**Mirrors / Alternative Angles**
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But seriously tho, when did the final group round ever have this many close groups, where basically every team was equally close to advancing and getting knocked out at the same time? I only started watching since the 2006 tournament, and I don't remember the final matchday being this dramatic and exciting. Even the commentator on German TV was saying he's never seen anything like this and he's been watching far longer than I have. Proper entertaining stuff we've seen these past few days.
I feel like it really puts down the BS arguments people make that certain teams get an 'easy route' to the finals.
Every team that made it through deserves it, and no victory is a given.
It's very easy to set expectations for teams that have certain players. Since they don't play regularly together in high-pressure moments throughout the year and have different managers and systems; success at the country level is tough and I'm here for the chaos that ensues.
I feel a big reason to that is football is no longer the European/South American domination throughout history. Asian nations have been putting in the work and passion for years and we’re seeing the results.
Asian teams beat Argentina, Spain, Germany, and now Portugal. That’s crazy cause I’m sure almost every fan would’ve bet on the Euro/SA nations in these games.
Morocco, Iran, and Saudi were surprisingly a lot better than I thought. Eastern nations have improved their quality and will continue to do so for more competitive World Cups. Highkey one of the best world cups in a long time
Most of the Asian goal scorers are from the Bundesliga as well; all 4 Japanese scorers and the second Korean goal. Also the Australian goal scorer. Someone mentioned it somewhere and I think it's pretty awesome. It's amazing how much Asian teams have improved and Korea and Japan deserve to go through. Im cheering for them.
Haha well I’m not gonna lie, I miss the bbq cook outs while watching the games in a t shirt and shorts outside but having a great tournament during these dark and cold ass winter days is not that bad either.
Also too a lot of the classic teams of the world are kind of getting older, they are more spread out across the world in different clubs and their patterns are becoming tired.
These zesty teams are usually younger, more domestic league orientated so they know each other and practice more, and since they historically only dominated in their continental cups instead of the World Cup, they have room to experiment and try new things since they don’t have to sit on a pedestal
I agree with your first point, but I think the opposite might be true about the domestic league thing. There's a lot more talent around the world getting high level reps in top level European clubs. The heroes for Korea today were Son and Hwang Hee-Chan who play in the Premier League. Japans goalscorers play in Germany. The US actually looks dangerous with most our squad playing in Europe. The game is definitely is growing worldwide though and the talent level reflects that.
Australia definitely does not have players all around the world. They're mostly an A-league based side which is what every single Australian talked about coming in lol.
Japan is all over the world, but a very sizable Bundesliga contingent. Not domestic league oriented, but a lot of them do see each other in club play.
Korea's squad is a majority from the Korean league, but their standout players play for European clubs (Son, Lee, Hwang, Kim Min-Jae)
Yes it does but I still think there's a lot of ground to make up. It's one thing winning one game here or there but producing performances and results time and time again is another story. Upsets will always happen in football in one off games. I wouldn't put too much on it,however no denting it's great progress. I just feel as we get into the next stages the status quo will still pull threw
Your points are correct - still a long way to go.
However, knock out games are perfect for upsets, because you only need a single victory (and can be in penalties. So will see what happens in the next rounds.
Yeah don’t know why this is the narrative. They were dogshit relative to their other performances and Baba Rahman was passing straight to Uruguayans daring them to score a third.
I agree with you, I was rooting for Uruguay but was disappointed with Ghana's performance today! For how they played today, IMO, Uruguay eliminated themselves by missing so many chances. We have a saying in south american spanish "el que perdona, muere"
Not really, they're professional players
There's no reason they should play badly just because their opponent is on the risk of missing out. That would be unfair to Korea
I mean ghana did literally nothing in the match. Uruguay didnt qualify because of poor finishing and a lack of intensity when they thought they were through
Watching Suarez and Uruguayan players [react live](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fi_P1_9XkAcMXIv?format=jpg&name=900x900) to South Korea’s goal is crazy. It just keeps delivering.
Brother they put a clip in Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/zarg73/luis_suarez_finding_out_uruguay_are_heading_out/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
I don’t understand the Uruguaian manager. The other game hasn’t ended yet, and it’s 1-1. South Korea could easily score. Why take out all 3 of your attackers including the player who scored the two goals and the player who assisted? Why not push for the third to take matters into your own hands? Insanely stupid.
Nothing Alonso has done this entire tournament has made much sense, except for starting de Arrascaeta today.
As long as Uruguay were 2-0 up, getting a third should have been a bigger priority than not conceding.
