazil and France are the nations to watch, and Neymar and Mbappe will be two of the players making the headlines in what could be a furious race for the Golden Boot.
Portugal are in Group H, along with Uruguay, Ghana and the Korea Republic, and they will be expected to come through. So it’s great news for Selecao fans that their talisman and captain Cristiano Ronaldo is still doing it at club level as he scored his 700th career goal, climbing off the bench to score the winner against Everton.
Over in Spain, Atletico Madrid’s Argentine forward Angel Correa scored twice in Los Rojiblancos 2-1 win over Girona and he will have high hopes of lining up alongside the great Lionel Messi and Inter Milan’s red-hot striker Lautaro Martinez in Qatar.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Pau Torres is performing at a consistently high standard at the heart of Villarreal’s defence. The Yellow Submarine has conceded only four goals in the last six games and Torres, one of the most sought-after centre-backs in European football, will be a fixture at the heart of the Spain defence.
Trent and Dybala set to miss out?
AS Roma forward Paulo Dybala reacts during a Europa League clash versus Real Betis
In other World Cup 2022 news, two high-profile players have suffered setbacks this week and are highly unlikely to make it on the plane. Trent Alexander-Arnold, one of the most prolific assist makers in world football has come under criticism for his defending for Liverpool and he picked up an injury at precisely the wrong time, when he really needs to improve his form.
The England full-back has suffered a torrid time during Liverpool’s poor start to the Premier League season and he seemed to have a nasty injury in the first half of the Reds’ 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
But he has also been blamed for some of the goals the Reds have conceded, including allowing Gabriel Martinelli to get behind him for Arsenal’s opener. After the game his boss, Jurgen Klopp said the injury didn’t look good and that Trent would need a scan to check the damage. I suspect his chances of making the England squad have all but disappeared.
And it seems a certainly that Roma striker Paulo Dybala is set to miss out after picking up the strangest of injuries in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Lecce. The Argentine star has been in superb form for Roma since his switch from Juventus and he scored his fifth league goal of the campaign when he converted a spot-kick against Lecce. But immediately after scoring he limped off the pitch.
Dybala was set to join the Argentina squad which has high hopes of challenging at the World Cup, but Roma boss Jose Mourinho says his prospects are slim, adding that it is a ‘very bad’ muscle injury which will keep Dybala out of the game for a few weeks, and maybe until the new year.
With the likes of Messi, Correa and Martinez in their ranks, La Albiceleste are expected to go deep into the competition with a real chance of winning it. Dybala was set to be a key part of that, but now he is in a race against time to recover for Qatar and Mourinho isn’t hopeful he will win.
Here at SBOTOP we’ve been reporting on all the preparations for the World Cup in Qatar and there is more news for fans hoping to travel, particularly those willing to dig deep into their pockets!
The World Cup organizers announced, on Sunday, that a third cruise ship has been hired to operate as a football fan hotel to be docked in Doha Port. A Geneva-based cruise company is leasing to Qatar a 1075-cabin cruise liner and prices start from $470 for a bed, during the group stage.
Qatar has been advising fans to stay in neighbouring countries and fly in for games, so it will be a pretty expensive trip in any case, so why not take a cruise…in the port?
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The countdown continues as the 2022 World Cup looms larger than ever now just over four weeks away, and that time will go in a flash.
The best footballers on the planet will be at the Qatar World Cup and there will be hot competition for the Golden Boot. 2018 winner Harry Kane will lead England in Qatar and he is one of a handful of players with a good chance of top scoring.
To do that you need your nation to go deep into the competition and that’s where players such as Kane have an advantage over, say, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski.
But Group B has a plenty of world-class goal scorers. And while England should make it through the group, the second qualifying place is certainly up for grabs.
Harry Kane, England
England are one of the favourites to win the tournament and the latest World Cup 2022 betting odds say the Three Lions will top Group B, with Wales, the USA, and Iran battling it out for the second qualifying place.
There are few nations with more reliance on one player for their goals than England. And that would present a huge problem for head coach Gareth Southgate should his talisman pick up an injury.
Kane has started the domestic season in electric fashion with nine goals from 10 games for Tottenham and he looks in the form of his life in the run up to Qatar.
Bale has been the go-to man for Wales for a decade now and it is his fierce patriotism which makes his so popular with the fans.
The 33-year-old is now playing in the MLS with Los Angeles as he fell out with fans at his previous club Real Madrid when he hinted he’d rather play for country than club.
At his peak, Bale was one of the fastest players in the game and would terrify defences with his direct runs and powerful shooting. But, much like Cristiano Ronaldo, he has adapted and become more of a playmaker or main striker with his strong heading ability being a key weapon for the Dragons.
No other Wales player who was in the squad to play Poland in September has scored double figures for his country. Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore only has nine, so the weight of expectation rests on Bale’s shoulders.
Christian Pulisic, USA
The youngest player to play for the USA in the modern era, the youngest to captain his national team, and the youngest to score for the Stars and Stripes when he struck in a 4-0 win over Bolivia, Pulisic has now reached the grand old age of 24.
After a sparkling career in the Bundesliga with Dortmund, he moved to Chelsea where he has scored 20 goals in 82 appearances as part of a well-stocked creative force at Stamford Bridge.
His speed, sharpness, and superb ball skills make him one of the most exciting players to watch and Pulisic is sure to make some headlines in Qatar. And alongside Leeds United winger Brenden Aaronson, he will stretch the opposition defences in Group B.
Sardar Azmoun, Iran
Iran’s Sardar Azmoun vies for the ball against Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate during their friendly football match
Iran are the outsiders in Group B but they certainly can’t be discounted. Led by former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz, the Iranian Cheetahs qualified comfortably for the Qatar World Cup with three games to play after beating Iraq.
27-year-old Azmoun is the man who can fire Iran to the knockout phase if he hits his best form.
As a young player, he was compared to the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his aerial ability, creativity on the ball, good acceleration, and a lethal finish. He has also been labelled the “Iranian Messi” by the English media.
But Azmoun is his own man and he was one of the most prolific strikers in the Russian League before the invasion of Ukraine halted football there. His 52 goals in 79 appearances for Zenit St. Petersburg persuaded Bayer Leverkusen to come in for him and now he plies his trade in the Bundesliga.
Well folks, as the World Cup approaches, we’ll be upping the ante here at SBOTOP with all the latest World Cup 2022 updates as they happen and all the action from the moment the first ball is kicked as these four players are set to light up Group B.
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Currently ranked third in the world, coach Lionel Scaloni will look no further than Messi, scorer of nine goals in his country’s last three games, for inspiration.
Both player and manager will also know that at the age of 35, this is Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup and that motivation could be powerful.
Remember, this is a player who was omitted from the 30-man Balon D’Or 2022 shortlist for the first time since 2005.
Yet Messi, who has won the award a record seven times, may well be fresher in Qatar than on other occasions when he featured in international tournaments following long seasons.
You write him off at your peril.
Hirving Lozano, Mexico
This will actually be Mexico’s 17th appearance at the World Cup – only Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina have appeared in the tournament more often.
Unlike on other occasions, they don’t appear to have one big star name this time.
However, there is one man who may make a key difference between them progressing from the group or going home early.
That is Lozano, who has played his part in Napoli’s early season success in Serie A.
After an iconic performance in 2018, scoring the 1-0 winner against then holders Germany and sending Mexico to the last 16, he returns to the international stage with a desire for greatness.
The past four years have seen him make the jump from PSV Eindhoven to the Italian top-flight to chase new ceilings.
In his two seasons with the Eredivisie team, the player lifted the league title in 2017/2018, while concluding the campaign as the team’s highest scorer with 17 goals. He also saw Champions League action, alongside El Tri teammate Erick Guttierez.
In 2019, transferred to the Serie A giants, signing a five-year contract for a reported fee of €42 million to make him Napoli’s most expensive transfer at the time and the highest fee paid for any Mexican player.
He has since shattered records with the club.
What price is he making his mark for the country?
Robert Lewandowski, Poland
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates after their Nations League match vs Wales
Like Messi, his inclusion is not a surprise. Like Messi, this will be his final chance at World Cup glory.
Lewandowski recently scored the 600th and 601st goals of his club career, taking his tally to 16 in 14 games in all competitions since moving from Bayern Munich in a £42.6 million summer transfer.
In the process, he became only the third player since 2000 to pass the 600-goal career mark after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
At Bayern Munich, Lewandowski scored 344 times in 375 games and netted 103 times in 186 appearances for previous club Borussia Dortmund.
Before moving to Germany, he grabbed 21 for Znicz Pruszkow and 41 goals for fellow Polish side Lech Poznan and has also 76 goals in 134 international matches for Poland.
Ok, he may not have the support network for the country that he has enjoyed for his clubs over the past decade, but his ability and determination to help his nation reach the last 16 – something they failed to achieve four years ago – will be an incentive.
While there is more to Lewandowski’s game than just goals, of course, there is no question their opener against Mexico on November 22 should prove key.
The World Cup betting odds make Argentina clear favourites to win the group.
Mexico probably have the edge over Poland too, although given that the second-place team from Group C may well face world champions France in the last 16, the onus on topping the table is clear.
So, do you think a nation from Europe or South America (or elsewhere) will be crowned world champions just before Christmas?
Kylian Mbappe emerged as France’s star player during their run to the World Cup 2018 title. And as Les Bleus look to defend their title at World Cup 2022, Mbappe appears to be even more key to their hopes of retaining their crown.
Meanwhile, who are the key players in France’s three Group D foes and can they lead their respective teams to victory?
Read on below as SBOTOP examines in close detail the key players for each team in World Cup 2022 Group D.
France – Kylian Mbappe
The World Cup 2022 odds have France among the favourites to win the tournament, and having so many fantastic players to call upon is a major reason why. But among the galaxy of stars at Didier Deschamps’ disposal, Kylian Mbappe clearly shines as the brightest.
Despite the drama he has brought – particularly to his club Paris Saint-Germain – both on and off the pitch over the last few months, it is undeniable that Mbappe is a truly sensational player who is worth all the headaches.
Mbappe already showed in France’s run in World Cup 2018 just what a crucial impact he can make in a major tournament. At just 19 years old, Mbappe scored four goals en route to Les Bleus lifting the title. But Mbappe was a massive disappointment in Euro 2020, which saw the French fall in the round of 16.
Even with the combustible nature of Mbappe and the entire French team, they are still quite clearly a force to be reckoned with, especially if the key to their team – Kylian Mbappe – can unlock his true potential once more in Qatar.
Australia – Mathew Leckie
The Australia of the present are not the Asian powerhouse of years past. Gone are the days of Socceroos like Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Brett Emerton starring in the Premier League, then representing their nation in the World Cup stage.
These days, it’s Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie leading a Socceroos squad that is a tad short on talent. That’s why they needed to go through the inter-confederation play-offs to make it to their fifth World Cup in a row.
The Aussies haven’t won in each of their last two World Cup appearances, though, and if they stand a chance of quenching their thirst for victory in Qatar, then Leckie will be a key player for them.
The 31-year-old forward is the team’s most prolific goal threat with 13 goals in 73 appearances. The Melbourne City man moved back to the A League after over a decade in the Bundesliga, and his return to goalscoring form could be a huge boost to the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign.
Denmark – Christian Eriksen
Midfielder Christian Eriksen in action for Denmark who took home the victory against France during UEFA Nations League
It’s incredible to think that a year and a half after his near-death experience at Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen will be coming into World Cup 2022 as a still-crucial member of Denmark’s plans.
But the Manchester United man remains far and away the most dangerous attacking force Denmark have on their squad, and he will have to continue carrying a heavy burden offensively.
Not only will he be tasked with providing opportunities for his teammates, but he will also be expected to contribute when chances are presented to him in front of goal. He is quite capable of that, though, as he is just one goal shy of becoming just the fifth Dane to break the 40-goal mark.
Denmark will do at the World Cup what they’ve done during coach Kasper Hjulmand’s mostly successful reign, which is to be quite solid at the back and rely on Eriksen to help them eke out goals. As long as Eriksen is fit and in decent form, then the Danes stand a decent chance of getting the latter in Qatar.
Tunisia – Wahbi Khazri
Unlike their other African neighbours, Tunisia have not been able to consistently produce top-class individual players. And yet, the Eagles of Carthage are off to their second straight World Cup finals, which is a testament to their overall strength as a team.
Nevertheless, Tunisia will still be heavily reliant on the talents of captain Wahbi Khazri. The 31-year-old is Tunisia’s second-leading scorer of all time with 24 goals in 71 caps and like Eriksen, much rests on Khazri’s shoulders in terms of carrying the load offensively for his country.
Youssef Msakni (17 goals in 87 caps) will do his best to deliver some World Cup 2022 highlights, but Khazri is the more dynamic attacker who has done it on the big stage, and it won’t come any bigger than World Cup 2022.
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World Cup 2022: The Youngsters Will Lead the Way for Group E
Group E is going to be one of the tightest groups in World Cup 2022 given the collective experience and talent that they have.
The upcoming matchup between favourites Spain and Germany – a rematch of World Cup 2010 semi-finals – is likely to deliver numerous World Cup 2022 highlights, but Japan and Costa Rica are also capable of mounting a serious challenge for the knockout phase.
SBOTOP football fans are going to be familiar with the names that we’ll mention here since all of them have plied their trade in Europe’s top 5 leagues. So, continue to read on below as we list down the players to watch out for from this group.
Pedri, Spain
Pedri is a key footballer not only to Barcelona, but also to La Roja. The 2021 Golden Boy awardee has kept rolling since his spectacular Euro 2020 campaign, where he tremendously boosted his transfer value.
His totals so far this season may be modest for Barcelona with only two goals, but there’s so much to expect from this precocious talent.
The Barcelona youngster made his debut for the Spain senior team on March 2021 at the start of World Cup 2022 qualifying. He currently has 14 caps and is still looking for his first senior goal.
His quick feet and ball handling makes him a fun player to watch, and Xavi has already likened him to his former teammate Andres Iniesta. But don’t let his baby face fool you as he’s also tenacious and he doesn’t shy from doing the dirty work when necessary.
Xavi and Luis Enrique clearly trusts him as they believe that he’ll be their main man on the midfield for the foreseeable future alongside Gavi. Hopefully, he stays healthy throughout this term.
Jamal Musiala, Germany
Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala celebrates scoring their second goal
Like Spain, Germany also have some exciting young midfielders to watch and one of them is Jamal Musiala.
He was once part of England’s Under-21s but ultimately decided to play for Germany where he was born. The 19-year-old made his international debut for them in March 2021 and became the youngest Die Mannschaft footballer to appear at a major tournament during Euro 2020.
Moreover, Musiala already has 17 caps to his name, which just goes to show how much Hansi Flick – his former manager at Bayern Munich – trusts him.
Takefusa Kubo, Japan
Despite being only 21, Takefusa Kubo already has a ton of football experience under his belt since he’s been in La Liga for three years now, which should help him and Japan in the World Cup.
Kubo now plays for Real Sociedad after signing a permanent deal with them this summer, and he quickly emerged as one of their most important players.
For the Samurai Blue, Kubo made his national team debut on June 2019 and he scored his first goal during the 2020 Olympics against South Africa. He has collected 19 caps as of this writing.
Physicality is not his main strength, but his technical ability makes up for his slight frame. If given space to operate, the livewire Kubo can give opposing coaches headaches because of his ability to carve up defences with his searing pace and skill.
Kubo will join Ritsu Doan and Takumi Minamino to form one of the most underrated front trios heading into Qatar.
Costa Rica will aim to defy the World Cup 2022 odds, similar to what they did back in 2014 where they went to as far as the quarter-finals.
If they Central American nation are gunning for a similar outcome in Qatar, their chances rest on the shoulders of Joel Campbell.
Compared to the other players in this list, Campbell is approaching past his prime so he’ll look to make it count. The 30-year-old was first called up to the senior team in March 2011 and has amassed 118 caps and 25 goals ever since.
The former Arsenal forward was integral to Costa Rica’s qualifying campaign, which includes scoring the winning goals against Jamaica and El Salvador for a spot in the World Cup play-offs, where he eventually delivered once more versus New Zealand to send his country to their third straight World Cup.
Campbell will lead the line once again for Los Ticos alongside veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Spain, Germany, and Japan should not take Costa Rica lightly at all.
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The 2022 World Cup is now less than a month away and the speculation around which teams will thrive in Qatar is reaching fever pitch, so it’s worth taking a look at Group F for a couple of good outside bets.
Belgium, Croatia, Morocco and Canada made up the group and we’ll see some pretty spectacular World Cup 2022 highlights from that quartet, with Roberto Martinez’ Red Devils boasting some of the best players on the planet. The World Cup 2022 betting odds say Belgium is one of a group of the nine teams most likely to lift the trophy and Croatia are not far behind.
