The fans of the Iranian national team after the loss against the USA (Paz Hasdai)
The 2022 World Cup may have started a little slowly, but in the last round it picked up.
He didn't just rev up, he went directly from first to fifth gear.
Superpowers have fallen, surprises have arisen, and the feeling is that all the preliminary estimates for the tournament are being shaken.
Some intriguing teams (mostly not from Europe) such as Morocco, Japan and the United States swept their way to the round of 16, while the countries of the old continent limped their way here at best.
After three games in Qatar, and only by mouth, it's time to rank the strength of the qualifiers for the knockout stage.
It is important to note first of all the only three national teams that secured qualification even before the last round - Brazil, France and Portugal.
These teams divided forces in the final round and the damage caused by the loss of points was minimal.
Should we be concerned about these falls?
Maybe, but it is also important to take them in the right proportions, they were not accidental.
And now, for the rating.
Who would have thought Australia would be here?
Lucky (Photo: Reuters)
16. Australia
The biggest surprise of the group stage.
The Socceroos presented one of the weakest squads in the tournament with few players in senior leagues, where the connection between the current squad and the golden generation that qualified for the round of 16 in 2006 is purely coincidental.
The French quartet in the opening game sparked the Australians, who probably needed a shake-up to stabilize themselves and keep two clean sheets.
Against Denmark, for example, the yellows prevented the Scandinavians from getting into decent situations and really didn't "sting" the victory.
Argentina is not expected to defeat because it is not in the character of this team, but it is difficult to imagine an Australian surprise this time as well.
More in Walla!
Writing a resume in the third age: this is how you will find a job after retirement age
In collaboration with the lottery
15. Senegal
No team has been hit harder in the preparations for the tournament than Senegal.
Sadio Mane's absence from the tournament is hard news professionally, but even more so morally.
The fact that the Africans still came up is a real achievement, but we have to admit - they were far from convincing.
A victory over Qatar, who are far from this level, gave them a chance for the final round, where they managed to prevail in a tough match against Ecuador - who was arguably the more impressive of the two in the World Cup.
Emotional pictures.
Son after qualifying (Photo: Reuters)
14. South Korea
Although he is still without a goal in the tournament, Jung Min Son deserves all the credit for the Koreans getting back to the last eight.
Son is one of the most versatile and quality creators in the world in the last five years, but the fact that he fails to bring Tottenham titles sometimes makes people not understand how good he really is.
Son has a place in the composition of every team in the world - all including all of them.
That is why it is impossible not to connect with the emotion that erupted from him after the final whistles yesterday.
A player who takes on an entire team and an entire nation for years deserves to experience such a moment.
Few believed that the Koreans would be able to advance after losing 3:2 to Ghana, but there is also poetic justice here.
The Koreans squeezed a deep corner in extra time, but the referee chose to blow the whistle to end and deny them a last chance to equalize.
Coach Paolo Bento was sent off after losing his temper, and the fury was fully justified.
It's good to know that this opportunity that was stolen from South Korea did not cost her dearly, because in terms of ability - she fully deserves to be in this position.
The main thing is that he is in a good tournament.
Szczesny (Photo: GettyImages, Tim Nwachukwu)
13. Poland
What does it matter if you have a superstar when you don't know how to use it?
Robert Lewandowski did score and qualify for the round of 16, contrary to the failure in the previous World Cup, but his team was far from impressive.
Against Argentina, the Poles completely canceled, did not try to attack and it seemed that they were building on the result in the corresponding game to stay in the promotion picture.
In retrospect, it worked out for them, but in the round of 16 against France, they will have to give much more to dream of a surprise.
A good word still goes to Wiecch Szczesny.
This is the goalkeeper of the tournament and one of the best of the tournament so far.
With two penalties stopped, including one by Lionel Messi, it seems that the Juventus goalkeeper is at the peak of his power precisely when those around him are struggling.
Japan's outstanding.
Moriasso (Photo: Reuters)
12. Japan
Hajima Moriasu, the coach you probably hadn't heard of before the tournament, is the outstanding coach of the group stage.
In the two heroic coups against Germany and Spain, it was Moriasu's substitutes who led the comebacks and actually led to the promotion.
In a squad full of players from the European leagues, it seems that there is almost no difference in level between the lineup and the bench for the Blue Samurai.
For example, prodigy Takafusa Kubo was repeatedly given the team shirt and disappointed, Ritsu Doan, Takuma Asano and Kaoru Mitome replaced and delivered the goods.
Not knowing where the trouble will come from makes Japan unpredictable and especially refreshing.
If Moriaso manages to pull the right rabbit out of the hat against Croatia as well, in the land of the rising sun they may yet celebrate their first quarter-final ever.
As long as he is alone, Holland will not go far.
Gakpo (Photo: GettyImages, Lars Baron)
11. Holland
There was a lot of talk before the tournament about Cody Gakpo taking a step forward in the World Cup and establishing his status not only as a local star - but as one on an international scale.