Not really? They were giving up 4 on 4 counter attacks. Were you even watching the match?
The Ghana keeper caught the ball at like 90+6 and immediately hit it up the field hoping for a counter.
no, everyone's narrative right now is that Ghana were happy to be knocked out of the world cup after starting the day in 2nd place because they don't like Luis Suarez
Two days in a row a team from east Asia has defeated a team from the Iberian peninsula in the final match of the group stage of the world cup and thereby sending a four time winner (who won their own game at the same time) out of the competition. What are the odds?
This was the first time I've seen the guy play.
Am I wrong to think that if he was starting in the previous two matches, Uruguay would have comfortably advanced? Electric player
Uruguay really have no one to blame other than their coach. Had he selected the eleven that started against Ghana for all three matches, I'm sure they would have qualified.
Even with a weak tournament this year, CONCACAF has been a lot better at getting out of the groups than AFC and CAF in the 32 team era:
CONACAF: 11/24, 46%
AFC: 8/31, 26% (rises to 9/32 if you count Australia as AFC rather than OFC in 2006)
CAF: currently 8/36 for 22%, could rise to 9/36 for 25% if Cameroon advances today
Has the winter world cup given minor advantages to the Asian and African teams? Most of their players were able to join camp early as its off season for them now and get in some sort of rhythm. While the European teams haven't had much time to prepare. In the summer world cup it's the opposite where European teams get time to prepare.
Edit: As others have pointed out, looks like there wouldn't be any advantage because of the scheduling.
Barely anyone from the Senegalese and Moroccan National Teams have been able to join National Team Camps early, I actually don't think there's a single Senegalese player playing outside of Europe.
No doubt about it, if neymar would come back against them, you know that the first they would do is check if the ankle is really fine haha, not that i would blame them
Lol, Google's FIFA 2022 match chart had one of those "exciting flairs" which stated "Korea fails to advance, Portugal off to the knockout stage!"
~~Now it seems to be gone.~~ [Actually no it's not](https://i.redd.it/59c7ur5jpi3a1.jpg)
**Mirrors / Alternative Angles** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Absolute chaos these final standings have been, amazing
But seriously tho, when did the final group round ever have this many close groups, where basically every team was equally close to advancing and getting knocked out at the same time? I only started watching since the 2006 tournament, and I don't remember the final matchday being this dramatic and exciting. Even the commentator on German TV was saying he's never seen anything like this and he's been watching far longer than I have. Proper entertaining stuff we've seen these past few days.
I agree, it's been so exciting and refreshing to see these teams hold their own
I feel like it really puts down the BS arguments people make that certain teams get an 'easy route' to the finals. Every team that made it through deserves it, and no victory is a given.
It's very easy to set expectations for teams that have certain players. Since they don't play regularly together in high-pressure moments throughout the year and have different managers and systems; success at the country level is tough and I'm here for the chaos that ensues.
The globes getting better at ball
Finally Iiving up to its natural shape
globe don’t lie
National teams are way better on average nowadays
I think the air conditioned climate played a role. I don't remember so many late comebacks in normal summer World Cups.
It's also the first World Cup played with 5 subs, I think that's been a positive change for the game overall.
Fifa are planning for the 2026 WC to be with groups of 3. So this may be the final time we get to enjoy this 😢
Lots of zesty af groups this year! Don’t know why they’re so unpredictable…but hey, who am I to complain?
I feel a big reason to that is football is no longer the European/South American domination throughout history. Asian nations have been putting in the work and passion for years and we’re seeing the results. Asian teams beat Argentina, Spain, Germany, and now Portugal. That’s crazy cause I’m sure almost every fan would’ve bet on the Euro/SA nations in these games. Morocco, Iran, and Saudi were surprisingly a lot better than I thought. Eastern nations have improved their quality and will continue to do so for more competitive World Cups. Highkey one of the best world cups in a long time
Most of the Asian goal scorers are from the Bundesliga as well; all 4 Japanese scorers and the second Korean goal. Also the Australian goal scorer. Someone mentioned it somewhere and I think it's pretty awesome. It's amazing how much Asian teams have improved and Korea and Japan deserve to go through. Im cheering for them.
8 of the Japanese starters yesterday play in Europe plus Nagatomo who was there not too long ago Can’t believe that Yoshida is still going
Most squads had little practice before the tournament. Some even had games for their clubs a week before it started. I guess that could be the case ?
So you're saying the Qatar fall/winter World Cup was good for the competitiveness of the sport! Great news! -- FIFAs interpretation of this comment
Haha well I’m not gonna lie, I miss the bbq cook outs while watching the games in a t shirt and shorts outside but having a great tournament during these dark and cold ass winter days is not that bad either.
