How Top Five Underdogs are Faring at World Cup 2022

Uruguay

Uruguay are one of those footballing nations that often offer much but deliver little. They have reached the quarter finals before but have failed to get any further than that in the previous 52 tournaments. The South Americans came into the Qatar World Cup full of hope with young striker Darwin Nunez expected to star. However, the player has struggled for consistent form following his move to Liverpool from Benfica and that has carried forward into the World Cup. Toothless against South Korea and in the defeat to Portugal has left the team floundering and on the verge of elimination at the group stage. Luiz Suarez has also struggled and stalwart Edinson Cavani has not been given the game time many expected. Another four years will need to pass before that quarter final hoodoo can finally be broken.

Australia

The Socceroos have not reached the knockout stages of the World Cup since 2016 and an opening group game defeat to France by four goals to one looked to have ended the party before it had even started. Yet the Australian team are battlers and bounced back with a game two defeat over Tunisia leaving their hopes hanging by a thread but still in with a shot at progression into the last 16. Denmark await next so what are the possible outcomes that could see the Socceroos progress?
The simplest way is to beat Denmark and that would guarantee progression to the knockout stages. A dew makes things somewhat more complicated. If Tunisia were to beat France, unlikely but with the reigning World champions already through and tempted to rest players for the game, they would join Australia on four points. Tunisia have a better goal difference though and the four one defeat to France would see Australia end third and heading home. Defeat and it’s all over. Why not have a bet and get free spins no deposit NZ!

South Korea

No other Asian country has played at the World Cup than South Korea. They first qualified in 1954 and shocked Germany in 2018 by beating Germany in a year that now Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min hit hero status. 2022 promised much despite being underdogs but after two game, the Koreans have left themselves with a huge mountain to climb. A dull goalless draw against Uruguay followed by a valiant effort but ultimately fruitless one against Ghana where Korea lost 3-2 means they have just one point before facing Portugal in the final game. The only possible way that Korea can progress is by winning. A defeat or draw will see them eliminated at the first hurdle. However, a win is not straightforward in terms of what it means. If they beat Portugal and Uruguay beat Ghana, they two will be level on points and golem difference will come into play. Likewise, if Korea win and Ghana beat or even draw with the Uruguayans, Ghana and Korea will have level points and the better goal difference will see that team into the round of 16.

Denmark

At the delayed 2020 Euro’s, Denmark were a team taken to many fans’ hearts. The collapse of Christian Eriksen and the teams subsequent run to the semi finals showed that football is only a game and with a now fit again miracle man in Eriksen in the squad, Denmark were seen as getting out of the group stages. A defeat and a draw has left them needing a win over then Socceroos in their final game. If both Denmark and Tunisia win then second place will come down to the tie breaker rules.

United States of America

A 1-1 draw against Wales in the opening group game followed by a hard working goalless draw against England means that the USA have it all to do to make the round of 16. Iran are their final opponents who have been a Jekyll and Hyde team so far. A 6-2 defeat at the hands of England had them looking as certainties to be eliminated but they came back to stun Wales 2-0 leaving them on three points and the US on just two points. Iran simply need a draw whereas the USA need to win to proceed.

Difficult Task for World Cup Underdogs

The final group games will be tough for each of these World Cup underdogs but each will have that hope that they can spring one final shock in the group stages and sneak into the round of 16.

Let us know your thoughts and who you feel will go through and who will be heading home knowing that the World Cup dream is over for another four years.

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