Both European sides are expected to get through to the knockout phase but Morocco and Canada both have some dangerous players who might help their teams to upset the Group F applecart; so let’s have a look at the SBOTOP choice of four of the brightest stars to look out for in Qatar.
Kevin de Bruyne: Belgium
Manchester City were without top scorer Erling Braut Haaland for their trip to Leicester at the weekend, but no matter for boss Pep Guardiola who knew that his team has plenty of firepower elsewhere. And it was De Bruyne who won the three points with a trademark free-kick curled into the corner of the net, off the inside of the post from all of 25 yards. He’s one of the best dead ball specialists in world football but that is just a small part of De Bruyne’s game. The Belgian ace simply glides across the surface with incredible close control, and he has the eye and the ability to deliver the perfect pass as one of the most prolific assist makers in world football.
De Bruyne has been named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season five times and has been the Sky Blues’ player of the year four times. His medals cabinet is pretty full but this Red Devil also deserves some international success.
Luka Modric: Croatia
At 37 years of age and with 154 caps to his name the Real Madrid playmaker has been one of the standout stars in world football over the last decade. While the debate around who has been the best player in modern history between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has raged on, Modric is one of a small group of stars who have been within touching distance of the big two.
He is widely regarded as one of the most complete midfielders in world football, equally effective in breaking up play as launching attacks and with a superb array of passing and shooting skills. He’s a highly intelligent operator who has been likened to such greats as Paul Scholes, Xavi and Andre Pirlo. Following the departure of Casemiro to Manchester United, Modric has remained at the Santiago Bernabeu as one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti’s team sheet. He was on target in Los Blancos’ recent 3-1 win over Sevilla, a result which confirmed Madrid’s dominance in the 2022/23 La Liga race, and Croatia will not be the same team when Modric eventually hangs up his boots.
Youssef En Nesyri: Morocco
Striker Youssef En Nesyri is hoping to shoot goals and win as a key player for Morocco at World Cup Group F in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions will provide plenty of entertainment in Qatar, as well as flying the flag as one of Africa’s biggest hopes, and Sevilla striker En Nesyri is one player who can get under the skins of the bigger boys in the group.
The 25 year old has spent his entire senior career in Spain and most of it in the Primera Division, representing Malaga, Leganes and Sevilla, and he has represented Morocco at Under 20 and Under 23 levels, debuting for the full international side at the age of 18, and starring in the last three African Cup of Nations.
En Nesyri is a versatile player, equally able to operate as a lone striker, a number ten or out wide, and he has scored 14 goals in 49 caps for Morocco and 27 in 87 appearances for Sevilla.
Alphonso Davies: Canada
Canada head coach John Herdman has put together an exciting team which qualified for its first World Cup finals since 1986, having won the North American group leading Mexico and USA throughout the campaign.
While Herdman has striking options in the form of the experienced Cyle Larin and promising youngster Jonathan David; FC Bayern’s 21 year old wingback Alphonso Davies is the one player with true world class star quality. He struggled with injury last season and was missing for some of Canada’s qualifying campaign but he will be welcomed back on the big stage. Usually operating as a wing-back, Davies’ explosive pace and exquisite dribbling skills make him a player you can’t afford to take your eyes off.
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It has been a huge question discussed within the football world ad nauseam for years now: Can Lionel Messi lead Argentina to the World Cup?
Messi has been hailed as the greatest of all time – surpassing even his compatriot, the legendary Diego Armando Maradona. But while Maradona led the Albiceleste to two World Cup titles, Messi has fallen short of winning the big one, most notably in 2014.
This World Cup 2022 will likely be Messi’s last chance to bring the title of world champions back to his home country, and as the World Cup 2022 odds can attest, he has quite a good shot.
Read on below as SBOTOP dives deep into the reasons why Lionel Messi and Argentina might just win World Cup 2022.
Lionel Scaloni took charge in August 2018, succeeding Jorge Sampaoli as Argentina manager. Sampaoli, a Marcelo Bielsa disciple, instilled a similar high-pressing system with Chile and led them to the 2015 Copa America title, overcoming Argentina in the final. But that type of system just didn’t work for Argentina, which was evident in their disappointing World Cup 2018 campaign.
Scaloni seemed like a placeholder before Argentina could get a big name in the position. But as time wore on, Scaloni proved himself to be worthy of the job. It all culminated in the summer of 2021, when Scaloni’s side beat Brazil in the Copa America final to deliver Argentina’s first major title in nearly 30 years.
Scaloni is no tactical mastermind; he just keeps things simple. But that simplicity has worked, as evidenced by the fact that Scaloni has the fourth-best point-per-game average out of any Argentina manager in history.
After four years in charge, Scaloni has shown himself to be the right man to lead Argentina. He has crafted a settled and unified squad that has their unique identity. And crucially, it doesn’t all revolve around Messi.
The right supporting pieces
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring their first goal with Lionel Messi in Copa America 2021 semi-finals
In past World Cups, Argentina have looked like a broken side. The defence – which usually included two defensive midfielders – were on one side, while the attack – led by Messi – were on the other. What resulted was a disjointed mess that often saw Messi having to drop deeper in midfield and try to stitch everything together himself.
But those days seem to be a thing of the past. This Argentina side now has a more cohesive structure to it. It helps that they have young and talented midfielders – Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Rodrigo De Paul – who have the ability and are empowered to progress the ball, but are also willing and able to put in a shift in defence.
That ability to defend and cover a lot of ground is obviously crucial with Messi not exactly carrying his weight on that end of the pitch. But the fact that they are also able to distribute the ball and take that load off of Messi’s shoulders is massive.
Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez might be the perfect strike partner Messi has ever had. While the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain were arguably better overall goalscorers than Lautaro, the Inter Milan man is more athletic and mobile. He is also a more willing runner of the channels, which helps open up more space for Messi and others.
With Lautaro as Messi’s strike partner, Messi has someone who can do the tireless running and other dirty work, while at the same time have the quality to be the clinical striker who can make some World Cup 2022 highlights.
With these pieces finally put in place, Messi might be in the best position to succeed while playing for the national team in his illustrious career.
The right Messi
So the question now becomes, “Is a 35-year-old Messi still capable of maximising all of these pieces and leading Argentina to the top?” The evidence suggests that he is.
Messi has been in phenomenal form for his country. He was named co-player of the tournament with Neymar in last year’s Copa America. He’s scored nine goals in his last three games (albeit easy friendlies) and had seven goals in the World Cup qualifiers.
And his club form with PSG has also been quite encouraging. At the time of this writing, Messi has already bagged 12 goals and 13 assists in 16 games in all competitions for the French champions and has been exceptional in the Champions League as well.
Messi may be older now at age 35, but he’s also wiser. He now knows his limitations and has experienced his share of failures, so unlike previous tournaments when he felt he had to do things all on his own, he will presumably learn his lesson and defer more to his teammates, who are quite capable of stepping up on the big stage.
So this is shaping up to be a massive World Cup for Messi and Argentina. They have all the tools to be top contenders for the title, but as they have found out in the past, that is hardly a guarantee of success. Regardless, this is perhaps the best Argentina setup Messi could ever hope for as he makes one last run at winning the World Cup.
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World Cup 2022: Will France Break the World Cup Curse?
France have the biggest target on their backs heading into World Cup 2022 as they’re the defending champions and they’re arguably the deepest team in this upcoming tournament.
Retaining their crown won’t be easy at all since almost everything is going against the fourth-ranked team in FIFA – from their share of injury woes, and the so-called “World Cup curse” that they started back in 1998.
Recent history shows that the defending World Cup champions always fail to get out of the group stage and this has been the case for two decades now.
However, this should give Les Bleus motivation and it would be fitting if they’ll be the ones who will end this troubling trend. The World Cup 2022 odds like their chances, so continue to read on below as SBOTOP examines why they can win the showpiece event in Qatar.
Injuries don’t compromise France’s depth
Even with notable absentees, France are still one of the favourites to win it all.
Midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba are both ruled out for this tournament due to hamstring and knee injuries. Kante hasn’t been the same since last season, while Pogba has yet to play a game since April when he limped off during a 4-0 Manchester United loss to Liverpool.
Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane also suffered a hamstring injury during their 1-1 draw versus Chelsea last week, while shot stopper Mike Maignan and full-back Lucas Hernandez have already missed several games for AC Milan and Bayern Munich due to calf and adductor injuries.
Varane, Hernandez, and Maignan are both fighting against time to make it to Les Bleus’ World Cup selection and they seem to be progressing well, which is great news for the 2018 World Cup champions.
Nonetheless, France are well-covered in all areas of pitch and they shouldn’t have much trouble wading through the group stages before facing tougher opponents down the line.
Their staggering depth is a testament to their ability to produce talent over the years. In fact, they have churned out more quality players than anywhere else in the world, spearheaded by the famous Clairefontaine academy.
Didier Deschamps will have to make big and hard decisions ahead of Qatar. But rival national team managers would gladly exchange places with him since he has a smorgasbord of top talent.
At goal, Hugo Lloris seems to be the number one choice, but Mike Maignan, Alban Lafont, and Alphonse Areola can all deputise for the Tottenham skipper when needed.
France’s defencive talent pool is also off the charts since they have Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Wesley Fofana, Kurt Zouma, and Dayot Upamecano at centre-back, while Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ferland Mendy, Benjamin Pavard, Lucas Digne, Ruben Aguilar, and Jonathan Clauss are their full-back candidates.
In midfield, Deschamps can go young with Eduardo Camavinga, Houssem Aouar, Tanguy Ndombele, and Aurelien Tchouameni, but he can also go for veterans such as Nabil Fekir, Adrien Rabiot, and Dimitri Payet.
France’s Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe during a training session
However, the final third is definitely the strongest area for France with PSG star Kylian Mbappe and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema leading the charge.
Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Christopher Nkunku, Olivier Giroud, Moussa Diaby, Kingsley Coman, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Wissam Ben Yedder will also fancy their chances in Qatar since all of them are capable of producing World Cup 2022 highlights.
Didier Deschamps has a chip on his shoulder
For all the talent that they have, there’s a notion that Didier Deschamps is France’s biggest weakness, which sounds odd since he guided them to their 2018 World Cup triumph.
He bared the brunt of blame when France crashed out of Euro 2020 against Switzerland in the Round of 16, and then he couldn’t get his team going in this year’s Nations League where they narrowly avoided relegation.
Many also believe that the 54-year-old manager is not the right guy to get the most out of his star-studded lineup given his oft-risk-averse tactics.
And reports claim that World Cup 2022 is going to be Deschamps’ last dance since he’s expected to be replaced at the helm soon by his old midfield partner Zinedine Zidane.
These narratives should add fuel to the fire as he’ll try to lead France to another World Cup glory. Les Bleus are on the cusp of achieving something rare because they can become the first country since Brazil (1958, 1962) to win back-to-back – which could well be the perfect send-off for Didier Deschamps.
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World Cup 2022: Neymar and Midfield Generals Key in Group G
All eyes will be on Brazil – and by extension, superstar Neymar – in Group G. The Samba Boys will head into World Cup 2022 as the favourites to win the lot once more, and if they are to succeed, their mercurial talisman must step up to the plate on the big stage.
Brazil have been drawn with Serbia and Switzerland (both of whom also faced Brazil in the 2018 group stage) as well as Cameroon. And if any of those three are to knock off the South American goliath, then their talented midfield generals must rise to the occasion and show their true quality in Qatar.
Read on below as SBOTOP highlights the key player on each of the four teams in World Cup Group G.
Brazil – Neymar
The World Cup 2022 betting odds have Brazil as the favourites to win the tournament, and with good reason. The Selecao have been in sensational form in recent years. They breezed by qualifying and have lost just once in nearly three years (to Argentina in the 2021 Copa America final).
Moreover, the Samba Boys have perhaps the deepest squad in the entire tournament, with proven stars in nearly every position.
But much like Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe and France, most of the pressure still falls on Neymar’s shoulders. For all of Brazil’s attacking weapons, Neymar is still hands down the best of the bunch. With 75 international goals in 121 caps, he could very well overtake the great Pele as the country’s all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup.
Now 30, this is the best – and perhaps last – chance for Neymar to lead his country back to the top of the world. He has been in phenomenal form this season with PSG, which certainly bodes well for his chances of shining bright in Qatar.
Serbia – Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
When it comes to Serbia, most – if not all – of the attention is on their attack, and with good reason. They have two prolific strikers in Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic who are capable of scoring loads of goals, while captain Dusan Tadic is one of the top playmakers in Europe.
But Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could very well be the best player of those three and is clearly the key to the team heading into the World Cup 2022. The 27-year-old is a complete midfielder, which is a wonder why he has yet to move on to a much bigger club from Lazio, and is arguably at the peak of his powers right now. He has got 3 goals and 7 assists already for Lazio in 12 Serie A games.
Milinkovic-Savic has a massive responsibility in the middle of the park both defensively and in attack, where he is at his best. If he can stamp his considerable mark on the group games and produce some World Cup 2022 highlights in the process, then the Serbs have a great shot at going through to the knockout round.
Switzerland – Granit Xhaka
Switzerland have consistently been the good-but-not-great team in recent years. They have reached the round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups, but they have failed to go beyond that stage each time.
If this year is the year that they finally break through, then Granit Xhaka will likely be a central figure in the Swiss’ success.
Switzerland star Granit Xhaka celebrates after winning the match against France in Euro 2020
The 30-year-old midfielder has been reborn in a new role with Arsenal this season and has been a vital part of the Gunners’ impressive Premier League campaign (3 goals, 3 assists in 12 league games).
If given a similarly freer role by Swiss coach Murat Yakin, then Xhaka could very well provide the spark that the Swiss have desperately needed in the major competitions in recent years.
Cameroon – Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa
Cameroon are armed with not one, not two, but three capable strikers – captain Vincent Aboubakar, Karl Toko Ekambi, and Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting – which gives them a puncher’s chance of scoring some goals.
But what they don’t have is another Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in their midfield. As he has proven with upstart Napoli’s incredible success this season, the 26-year-old is just so impactful in the middle of the park with his boundless running and energy.
Without Zambo covering so much ground in midfield, Cameroon will find it tough to compete in Group G, so he will be crucial to the Indomitable Lions’ World Cup 2022 campaign.
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World Cup 2022: Group H is Packed with the Premier League’s Finest
While the European and South American domestic leagues prepare to take a break for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, there is no let up for the best players on the planet before the competition eventually gets under way in just 13 days.
Here at SBOTOP we’re all set to give you all the latest World Cup 2022 updates as they happen; but this week we are still on league duty as we have a full set of fixtures this weekend. In the Premier League there are some mouth-watering clashes around the corner, not least when high flying Newcastle United entertain Chelsea on Saturday. And elsewhere there will be plenty of stars strutting their stuff in the Premier League before they pack their bags for Qatar.
Group H at the World Cup is bursting with Premier quality and here are just four of the big names to look out for.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal
Who else can we talk about but the great CR7 who will be representing the Selecao, quite possibly for the last time at a major tournament? The pre-tournament World Cup 2022 betting odds rate Portugal as one of the Big Nine nations who can win the trophy, and when you look at the talent they have, particularly housed in Manchester, it’s easy to see why.
At Manchester City alone, wingback Joao Cancelo, central defender Ruben Dias and attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva are three of the most highly rated stars in the English top flight. Meanwhile, across the road at Old Trafford we see full back Diogo Dalot, midfield ace Bruno Fernandes and, of course, Ronaldo. He’s not having the best of seasons at Old Trafford and has cut a frustrated figure since failing to secure a summer move to a Champions League club but, with 117 goals from 191 games for Portugal, Ronaldo is still one of the very best in the business…and he loves a big stage.
Darwin Nunez: Uruguay
At the other end of his career, 23 year old Uruguay star Darwin Nunez still has the lion’s share of his football story to come. But he’s made a sensational start to life in European football, impressing at Almeria before switching to Benfica where he scored 32 goals in 57 games. His form in Portugal earned him a transfer to Liverpool which could reach £85m with add ons.
Alongside the great Mo Salah, Nunez is learning quickly at Anfield. He’s missed three games, having copped a red card early in the campaign, but his direct running and fierce shooting make him a terrifying prospect for opposition defences. He could link up with Liverpool legend Luis Suarez in Qatar…and that is some prospect.