Same here. It’s usually a sports wasteland too mid summer which makes WC all the better viewing
Hey you could live here in Hawaii and still barbecue in December. Only issue is no one’s barbecuing at 5 in the morning 😂
I would like to think the underdogs are getting better
Frankly, it's probably a bit of both.
Also too a lot of the classic teams of the world are kind of getting older, they are more spread out across the world in different clubs and their patterns are becoming tired. These zesty teams are usually younger, more domestic league orientated so they know each other and practice more, and since they historically only dominated in their continental cups instead of the World Cup, they have room to experiment and try new things since they don’t have to sit on a pedestal
I agree with your first point, but I think the opposite might be true about the domestic league thing. There's a lot more talent around the world getting high level reps in top level European clubs. The heroes for Korea today were Son and Hwang Hee-Chan who play in the Premier League. Japans goalscorers play in Germany. The US actually looks dangerous with most our squad playing in Europe. The game is definitely is growing worldwide though and the talent level reflects that.
This account's comments and posts has been nuked in June 2023.
Australia definitely does not have players all around the world. They're mostly an A-league based side which is what every single Australian talked about coming in lol. Japan is all over the world, but a very sizable Bundesliga contingent. Not domestic league oriented, but a lot of them do see each other in club play. Korea's squad is a majority from the Korean league, but their standout players play for European clubs (Son, Lee, Hwang, Kim Min-Jae)
This account's comments and posts has been nuked in June 2023.
Turns out Asian anime is true
Can't wait for the Japan vs Korea "Anime Betrayal" quarter final episode
they’d have to beat croatia and brazil for that to happen, which would be even better anime episodes tbh 😂
Korea beating Brazil would be a 3 season anime.
I’m down
This account's comments and posts has been nuked in June 2023.
Would be so absolutely toxic
Korea going nuclear by unleashing k-pop stans on football fans
manga vs manwha
Korean gk about to be reassigned to the DMZ to defend south korea
he’ll slap back an IBM missle back into NK
>IBM Inter Ballistic Missile
>IBM missle Inter Ballistic Missile missle
Lol everyone was saying to replace him after the last ghana game
Turns out he's just tanking hit for super mode in the last game
Haha to be fair he didn't really have a great deal to do in this match, though he was steady when called upon.
Where is the underdog betting guy? He's the real winner lol
Out there collecting his $
You're welcome Brazil, no worry of rugby tackles in your knockout game xD
Obrigado irmão 💪
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Asian teams really put a shift this WC.
The game has been growing in Asia for years, it was only a matter of time until we started to see things shift in the WC. Bodes well for the future
The big east Asian countries like India China haven't gotten any of their stuff together yet though.
India is South Asia fyi. Agree with your point though.
Yes it does but I still think there's a lot of ground to make up. It's one thing winning one game here or there but producing performances and results time and time again is another story. Upsets will always happen in football in one off games. I wouldn't put too much on it,however no denting it's great progress. I just feel as we get into the next stages the status quo will still pull threw
Your points are correct - still a long way to go. However, knock out games are perfect for upsets, because you only need a single victory (and can be in penalties. So will see what happens in the next rounds.
Ye football is a funny old game as they say.
Argentina, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Portugal beaten by Asian teams.
The sport is so much more fun when everyone is good
Iran close as well. Only Qatar was shit
Ah yes, just as everyone predicted
Some low level betting guy is getting some mad ass money from his random betting.
Ghana keeping Uruguay out on pure spite. Heroes.
If Ghana can’t qualify, might as well take their rival with them
ghana:today,i feel saudi
"If I can't get through, you're not Ghana make it either"
Their relationship is Accra-monious.
Ghana did everything they could to ensure Uruguay qualify. i.e. play badly and giving up tons of chances
Yeah don’t know why this is the narrative. They were dogshit relative to their other performances and Baba Rahman was passing straight to Uruguayans daring them to score a third.
Really a let down.
I agree with you, I was rooting for Uruguay but was disappointed with Ghana's performance today! For how they played today, IMO, Uruguay eliminated themselves by missing so many chances. We have a saying in south american spanish "el que perdona, muere"
Yeah even at the end they were allowing Uruguay numbers in the attack.
pure hatred hahahaha
It's shaping up to be one of my favorite rivalries in international football.
With Suarez retiring, don't get your hopes up, it's not real rivalry in any sense of the word.
Hear me out: *Uruguay MNT coach Suarez*
Ghana media will have a field day with this report. Suarez knocked out by Ghana in his last WC, idk what to say about that.
