In the beginning, many called it the winter games expecting nothing serious, intriguing or thrilling about the tournament when it kicked off. But, just three days into the game, the world would later come to realize that it would be one of the greatest soccer holiday ever to be witnessed on planet earth. The next might be better but for now, this tournament kept everyone glued to their seats.
Every World Cup has had its fair share of upsets, but the 2022 FIFA World Cup seemed to have one every other match. It came with a bang. Here's a look back at some of the most shocking wins (and losses) from the tournament:
Saudi Arabia 2, Argentina 1
The biggest upset of the tournament came on its third day. Saudi Arabia, a team ranked number 51 in the world by FIFA, beat Lionel Messi's Argentina, one of the favorites to win the World Cup, 2-1. Saudi Arabia didn't make it out of the group, but it handed Argentina its only loss of the group stage.
Japan 1, Germany 0
The 2022 World Cup was supposed to be different for Germany, which had been eliminated in the group stage of the 2018 tournament. Japan had different plans, and it beat Germany, a team ranked 13 spots below it, 1-0. Meanwhile, Germany was eliminated in the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup.
Japan's didn't stop with Germany. In its final group stage game, Japan scored two goals in three minutes to beat 21st-ranked Spain 2-0 to win Group E with six points.
Its tournament ended with a penalty shootout vs. Croatia, which it lost 3-1.
Australia 1, Denmark 0
In one of two groups with a pair of top-10 teams, Australia had no chance of making it out people thought. Then Mathew Leckie silenced the Socceroos' doubters with a stroke of individual brilliance to beat Denmark. Australia would go on to lose to Argentina in the round of 16.
South Korea 2, Portugal 1
Even though Portugal had nothing to play for, no one expected South Korea to win. South Korean hadn't won a game, and even if it managed to upset Portugal, it needed Uruguay to beat Ghana and win a tiebreaker. Remarkably, everything worked out in its favor, and it advanced to the round of 16, where it would later lose to Brazil 4-1.
Morocco 1, Portugal 0
Portugal looked like a title favorite in its 5-1 win over Switzerland in the round of 16. Morocco, on the other hand, needed a penalty shootout to beat Spain in its first knockout stage match. And yet, when the two teams kicked off, that gap in quality was nowhere to be found.
Morocco got the go-ahead goal right before the first half ended, then held Portugal scoreless through the final whistle. The result made Morocco the first African team to advance to the World Cup semifinals. In the next match, it lost to France 2-0.