Heung-Min Son: Korea Republic
Son Heung-Min playing for South Korea during their International Friendly match against Paraguay
Spurs flying winger-cum-striker Heung-Min Son is one of the best creative and attacking players in world football, striking up a lethal partnership with Harry Kane at Tottenham and as the shining light for the Korea Republic. There has been some doubt as to whether Son will make Qatar after suffering a terrible eye injury in the first half of Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Olympique Marseilles last week; but his club boss Antonio Conte is confident his man will make it to the World Cup.
He needs an operation on a fractured eye socket so time is tight, but Son will surely be a standout performer in Qatar if all goes well this week. His link up play, explosive speed and shooting quality make him one of the best players in the world. The Koreans desperately need their captain and, at 30 years of age, Son has plenty of time to increase his tally of 35 international goals from 104 appearances.
Thomas Partey: Ghana
The Black Stars of Ghana will fancy their chances of emerging from this wide open group and if midfield lynchpin Thomas Partey carries his domestic performances to the World Cup they will be a difficult side to beat. The Arsenal midfielder was in superb shape when the Gunners beat Chelsea to stay top of the league on Sunday. He completed the most tackles and passes in the match and seems to be coming into the form of his life, just in time for the Black Star’s Qatari adventure. Partey has become a crucial cog in the Arsenal machine, which is blessed by creative attackers and the Ghana man has the perfect combination of reading and breaking up play, with the ability to play key passes into the final third. And he can produce the spectacular too, on his day, as he showed as he curled in a sublime goal when Arsenal met Nottingham Forest recently.
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If you are looking for my tip for the World Cup 2022, then look no further than Group E.
That’s because the 2010 winners, Spain, have been paired with the 2014 winners, Germany, along with Japan and Costa Rica,
Indeed, I think the meeting between Spain and Germany on November 27 should be the best encounter of the entire group stage.
It could also be crucial with the winners of the group likely to avoid the nation ranked second in the world, Belgium, in the last 16 – although the other likely opponents, Croatia, offer no guarantees of a more straightforward route.
Spain brought the 2010 World Cup trophy home after defeating the Netherlands with one goal scored by Andres Iniesta.
The SBOTOP World Cup betting odds favour a previous winner and so do I, beginning with Spain who have virtually all the tools to be a success. Potentially all coach Luis Enrique needs is a striker who can consistently convert the chances those behind create.
A talented, driven and aggressive 52 year-old who is out of contract with the Spanish FA at the end of the World Cup.
All attempts to renew his deal have, so far, been rebuffed and it is clear this is someone who is not afraid to make difficult decisions. Indeed, any manager that can afford to leave Sergio Ramos and David de Gea out of his squad (the former has been recalled for the World Cup) must be pretty confident.
De Gea played every minute of the 2018 World Cup but has found himself dropping down the pecking order since and, despite consistently being one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, hasn’t played a game for his country since October 2020.
Meanwhile, some fans were stunned that PSG defender Ramos, who last won an international cap against Kosovo in March last year, made the cut.
Enrique has put faith in young guns, such as Pedri and Gavi, and defended them in the face of a barrage of media criticism, building a solid side with a focus very much on the collective rather than the individual, a side that is adventurous on the ball and hard to break down at the back.
Pedri is still only 19 – he turns 20 during the World Cup – but has made almost 100 appearances for Barcelona.
So, amid the mixed opinions, Spain undoubtedly arrive at the World Cup in far better shape than they started four years ago at Russia 2018.
Coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament after Real Madrid announced he would be taking over as coach after the World Cup, and Fernando Hierro stepped in as interim manager.
Spain were eliminated in the last 16 by the hosts and Enrique took over in July, although he stepped aside in June 2019 because his daughter Xana was suffering from bone cancer.
After she passed away, he later returned to football and coaching the national team has been an important part of recuperating from the most traumatic family grief.
Even after he and his family had mourned the loss of his daughter, the drive to get back to re-apply his talent and volcanic energy became impossible to ignore. It’s a stone-cold fact: he’s an extremely good coach, terrifically clever at his profession, forward-thinking and someone who relentlessly strives to find tiny margins of improvement in order to play an exciting brand of football.
He guided them to the Nations League final last year, where they were narrowly defeated by France.
Now is the time to go one better on the biggest stage of all.
As well as the absence of a consistent goalscorer, the other potential major issue for Spain is the high defensive line that means opponents always create chances against them.
If they hit the heights, they can win the tournament; if they cannot overcome those issues, they could easily be knocked out in the last 16. It will be fascinating to watch.
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World Cup 2022: James and Chilwell a Huge Miss for England
England’s World Cup 2022 campaign begins on November 21st with one of those games the Three Lions have had a habit of messing up in the past. Gareth Southgate’s side begins its tournament on Monday 21st November against Iran. On paper, it sounds reasonably straight forward for the Euro 2020 finalists, but you don’t have to look too far back to find similar banana skins putting the Lions on their backs.
In 2010, England’s Golden Generation of Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Steven Gerard and Frank Lampard managed to draw 0-0 with Algeria and that after they had been held 1-1 by the USA. Rooney had said before the Algeria game that England could be below their best and still win, not the brightest thing to suggest; and the Algerians responded. So this England team cannot afford such misplaced arrogance when they meet Iran.
England’s recent form has been poor and the World Cup 2022 betting odds have responded by pushing them out of the top four favourites, behind Brazil, Argentina, France and Spain, and I worry that they will struggle without some absentees; two wing- backs in particular.
Chelsea are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League after a run of three losses and it is no surprise that the long term injury problems of Ben Chilwell have persisted, while the former Leicester City man has been joined by his clubmate Reece James in the physio room.
Chilwell has picked up 17 caps for England and is widely seen as the best left back option for the Three Lions and he was lined up to take his place in Qatar but he suffered a nasty hamstring strain during a Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb. His absence is a big blow to Southgate and a ligament injury suffered by James means double trouble for the England boss. Both players are excellent defenders and supportive in attack, with James delivery from the right flank among the best in the world. And Chilwell’s absence means Manchester United’s Luke Shaw is the only recognised left back in the squad
Chelsea’s poor run of form has put new head coach Graham Potter under some early pressure, and his woes are now been shared by the national team.
Ivan Toney
The omission of Brentford striker Ivan Toney has raised plenty of eyebrows, after he took his season tally to ten goals and two assists last weekend to sit third in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot. Only England skipper Harry Kane has scored more as an Englishman, with 12 goals and one assist. The next English striker on the list is Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson who is in his best form, but that means six goals so far this season and Wilson has been dogged by injury. And then there’s Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who has scored four so far and hasn’t really moved on over the past two or three seasons.
Ivan Toney celebrates after scoring for Brentford against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium
Toney shrugged off his disappointment at missing out on a deserved England call by scoring two goals as Brentford beat Manchester City 2-1 last weekend. The Bees striker’s current league form suggests he would make a fair few World Cup 2022 highlights if he was in Qatar, and if anything happens to Kane’s form or fitness I suspect Southgate will regret this call.
James Ward Prowse
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher was preferred to James Ward Prowse in England’s final 26 and that was another decision which has divided opinion. The Saints captain has been a consistently high performer in the Premier League, scoring 41 goals and making 36 assists for the South coast club over the past nine campaigns and his dead ball free kicks are the best in the Premier League.
Ward Prowse has shown he can live with the very best and will never let his team-mates down, while Gallagher still has a lot to prove. At 22 years of age he has spent much of his career out on loan but, now back at his parent club Chelsea he has caught the England boss’s eye. And Southgate may also be happy to rely on the in-form James Maddison in the creative midfield role as he too has a superb dead ball delivery, but the Leicester man has just one cap to his name and has never been the most consistent character on or off the pitch.
So there you have it folks; four players who have missed out on England selection for the upcoming World Cup; two through injury and two as a result of the manager’s selection. Others such as West Ham’s midfielder Jarrod Bowen and Everton centre back James Tarkowski may also feel unlucky but Southgate will stand or fall by his calls. Here at SBOTOP we’ll be back with the previews and the best Asian Handicap Betting offers as the tournament approaches; and the debate around whether England have enough to compete to the very end will, no doubt, reverberate throughout the land.
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World Cup 2022: Is Belgium’s Best Still Good Enough?
Belgium have been among the best teams in the world for most of the last decade. However, their Golden Generation has been unable to get over the hump in major competitions. They seemed to be on the brink of glory in the last World Cup, but they fell in the semi-finals to eventual champions France.
The Red Devils will now head into World Cup 2022 knowing that this might be their last best chance to win their first major international title.
But with their Golden Generation getting up there in age, is Belgium’s best still good enough for them to be crowned world champions?
Read on below as SBOTOP breaks down Belgium’s overall prospects for the upcoming World Cup 2022.
Golden Generation on their last legs
Belgium’s Golden Generation has gotten old. Defenders Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are both in their mid-30s and have since returned to Belgium to wind down their club careers.
Midfielders Axel Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne are also in their 30s, as are forwards Dries Mertens and captain Eden Hazard. Despite being only 31, Hazard has been a shell of his old world-beating self for the last few seasons due to several injuries.
Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku are the young bucks of the group at 29. But Carrasco has been underwhelming for Atletico this season, while Lukaku will head into Qatar with serious question marks over his health and fitness amid a hamstring injury he’s been dealing with this season.
Lukaku’s injury has the potential to derail Belgium’s entire campaign. After all, he is the country’s all-time leading scorer (68 goals in 102 caps) and the options behind him to lead the attack – 35-year-old Mertens, Michy Batshuayi, Leandro Trossard – are not particularly inspiring.
And while 30-year-old Thibaut Courtois remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world, there are significant question marks in defence. The old legs of Alderweireld and Vertonghen no longer capable of covering much ground, and defensive midfielder Axel Witsel, who has shielded them for many years, is also a much-diminished version of himself.
Belgium do still have some capable younger players, to be sure. At 25 years of age, Youri Tielemans is already an established veteran of the international game. Leandro Trossard is having a breakout season with Brighton, while Wout Faes and Amadou Onana have enjoyed solid debut seasons in the Premier League. Although, golden boy Charles De Ketelaere has been a bit of a disappointment with Italian champions Milan.
It remains to be seen whether any of them can take the big step up and give the Golden Generation the help they need in their bid to make another deep World Cup run.
De Bruyne still de best
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring their second goal during the World Cup quarter-finals against Brazil
Belgium as a team may no longer be at their absolute peak, but Kevin De Bruyne is still at – or at the very least, very near – his best. The Manchester City maestro remains one of the top midfielders in the world. He currently leads the Premier League with nine assists and has also contributed three goals.
And he has also been tremendously productive for his national team as he’s contributed seven goals and five assists in his last 16 caps.
With doubts about Lukaku’s health looming over the squad, there will be even more responsibility placed on De Bruyne’s shoulders to carry the offensive load for the Red Devils and provide some World Cup 2022 highlights.
But for all of De Bruyne’s undoubted greatness, the big knock on him has been his ability to drag his teams to victory in the biggest cup competitions. His Man City sides have famously failed to win the big one – the Champions League – while Belgium lost their semi-final match in 2018 and have gone out in the quarter-finals in three of the last four major tournaments.
Of course, it is unfair to put the team’s failures all on De Bruyne, who has done more than his fair share. But with Belgium’s squad perhaps the weakest its been in almost a decade, the Red Devils’ fate in World Cup 2022 rests squarely on De Bruyne’s shoulders.
Red Devils have a favourable draw
While there are reasons to be doubtful about Belgium’s chances of winning it all in Qatar, the Red Devils do have one thing going for them, which is the draw. Belgium were handed quite a decent group as they were drawn together with Canada, Morocco, and Croatia. Even though the Belgians are not as dominant as they once were, their World Cup 2022 odds of winning that group are low.
And should they advance to the knockout stage, they will most likely face either Spain or Germany from Group E in the round of 16. Both of those traditional powerhouses are also not quite as strong as they’ve been in the past, so Belgium will still fancy their chances against either.
Of course, getting past the quarter-finals has been a challenge for the Belgians, but this is tournament football, and a few lucky bounces is all it takes for a team to make it through.
As Belgium have found out for the last few years, the best and most talented team doesn’t always win the title. So while this Golden Generation has lost much of its lustre, they still have the brilliance of De Bruyne coupled with a wealth of collective experience, which is why maybe Belgium’s best could be good enough to win it all at last.
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World Cup 2022: Why Brazil Is the Team to Beat in Qatar
Many reckon World Cup 2022 is Brazil’s year and, without doubt, there is a compelling argument which says the Selecao can see off the likes of Argentina, France and Spain to come out on top in the Qatar showcase.
In his sixth year as Brazil head coach, Tite has produced stability, gradual improvement and balance in his squad, and now he has a group of players as good as any on the planet. Brazil have superstars, from the last line of defence to the goal scorers, and any team which goes further than the Samba Boys will have their hands on the trophy.
But it isn’t easy to see that happening (though France may beg to differ).
The five times World Cup winners are in Group G along with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon and as the highest-ranked team in the world, the World Cup 2022 betting odds have Brazil as hot favourites to win that group.
Switzerland, ranked 15th by FIFA may be a tough nut to crack but I fully expect Brazil to emerge from the group stage unruffled. Should Tite’s team come top in Group G as expected then they will likely face Portugal or Uruguay in the Round of 16, whichever team finished second in Group H, and that’s not a bad draw to take them through to the last eight.
The tournament is effectively being played in a neutral country, away from South America or Europe, so the French and Spanish won’t be helped there and it will come down to which nation has the best players, assuming enough of them perform, and Tite has plenty to choose from.
Best keepers in the world
Alisson Becker during Brazil’s training in Turin
By some fluke of nature the Selecao have produced two goalkeepers who lay claim to being the best of the current crop of shot-stoppers. Ederson and Alisson were snapped up by the Premier League’s most successful teams, Manchester City and Liverpool, and it is difficult to choose between them. Alisson has had the edge in Tite’s eyes, winning 57 caps to Ederson’s 18, but both are exceptional keepers, with superb command of the penalty area and brilliant reflexes.
Arguably Ederson is better with his feet and can launch an attack with a well-aimed delivery, and he also possesses a superb flat throw, while Alisson was named the best goalkeeper at the 2019 Copa America as Brazil triumphed.
For decades the Selecao have been renowned for champagne football and creative beauty but now they have the best keepers too!
A perfect blend of youth and experience
Tite has his leaders on the pitch who can guide some of the most exciting young talents through any tough times which may arise. Chelsea’s Thiago Silva and PSG’s Marquinhos are in the centre of defence with 180 caps between them, while Casemiro, at 30 years of age, is still one of the best defensive midfielders in world football. Then you can pick any number of exciting young stars to name-check, but Vinicius Junior at 22 and Gabriel Martinelli at 21 will make some pretty special World Cup 2022 highlights for sure. Vinicius has already nailed down a place at Real Madrid alongside Karim Benzema and has led the line brilliantly in the Frenchman’s absence. And over in England, Arsenal’s Martinelli is being talked about as the league’s next megastar; his quick feet and incredible skills are a joy to watch…unless you are a Tottenham Hotspur fan!
There is no shortage of Brazil players who can light up the World Cup in Qatar and a few who will be in contention for a place in the team of the tournament; no more so than strikers Neymar and Gabriel Jesus.
PSG star Neymar’s off-field problems have reached a conclusion after the Spanish state prosecutor dropped charges of the player’s involvement in irregularities following his transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. And a happy Neymar is one of the most dangerous attacking players on the planet, as his record of 75 goals in 121 internationals and 80 in 106 games for Paris Saint-Germain clearly show. If he is at his best, then he could even win the player of the tournament award; he can be infuriating one minute and astounding the next…there is never a quiet moment with Neymar. His co-striker Jesus has become an even better player since his move from Manchester City to Arsenal in the summer. He always showed great potential at the Etihad but Jesus is at home in North London and producing some scintillating football. Arsenal are top of the Premier League and the relationship between Jesus and Martinelli is one of the factors which is getting fans at the Emirates off their feet, as well as bringing the SBOTOP odds on the 2022/23 title heading to the Emirates to around 4.00.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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World Cup 2022: Pele is Still the Greatest of All Time
The best players on the planet are about to gather in Qatar for World Cup 2022 and the excitement around the world is ramping up day by day.
There are some mouth-watering match ups in the opening rounds of games and a first chance to see the biggest stars in world football in action. The current crop of superstars includes Argentina talisman Lionel Messi, Portugal’s maestro Cristiano Ronaldo, France phenomenon Kylian Mbappe and Belgium’s magician Kevin De Bruyne. But when we look for the very best World Cup players of all time we must glance a little further behind to find those legendary names which will be forever written in World Cup folklore.
The 1970s saw a battle between European heavyweights West Germany and Holland and the 1974 final pitched together German centre back Franz Beckenbauer and Holland’s brilliant Johan Cruyff. In the final the Germans came out on top as another German legend, Gerd Muller, scored the winner in a 2-1 classic. Beckenbauer, nicknamed Der Kaiser, oozed class as he controlled the West Germany back four and strolled out of defence to launch and orchestrate the German attacks, scoring five goals along the way.
