JAKARTA - Qatar's 2022 World Cup group stage has played its first game. A number of surprises, records and other interesting things were created on this matchday.
The first series of matches in the 2022 World Cup group phase have been completed this Friday morning WIB. The match between Brazil and Serbia which ended 2-0 is closed.
Richarlison himself was one of six players who scored two goals in the first match of the group stage. The other five are Enner Valencia (Ekuador), Bukayo Saka (England), Mehdi Taremi (Iran), Olivier Giroud (France), and Ferran Torres (Spain).
Brazil is the last team to record a win after ten other teams that took the three points from their original game. The ten teams are Ecuador, the Netherlands, England, Saudi Arabia, France, Spain, Japan, Belgium, Portugal, and Switzerland.
The group stage's first series of matches also created various surprises and records. The surprise came as Saudi Arabia toppled Argentina 2-1 in Group C, and Japan topple Germany 2-1 in Group E.
Meanwhile, the new record set in this World Cup is the success of Cristiano Ronaldo in scoring in his fifth World Cup when Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in Group H.
Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups.
"What a beautiful moment, my fifth World Cup, and we have started with a good foothold," Ronaldo said of Portugal's success in defeating Ghana.
But the most sensational record in the 2022 World Cup so far is Saudi Arabia's success in overthrowing the Argentine two-time world champion who is one of the world's strong favorites in Qatar.
Saudis turned to win after falling behind by Lionel Messi's penalty goal in the first half, thanks to two goals scored by Salehri and Salem Aldawsari, when they beat Argentina 2-1.
Saudi Arabia coach Herve menyebut kemenangan ini karena seluruh merezini Saudi.
"We have created the history of football. Such a history will last forever, this is very important," said the French coach.
Saudi Arabia even created a surprise from the squad who all played in local Saudi clubs, not Europe's top leagues that sent 2/3 of the total players who took part in the 2022 World Cup.
The big Saudi surprise was an inspiration for the other small teams that they now have no belief that cannot be defeated.
Japan then proved this by following in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia to overthrow four-time world champion Germany with the same score as Saudis beating Argentina.
Germany, coached by Hansi Flick, seemed to have been in the winning line as Ilkay Gundogan took them ahead of the penalty spot in the 33rd minute.
But surprisingly, under continued pressure from Germany, the Blue Samurai could even equalize from Ritsu Doan's goal in the 75th minute.
The shock turned into a sensation when Takuma Asano's goal made Japan destroy Germany 2-1 back.
"The compact players are as a team, we are well prepared and we are consistent there, and that's what made us win," said Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Saudi and Japanese great success inspired other teams, including Cameroon where his coach, Rigobert Song, said FIFA's ranking was not a successful guarantee on the pitch.
"We've seen a surprise in this World Cup, we respect our opponents, but on the pitch you'll prove who's stronger," Song said.
Unfortunately, Cameroon itself lost 0-1 to Switzerland thanks to an ironically Cameroonian goal. Breel Embolo.
But Saudi Arabia's success has inspired teams of fellow Arabs such as Tunisia and Morocco, as well as other Asian teams.
Tunisia could hold the dark horse of this tournament, Denmark, without a goal. Meanwhile Morocco recorded another goalless draw against 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.
Meanwhile, from Asia, South Korea almost beat the Uruguay two-time world champion when they beat Uruguay without a goal. South Korea actually appeared promising in that match by not implementing a negative strategy at all.
The success of Saudi Arabia and then Japan made strong teams become vigilant, even before facing Japan, the German coach asked his squad to be careful so that it does not have the same fate as Argentina.
But the rest, other favorites, passed the first test with convincing results.
Those, are the British who slaughtered Iran 6-2, Spain who beat Costa Rica 7-0, France who beat Australia 4-0, Belgium who beat Canada 1-0, the Netherlands who won 2-0 over Senegal, and Portugal who have just won 3-2 over Ghana.
These strong teams are trying hard to win their second game. This second series of matches will be a challenge for Qatar, Iran and Australia not to repeat the defeat in the first match.
Summary of the first match of the group phase
Group A
Qatar vs Ecuador 0-2
Enner Valencia scored twice for Ecuador, one of which was from a penalty.
Senegal vs Netherlands 0-2
Both Dutch goals were scored by forced Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.
Group B
Britain vs Iran 6-2
Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish each scored one goal, while Bukayo Saka scored two goals. Iran returned two goals, all of which were scored by Mehdi Taremi.
US vs Wales 1-1
The United States' goal. Timothy Weah, replied by Gareth Bale's goal.
Group C
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia 1-2
Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead of the penalty goal. Saudis turned things around thanks to goals from Salehri and Salem Aldawsari.
Mexico vs Poland 0-0
Group D
Denmark vs Tunisia 0-0
France vs Australia 4-1
Adrien pathot dan Kylian Mbappe masing-masing membuat satu gol, sedangkan dua gol lainnya diborong, Olivier Giroud.
Group E
Germany vs Japan 1-2
Ilkay Gundoga put Germany ahead before turning to defeat by goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano.
Spain vs Costa Rica 7-0
Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Gavi, Carlos Soler, and Alvaro Morata each scored one goal, while the other two were made by Ferran Torres.
Group F
Morocco vs Croatia 0-0
Belgium vs Canada 1-0
Michy Batshuayi created a mere goal and at the same time the determinant of Belgium
Group G
Swiss varien Cameroon 1-0
Breel Embolo netted a goal against his home country
Brazil vs Serbia 2-0
Richarlison scored two goals, one of which was a beautiful and sensitive goal he made while turning around.
Group H
Uruguay vs South Korea 0-0
Portugal vs Ghana 3-2
Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead with a penalty but was then equalized by Andre Ayew, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao and then restored Portugal's lead, before Osman Bukari created Ghana's second goal.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