PSV's performance even exceeds expectations with a goal in each of the games, but it is probably the only good thing that can be said about the Oranges.
Louis van Gaal's team was always waiting for Gakpo to save him against inferior teams on paper, and he will not be able to carry the Netherlands far if he is forced to do it alone.
Memphis Depay, even when he returns from injury, looks like the only man capable of shining in the orange-grey team.
The real standout of Croatia.
Gabriel (Photo: Reuters)
10. Croatia
Luka Modric is still here, but many faces from the 2018 sensation have been replaced by new names this year.
On the one hand, the attack is worrying.
The checkered team did celebrate Canada's porous defense, but against teams with better defenses such as Morocco and Belgium, it was not dangerous enough.
The lukewarm Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaya might be enough to get past Japan, but that's probably where it'll stop.
On the other hand, the Balkans can be encouraged by the defense and especially by Michoac Gavardiol.
Actor R.B.
Leipzig has been considered for a long time as a candidate to make the jump to a big club, and against Belgium the masked stopper provided one of the best displays of a stopper in the tournament so far.
With a series of tremendous defensive actions, and especially a critical save in extra time, without Gabbariol we probably wouldn't be talking about Croatia in this article.
9. United States
One of the refreshing teams of the group stage.
The Americans qualified for Qatar after a very mediocre qualifying campaign, but at the World Cup they looked completely different.
They were completely superior to Wales, equal strength against England and deservedly beat Iran in the spicy encounter.
Beyond the hope that the young squad gives for the home World Cup in 2026, the vibrant stars can "make noise" already today against the Netherlands.
Christian Pulisic is of course critical, but the team really does not depend only on him.
The midfield trio of captain and leader Tyler Adams, Weston McKenney and Yunus Moussa is proving to be one of the most intriguing and impressive link-ups so far in the World Cup.
Came back to smile from football.
Zeish (Photo: Reuters)
8. Morocco
Remember when we said that Poland does not know how to use its star?
Here we got the opposite example.
Coach Walid Regaragi convinced Hakim Zaish to return to the team after falling out with the previous coach, and the sweeping playmaker is showing a version of himself that we haven't seen since his days at Ajax.
After a bad period at Chelsea, Zeiss is back to smiling and enjoying football, and thus he is a danger on any defense.
The Moroccan squad does revolve around Zayesh, but next to him there is so much pure talent that explodes on the field with the support of tens of thousands who create an atmosphere as if it were a Casablanca derby.
It is rare to say this about African national teams, but the freshman of the tournament has one of the most impressive defensive pairings in the tournament - Ashraf Hakimi and Nussier Mazrawi.
With the stars they will continue to impress and the fans will once again create a home atmosphere, don't be surprised if Spain once again surrenders to the team against which it is considered a definite favorite.
makes a difference.
Embolo (Photo: Reuters)
7. Switzerland
There is no greater contrast between two national teams than Serbia and Switzerland, and not only because of the political issue with the players of Kosovar origin.
While Serbia is not realizing a tenth of the potential of its star battery, Switzerland is squeezing the juice to the last drop.
Based on a player like Jordan Shaqiri who is far past his peak, the Swiss still present a cohesive and cohesive unit that knows how to provide magic moments as they showed in the last cycle.
This team finally manages to realize the potential inherent in Brill Embolo, who looks like a perfect match and a significant upgrade over the edge players that Switzerland had in the previous tournaments.
So although it is not with the biggest names, the group stage showed us unequivocally - it is not what changes.
Messi needs anchors around him.
Enso Fernandes (Photo: GettyImages, Ian MacNicol)
6. Argentina
Of all the national teams in the world, the Albiceleste take to the field with the heaviest weights on their feet.
The pressure on the team and especially on Lionel Messi sometimes feels like too much of a burden - one that can affect players physically and mentally.
The "Scalante" ran great in the qualifiers and the Copa America, but against Saudi Arabia everything went wrong.
The lack of Giovanni Lo Celso in midfield turned out to be more significant than expected, and even after three games Lionel Scaloni was unable to find the right lineup for him.
Everything in this team revolves around Messi, who often shows great ability, and Scaloni can be encouraged by the discovery - Enso Fernandez - who establishes his place in the team and as one of the future connections in future football.
If he secures his place in the 11, it will be another step on the way to discovering the most correct composition for this team.
On paper, Argentina's home team was one of the most challenging in the tournament.
If we put aside the stumble against the Saudis, Mexico and Poland have been marked as being able to challenge the opponent.
The truth looked a little different - the Polish cancellation and the gray and uncharacteristic team presented by Mexico proved - the real test of Argentina was yet to come.
worries Spain.
Simon (Photo: GettyImages, GLYN KIRK)
5. Spain
With a slightly less poor performance against Japan, La Ruha would certainly have been higher in the rankings.