Both Beckenbauer and Cruyff are close to the SBOTOP top three players of all time but it is the South American continent which provides the very best.
The current World Cup 2022 betting odds have installed Brazil as favourites to lift the trophy and that would mean a first Samba triumph in 20 years. The Selecao last lifted the World Cup in 2002 as the great Ronaldo scored a double in a 2-0 victory over Germany. Starring in front of the skilful duo of Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, the powerful, fast and brilliant striker made up the legendary Three Rs, and fired Brazil to glory with two goals in a 2-0 final victory over Germany, picking up the Golden Boot in the process.
Five years earlier Ronaldo burst onto the scene, winning the 1997 Ballon D’Or at the age of 21, and he represented Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid in a stellar domestic career. He ended up with 62 goals in 98 matches for Brazil, and Ronaldo will be forever remembered for his 2002 man-of-the-match performance.
Diego Maradona: Argentina 1977 -1994
Maradona was a bustling Number 10 with a taste for a fight but the most sublime skills in both feet, and he will be revered for decades to come in both Argentina and Naples.
Diego Maradona during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup finals match against Germany
This year Argentina’s hopes are riding on the shoulders of Lionel Messi but, in 1986, the magnificent Maradona ruled the world as he totally dominated the World Cup in Mexico. A legend as a Scudetto winner with Napoli, Argentina fans will always remember his stunning performance in the quarter final 2-1 victory over England. Three Lions fans will never forgive him for his first, the ‘Hand of God’ goal which he punched into the net with his hand, but the world stood and watched one the best goals of all time as he dribbled past five England players before firing home. That moment of genius was voted the Goal of the Century by FIFA voters in 2002 and it has never been bettered.
Pele: Brazil 1957-1971
The only player to win three World Cups, you won’t find too many football fans disagreeing that Pele was the greatest player of all time. As a 17 year old he dominated the 1958 World Cup, was part of the team which defended the title in 1962 and he won the Golden Ball as the Selecao triumphed again in 1970, beating Italy 4-1 in the final. Pele was involved in over 50 per cent of Brazil’s goals in that tournament as they played a brand of football which transformed the sport, and the name of Pele will always be synonymous with ‘the beautiful game.’
With 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil, Pele was the Samba Boys’ pin-up for 15 years and he had everything, superb vision and passing ability, mesmerising dribbling skills and he was a lethal finisher. In 1999 Pele was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee, and in 2000 he was voted the World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.
The great Johan Cruyff said of Pele: “He was the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic.” There will be some pretty fine players making the World Cup 2022 highlights this year, but to have Ronaldo, Maradona and Pele still in the game- now that would be special.
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That has caused controversy in its own right but, as we are here to talk about the actual football, let’s focus on Portugal led by the brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo.
Having been around since 2003, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is featuring at a record-equalling fifth World Cup.
And, of course, he is also the top-scorer in international football with 117 goals and is Europe’s most-capped player, having made 191 appearances for his country.
So can he, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and co-lead them to World Cup 2022 highlights and, ultimately, World Cup glory?
When you look at their squad, Portugal certainly have more depth and all-round talent than they had when they were crowned European Champions six years ago.
However, this time their talisman will need more support.
On previous occasions, he has almost single-handedly led them to victory. In 2022, he has managed two goals and two assists in 388 minutes of Nations League action in 2022 and is patently not the force he was – even if his stamina and athleticism still outshine any other 37-year-old at the top level of the game.
Indeed, for the first time in his career, Ronaldo is actually heading to the World Cup facing doubts over whether he still merits a place in the team (he does).
He also knows this is likely to be his final chance at World Cup glory and will be determined to go out on a high.
Either way then, CR7 will never be far from the headlines and that has been the case again in the lead-up to the tournament, although this time for far from ideal reasons.
Indeed, with his Manchester United career seemingly over following this week’s well-documented interview (much of it was true, but he went too far), the Marvel from Madeira will be focusing fully on firing Portugal to the first World Cup in their history, further cementing his spot as one of, if not the greatest footballer of all time – certainly, I disagree with my SBOTOP colleague that Pele was the greatest but that debate is for another day!
All I will say is that, as far as I am concerned, Ronaldo has long since surpassed Pele, who played his entire club career in Brazil.
Ronaldo already has the big individual European Championship records – most tournaments played, most games, most goals – as well as winning Euro 2016, has 700 club goals, more than 30 trophies and five World Player of the Year gongs.
There is no chance of him being dropped, even if below par.
Portugal manager Fernando Santos during the squad announcement
In fact, look back to their Euro 2020 exit last summer and, when boss Fernando Santos said he had the support of Cristiano as if it were something essential for him to continue in post, it sounded very much as if the captain calls the shots in every way.
He has deserved that but will need support.
Because the difference between now and previous years is that Ronaldo, who turns 38 in January, is unlikely to be able to consistently possess the genius required to inspire his country without a little help from his team-mates.
Four clean sheets in the qualifying group and another when it really counted in the play-offs deserved pride and praise.
Beating Turkey 3-1 in Porto in the play-off semi-final was heart-stopping – Burak Yilmaz missed a late penalty to make it 2-2 – but taking Italy’s conquerors North Macedonia to the same stadium five days later for the final was a walk in the park as Fernandes scored twice to send Portugal to Qatar.
Yet fans and analysts alike seemed unified in the idea that Santos was not only too defensive-minded but also too conservative in maximising a talented emerging generation of quick, creative footballers.
Either way, it has worked for them and, as well as Fernandes and Silva, they have another Manchester City star in Ruben Dias and AC Milan forward Rafael Leao who helped them to their first Serie A title for more than a decade last season.
Player for player, Portugal have some of the best in the world and a quick glance at the World Cup 2022 betting odds show Portugal are contenders, although not among the leading favourites.
They will face a challenge in Group H which pairs them with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea.
Progress from that, as they should, and the real test will begin.
Can Portugal win the World Cup? Yes. Will they? I don’t think they have quite enough.
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World Cup 2022: Netherlands Hoping to Shed Underachiever Tag in Qatar
Netherlands are on a mission to end their long title drought when they’ll compete in World Cup 2022, which is less than a week from now.
Compared to teams like Brazil, Argentina, or defending champions France, the Oranje are seen as one of the outside contenders according to the World Cup 2022 odds, which is a bit of a surprise considering they’re the eighth-ranked nation in the world according to FIFA.
They don’t care about being overlooked, but they would want to remove the label of being underachievers since they haven’t won anything for the last 34 years despite their wide array of talent.
Their last major trophy dates back to Euro 1988, although they picked up a silver and a bronze in their last two World Cup campaigns.
Read on below as SBOTOP breaks down why Netherlands are a going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Group A is a good place to start
The Oranje travel to the Middle East to compete in Group A alongside Ecuador, Senegal, and hosts Qatar. They are the favourites to win the group since they’re in great form following a strong qualifying campaign.
Frank de Boer was in charge for the first three games of qualifying, but he stepped down and was replaced by Louis van Gaal. Under the former Manchester United manager, the Dutch went undefeated in their last seven qualifying games (W5, D2) while scoring 21 goals.
Their form has carried over in the UEFA Nations League where they also dominated their group. In League A Group 4, the Oranje went undefeated with five wins and one draw en route to 16 points – which is over the likes of Belgium, Poland, and Wales.
The top spot of Group A is for Netherlands to lose. Getting positive World Cup 2022 results would surely give them a more favourable draw in the knockout phase since they would face the runners-up of Group B.
Up front, you have the experienced Memphis Depay, Luuk de Jong, Wout Weghorst, and Vincent Janssen. And then there are youngsters such as Steven Bergwijn, Noa Lang, Xavi Simons, and Cody Gakpo.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk in action during their Nations League clash against Belgium last September 2022
Gakpo is certainly one to watch given his unique profile. Wingers aren’t supposed to be 6’2” and he’s also fast with the ball. The 23-year-old primarily operates from the left wing, but he can also play as the No. 9 or 10.
In midfield, veterans like Davy Klaassen, Marten de Roon, and Steven Berghuis are going to bring leadership, but their key player there is Frenkie de Jong. The Barcelona star is the ideal box-to-box midfielder since he disorganises the opponent’s offences and he’s great at progressing the ball forward.
And then at the back there are the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Tyrell Malacia, Jeremie Frimpong, Jurrien Timber, and Denzel Dumfries. These youngsters are playing at a high level for their respective clubs this season, and they’re going to make their opponents earn their goals the hard way.
The only thing you can nitpick about the Dutch is their collective inexperience. Virgil van Dijk hasn’t played in any major international tournament, while Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, and Daley Blind are they’re only ever-present members in the national squad.
After crashing out early in Euro 2020, Louis van Gaal returned to the coaching post for the third time last year and World Cup 2022 is expected to be his final act before Ronald Koeman takes over anew.
LVG is one of the most successful managers in the last three decades, winning trophies with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United with his attacking brand of football.
But van Gaal has shown the ability to adjust by turning the Oranje into a defence-first team and it worked when they finished third in Brazil 2014 as they’ve conceded only four goals in seven matches, and they eventually lost on penalties to Argentina in the semis.
No nation has reached the final more often than Netherlands without yet winning the title. Besides 2010, they also finished second in 1974 and 1978.
Louis van Gaal will do everything in his power to bring back the trophy to the Oranje and it will be the perfect ending to a decorated coaching career.
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World Cup 2022: Can Germany’s New Generation Return to Glory?
Germany have been the gold standard of consistency in the big competitions, particularly the World Cup. The Germans have been champions four times, one behind record holders Brazil, and have reached the semi-finals 13 times, the most in history.
However, DFB-Team have been on the decline of late. They crashed out of the group stage in 2018 and fell in the round of 16 in Euro 2020.
With a squad composed mostly of a new generation of stars, Hansi Flick will have his work cut out for him in getting Germany back top the top in World Cup 2022.
Read on below as SBOTOP answers the three biggest questions surrounding Germany heading into Qatar.
The squad Flick has picked for Qatar has few remnants of Germany’s glory days. Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Matthias Ginter and Mario Gotze – who scored the winning goal in the final against Argentina – are the only surviving members of the side that won the World Cup in 2014.
A new generation of young German stars has emerged, led by the Bayern Munich contingent of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sane. This Bayern core will lead a German side that is still good but is lacking the absolute superstar-level quality that other contenders in Qatar possess.
The defence in particular looks quite unremarkable, with Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger headlining a group of good but not great defenders.
It will be up to Flick to find a way to get the best out of this squad. He has shuffled between 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations during his first games in charge, and that versatility to change system will help the Germans match up better against a variety of opponents.
But Flick’s tricks can only get the Germans so far, and they will need a bit of individual quality to shine through in Qatar.
Who will score Germany’s goals?
Germany have needed a consistent goalscorer ever since the retirement of all-time leading scorer Miroslav Klose in 2014, and that lack of a top centre-forward will be a key concern once again in Qatar.
The absence of Timo Werner (24 goals in 55 caps) has further reduced Flick’s options up front. The Germans are so starved for strikers that they called up 17-year-old Youssofufa Moukoko and 29-year-old Niclas Fullkrug who have a combined 0 caps, and also brought BVB’s Karim Adeyemi, who has yet to score in 11 Bundesliga matches, amid teammate Marco Reus’ injury.
Germany’s Thomas Muller in action during their Nations League match against England
That leaves Kai Havertz and Thomas Muller as Flick’s main options to lead the line, with wingers Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane expected to provide World Cup 2022 highlights for an attack that – on paper – seems light on goals.
Flick will have to find the right combination from this group of forwards for the Germans to go far in Qatar.
Can Musiala emerge as the Mannschaft’s main man?
Germany’s two biggest concerns heading into World Cup 2022 are their lack of a true top-tier star and a reliable goalscorer. But the answer is potentially already in the squad, and his name is Jamal Musiala.
The 19-year-old Bayern Munich wunderkind has been more than one of the best youngsters in Europe this season; he’s also been the Bundesliga’s best player this season as he leads the league with nine goals and six assists. With his ability as both a scorer and a playmaker, he can be the game-changing force the team clearly needs.
Musiala did not have a great Euros and has yet to fully announce himself on the international stage (he has just one goal in his first 17 caps). But it’s possible World Cup 2022 could be his coming out party as a true superstar, and if it is, then Germany’s World Cup 2022 odds of winning the title will improve significantly.
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World Cup 2022: The Round of 16 is a Long Way Away…
The Qatar World Cup 2022 is just about to begin but, for some teams, it might well end rather earlier than they hope as 32 of the best football nations on the planet battle for 16 knockout places.
Just getting there is a triumph for some teams and the likes of the hosts Qatar won’t seriously expect to go deep into the competition, but the majority will certainly hope to last longer than the group stages. The opening game is often a sighter, but by the time a country has played its second group match the picture is much clearer. The fast starters might already be through and a nation with back to back defeats may as well start packing their bags, but most teams will still have something to play for.
Often enough a big name goes out before the knockout phase begins. In 2018 the reigning champions Germany were sent packing when they were beaten 2-0 by South Korea. But hey, at least Joachim Low’s side were in the finals, Euro 2020 winners Italy won’t even be in Qatar, missing their second World Cup finals in succession.
So who should we look out for this time around? Which nations are in danger in the early stages of the competition? Well, here I’m taking a look at two fancied teams which might have a surprise and a couple of hopefuls I believe will fall short.
Big names which could go out early
Mexico
Ranked ninth in the world Mexico have been a fixture at World Cups since 1930, appearing on 17 occasions and also winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup 11 times. With Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez alongside experienced skipper Andres Guardado in the middle of the park, El Tri has a strong core and two excellent strikers in Raul Jimenez and Hirving Lozano. But I fear Mexico could be the highest ranked team to go out at the first hurdle.
El Tri have landed In Group C alongside Argentina and Poland with Saudi Arabia making up the four and, as Argentina are widely expected to top the group, it could be a shoot out between Mexico and Poland. Even though they are ranked 26th by FIFA, the Poles have some real star quality with Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski in midfield and, of course, the great Robert Lewandowski up front. While Lewi has been prolific throughout his domestic career with FC Bayern and now Barcelona, he has never really shone on the world stage and I suspect this could be his time.
Croatia
The pre-tournament World Cup 2022 betting odds make Croatia a decent bet to make the last eight and the 2018 World Cup finalists have some stellar players in their side, including Luka Modric. There is real star quality in Group F and Belgium should lead the way. But Canada could be really dangerous in their first finals tournament since 1986. The way they dispatched Jamaica 4-0 to qualify was a statement to anyone who thought Canada may be in Qatar just to make up the numbers. They have some fearless and brilliant young stars, such as Bayern’s Alphonso Davies, and Les Rouges will be everyone’s favourite underdogs.
Hopefuls who will find it tough
Wales
In their first World Cup finals in 64 years Wales will hope to stay in Qatar for more then two weeks and they should be good enough to beat Iran. Group B favourites England are without their two first choice wing backs as the Chelsea duo of Ben Chilwell and Reece James are sidelined, but the Three Lions are still hot favourites with a rich resource of talent to call on.
Gareth Bale playing for Wales against Austria at Cardiff City Stadium
Wales have their talisman Gareth Bale to lead them, but USA have a number of potential match-winners in their ranks, with Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna the players to watch.
Cameroon
One of Africa’s best hopes, Cameroon will certainly entertain and they have some exciting strikers in their squad. Captain Vincent Aboubakar and Brentford’s 23 year old forward Brian Mbeumo will be a handful for any defence, while Napoli midfielder Zambo Anguissa has impressed in Serie A.
But the Indomitable Lions are in a really tough Group, alongside tournament favourites Brazil, and two European tough nuts in Serbia and Switzerland. Cameroon will light up the tournament, but only for so long.
There are just four days to go now folks, until the biggest show on earth begins and, here at SBOTOP, we’ll keep the World Cup 2022 updates coming thick and fast; but right now, the Mexico, Croatia, Wales and Cameroon fans will hope I’m wide of the mark!
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After weeks, nay months, of build-up and speculation the time for talking is coming to an end folks; the 2022 World Cup 2022 is here and Qatar will face Ecuador in the opener.
The hosts will proudly launch the greatest show on earth and hope for a result against a tough opponent, and a win for either will give them a decent chance to progress. Group A favourites, the Netherlands, will be looking to shed their underachiever tag and the earlyWorld Cup 2022 betting oddsreckon the Oranje will win this group with AFCON winner Senegal pushing for the second spot.
So I would say a draw in this opener is not ideal for either team’s ambition… so let’s hope for a winning start!
