FIFA World Cup Qatar Daily Recap | Dec. 2, 2022

South Korea vs Portugal

South Korea took on the juggernaut Portugal today. Portugal has already advanced. South Korea could advance with a win. They could also tie Ghana or Uruguay. In that case, they would only advance on tiebreakers. South Korea would not advance with a draw or loss. Portugal wasted not time getting on the board with a goal in the 5′ minute. South Korea would tie the game in the 27′ minute. The game was at a 1-1 draw going into the second half. South Korea would score the game winning goal in the 90+1′ minute. The final score was 2-1 South Korea. This game was a huge upset win for South Korea. They were even on shots with Portugal controlling possession. The difference maker in this one was South Koreas goal in extra time. With this result both teams advance to the round of 16.

Ghana vs Uruguay

During the South Korea vs Portugal match, Ghana played Uruguay. Ghana would advance with a win. Uruguay would advance with a win and a South Korea loss. If Uruguay and South Korea both win it would come down to tiebreakers. Ghana would advance with a draw and a South Korea loss. If Ghana draws and South Korea wins it will come down to tiebreakers. Uruguay would not advance with a draw. Neither team would advance with a loss. Uruguay scored the opening goal in the 26′ minute. They would add to their lead shortly after with a goal in the 32′ minute. The score was 2-0 Uruguay going into the second half. Neither team scored in the second half. This match did get heated at multiple points. Fights almost broke out a couple of times. The final was 1-0 Uruguay. With this result and the result from the other Group H match between South Korea and Portugal, both of these teams are out of the competition.

Serbia vs Switzerlan

Serbia played Switzerland. Serbia would advance with a win and a Cameroon loss. Switzerland would advance with a win. Serbia would not advance with a draw. Switzerland would advance with a draw and a Cameroon loss. If this game ends in a draw and Cameroon wins, Switzerland’s fate would be up to tiebreakers. Neither team would advance with a loss. Switzerland scored in the 20′ minute. Serbia would tie the game in the 26′ minute. Serbia would take the lead in the 35′ minute. Switzerland would tie the game right before halftime in the 44′ minute. The score was at a 2-2 draw at halftime. Switzerland would take the lead early in the second half with a goal in the 48′ minute. The final score was 3-2 Switzerland. The shots and possession were close. It was a tight hard fought for game that Switzerland was just able to win. With this result Switzerland made it into the round of 16.

Cameroon vs Brazil

Cameroon played Brazil while Serbia played Switzerland. If Cameroon wins and Serbia vs Switzerland draws they would tie Switzerland. If Cameroon wins and Serbia wins they would tie. Both of these scenarios come down to tiebreakers. Brazil has already advanced. In a draw, Cameroon would be eliminated. With a loss, Cameroon would be eliminated. The only goal in this game in the 90+2′ minute. Cameroon would score the biggest goal of the tournament. Following the Cameroon goal Vincent Aboubakar would receive his second yellow card of the night for how he celebrated his goal. That means he got a red card and was ejected from the game. Honestly who could blame him. He scored the biggest goal for his nation against the biggest team at the tournament. The final would be a 1-0 Cameroon win. This is the biggest upset so far in the 2022 world cup. Brazil are the number one ranked team by FIFA. They are also favored to win it all. Cameroon had very low expectations coming into the tournament. Brazil had the majority of the shots. They had the majority of possession. Cameroon with nothing to lose made their time on the pitch count. Now time for the bad news. Despite the result Brazil still won Group G. Cameroon would not advance to the round of 16. This is a game both countries will be talking about forever.

Brazil won Group G. Brazil and Switzerland advanced to the round of 16. Cameroon and Serbia were eliminated. Portugal won group H. Portugal and South Korea advanced to the round of 16. Uruguay and Ghana were eliminated.

Japan won Group E. Japan and Spain advanced to the round of 16. Germany and Costa Rica were eliminated. Morocco won Group F. Morocco and Croatia advanced to the round of 16. Belgium and Canada were eliminated.

The Netherlands won Group A. The Netherlands and Senegal advance to the round of 16. Ecuador and Qatar are eliminated in the group stage. England won Group B. England and the United States advance to the round of 16. Iran and Wales were eliminated.

Argentina won Group C. Argentina and Poland have advanced to the round of 16. Mexico and Saudi Arabia were eliminated. France won Group D. France and Australia have advanced to the round of 16. Tunisia and Denmark have been eliminated.

Japan won Group E. Japan and Spain advanced to the round of 16. Germany and Costa Rica were eliminated. Morocco won Group F. Morocco and Croatia advanced to the round of 16. Belgium and Canada were eliminated.

It is now the round of 16. It’s win or go home. The #8 FIFA-ranked Netherlands and the #16 FIFA-ranked United States will play in the first Knockout stage game of the tournament. I will have a preview of that game up in the morning. Following that game, the #3 FIFA-ranked Argentina will play the #38 FIFA-ranked Australia.

The Netherlands will play the United States. Argentina will play Australia. France will play Poland. England will play Senegal. Japan will play Croatia. Morocco will play Spain. Brazil will play South Korea. Portugal will play Switzerland.