16/05 - 20:00
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar concluded on Sunday with Argentina defeating reigning champions France on penalties after a remarkable final.
It will go down as one of the greatest football matches ever, let alone a final of a FIFA World Cup. However, both sides were expected to go deep into the competition so they won’t get mentioned in this category. This is the biggest over-achievers and under-achievers at the tournament…
BIGGEST OVER-ACHIEVERS | Morocco
It feels quite obvious to suggest that Morocco are the tournaments biggest over-achievers but that is, quite simply, because it is the obvious truth.
The Atlas Lions managed to defeat two former FIFA World Cup winners and the pre-tournament world number one before eventually losing to reigning champions France in the semi-finals, after another impressive performance.
Under the management of Walid Regragui, the Moroccans became the first ever African team to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup. Their impressive defence overshadowed genuinely impressive cohesion in attack with the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal shining on a platform and foundation set by Romain Saiss, Nayef Ageurd, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui and Bono.
Arguably the standout performer for the north Africans was Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. Mixing technical ability with an incredible work ethic, the brother of former Watford man Nordin Amrabat has put himself in the minds of many top clubs across Europe ahead of the January transfer window.
BIGGEST UNDER-ACHIEVERS | Germany
This one was between two sides, Belgium and Germany, but the answer came down to which was more unexpected in their under-achievement.
Belgium have an ageing squad that have had squabbles throughout their build-up and the personnel they had was simply below the standard required. Germany, on the other hand, have a collection of exceptional and technically gifted creators around the pitch.
However, Die Mannschaft continued their underwhelming 2022/23 UEFA Nations League campaign into the group stages with excellent play between the boxes but inefficiency at either end.
Only three teams, for example, created more ‘expected goals’ than the Germans and they went into the group stages having played just three matches.
Hansi Flick remains in charge of the four-time world champions as they host UEFA Euro 2024 and it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest a deep run into the tournament will be the only thing keeping him in the job. Germany have played just one tournament knockout match since the 2014 FIFA World Cup win in Brazil.