Talking Points
What can we expect from Qatar?
The Al Bayt Stadium will be packed on Sunday and global television figures will break records again, but does anyone really expect to see the best World Cup 2022 highlights when Qatar face Ecuador? Maybe not, but that isn’t what the curtain raiser is all about. The first game is often a little cagy and the feverish excitement tends to come three or four weeks later.
But Qatar wants to put on a good show and the football world is waiting to be entertained.
The man in the Qatari hot seat is Felix Sanchez who has been in the job since 2017, but he has worked in the principality since 2006 when he left his job as a Barcelona youth coach to join the Aspire Academy, and he led his team to the Asian Cup title in 2019. The Qatari squad is made up of players from the principality’s top league and many from champions Al Sadd, including 29 year old left back Abdelkarim Hassan, who has 130 caps for his country, and captain Hasan Al Haydos who has scored 36 goals in 169 internationals. The 31 year old will start up front alongside clubmate Akram Afif, who has bagged 26 from 89 games playing out wide on the left or as a second striker.
Victories over Albania, Panama, and Guatemala recently have brought Qatar into the tournament on a winning run. But recent defeats to a useful Canada side and Croatia U23s tell us where Qatar stands. But the opening ceremony will be grand and, even though this is a match between two rank outsiders, Ecuador at 44th in the FIFA World Rankings and Qatar at 50th, the eyes of the world will be watching this groundbreaking global event.
Valencia’s last stand
Enner Valencia is ready to lead Ecuador in their bid to win the World Cup title
At 33 years of age Ecuador talisman, Enner Valencia is probably at his last World Cup, but he is still the man most likely to win the game for his country. He’s scored 35 goals in 74 appearances and 32 in 71 for his current club Fenerbahce. West Ham fans will know the forward, who can play on the wing or as centre forward, as he dazzled on the flanks scoring eight goals in 54 appearances for the Premier League club.
Other players to look out for are Brighton and Hove Albion’s highly rated 24 year old defender, Pervis Estupinan, who signed for the Seagulls from Villarreal last summer, while Augsburg’s 27 year old star, Carlos Gruezo, is a powerful presence in a defensive midfield role.
History
Qatar is a relatively new country in world football, but they won the Asian Cup in 2019 and in 2021 participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
This is Ecuador’s fourth appearance at the World Cup finals, their best performance coming in 2006 when they reached the Round of 16 and they were Copa America quarter-finalists in 2021.
In terms of recent form, Ecuador are unbeaten in seven games while Qatar have won the last five. The Round of 16 is a distant dream for these two teams but when they cross the white line on Sunday they will both believe they can earn a priceless win.
The hosts are at odds of 3.10 to open their campaign with a win, while the draw is at 3.00 and Ecuador at 2.40.
Ecuador put in a brilliant effort to finish fourth in the South American Qualification Table, seeing off heavyweights Colombia and Chile and joining Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay at the top table.
So these are no mugs!
Take a look at Ecuador’s last six games which have yielded two goals in total, four goalless draws and 1-0 victories over Nigeria and Cape Verde. For an alternative bet,
0-1 goals is at SBOTOP odds of 2.32, and I think the South Americans will edge it.
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World Cup 2022: Senegal vs Netherlands is Grade A Stuff!
Senegal vs Netherlands
Hot on the heels of the World Cup opener between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, the Group A action continues on Monday when World Cup 2022: Senegal vs Netherlands, one of the eye-catching clashes of the first week, takes centre stage.
This is a battle between two teams with pedigree, and a big incentive to make it through to the knockout phases. Senegal won the African Cup of Nations this year and their fans are convinced they can kick on, on the world stage and fly the flag for Africa. Meanwhile the Netherlands, having missed out on the last World Cup, are determined to go deep into this competition and re-establish themselves as one of Europe’s strongest teams.
If you don’t catch this match live, I reckon theSenegal vs Netherlands highlights will be well worth a watch. The Lions of Teranga come into the game on the back of a 1-1 friendly draw with Iran, while the Netherlands beat Belgium in the UEFA Nations League thanks to a Virgil Van Dijk goal which took the Oranje through to the finals of that competition.
Talking Points
AFCON winners have the taste for success
Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse says his team can do well at the World Cup after their stunning win at the African Cup of Nations. The Lions of Teranga conquered Africa, beating Egypt on penalties in the final as talisman Sadio Mane hit the decisive spot kick to land Senegal a first major trophy. The FC Bayern striker was a Liverpool player at the time and his winning kick broke the heart of his team-mate Mo Salah. And now it is Liverpool fans who should be mourning his departure to FC Bayern as the Reds labour in sixth place in the Premier League table and 15 points off the lead.
Mane has scored 34 goals in 93 international games and he will be Senegal’s biggest goal threat. But there is plenty of top class experience in this side to support the main man. Watford’s speedy striker Ismaila Sarr can be devastating on his day as Liverpool discovered when he scored twice and made an assist in the Hornets’ shock 3-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2020.
Senegal will be dangerous in attack but they have an impressive rearguard too, with Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy and Blues centre back Kalidou Koulibaly at the heart of defence, while Everton’s defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye provides extra cover.
The Lions of Teranga are prepared to roar again.
Partnerships are key for Netherlands
Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands have made gradual but impressive progress since 2018 and while they may not have too may stratospheric stars; there is serious quality in the Oranje squad and some solid partnerships. The centre back pairing of Van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt has been widely admired as the best defensive core in world football and this is the ideal stage to show what they can do. And with Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij in reserve this is a strong area for the Oranje.
In midfield Teun Koopmeiners has been outstanding for Atalanta and Frenkie de Jong continues to impress at Barcelona. The Blaugrana are going well in the league and went into the break top of the La Liga table and they have another important representative in this Dutch team. Up front Barcelona’s Memphis Depay, with 42 goals from 81 internationals, is a highly consistent performer out wide or through the middle and he is supported by former Spurs striker Steve Bergwijn, now playing at Ajax. He too can operate on the flank or through the middle so this is a fluid attack, with the option of bringing target man Wout Weghorst on for a change of style.
Netherlands’ Steven Bergwijn and Memphis Depay during training
The last line of defence is the only area where the Netherlands are inexperienced. Of the three keepers, who all ply their trade in the Dutch league, 24 year old Justin Bijlow is the front runner with six caps.
History
The Netherlands are three times runners up in the World Cup, the last occasion in 2010 and they were the 2019 UEFA Nations League runners up; but the Oranje have tasted tournament success, winning the European Championship in 1988.
This is Senegal’s fourth appearance at the World Cup finals and they were quarter finalists in 2002.
It is the first meeting between these two highly rated sides but the pre-matchSenegal vs Netherlands betting oddsback a Dutch win, and squad depth combined with recent form backs that up.
The Netherlands are unbeaten in 15 games and have won five of the last six games while Senegal have won four, drawn one and lost one over that period.
Senegal is available at 5.80 to win, with the draw at 3.60 and the double chance, Senegal or draw, priced at 2.21. The Lions of Teranga have some dangerous players but the Oranje are under pressure to shed their image as also-rans and, at SBOTOP odds of 1.61, Louis van Gaal’s boys should open their campaign with a victory.
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With the greatest of respect to World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar and Ecuador, the tournament will not begin in earnest for many until Monday.
For that is the first time an established footballing nation will take to the pitch and, given the media and fans’ circus which often follows England around at a major tournament, I am not expecting too many dull moments.
This time the semi-finalists from four years ago and finalists at Euro 2020 last summer face Iran.
On paper, it should be one-sided with all the World Cup 2022 highlights belonging to Gareth Southgate’s side.
The reality, however, is that Iran have one of the best coaches in the world which means they will be one of the best prepared units even as tournament minnows.
Either way, they should have the talent to overcome their first three opponents as they acclimatise.
The focus will very soon be on the football unlike the build-up which has been overshadowed by issues in the host country, including the treatment of migrant workers.
Iran will make life difficult with the reappointment of former Manchester United assistant and one-time Real Madrid boss Carlos Queiroz – a real boon for the West Asian nation.
In fact, so popular is Queiroz, who shaped his unprecedented popularity during his first stint in charge between 2011 and 2019, that when he became available after leaving the Egypt post this springthere was no hesitation in recruiting him – even though he did not guide them through qualifying.
Iran manager Carlos Queiroz during World Cup 2022 training
For Quieroz offers nous and defencive stability.
At the last two World Cups, Iran came up against some of the great football powerhouses but only lost 1-0 to Argentina in Brazil (2014) and 1-0 to Spain in Russia (2018), where they also drew 1-1 with European Champions Portugal.
In fact, the performance against Lionel Messi’s Argentina impressed Iranians back home so much, there were celebrations in the streets after the narrow defeat.
It must be said that, to dispense of Dragan Skocic, who won 15 out of his 18 games in charge and got the country to the World Cup in record time, was harsh and that divided senior players.
Those feelings could resurface should Iran get off to a bad start.
Jahanbakhsh also appeared to insinuate that the press was playing such “mental games” as part of a broader English campaign to undermine Iran before the teams meet.
Much more will be said about issues such as this in the days and weeks ahead but, come Monday afternoon in the Khalifa International Stadium, all eyes will be on the football.
If Iran can avoid defeat, it will be one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.
Last year’s Euro 2020 runners-up are overwhelming favourites with the SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds and can be backed 1X2 @ 1.35 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.26.
Likewise, If Iran are to cause a shock you could earn a nice payday with 1X2 @ 10.00 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.42 among the options. Even a draw will pay out @ 4.30.
Given the potential attacking talent on display, goals are anticipated, including Over 2.25 @ 2.04, over 2.50 @ 2.35, Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.96 and 4-6 @ 4.50.
I don’t think there will be quite that many but, even as organised as Iran should be under Quieroz, it is difficult to see such a smaller footballing nation keep it as tight as Total Goal 0-1 which is available @ 2.60. I expect England to win but fail to take a fairly early lead and frustrations could become evident.
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World Cup 2022: USA and Wales Eager to Prove That They Belong
USA vs Wales
With England favoured to claim the top spot in Group B, especially with a winnable match against Iran to start, this makes the World Cup 2022 fixture between USA and Wales crucial since this is presumably the battle for the second spot.
USA and Wales haven’t been here for a while. The Americans last competed in the 2014 edition of this competition while the Cymru are back for the first time after a long wait, so for sure none of them would want to exit early.
But both nations enter the tournament in worrying form, as USA laboured in a pair of friendlies last September against Saudi Arabia and Japan while Wales haven’t won since their 1-0 result over Ukraine that secured their World Cup qualification.
This is sure to be a compelling matchup between two hungry sides, so read on below as SBOTOP previews this contest.
Gregg Berhalter couldn’t have asked for better news because his Team USA is fully fit coming into Qatar, as Gio Reyna and Timothy Weah are fully recovered from their long-term injuries.
Reyna and Weah are two of the team’s brightest stars, and they’re integral parts of Berhalter’s young core, which also includes the likes of Tyler Adams, Josh Sargent, Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Joe Scally, and Brenden Aaronson.
USA are going to be the second-youngest squad in the tournament with an average age of 25 years old, so their inexperience might be a factor. However, they come into Qatar with positive energy and they feel no pressure at all.
But at the end of the day, they can only go to as far as where Christian Pulisic takes them. The Chelsea winger is the youngest to captain his national team, so he’ll be their “veteran” despite being only 24 years of age.
The Hershey, Pennsylvania native has had an up-and-down campaign so far. Pulisic struggled previously to break into the team under Thomas Tuchel, but he’s slowly getting his rhythm back under Graham Potter.
Pulisic was linked with an exit from Chelsea not that long ago, but now he could extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, and his performance at the World Cup will help determine whether he’s deserving of a new lucrative deal.
Wales not heavily dependent on Bale anymore
Wales have waited a lifetime for this moment, but don’t expect them just content to be here. Rob Page’s men are used to playing in big tournaments, including Euro 2016 where they went to as far as the quarter-finals.
Hot shot Gareth Bale is still the go-to man for Wales since he’s the country’s all-time leading scorer with 40 goals. The 33-year-old winger is currently playing for Los Angeles FC in the MLS and he’s more than capable of producing World Cup 2022 highlights.
Wales forward Gareth Bale reacts during training for World Cup 2022
But the Cymru don’t have to be super-reliant on him anymore since they have Premier League-calibre talent, as they have the likes of Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Ben Davies, Neco Williams, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Mepham, Harry Wilson, Dan James, Kieffer Moore, and Brennan Johnson.
Opponents simply cannot afford to underestimate the quality of this team.
History
Monday marks the first meeting between USA and Wales at the World Cup. Prior to this, they’ve had two friendlies where USA won 2-0 back in 2003 along with a goalless draw exactly one year ago.
USA have qualified for their 11th World Cup, which is second behind Mexico (17) for most World Cup appearances by a CONCACAF country.
During their last appearance in 2014, the Americans advanced to the Round of 16 only to be eliminated by Belgium. They have been to the knockout stage in three of their last four participations (2002, 2010, and 2014).
Wales, on the other hand, are back for the first time in 64 years. During their previous appearance in 1958, Cymru went to as far as the quarter-finals.
The World Cup 2022 odds are predicting a tight contest between USA and Wales. The Americans were given the slight edge at 2.61, while Wales are priced at 2.87 in the 1X2 market.
Given that this is a tough call because they’re evenly matched, we’re leaning towards a Draw @ 2.95 with goals to be scored by both nations.
USA may have had their difficulties finding the back of the net lately, but Wales haven’t secured a clean sheet since March, so Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.98 is another bet in the cards.
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World Cup 2022: USA and Wales Eager to Prove That They Belong
Denmark vs Tunisia
Denmark begin their World Cup 2022 campaign against Tunisia on Tuesday, and securing the victory is a must for them to claim one of the top spots in Group D.
Here at SBOTOP, we listed the Danes as one of the favourites to come out of the group alongside defending champions France, and this is their time to prove their credentials against the less fancied Tunisia.
Kasper Hjulmand’s men are looking to follow up their impressive run in Euro 2020 where they were a controversial England penalty away from making it to the final, and it’ll be fascinating to see how they’ll fare in Qatar.
As for their counterparts Tunisia, they’ll aim to prove that they belong in the sport’s showpiece event. Despite their underdog status, they come into Qatar with high morale since they’ve been in fine form.
Denmark are tipped as one of the dark horses in Qatar given their experience in major competitions and their collection of under-the-radar talent.
Christian Eriksen, who is the story of the year after his miraculous comeback from cardiac arrest in Euro 2020, is Denmark’s heartbeat and he’s on the top of his game given his solid campaign thus far with Manchester United.
Eriksen will be joined by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Thomas Delaney, and Christian Norgaard in the middle, while up front they have the likes of Mikkel Damsgaard, Yussuf Poulsen, Kasper Dolberg, and Jesper Lindstrom.
Andreas Christensen is easily Denmark’s most influential defender and he’ll team up with Joakim Maehle, Simon Kjaer, Rasmus Kristensen, Joachim Andersen, among others, to provide cover for the wily goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
After breezing through the qualifiers with eight wins and zero goals conceded in eight games, Denmark have endured a rather inconsistent stretch in recent international breaks as they’ve alternated wins and losses in their last five Nations League matches.
They did beat France 2-0 most recently, though, which should boost their confidence.
Difficult draw for Tunisia
Tunisia forward Wahbi Khazri applauds fans after the international friendly match against Brazil
The Carthage Eagles are hoping to get positive World Cup 2022 results even if they’re expected to exit early. Even if one of France or Denmark underperform in the group stage, they’ll still face stiff competition against an opportunistic Australia side.
Jalel Kadri will certainly have his work cut out for him, so he’ll lean heavily on his experienced veterans while he may opt to give his youngsters opportunities to showcase their talent in the big stage.
Wahbi Khazri will captain the squad once more and he’ll be joined by Youssef Msakni up front. Khazri plays for Montpellier in Ligue 1 and he has 24 goals in 71 caps, while Al Arabi forward Msakni has 17 goals in 87 caps.
Aissa Laidouni and Ellyes Skhiri are tasked to lead their midfield. Laidouni is currently playing for Hungarian club Ferencvaros, while Skhiri plies his trade in the German Bundesliga for Koln.
But the two wildcards to watch out for are Anis Ben Slimane and Hannibal Mejbri. These players are barely scratching the surface and both will be valuable pieces off the bench for the Carthage Eagles.
History
This is going to be the second-ever encounter between Denmark and Tunisia, and first at the World Cup. Prior to Tuesday, Denmark beat Tunisia 2-1 in Japan during an exhibition game before the 2002 World Cup.
The Danes are undefeated against African opposition at the World Cup (W2, D2), while Tunisia have never prevailed against European sides in this competition (D3, L7).