Without the stardust that characterized the golden generation over a decade ago, the Spaniards sometimes provided brilliant and purposeful football when they danced against Costa Rica, but the loss to the Japanese certainly turned on a lot of red lights.
The defense is unstable and the goalkeeper Unai Simon is a bit problematic, but there is also good news.
As in previous tournaments, this time too Albero Morata provides the numbers and proves that he is the main striker of the team for a reason.
Youngsters Gabi and Pedri dominate the midfield and look mature and mature, so Spain can do special things in Qatar.
The large gaps between the front and the back could be problematic, which is expected to make the match against Morocco particularly explosive on the field.
let him play
Foden (Photo: Reuters)
4. England
One of the favorite hobbies of English fans and commentators is to step into Gareth Southgate's shoes for a moment and choose the team.
The wealth in the squad, especially up front, gives the national coach many options, but his choices are sometimes seen as puzzling.
The conservative Southgate is seen as someone who is totally loyal to the people who walk with him all the way.
He has several bunkers that will open no matter how weak they are.
The criticism of the choice of Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount at the expense of Phil Foden, for example, was more jarring than ever, but against Wales Foden proved to his coach - you have another option in the attack that you can trust.
Foden and Marcus Rashford are perhaps England's biggest news from home.
Remember how just a year and a half ago in the Euro final, Southgate pulled the dehydrated Jadon Sancho and Rashford off the bench to kick the most important penalties in the team's history.
If he is able to introduce 4-5 more permanent players from the bench for the rest of the tournament, it could turn out how much he will make a difference for the team.
The best we have seen him in the national uniform.
Fernandez (Photo: GettyImages, Justin Setterfield)
3. Portugal
The Selção enjoy the most talented squad they have had since the rise of Cristiano Ronaldo, but in the last Euro and the qualifying campaign this did not show in ability.
There was concern that the stuttering would continue in Qatar as well, but Portugal was one of the most impressive teams in the group stage.
As long as it came up in the strong lineup, Portugal benefited from the contribution of all the attacking players, with the most prominent of all being Bruno Fernandez.
Whether in Manchester United or in Portugal, it seemed until recently that the connection between Fernandez and Ronaldo on the field was not ideal.
No more.
Although Ronaldo is no longer in the theater of dreams, the playmaker plays with the freedom of action that characterized the beginning of his career in the Premier League.
That's how we haven't seen him in the national uniform yet.
Fernando Santos has other significant weapons in the likes of Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Rafael Lao, who seem destined to play the wild card off the bench, and on any given day any of them could be worth a knockout win.
With Diego Costa replacing Roy Patricio and striking between the posts, Santos have a calm head on this side of the pitch as well.
Arrived at the tournament, and in a big way.
Mbappe (Photo: Reuters)
2. France
The tricolor managed to break the record of elimination of world champions in the group stage, and judging by the madness that took place in the other groups, this is not an obvious event.
Key names from the skeleton that won in 2018 such as Paul Pogba and Angolo Kante did not arrive at all, and the injuries of Karim Benzema and Lucas Hernandez within a few days did not prevent Didier Deschamps, or rather Kylian Mbappe, from sailing on the way to the next stage.
It seems that Mbappe is a player who is simply destined for the World Cup.
The man who shone above everyone else in Russia 2018 already with three goals in the campaign, and although he shares the top of the table with many, he is marked by all betting agencies as the clear favorite to win the title of king of goals.
If he continues to deliver performances like he did against Denmark, and Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud continue to look good, France may still be able to retain their title.
What is certain - she is definitely much more optimistic than she was two weeks ago.
Like two players in the middle.
Casemiro (Photo: Reuters)
1. Brazil
Iron defense, a super goalkeeper and an ax in the link.
No, we are not talking about the gray versions of the (West) German national team, but about the modern Brazil, a team that has become European in everything.
Casemiro is equivalent to two players in the middle of the field, Marquinhos and Thiago Silva blind understanding, so it is very difficult to subdue the Selecao.
True, this is not the "Jugo Bonito" of the days of Pele and his successors, but Tita is the coach who managed to adapt to modern football better than anyone else and field a tough team.
Although Brazil is released offensively only after it scores the first goal, but as long as it does not concede, it will be able to rely on this method of operation.
The loss to Cameroon is out of the question, but when you see that France and Portugal also lost after securing qualification, you realize that this is no accident and that the division of forces has a price.
It seems that despite the difficulties in the attack, the team is experiencing a healthy process of freeing itself from the dependence on Neymar.
After the first goal against Serbia, we saw a much more exciting and entertaining team, which through Richarlison also provided the leading candidate for the goal of the tournament.
It is not known when Neymar will return, but it is possible to recognize that this team does not suffer from the mental block of Brazil 2014. This is a strong and experienced team, with players who have been on the biggest stages, and maybe it will finally mature into winning his trophy, which is waiting for over two hundred million people.
FIFA World Cup
opinions and interpretations
Tags
World Cup 2022