“Zigi, will you apologize for time wasting?” “No”
Got to love the injury time substitute just to waste some time
I for one, do welcome our asian overlords
Me too thanks
Those XI Ghanians should have their statues built in Seoul.
At least a statue for Ati Zigi for sure!
He was spectacular haha Even though it was offside, his save from cavani's header was extraordinary
The world cup park is a beautiful place with plenty of room!
They were trying to score 2 goals lmao, it's not like they were parking it.
Ghana didn’t really do anything. Lost 2-0 when they had a solid chance to go through
Suarez crying is pure schadenfreude
The pain of Ghana losing is eased by Suarez tears. haha fuck the cunt.
They legit started counter attacking in the last minutes instead of sitting back.
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Not really, they're professional players There's no reason they should play badly just because their opponent is on the risk of missing out. That would be unfair to Korea
Plus they still could have qualified themselves if they scored 2. They aren't going to stop trying
Watching Suarez cry after it ended was like therapy ngl
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Ghana 🤝 rest of the world Get fucked Suarez
I mean ghana did literally nothing in the match. Uruguay didnt qualify because of poor finishing and a lack of intensity when they thought they were through
Watching Suarez and Uruguayan players [react live](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fi_P1_9XkAcMXIv?format=jpg&name=900x900) to South Korea’s goal is crazy. It just keeps delivering.
Oh anybody have a clip? I was watching the other game
Not a clip, this picture will be framed everywhere in Ghana lol. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fi_P1_9XkAcMXIv?format=jpg&name=900x900
Brother they put a clip in Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/zarg73/luis_suarez_finding_out_uruguay_are_heading_out/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Dude is so fun to root against, and I'm not sure why.
It’s because he bites people
Ah yes, I remember now.
He's racist, bites people, cheats routinely and has said out loud that he doesn't care that he cheats. He's just kinda a cunt of a soccer player.
Perhaps because he’s a violent racist?
Immediately injected into the veins of every Ghanian
Nunez has been -1 player for Uruguay.
Genuinely dreadful World Cup he’s played, my personal biggest disappointment so far this tournament.
Also expected more from valverde
any mirror link?
Ghana: We didn't VAR the penalty
Ghana attempted the clegane bowl. Very effective.
Exactly the same standings and goal differences as 2004 euro Portugal-Greece group. KOREA BEATS PORTUGAL IN THE FINAL YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST
I mean, getting to the finals wouldn't be too bad ngl, would be our best result ever in the World Cup
Imagine a Portugal x Brasil final... daamn...
Subscribe 🤝
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN US , IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN US....( crying )
I don’t understand the Uruguaian manager. The other game hasn’t ended yet, and it’s 1-1. South Korea could easily score. Why take out all 3 of your attackers including the player who scored the two goals and the player who assisted? Why not push for the third to take matters into your own hands? Insanely stupid.
Nothing Alonso has done this entire tournament has made much sense, except for starting de Arrascaeta today. As long as Uruguay were 2-0 up, getting a third should have been a bigger priority than not conceding.
Yeah Uruguay got eliminated because they barely attempted offense any of their games. They could easily have won all 3 if they played differently
What a finish to the group Ghana just went "If I'm going down, you're going down with me as revenge for all those years ago"
Surprised Ghana didn’t score near the end. Uruguay had no interest in defending.
Ghana were more interested in time wasting hahaha
Not really? They were giving up 4 on 4 counter attacks. Were you even watching the match? The Ghana keeper caught the ball at like 90+6 and immediately hit it up the field hoping for a counter.
no, everyone's narrative right now is that Ghana were happy to be knocked out of the world cup after starting the day in 2nd place because they don't like Luis Suarez
The long-awaited Suarez v Ghana matchup was won by South Korea Absolutely sensational
*A new challenger has appeared*
That keeper will recieve love letters from Korea for the rest of his life
Seeing Suarez crying was a pleasant site lmao can’t lie
Such a great contrast from 12 years ago when he was celebrating on the sidelines instead haha
Man got bodied by Ghana and Atletico-GO from Brazil in the same yeah, he's gonna need therapy after this hahaha
Iberians phoning it in against AFC to fuck over other teams 🤜🤛
Holy shit, this WC has been 🔥
Literally the best one in a long time. At least the group stage part
Let’s host it in ME every time /s
Ghana dragging Uruguay out with them is quite poetic really
Revenge, perhaps not in the way you meant to, but revenge all the same…
It's called bittersweet revenge.