Denmark will be making their sixth appearance at the World Cup and it’s only the second time that they have qualified in back-to-back tournaments after 1998 and 2002.
Tunisia are also entering their sixth World Cup, but they’ve only recorded two total wins in 15 World Cup games. Similar to Denmark, this is also only the second time that they’ve qualified in consecutive tournaments after 2002 and 2006.
The World Cup 2022 odds are backing Denmark to win. They are installed at 1.47, whereas Tunisia are the underdogs at 6.80 and chances for a draw are at 4.10 in the 1X2 market.
Expect Tunisia to be conservative since it has worked for them lately. They’ve secured seven clean sheets in their last eight games across all competitions, and with this approach, scoring opportunities might be hard to come by.
But Denmark should have enough to eke out a quality win, although this won’t be a high-scoring affair – making Under 2.50 @ 2.14 a viable alternative bet.
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Based on what I’ve read over the last 12 hours or so, half of the media in the western world seems to be pining for a romantic coronation of the great Lionel Messi’s career at this World Cup 2022.
For a generation believes that, should he captain his nation to victory in Qatar, the age-old debate about who is the greatest (him or Cristiano Ronaldo) will be decided.
The South American giants come into the tournament on the back of a 36-match unbeaten streak following a midweek 5-0 friendly win over the United Arab Emirates.
A superb first-half performance saw Lionel Scaloni’s men 4-0 up by the interval, thanks to an Angel Di María double and goals from Julian Alvarez and Messi, added to in the second half by a Joaquín Correa strike.
Argentina’s last defeat came at the hands of arch-rivals Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2019 Copa América. Since then, they have recorded 25 victories and 11 draws in a combination of friendly matches, World Cup 2022 qualifying and the 2021 Copa America.
On top of that, Scaloni’s men beat European champions Italy to win the inaugural edition of La Finalissima, the rebranded CONEMBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions.
Taking of the Azzurri, Italy are the current record holders in international football after going unbeaten for three years between October 2018 and October 2021, a run of 37 games.
Some 11th hour changes to the squad have been requested after Scaloni was dealt a double injury blow with forwards Nicolas Gonzalez and Correa ruled out of the tournament.
He has lodged a request to add namesake, Atletico Madrid forward Angel Correa, and winger Thiago Almada of Atlanta United to his squad in place of the two injured forwards.
Saudi Arabia go into this tournament with few giving them a chance, although their head coach, Herve Renard, has real pedigree.
Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard will have a mountain to climb in World Cup 2022
The first coach to win two Africa Cup of Nations titles, Saudi supporters will be counting on his tactical nous and previous World Cup experience to emulate the feat of 1994 and go beyond the group stage for only the second time in their history.
By the way, if you don’t recall that 94 campaign, ask your dad about that Saeed Al-Owairan goal – I watched it live and still remember it!
So, back to the initial question – can Argentina win the big one with Messi? We’ll find out over the next month but certainly they should be able to win against Saudi Arabia.
History
These two nations met for the first time in 1988 when they clashed twice in 10 days in the bicentenary Gold Cup.
A 2-2 draw in Adelaide was followed by a 2-0 Argentina win in a third-place play-off when current Atletico boss Diego Simeone opened the scoring.
Four years later the nations met in Riyadh in the final of the Intercontinental Champions Cup, a competition that subsequently became known as the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Leonardo Rodriguez, Claudio Caniggia and Simeone scored in a 3-1 win before Al-Owairan pulled one back.
They didn’t meet again for another 20 years when a goalless draw was played out in the same stadium in an international friendly.
Backing Argentina in this one isn’t going to earn you a fortune.
They are available to tip 1X2 @ 1.17 and Asian Handicap -2.25 @ 2.25 and -2.50 @ 2.61, a far cry from Saudi Arabia 1X2 @ 14.50 and Asian Handicap +1.75 @ 2.21.
A goalless draw, just like 10 years ago, will pay out with Correct Score @ 14.50.
I cannot see past Argentina and my *** tip is First Half Asian Handicap Argentina -1.00 @ 2.42.
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World Cup 2022: Can Socceroos Stun Short-Handed France?
France vs Australia
France and Australia will meet in their opening group game of World Cup 2022, the second World Cup in a row that they will face off in their first match.
But with several injuries to key players decimating their star-studded squad, will the defending champions still begin their campaign with a win or can the Socceroos shock the world?
Talking Points
Injury-hit France lose another huge star
France’s bid to end the World Cup winner’s curse is already looking shaky as the injury bug continues to bite them hard.
First, key midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba – who both started in their World Cup triumph in 2018 – missed out due to injury. Then, Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku both withdrew from the squad with injuries of their own.
The veteran striker was expected to lead France’s front three alongside Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe. But Didier Deschamps must now alter his attacking plans amid Benzema’s injury.
France’s Karim Benzema sustains a left thigh injury during training
Olivier Giroud is the prime candidate to replace Benzema in attack. The 36-year-old is having another strong season with AC Milan, scoring nine goals with five assists in 19 appearances for the Rossoneri.
Giroud is also just two goals away from tying the great Thierry Henry as France’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals. He has been in great goalscoring form for his country, scoring three times in his last four outings, and he will be keen to provide some World Cup 2022 highlights.
Meanwhile, the injuries to key veterans means Deschamps will likely turn to several youngsters in Real Madrid midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni (22 years old) and Eduardo Camavinga (20), as well as Arsenal centre-back William Saliba (21) to play in the spine of his side.
Socceroos hoping for some World Cup success
Australia are back at the World Cup. This is the Socceroos’ fifth successive trip to the tournament, and for the second straight time, they needed to win an inter-confederation play-off on penalties to book their ticket to the finals.
Australia have been in steady decline since they made it to the round of 16 in their first appearance during this run in 2006. They have gone out in the group stage in each of the last three World Cups and have gone winless in the last two, finishing 30th out of 32 teams.
Coach Graham Arnold, who took charge of the side after the previous World Cup, will have a tough task breaking that winless run as he will not have a particularly talented side to work with in Qatar.
The team’s top players – goalkeeper and captain Mathew Ryan, midfielder Aaron Mooy, and top scorer Mathew Leckie (13 goals in 73 caps) – are all in their 30s now, and they don’t have the group of players plying their trade in big leagues like the Premier League that they once had.
With their lack of quality, the Socceroos will struggle to score or even keep hold of the ball. Their best hope of picking up a point against group favourites France will be to defend deep and hope to snatch a goal on a set piece.
History
France and Australia have met once before in the World Cup, and it came in the previous one in 2018 in Russia.
After Mile Jedinak’s penalty cancelled out Antoine Griezmann’s opening goal from the spot, France won 2-1 through an Aziz Behich own goal 10 minutes from time.
Despite their many injuries, France are still installed as massive 1.28 favourites by the SBOTOP odds to win their opener. Australia are priced at 11.00 to pull off the upset, while a draw is 5.00.
With just one win in their last six games and multiple key players absent, it’s hard to be overly optimistic about France at the moment. Yes, the quality of Kylian Mbappe is likely to shine through and get the win in their opener.
But as Australia showed four years ago, they are no pushovers. They will make things as tough as possible for the defending champions and keep things quite competitive.
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Four years ago Germany suffered their worst ignominy of recent times, failing to make it out of the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, and they followed that up with an early exit at Euro 2020, losing to England.
The pre-tournament World Cup 2022 betting odds rate the Germans around sixth in the ranking of likely winners, behind the big four of Brazil, France, Argentina and Spain, and alongside England. And at SBOTOP odds of 1.49 to beat Japan in their opener on Wednesday they should make a winning start. But Japan head coach Hajime Morlyasu has some dangerous weapons in his armoury and Germany will need to be at their ruthless best when they open their account on Wednesday.
Talking Points
Germany’s strong spine
Hansi Flick has his team playing with an energetic high pressing game, the type we have seen from the best German teams in their domestic league and on the international stage in recent years. His forwards will defend from the front and attempt to turn over possession quickly.
Spearheading the attack and at 33 years of age FC Bayern forward Thomas Muller is as influential as ever and he loves a World Cup, scoring ten times in the competition finals though he drew a blank in 2018 and will be determined to put that right in Qatar. He’s already a World Cup winner and with a record 11 Bundesliga medals Muller is a serial winner.
And the Bayern man is at the head of an impressive spine with a healthy smattering of his club mates.
FC Bayern midfield ace Leon Goretzka will pull the strings behind the front men and will bring together a talented group which includes the experienced Ilkay Gundogan and boy wonder Jamal Musiala, who fans are desperate to see in the starting 11.
In the centre of defence Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger is a powerful presence and he is likely to line up alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Niklas Sule, while his BVB team-mate Nico Schlotterbeck will be ready to cover.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the last line of defence. With 114 international caps, a World Cup medal and Golden Glove award in 2014 and ten Bundesliga medals, like Muller he has won it all. Neuer is unflappable and any defence in the world would gain in confidence with the great man behind them.
Tomiyashi set to shine for Japan
Premier League fans will recognise Arsenal wing back Takehiro Tomiyasu in the Japan line-up, but he’s often recognised as a centre back in the international team. He’s well built for the job at 6ft 2in, quick in the tackle and with a good passing range. Tomiyasu is a quality player, appearing for a rapidly improving Arsenal 32 times since his £15m transfer in 2021, and representing Japan 29 times since his debut in 2018; and he may be the ideal partner for talismanic skipper Maya Yoshida, now playing for Schalke 04, but well known in England for his stint at Southampton.
Japan’s Maya Yoshida trains with teammate ahead of their World Cup 2022 campaign
Monaco striker Takumi Minamino is a livewire as he showed during his appearances for Liverpool and Southampton in the Premier League. A high energy player with dribbling skills and close control, Mimamino can link up play in the danger area. And Eintracht Frankfurt’s attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada is another player to watch; he has six goals in 22 internationals and has become one of the first names on the team sheet for his country and the Eagles.
History
Germany are World Cup royalty, leading the European charge with four tournament wins, in 1954, 1974, 1990 and most recently in 2014. But they will be very keen to avoid the embarrassment suffered in 2018, when they failed to make it out of their group.
Japan have reached the Round of 16 stage on three occasions, in 2002, 2010 and 2018 and, ranked 24th in the world they are a force to be reckoned with.
In terms of recent form, Germany have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games while Japan have won three, drawn two and lost one.
If Japan manage to win this opener it will be one of the World Cup 2022 results of the group stages and will bring back the nightmares of 2018 to the Germany players. At 6.20 it is a big ask for Japan, and even the draw at 4.20 would take a huge effort.
But I wouldn’t rule it out as the underdogs have some serious talent in heir ranks. Germany have quality and experience but this is not a banker and I think the better value can be found in a game with two or three goals. The pressure is on Flick and his boys.
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Stadium 974 is the venue for the big Group C game this week, when Mexico and Poland come face to face in a pivotal match on Tuesday.
With highly rated Argentina in this group, places are at a premium and the World Cup 2022 match between Mexico and Polandis one of the big deciding games of the opening round. Here we have two teams very hopeful of making the Round of 16.
Mexico are ranked 13th in the world by FIFA with Poland 26th but the pre-match Mexico vs Poland betting oddscan hardly split these two nations and the draw is the front runner at 2.65. But a win for either would surely put them in pole position, with Saudi Arabia making up the group.
Talking Points
Martino under pressure
El Tri head coach Gerardo Martino has pedigree, having managed Barcelona in the past, and he made a good start when he took over as Mexico boss in 2019, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the same year before qualifying for this World Cup. But the gloss has rather gone off his leadership recently with three defeats in the five recent friendlies, to Sweden, Paraguay and Colombia. Martino suffered the humiliation of fans throwing beer at him in the aftermath of the defeat to Colombia and an early exit in this tournament could see the Argentinean heading for the exit.
But with Poland and Argentina to contend with, that outcome is a real risk.
Mexico coach Gerardo Martino before their international friendly against Sweden starts
Martino, and the Mexico fans, are pinning their hopes on Napoli’s 27 year old winger Hirving Lozano, who is starring in Gli Azzurri’s excellent start to the Scudetto campaign and in the Champions League and he scored the winner in Mexico’s recent 1-0 win over Peru. Monterrey striker Rogelio Funes Mori is also likely to start up front while Martino checks on the fitness of Wolves striker Raul Jimenez.
25 year old Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez is a key player, sitting just in front of the Mexico back four, which will need some protection if Poland’s star striker hits the ground running.
Lewandowski’s last chance
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has been one of the very best players of his generation, and I’d put him in the top five over the past decade. He has won a cabinet full of domestic medals in a glittering career at Bayern Munich and is now ripping up the Spanish league with La Liga leaders Barcelona. Lewi has scored a whopping 76 goals in 134 internationals but, bizarrely, he has often failed to shine on the world stage.
This time may be different as the captain has some serious quality around him; with Napoli’s excellent ball player Piotr Zielinski in a creative midfield position and Feyenoord’s highly rated Sebastian Szymanski in the Number 10 role. The 23 year old is on loan from Dynamo Moscow and the Dutch club has an option to buy which they are sure to activate. He has scored six goals and made three assists this season, and his ability to make an accurate through ball could reap dividends for Lewandowski.
Poland were twice semi-finalists at the World Cup, in a golden age for the nation, at the 1974 and 1982 tournaments. But they have struggled more recently, failing to qualify in 2010 and 2014 and exiting World Cup 2018 at the group stage, losing two of their three games. Head coach Czeslaw Michniewicz knows he has the players to avoid that fate again and he will have them well prepared.
Mexico’s best efforts at the World Cup came in 1970 and 1986 when they reached the quarter finals and for the last seven tournaments El Tri have escaped the group stage, only to go out in the Round of 16.
Previous head to head Mexico vs Poland resultshave been shared with both winning one and there has been one draw. Poland won the only competitive game, a 3-1 win at the 1978 World Cup while Mexico came out on top of a friendly in 2017 as Jimenez scored the only goal in a warm-up for the World Cup at Russia 2018.
The two teams have identical records over the last six games with two wins, one draw and three defeats but, crucially, Poland have won the last two while Mexico have lost two of the last three.
Mexico are marginal favourites at a SBOTOP price of 2.88 while Poland are at 2.89 and these are two well matched teams. For a correct score line 1-1 is the most likely score line at a price of 4.90, while 2-3 goals is at 1.92.
If there is a winner I reckon it is more likely to be Poland who have that bit more quality in attack, some momentum… and the world’s most lethal striker.
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World Cup 2022: Passionate Footballing Nations Prepare for Qatar Opener
Croatia vs Morocco
One of the special things about a World Cup 2022 is that it throws up fixtures like this.
A meeting between two nations with compelling, yet very different histories, both of whom share a real passion for football.
That should be evident in the Al-Bayt Stadium on Wednesday morning.
Talking Points
Morocco have always been a side that intrigue me, ever since as a child I followed their progress in 1986 in Mexico where there were plenty of World Cup highlights.
Then the North Africans topped Group F after holding both Poland and England to goalless draws and defeating Portugal 3–1.
By doing so, they became the first African team, and only the second nation from outside Europe and the Americas (after North Korea in 1966), to reach the second round.
Even then, they continued to provide stern opposition, only bowing out to eventual finalists West Germany thanks to an 87th minute free kick from Lothar Matthaus.
They impressed me again 33 years later when I saw their progress at the African Cup of Nations, including a 1-0 win over the 2015 champions Ivory Coast, before a shock penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Benin in the last 16.
Winger Ivan Perisic scored for Croatia against the winner France in the 2018 World Cup in Russia
Back in 1986 when Morocco first came to my attention, Croatia weren’t even on the radar, the national team not formed until 1994 following the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
Since then, they have been produced some truly wonderful moments on the international scene, including their Euro 96 odyssey, the 1998 World Cup when they finished third and produced the tournament’s top scorer in Davor Suker and, most recently, the 2018 World Cup when they dismantled Argentina on their way to the final when they may have prevailed but for a shocking penalty decision.
As they prepare to face Morocco in their Group F opener on Wednesday, they retain a classy midfield which can still dictate games and a new-look defence. In recent years, manager Zlatko Dalic has reunited and reshaped the team with fresh additions, emerging with renewed confidence and public approval. Certainly, to top a Nations League group which comprised the nation which beat them in the 2018 final, France, along with Denmark and Austria, was a fine achievement.
However, a versatile squad lacks an established goal-scoring presence up front which could cost them in the knockout stages.
And with Spain or Germany potentially awaiting in the last 16, I think they will struggle to reach the latter stages.
Morocco would, presumably, be delighted to make the last 16 in what is a second successive Word Cup for the Atlas Lions.
