Three Surprise Teams that Overperformed at the Qatar World Cup

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be remembered for its major upsets, where football giants tumbled and unexpected heroes emerged from the group stages. While powerhouses like Germany and Belgium faced early exits, several underdog nations captured the world’s attention. These teams not only advanced to the knockout rounds but did so with memorable performances, proving that rankings mean little on the world’s biggest stage. Let’s explore three nations that truly punched above their weight.

Australia’s Socceroos Defy the Odds

Few experts gave Australia much of a chance. Placed in a difficult group with reigning champions France and the highly-rated Denmark, the Socceroos, ranked 38th globally, were expected to be making an early trip home. Their squad lacked the star power of the 2006 “Golden Generation” that famously reached the round of 16.

The tournament started as predicted with a 4-1 loss to France, although Australia did score first, showing early signs of their fighting spirit. Instead of crumbling, the team rallied with incredible determination.

They secured their second-ever spot in the knockout stages with back-to-back 1-0 victories. First, they overcame Tunisia in a hard-fought match and then stunned Denmark in their final group game, a result that sent shockwaves through the tournament and booked their ticket to the next round.

Japan’s Samurai Blue Conquer the Group of Death

Japan was handed arguably the toughest draw of the entire tournament, sharing Group E with former world champions Spain and Germany. Progressing seemed like an impossible task, but the Samurai Blue had other ideas, delivering two of the biggest shocks of the World Cup.

Their campaign began with a stunning comeback victory over Germany. After going down a goal, Japan scored twice in the second half to win 2-1, a result that completely upended the group.

• A historic 2-1 comeback win against Germany.
• A surprising 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica.
• Another incredible 2-1 comeback win against Spain.

Despite a surprising loss to Costa Rica in their second match, Japan showed incredible resilience. In their final game, they repeated their heroics by coming from behind to defeat Spain 2-1. This remarkable result meant that Japan not only advanced but finished as the winners of the Group of Death.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions Roar to the Top

Morocco emerged as one of the most compelling stories of the Qatar World Cup, topping a group that included 2018 finalists Croatia and the world’s number two ranked team, Belgium. The Atlas Lions were not expected to advance, let alone dominate the group.

Their campaign was built on a rock-solid defense and clinical attacking plays. They started with a disciplined 0-0 draw against Croatia, followed by a brilliant 2-0 victory over a stunned Belgium side. This set up a final match where their destiny was in their own hands.

Morocco sealed their top spot with a 2-1 win over Canada. Their performance in the group stage was a testament to their tactical organization and team spirit.

Group F Final Standings

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2022 World Cup Upsets

Which big teams were knocked out in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup?
Several highly-ranked teams failed to advance, including four-time champions Germany, the world number two ranked team Belgium, and Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark.

How many times has Australia reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Australia has now advanced from the group stage on two occasions. Their first time was in 2006 in Germany, and the second was at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Who did Japan beat to win their group?
Japan secured two shocking 2-1 victories against European giants Germany and Spain. These wins allowed them to finish first in their group, ahead of both powerhouse nations.

Was Morocco’s performance a surprise?
Yes, Morocco’s performance was a major surprise. They were not favored to advance from a group containing Croatia and Belgium but ended up winning the group without losing a single game.