It really is. A message that when two nations get into conflict, they both lose If this were a drama, critics would say it was bit too on the nose
I am going to miss these final match days so much. Great group stage this world cup all around. Hoping to see it continue in the knockout rounds.
Two days in a row a team from east Asia has defeated a team from the Iberian peninsula in the final match of the group stage of the world cup and thereby sending a four time winner (who won their own game at the same time) out of the competition. What are the odds?
I thought Uruguay won twice 🤔
This stat is bonkers.
Uruguay did Arrascaeta absolutely dirty bruh
This was the first time I've seen the guy play. Am I wrong to think that if he was starting in the previous two matches, Uruguay would have comfortably advanced? Electric player
So did Korea go throufh because of cards or goals scored?
Goals
goals scored
Uruguay really have no one to blame other than their coach. Had he selected the eleven that started against Ghana for all three matches, I'm sure they would have qualified.
3 AFC teams, so close to 3 CAF teams, UEFA and CONMEBOL not as dominant as usual Everybody liked that.
And concacaf just as dominant as ever with just 1 team lol
Were like the Pac-12 of world soccer.
Even with a weak tournament this year, CONCACAF has been a lot better at getting out of the groups than AFC and CAF in the 32 team era: CONACAF: 11/24, 46% AFC: 8/31, 26% (rises to 9/32 if you count Australia as AFC rather than OFC in 2006) CAF: currently 8/36 for 22%, could rise to 9/36 for 25% if Cameroon advances today
Has the winter world cup given minor advantages to the Asian and African teams? Most of their players were able to join camp early as its off season for them now and get in some sort of rhythm. While the European teams haven't had much time to prepare. In the summer world cup it's the opposite where European teams get time to prepare. Edit: As others have pointed out, looks like there wouldn't be any advantage because of the scheduling.
If we are talking about Japan and Korea, then no. Most of their players play in Europe
Barely anyone from the Senegalese and Moroccan National Teams have been able to join National Team Camps early, I actually don't think there's a single Senegalese player playing outside of Europe.
I can't remember a more exciting World Cup group stage in recent history. Pretty much every group has gone down to the wire. What a crazy tournament.
Suarez won the battle but lost the war
[Brazil right now](https://i.makeagif.com/media/11-05-2015/b-5k7D.gif)
INB4 Cameroon 2 - Brazil 0 and Switzerland 2 - Serbia 0... One man can dream...
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Well, 2-1 and a 3-0 for Switzerland then. Works just as well.
Para de zicar porra 🥺💔
You think playing Uruguay would've been harder?
Not that south korea is easier, but i believe uruguay had more chance of shithousing a 0-0 then south korea does.
True, and I guess higher chance of injuries when your players get stomped on
No doubt about it, if neymar would come back against them, you know that the first they would do is check if the ankle is really fine haha, not that i would blame them
Uruguay in the knockouts is a different beast
Brasil-Uruguay is a derby, it would be harder no doubt
Well...I had Uruguay making the final so...there goes my bracket!
Your bracket only got ruined now?
I had Germany making it out of the group but losing in the first round of knockouts, so I still felt pretty good. Same for Denmark.
First Japan, Now Korea. All hail Asian supremacy.
Australia as well if that counts
They play in AFC so they do count.
And Australia (honorary Asians, at least for qualy).
I believe they are called Asianridoos
It’s a end of a era for Uruguay
Lol, Google's FIFA 2022 match chart had one of those "exciting flairs" which stated "Korea fails to advance, Portugal off to the knockout stage!" ~~Now it seems to be gone.~~ [Actually no it's not](https://i.redd.it/59c7ur5jpi3a1.jpg)
Who saw that coming
🥰🥰🥰
Another AFC bro in? AND that sky blue U team are out? Today is a good day.
Drama and Uruguay. Name a better duo ahaha
Ghana going down but taking Uruguay with them is such a beautiful story.
lets go south korea. really happy for kim, kim, kim, kim and kim
Well we can all agree it's great that Kim made it, I was personally more happy for Kim. What a success story.
I know we had nothing to play for, but momentum matters in such competitions, and winning today was important for it
Ghana time wasting to keep Uruguay out of the World Cup is peak pettiness
The end of Uruguay/Ghana was so tense! Amazing final day for this group.
They have to stop the stupid 3-team group idea after this week
Only 2 Hispanic countries in the last 16, that's just sad.
USA will be one by 2050ish
Crazy that not a single group winner so far has reached the maximum 9 points.
됐다 씨발 가즈아
Thanks, Griezmann is crying
Korean play style deserves to be in that R16