They qualified for Qatar without many of the mainstays from four years ago and there is certainly stardust in a hard-working squad in Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech, along with veteran Nordin Amrabat who provides balance in midfield.
Coach Walid Regragui also has the likes of Romain Saïss and Yassine Bounou at his disposal.
The disadvantage is that he and his players are still getting used to each other as he was only appointed two and a half months ago.
In August 2019, following the departure of Herve Renard, the team started a long process of rejuvenation under the surveillance of Vahid Halilhodzic, one of the most charismatic yet unlucky coaches in the world.
The Bosnian shook up the squad, managing to blend inexperienced players with the old guard and taking the team to the World Cup. However, a poor Africa Cup of Nations and a fallout with Ziyech cost him his job in August; it is the third time he has taken a country to a World Cup but left his post before the start of the tournament.
This will be only the second match between these two countries.
The only one to date came in December 1996 in a tournament called the Casablanca Cup when they played out a 2-2 draw before Croatia, who went onto reach the World Cup semi-finals 18 months later, triumphed 7-6 on penalties.
Goran Vlaovic netted twice in as many minutes in the first quarter of an hour of the game before Salahedine Bassir quickly pulled one back and Ahmed Bahja levelled with 18 minutes remaining.
The SBOTOP World Cup betting odds offer Croatia 1X2 @ 2.09 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.42, while Morocco are available 1X2 @ 3.65 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.96.
If their second ever meeting is going to end as the first – Correct Score 2-2 – then odds of @ 18.50 await.
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Ecuador got the 2022 World Cup 2022 and their own campaign up and running with a bang on Sunday as Enner Valencia struck twice to wreck Qatar’s big night.
Valencia had already had a goal oddly ruled out by VAR when he put Ecuador ahead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes, and he doubled the lead with a superb header mid way through the half. Qatar are trying to avoid being only the second host nation to fail to make the knockout phase after South Africa dropped out at the group stage in 2010, while no host team has failed to win a match in the group stage.
Take a look at the World Cup 2022 betting odds and it looks a bit grim for Qatar with the Netherlands and Senegal to play it won’t get any easier, but for Ecuador it doesn’t get much better than a well earned victory on the opening night.
Highlights of the game
You know what, we don’t usually expect the opening game of the World Cup to be a goal fest but, with just three minutes on the clock Ecuador had the ball in the net. A combination of shambolic defending and inventive attacking saw Qatar keeper Saad Al Sheeb flap at the ball, Felix Torres hook it across the goal and Enner Valencia head home.
Ecuador celebrated but only for a minute as the VAR team scrambled desperately to find something… and they apparently did, ruling the goal out for offside.
But the respite for Qatar was short lived as the next time Ecuador attacked the hapless keeper pulled Valencia down and the referee pointed to the spot. Valencia, cool as you like, rolled the ball into the net for his 36th goal for Ecuador and the first one of World Cup 2022. Ecuador were superb in the opening exchanges and Qatar were in disarray, and the gulf in class became painfully evident when the South Americans doubled their lead through that man Valencia. Ecuador cut open the Qatar defence again and this time Angelo Preciado swung in a cross which Valencia met and headed brilliantly home from 15 yards. He was just onside and it looked a lot closer than the disallowed goal…but what do I know?!
Striker Almoez Ali missed the chance to score a goal for Qatar in the opening 45 minutes of the match against Ecuador
Ecuador were coasting but in the last action of the first half Qatar should have halved the deficit when Hassan Al Haydos fired in an inch perfect cross which Almoez Ali would surely have headed home had he not closed his eyes.
It was a sitter.
At least at the beginning of the second half the Qatar keeper had a confidence booster when he made a good save to keep out Romario Ibarra, but the hosts were making little progress as Ecuador managed the game and kept the ball with some ease. Jeremy Sarmiento blasted a chance over and then, on 75 minutes Valencia took his applause as he was substituted. The hero of the hour had taken a knock in the first half and his coach was keen to protect the main man.
With five minutes remaining almost a third of the home fans had left the stadium and they almost missed a screamer of a goal as Mohammed Muntari hit a first time effort which flew just over the bar, but it was a night to forget for Qatar on the whole.
Key statistics
Here at SBOTOP we predicted a low scoring game with Ecuador edging it. Well we got the winner right but Ecuador could easily have scored a couple more.
Almoez’ shocking miss was Qatar’s only touch in the Ecuador penalty area in the opening 45 minutes and it didn’t get much better for the hosts as Ecuador saw the game out comfortably.
Enner Valencia is the first Ecuadorian to score four world cup goals…and five. And the 2022 World Cup is the first edition to have its opening goal scored from the penalty spot.
And for Ecuador it was an impressive seventh consecutive clean sheet.
What’s next?
Next up in Group A the Netherlands face Senegal on Monday, while Group B also gets underway and England fans can begin their bi-annual crusade in search of a first big tournament win since 1966. The Three Lions open up with a tricky tie against Iran while Wales and USA also get their Group B campaign going.
Then, on Friday, Ecuador are in action again when they face the Netherlands while Qatar take on Senegal; and you can keep it here for all the best World Cup 2022 updates as the tournament unfolds.
But right now it’s time for Ecuador fans to celebrate and for Qatar to lick their wounds.
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Highly fancied Spain open their 2022 World Cup 2022 tournament with a clash against underdogs Costa Rica on Wednesday; and a win for Luis Enrique’s team is surely on the cards.
Group E is as tough as it gets, with Spain, Germany, a dangerous Japan team and Costa Rica battling for qualification to the knockout phase, and La Roja are favourites, according to the latest World Cup 2022 betting odds. Costa Rica are ranked 31st in the world and that makes them underdogs, but the Central American team are hanging on to their dreams that they can emulate the quarter final appearance of their Class of 2014, and they still have two of those stars in their ranks.
But let’s face reality: at 1.16 to win, it would be a major shock if Luis Enrique’s Spain were to slip up in their opener and the World Cup 2022 news pages would be adorned with the Red and Blue of Costa Rica.
Spain have a real chance to reign in Qatar and they have plenty of big tournament experience from the likes of skipper Sergio Busquets and striker Alvaro Morata. But it is the youthful nature of this squad which is capturing the imagination of the Spanish fans and neutrals around the world. With Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati up front; Pedri, Gavi and Yeremy Pino in midfield and the impressive Pau Torres at the back Spain have a talented core which could challenge the likes of Brazil, Argentina and France for years to come.
Enrique’s team finished top of qualifying Group B with 19 points but, apart from a 4-0 mauling of Georgia last September they did labour at times, drawing with Greece and loosing to Sweden. There is little doubt that Spain will make it to the qualifying rounds but then comes the danger, and if they come across a tough opponent like Sweden then this talented team might come unstuck, quite possibly on penalties as they did in a Euro 2020 semi-final against Italy after dominating for much of the 120 minutes.
Spain will be easy on the eye and will producer a vibrant brand of football but, at some time in the tournament they will need to tough it out…
Nothing to lose for Costa Rica
…and Costa Rica will be up for a scrap on Wednesday. Head coach Luis Fernando is experienced at this level. Suarez led Ecuador to the World Cup Round of 16 back in 2006 and he also managed Honduras at the 2014 World Cup. But this must be his biggest challenge of all. His team has landed in a group with two teams that have a genuine chance of winning the tournament. Germany are on a mission to eradicate the memory of their disastrous campaign in 2018 while Spain are among the four favourites. But Costa Rica will start with high hopes and can call on two old heads to lead their charge. Keeper Keylor Navas caught the attention of Real Madrid with a string of man-of-the-match performances for Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup. Now playing at PSG he is in competition with Gianluigi Donnarumma for the keeper’s gloves; so this competition gives the 35 year old stopper a chance to enjoy a perfect swansong.
Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas during their World Cup qualifier match against USA
Another veteran, the 37 year old Bryan Ruiz, could well add to his 146 caps and he will try to keep things ticking over in an advanced midfield role. The former Fulham forward has an eye for goal and a superb shot, and he has bagged 29 for his country, with plenty of spectacular strikes.
And Premier League fans will recognise another Costa Rica star in the shape of former Arsenal youth player, Joel Campbell, who will lead the line.
History
Spain won the World Cup in 2010 and this is their 17th appearance at the finals while Costa Rica made that special run to the quarter finals in 2014 as one of their six campaigns so far.
La Roja have six wins, two draws and one defeat in 2022 while Costa Rica have nine wins, two draws and a single defeat this year, a run which has included a draw with Mexico and a defeat over an impressive Canada.
If you fancy a shock result then you can back Costa Rica at 14.00 or the draw at a SBOTOP price of 7.40, but that’s not for me. I believe Spain have too much quality for the Central Americans and will make a fast start and, for an alternative bet, over 2.75 goals at odds of 1.93 is worth a closer look.
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World Cup 2022: Six of the Best as England Make Dream Start
England 6-2 Iran
As World Cup openings go, this must have been what England had dreamed of.
Yes, the opposition was limited; yes, they faced a nation which had won just two of its 15 previous matches at the World Cup; yes, no-one should get too excited about a routine win against minnows on the world stage.
However, on the day we saw the first established footballing nation take to the pitch in Qatar, Gareth Southgate’s men did everything that was asked of them, including three quick-fire World Cup 2022 highlights which meant the contest was over by the break.
Highlights of the game
Arsenal man Bukayo Saka, handed his first-ever World Cup start thanks to his excellent club form, was named in the starting line-up which contained no surprises, other than the fact England lined up with a back four.
Placed 20th in FIFA’s world rankings – the highest ranked team in the Asian Football Confederation (although don’t let that fool you) – Iran proved the ideal opponents.
After that though, the gulf was evident in the Khalifa International Stadium.
Iran fans during their match against England at Khalifa International Stadium,
First, teenager Jude Bellingham directed a perfect header from a pinpoint Luke Shaw cross.
Another young ‘lion’, Saka, was next with a superb half volley after Harry Maguire headed a Shaw corner into his path.
Then, captain Harry Kane’s unselfish running and cross, after more good work by Bellingham, allowed the alert Raheem Sterling to net a third in 10 minutes.
Into the second half and Sterling found Saka who cut inside, beat two markers and threw a dummy before rolling in a low finish for his second.
The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for an Iran consolation when Mehdi Taremi was alert to lash a first-time shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
Yet it wasn’t the final goal as, less than a minute after coming off the bench, Marcus Rashford scored his first major tournament goal for England with some quick feet and composed finishing.
Then, with one minute remaining, two other substitutes combined as Callum Wilson unselfishly rolled the ball to Jack Grealish as England made it six.
It capped a miserable afternoon for goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini, who plays for Esteghlal in the Persian Gulf League, on his competitive international debut.
He had replaced Alireza Beiranvand early on after the Iran number one suffered concussion – a fate that also befell Maguire in the second half.
To Iran’s credit, it took a fine save from Jordan Pickford to deny them a second before a dubiously awarded penalty kick gave Taremi his second with the final kick.
So, the SBOTOP World Cup betting odds were correct in predicting this was a meeting between two sides at very differing ends of the spectrum.
Few were surprised that Maguire and Sterling were named in the starting XI, both two of the stars of England’s successful Euro 2020 campaign, despite less than convincing club seasons so far this term.
That is because both remain good players and better than most alternatives at Southgate’s disposal.
That is why England are still leaning on Maguire and hoping that he can recapture the form that earned him a place in the team of the tournament at Euro 2020. At his best he is a powerful, imposing defender. He is decent on the ball and is perfectly capable of flourishing in a compact, deep defence, which is why he has been such a strong performer for Southgate’s England.
Rashford scored just 49 seconds after coming on for England, the third-quickest goal by a substitute in World Cup history.
Bellingham is England’s second youngest scorer at the World Cup (19 years, 145 days) behind only Michael Owen in 1998 (18 years, 190 days). He is also the third youngest England player to start at a World Cup after Owen in 1998 (18 years, 198 days) and Shaw in 2014 (18 years, 347 days).
What’s next?
Friday (November 25) is the next time both of these nations are in action.
Iran meet Wales at lunchtime (Qatar time) before England face the USA on Friday evening.
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World Cup 2022: Far From Convincing Mendy Makes Van Gaal Smile
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
The most heartening moment of the evening for me was the sight in the World Cup 2022 dugout of a 71 year-old man.
In truth, he had aged since I last saw him. In truth, I got a bit of a shock at how much older he seemed.
However, there he was, as studious as ever, one of the best managers of his generation leading his country for a third time.
Earlier this year, Louis Van Gaal revealed that he has had an aggressive form of prostate cancer since 2020. He explained how he had been sneaking away from the Dutch training camps to have radiotherapy. He also said he felt well enough to take the team to the World Cup and that the players give him energy.
It was wonderful to see in the Al Thumama Stadium and his players, eventually, did him proud, with a helping hand from Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Highlights of the game
This was Holland’s first World Cup match for eight years when, under van Gaal, Oranje reached the semi-finals and beat hosts Brazil 3-0 in the third-place play-off.
Then he played a three-man central defence and here he was implementing the same system as the veteran became the coach with the most wins for the Dutch national team (previously tied with Dick Advocaat on 37, although Advocaat took three games more to reach that number).
It probably won’t be one of the most memorable of his career as two sides expected to progress from Group A showed bursts of adventure, particularly in the first half, but seemed set to fizzle out until six minutes from time when Frenkie de Jong floated a delightful chip into the box and PSV Eindhoven youngster Cody Gakpo reached it before goalkeeper Mendy.
It made amends for de Jong who had wasted the best chance of the contest 18 minutes in when he took too many touches after being presented with a glorious chance by Steven Bergwijn.
Then, in stoppage time, Mendy could only parry a Memphis Depay shot into the path of fellow substitute Davy Klaassen who swept home the rebound.
In fairness, until the late intervention, Senegal were deserving of a point in a match, billed as a ‘Grade A’ meeting, which had plenty of endeavour but a lack of World Cup highlights due to a lack of top quality in the final third.
Indeed, Senegal manager Aliou Cisse says the football family are “saddened” by the absence of Mane, who has 34 goals in 93 international games.
Meanwhile, the Dutch were without forward Depay, who scored 12 goals in World Cup qualifying, with a hamstring injury – although he was afforded an appearance from the bench for the final 28 minutes.
After the goal, Senegal responded and it took a fine save from debutant Andries Noppert to deny Pape Gueye an instant equaliser.
They will hope that Cheikhou Kouyate, who had to be carried off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly following for an aerial challenge, is back for the next contest as Senegal remain second favourites with the SBOTOP World Cup betting odds to progress from the group.
Cheikhou Kouyate is placed on a stretcher after sustaining an injury during Senegal’s match against Netherlands
I mentioned in September that Holland had look of intent, reaching the semi-finals of the Nations League, topping a group which contained Belgium
And the most heartening aspect of all was the beam on van Gaal’s face.
Key statistics
This was the first ever encounter between Senegal and Holland who have qualified for the World Cup together for the first time. The Dutch failed to qualify for the two tournaments in which Senegal appeared (2002, 2018).
The Dutch have won their last six matches against African opposition in all competitions and have never lost against an African nation at the World Cup.
The best result by an African team at the World Cup is reaching the quarter-finals: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.
Holland are the only team to have played at least three World Cup finals and never won the trophy. Those three final defeats were in 1974 (2-1 v hosts West Germany), 1978 (3-1 after extra time v hosts Argentina) and 2010 (1-0 after extra time v Spain).
The Dutch have lost only one of their last 15 World Cup matches (games decided by a penalty shootout are classed as a draw).
What’s next?
It’s a return to action on Friday (November 25) for both nations.
Senegal face hosts Qatar three hours before Holland host Ecuador.
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World Cup 2022: Wales Bale-d Out as USA Break Down Late
USA 1-1 Wales
Gareth Bale is the Cymru hero once more as his penalty salvaged a point for Wales against USA to open their World Cup 2022 campaign in Qatar.
Wales were lifeless in the first half as they were dominated by USA capped off by Timothy Weah’s goal. But Rob Page’s men looked like a much different side in the second half, and Bale made sure that they didn’t leave Al Rayyan empty-handed when he won and converted the penalty with nine minutes left.
You couldn’t have wrote it better for Wales as they’ve waited a lifetime for this opportunity, and now they have a realistic chance to advance to the next round alongside England – who routed Iran 6-2 in their opener – according to the World Cup 2022 odds.
Here at SBOTOP, we predicted this to be a hotly-contested affair and fans were the biggest winners since it turned out that way. So, continue to read on below as we recap the World Cup 2022 highlights from this match.
Highlights of the game
It was evident that Welsh fans were thirsting for this moment as they drowned out the Al Rayyan Stadium despite being outnumbered in the stands. However, it was the Americans who dominated the early proceedings much to their dismay.
They could’ve taken the lead after the first nine minutes when Wales centre-back Joe Rodon almost scored an own goal only to be kept out by his teammate Wayne Hennessey, before Josh Sargent hit the post moments after.
Timothy Weah celebrates scoring their first goal against Wales during their World Cup 2022 group stage match
USA looked more dangerous as the match progressed and they finally scored on 36 minutes as Christian Pulisic found Timothy Weah on a beautiful dime, who expertly clipped the ball past Hennessey into the bottom right corner.
Wales would breathe a sigh of relief as they should’ve been trailing by more than one goal given their lacklustre performance. Rob Page then made one key adjustment that changed the complexion of the match.
Kieffer Moore was subbed in to replace the ineffective Dan James, and the Bournemouth forward immediately provided the spark that the Cymru needed.
He almost scored the equaliser during the 65th minute when he tried to head the ball in following a corner kick, but his ball unfortunately sailed over the net. Wales had a similar attempt moments earlier courtesy of Ben Davies when he tested Matt Turner.
Despite their forays forward, Wales looked destined for defeat in their first World Cup match for six decades, but it was their talisman Gareth Bale who provided them the decisive moment late.
Bale drew a foul from Walker Zimmerman inside the box and he thundered the ball past Matt Turner’s hands that sent Cymru supporters into a frenzy, knowing that they’re one step closer to the knockouts.
Key statistics
The shot distribution between USA and Wales was pretty much the same, but the latter had more shots on target than the former (3 to 1).
USA tallied four yellow cards, which is their most in a World Cup game since having five against Germany in 2002, while Wales were given two.
Timothy Weah surpassed his father George by playing and scoring in his first World Cup appearance. The 22-year-old son of the 1995 Ballon d’Or awardee is the fifth youngest scorer in Team USA’s history with three goals and two assists in his 25 caps.
Gareth Bale scored his 41st goal for his country – which is also Wales’ first World Cup goal in 64 years. His last five goals for club and country have come in the 80th minute or later.
Two of the three meetings between USA and Wales in all competitions have finished level, with USA winning the other match 2-0 back in 2003.
Wales are winless in six consecutive games across all competitions (D2, L4) for the first time since a stretch between September 2010 and May 2011.
What’s next?
USA face the tall order of trying to beat England for the first time ever this Friday night. The Three Lions have won thrice and drawn once against the Americans across all competitions prior to Friday.
Wales are slated to take on Iran also this Friday where they have a great chance of moving second behind England in the Group B table. This is the first ever competitive meeting between these two countries.
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However, they must not underrate Les Rouges, who have a couple of dangerous youngsters in Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies leading the way up front.
Talking Points
Belgium begin World Cup without Lukaku
Belgium will begin what is likely their last chance to win the World Cup with this ageing Golden Generation without one of its key members.
That is because top striker Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to be fit for the team’s group opener as he continues to deal with a thigh injury. Lukaku is the country’s all-time leading goal scorer with 68 goals in 102 caps, and his absence will be a massive blow to the Belgians, who are trying to overcome their history of disappointment in major tournaments.
Michy Batshuayi, who has 26 goals in 48 caps, has started the team’s last six games in Lukaku’s absence and will likely get the nod to lead the line against Canada. Veteran striker Dries Mertens (21 goals in 107 caps), Leandro Trossard and young Lens forward Lois Openda will be options off the bench.
With Lukaku’s absence, captain Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne will have more responsibility in attack as they try to produce World Cup 2022 highlights for the Red Devils.
While Hazard has hardly had any playing time for Real Madrid over the last couple of years, De Bruyne remains one of the top midfielders in the world. The 31-year-old has been in fantastic form for Manchester City, with three goals and 12 assists this season.
De Bruyne will likely be deployed in a more advanced midfield role, with Axel Witsel and a younger midfielder – most likely Youri Tielemans – tasked with protecting Belgium’s ageing back three led by Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
Canada’s young stars ready to shine
Canada have qualified for the World Cup for just the second time in their history and their first since 1986. Les Rouges have enjoyed a football renaissance in recent years as they’ve begun producing some high-quality youngsters who are ready to announce themselves on the world stage.
Leading that pack are 22-year-olds Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich and Jonathan David of Lille, who have been making a major impact while playing in Europe’s top leagues.
Canada star Alphonso Davies trains ahead of their World Cup 2022 opening match against Belgium
David, who is having another fine season with French side Lille, has already scored 22 goals in 35 caps, just three goals behind all-time leading scorer Cyle Larin, who is also on the squad.
Meanwhile, Davies has declared that he is set to start against Belgium despite concerns about his fitness amid a nagging hamstring injury. The electric pace of Davies will be one of Canada’s main weapons as they look to catch Belgium’s ageing defence on the counterattack.
While Canada have ample talent in attack, there are a bit more concerns about how their defence will hold up, especially against a quality side like Belgium. But Les Rouges did concede the fewest goals in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with seven goals, with coach John Herdman constructing a cohesive and organised defensive unit despite lacking top defenders.
Belgium and Canada have met just once before on the football pitch. That came in a 1989 friendly, which the Belgians won 2-0.
In terms of World Cup history, Belgium have the clear edge. This is their third consecutive World Cup finals; they made the quarter-finals in 2014 and the semi-finals in 2018. As for Canada, they lost all three of their World Cup group games in their lone appearance in 1986.
SBOTOP odds have Belgium installed as big 2.13 favourites to win their World Cup 2022 group opener. Canada are priced at 6.80 and a draw is 3.90.
Despite Lukaku’s absence, there’s still ample ability in Belgium’s side. De Bruyne is quite capable of unlocking the Canadian defence, which is lacking in both quality and experience.
Having said that, the Canadians are young and energetic, and perhaps more importantly, they have two playmakers who are capable of getting them goals.
Look for Les Rouges to give the Red Devils a good battle in the opener, with the Canadians possibly claiming a point from the Belgians.
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World Cup 2022: Son and South Korea Out to Upset Uruguay
Uruguay vs Korea Republic
South Korea are set to begin their World Cup 2022 campaign as they take on Uruguay in Group H.
The Taeguk Warriors are still sweating on the fitness of their wounded leader, Son Heung-Min, who suffered a facial fracture just a few weeks ago. But the Tottenham Hotspur star is back in training and appears to be on course to play in the opener.
South Korea will be hoping to have Son available as they take on Uruguay, who are favoured by the World Cup 2022 betting odds to win. La Celeste have an exciting new generation emerging as their old guard led by Luis Suarez play their final World Cup.
Talking Points
Uruguay’s new generation ready to step up
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez in action during an international friendly match against Canada
Uruguay’s golden generation is set for their final World Cup. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres and Fernando Muslera have been tremendous servants to their country over the years – they are five of the top six leaders in all-time appearances – and have had many accomplishments, the biggest of which was their semi-final berth in the 2010 World Cup.
But with Suarez and co. now in their mid-30s, they are ready to make way for a new generation of Uruguayan stars led by Darwin Nunez, Fede Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Ronald Araujo.
Although, Araujo is a doubt to play against South Korea, as he recovers from groin surgery, so Guillermo Varela will likely start at right-back with Godin and Jose Gimenez starting at centre-back.
Alonso has experimented with several different formations to start his tenure and it remains to be seen which system he settles on to start the tournament. But he played strikers Darwin Nunez and Luis Suarez together in their last two friendlies in September and is expected to do so again, while the midfield is likely to include Valverde and Bentancur.
South Korea hoping to have Son
All eyes are on Son Heung-Min as the South Korean superstar tries to get fit in time to start in the World Cup opener. The Tottenham Hotspur star underwent surgery to repair a facial fracture just three weeks ago. But he finally returned to training a few days ago while wearing a protective mask and has now progressed to heading a ball amid his injury.
Son’s fitness is central to South Korea’s World Cup 2022 hopes. The 29-year-old Premier League Golden Boot winner is the team’s captain and top scorer, with 35 goals in 104 caps.
Wolves’ Hwang Hee-Chan and Hwang Ui-jo will be tasked with helping Son produce World Cup 2022 highlights, although neither is in particularly good form. Hee-Chan has yet to score a single goal for Wolves this season, while Ui-jo is also goalless while on loan in Greece.
South Korea’s playing style under coach Paulo Bento has remained consistent over the last four years, with the team defending deep and springing out on the counterattack with Son.
Kim Min-jae, who has been starring for Serie A leaders Napoli, will be tasked with leading a fairly experienced Korean backline against Uruguay’s dangerous attackers.
Uruguay and South Korea have squared off eight times in the past. The South Americans have dominated the South Koreans, with six wins, one draw and just one defeat.
One of their meetings came in the 2010 World Cup round of 16. Uruguay came out on top 2-1 thanks to a Luis Suarez brace. Suarez, Cavani, Godin, and Muslera all featured in that game.
The South Koreans finally got their first win over Uruguay in a 2018 friendly. Jung Woo-young scored the winning goal 11 minutes from time in a 2-1 South Korea victory.
SBOTOP odds have Uruguay installed as significant 1.77 favourites against South Korea, who are priced at 4.70. A draw is 3.45.
There’s a lot to like about Uruguay. They are in great form under Diego Alonso, who has plenty of quality to pick from in his squad.
With Son Heung-Min’s overall fitness in some doubt after his recent injury layoff, South Korea could struggle to break the Uruguayans down. So look for La Celeste to make a winning start in Group H.
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World Cup 2022: Cameroon Out to Restore Some Pride
Switzerland vs Cameroon
Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o made headlines when he predicted that his nation is going to make it to the World Cup 2022 finals to eventually beat fellow African nation Morocco.
Yes, it sounds asinine, but perhaps his wild prediction will give the Indomitable Lions motivation starting on Thursday when they kick off their campaign against Switzerland.
Switzerland are seasoned veterans at major tournaments and they’ll be competing in their fifth consecutive World Cup, so they’re expected to contend for a top two spot in Group G alongside Serbia and Brazil.
The pre-match SBOTOP betting odds are backing them to win this one, but the Swiss cannot take Cameroon for granted since the African side come to Qatar with a big chip on their shoulders.
Talking Points
Do Switzerland have what it takes?
Since Murat Yakin was appointed head coach, the Swiss reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals and they qualified outright for World Cup 2022 when they finished ahead of Italy in Group C to avoid a play-off.
But 2022 has yielded mixed results for them. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Kosovo in March, Switzerland lost their first three UEFA Nations League group stage games before winning the last three and then losing 2-0 to Ghana last week.
The form of their leaders Yann Sommer, Granit Xhaka, and Manuel Akanji is going to be the key to their World Cup hopes.
Sommer hasn’t played since October because of an injured ankle, and opposing strikers will be praying that he doesn’t recover in time since he’s their best shot stopper at 30 clean sheets in 76 caps.
Xhaka, meanwhile, is having a resurgent campaign with Arsenal with four goals and three assists this term. He has 106 caps to his name and he’ll be a central figure to their success.
Akanji is also enjoying his time in the Premier League thus far with Manchester City and he’ll be paired up with Fabian Schar at centre-half.
The only thing that’s holding the Swiss back is their lack of firepower in the final third. Murat Yakin is hoping that Breel Embolo, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Djibril Sow can provide them enough World Cup 2022 highlights.
Can Cameroon make it out of the group?
Murat Yakin during training with the Switzerland squad for World Cup 2022 against Cameroon on November 24 in Qatar
Cameroon have the same concern as Switzerland in terms of form. Going winless since June is not the ideal way to prepare for the World Cup, but they did qualify earlier this year by beating Algeria on away goals during their two-legged tie.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is in the form of his life and he’ll need his shooting boots in Qatar. The Bayern Munich veteran is going to be reinforced by the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Karl Toko Ekambi up front.
But the Indomitable Lions’ x-factor is Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who has been solid for Napoli this season. Cameroon are hopeful that the ex-Fulham midfielder is fully recovered from his thigh injury since he’ll be manning their midfield.
History
These two nations will face off for the first time ever. It’s also only the second time that Switzerland will compete against an African side at the World Cup since beating Togo 2-0 back in 2006 during the group stage.
The Swiss are undefeated in their opening game in each of their five appearances (W2, D3) at the World Cup – their longest run of consecutive appearances in the tournament – since losing 5-0 to Germany in 1966.
In their past four European and World Cup participations, Switzerland have always managed to reach the Round of 16. They join Belgium and France as the only European teams to have done this.
Switzerland shocked many fans when they went to as far as the quarter-finals in Euro 2020 after toppling France on penalties, and they’ll look to have a similar run here in Qatar.
Cameroon, meanwhile, are fresh from a semi-finals run in the AFCON. However, they’re winless in their last four friendlies.
As mentioned, the World Cup 2022 odds are favouring Switzerland to win since they’re installed 1.77, while Cameroon are priced at 4.50 and chances for a draw are at 3.50 in the 1X2 market.
Cameroon can give Switzerland headaches, but the Swiss’ know-how in big games should be enough for them to make a winning start in the group stage. The combination of Cameroon’s lack of a natural goalscorer as well as Switzerland’s capability to thrive with their frugal approach should make this a low-scoring affair – making Under 2.50 @ 2.28 another bet that you should consider.
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Tunisia played out an entertaining 0-0 draw with Denmark on Tuesday, a result which keeps both teams in the Group D hunt. Denmark were backed to win the game, but the main thing for any nation is to avoid losing its tournament opener. So it’s not the end of the world for the Danes while for Tunisia it was a superb day.
This fixture came on the back of Saudi Arabia’s stunning win over Argentina and while World Cup: Denmark vs Tunisia didn’t quite provide that level of dramatic still turned up a surprise of sorts as the African nation gave as good as they got against a side fancied as a serious dark horse. Both sides had a goal ruled out for offside and there was late VAR drama but, in the end, Denmark just couldn’t break down the brave Tunisians.
Highlights of the game
The return for Christian Eriksen to top flight football and the world stage is such a welcome sight after the horror of his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. He scored his first goal for Manchester United in the Red Devils clash with Fulham just before the break, and the Great Dane was in the thick of the action in the early exchanges, sending in a series of dangerous crosses to stretch the Tunisia defence. But his strikers failed to make the crucial contact, Skov Olsen getting within inches of one cross, while Pierre Emille Hojbjerg tested the Tunisia keeper with a low shot.
Christian Eriksen created 5 chances in their World Cup match against Tunisia
The pre-match Denmark vs Tunisia betting odds backed the Danes at 1.59 to win the game, but the Africans had plenty of confidence; and they had the ball in the net first when Issam Jebali thought he’d sprung the offside trap when he collected a long ball and slid it past Kasper Schmeichel and into the net. But a late offside flag saved the Danes. As Tunisia grew into the game Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen earned himself a yellow card for a nasty challenge on the lively Aissa Laidouini. And the Tunisian attacking midfielder almost made the perfect reply when he fired a shot goal-wards which whistled just over the angle of the goal. And, just before the break, Schmeichel was called on to make a brilliant save when Issam Jebali was played through by Youssef Msakni to keep the scores level at the break.
Tunisia started the second half as they finished the first, with Laidouni breaking at pace but the Denmark defence recovered to make a crucial interception. And then the favorites began to control the game again. As the Danes upped the ante Skov Olsen fired into the bottom corner but Mikkel Damsgaard was offside in the build up.
And then the Tunisian keeper, Aymen Dahmen, made a brilliant one handed save to keep out a fierce strike from Eriksen. When Andreas Christensen headed the ensuing corner back across the goal the ball was almost bundled home before it bounced away off the post.
Denmark dominated the ball while Tunisia remained dangerous on the break and five minutes of injury time gave hope of a winner, but the African defence battled hard to preserve their point, and when Dahmen kept out a dangerous swirling ball it was almost job done. There was a late scare when the referee went to review a VAR decision for a penalty for a handball, and the Tunisia fans held their breath, but the expected spot kick didn’t come and the celebrations in Tunis began.
Key statistics
The first half Denmark vs Tunisia highlights told a story of an uncomfortable first 45 minutes for the Danes who had over 60 percent possession but only three shots to Tunisia’s eight.
By the end of the game Denmark had upped their shot count to 11 against Tunisia’s 13, and they had five to one on target as they continued to control possession at over 60 percent.
What’s next?
The action keeps on coming thick and fast and, here at SBOTOP we’ll be first off the mark with all the news, action, results, and the best range of Asian Handicap Betting odds. On Tuesday night the Group D first round concludes when France play Australia when Les Bleus will expect to take a stranglehold on the group.
This group was a tough draw for Tunisia but they have made a good start and they have a huge match against Australia on Saturday before they round up their group campaign against highly fancied France.
Next up Denmark face France, before playing their last group fixture against Australia next Wednesday. It’s all in the balance.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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