Group F World Cup Update 3

Last Updated on December 1, 2022 1:36 pm by Erwin Noguera

Group F of the Qatar 2022 World Cup has a strong candidates like Belgium, the current runner-up Croatia, and two teams that have players to surprise, such as Canada and Morocco, so a nice battle is expected.

Update

Belgium

Belgium won but did not convince. Roberto Martínez’s team is one of the candidates for this World Cup but in its debut against Canada, it was left behind. Even the Americans were about to take the lead, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved Alphonso Davies’s penalty. In the end, it was 1-0 thanks to Michy Batshuayi’s goal but the ‘Red Devils’ know they must improve for the next games. Romelu Lukaku, who is injured, could return against Morocco this Sunday.

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Belgium had not been convinced against Canada and now they were beaten in the game and result by Morocco (2-0). Very bad about Roberto Martínez’s team, plus they come after Kevin De Bruyne’s words where he said that the team was very old. Now it was Jan Vertonghen who “attacked” his teammates, saying that a goal was missing. This Sunday Thibaut Courtois, who had been a figure with Canada saving a penalty, looked bad, as he had a bad reaction in a disallowed goal and then in the goal of Romain Saiss. Now, with 3 points and a hot atmosphere among their players, they have to beat Croatia to advance to the next round.

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Belgium remembered to play well too late and went out. In the last game, they had to beat Croatia but they tied 0-0 and they say goodbye much earlier than expected. The Belgians, currently number 2 in the world, played very badly against Canada (1-0) and Morocco (0-2), and in recent days they have had many problems due to the statements and actions of their players, it is even claimed that there were fights between them. This Thursday they deserved better luck but they missed many goals, especially Lukaku, who came on in the second half and had more than 3 clear chances but couldn’t score.

Croatia

Another of the disappointments on the first matchday of the World Cup. Croatia could not beat Morocco and be even surpassed at times and is a long way from the runner-up in Russia in 2018. It was a boring 0-0 and Zlatko Dalic will have to make changes to the team if he wants to advance, because if they continue thus, they are likely to lose to the other rivals.

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After a disappointing opener, Croatia remembered they are the reigning runners-up in the world and crushed Canada 4-1. Despite quickly starting behind with a goal from Alphonso Davies after 2 minutes, the Croats turned it around in the first half with goals from Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja, and sealed it in the second half with another goal from Kramaric and then in the last play, Lovro Majer put the final 4-1. It was a good game for the Europeans who improved significantly compared to their debut with Morocco and now they are first with 4 points and they only have to draw with Belgium to get into the round of 16.

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Croatia has had ups and downs but managed to advance to second in Group F. The Croats drew in the last game against Belgium (0-0) and advanced with 5 points, although they were suffering until the last seconds as the Belgians had them in in their goal and they were very close to scoring, but the defense and the goalkeeper responded very well. The good that was seen against Canada was erased against Belgium, and those led by Zlatko Dalic will have to be more consistent if they hope to reach the final again. They have already completed the first part, and now in the round of 16, they will face off against the first of Group E.

Canada

Canada returned to a World Cup after 36 years and was close to starting in the best way, but after just 10 minutes its figure, Alphonso Davies, missed a penalty against Belgium that could change history. In the end, they lost 1-0 and that disappointment remains, but at least they are sure they have a team to fight in the group and qualify for the next round, but it won’t be easy. They have to improve their effectiveness because they had up to 22 shots and couldn’t score.

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The Canadian dream is over. The North American team became the second eliminated from the tournament after losing 4-1 to Croatia. Alphonso Davies had opened the scoring for his team, scoring his country’s first goal in World Cup history, but it wasn’t enough. The Europeans turned the score around and John Herdman’s team couldn’t react. Now against Morocco, they will seek to win or at least draw so as not to leave empty-handed, and score their first points in a World Cup. They should be prepared because in 3 and a half years they will be one of the venues for the 2026 World Cup.

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Canada says goodbye to the World Cup without adding any points and has not yet been able to mark that item on its list. The Canadians lost 2-1 in their last game against Morocco and leave Qatar with 3 losses, 2 goals for, and 7 against. In addition, Alphonso Davies can say that he is the only Canadian (although born in Ghana) to have scored in a World Cup since the other goal was an own goal by Nayef Aguerd. Without a doubt, it was a great experience for the North Americans who rubbed shoulders with the best in the world and showed that they have the weapons to improve for the 2026 World Cup, where they are one of the hosts.

Morocco

Morocco arrived as the Cinderella of the group but proved everyone wrong. The African team played Croatia equally and had several chances to win (0-0). Sofyan Amrabat was one of the stars of the team and much more is expected from players like Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri. One of the bad news is that the Bayern München player, Noussair Mazraoui, is injured and will not be able to play against Belgium.

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Not much was expected from Morocco and they are one of the surprises of the World Cup. The African team first drew Croatia 0-0 and deserved to win, and now they beat Belgium 2-0, playing in a great way, and are very close to reaching the round of 16. Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhal scored the goals for the Moroccans who are in second place with 4 points, and with a draw against Canada, they secure their place in the next round. They can even lose if and qualify, as long as Croatia beat Belgium.

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The big surprise so far in the World Cup is Morocco. The African team beat Canada 2-1 and advanced as first in Group F, above Croatia (0-0) and Belgium (2-0). This Thursday they won with goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri, their two stars, which made their qualification to the round of 16 even more heroic for the second time in their history (Mexico 86). Without a doubt, Walid Regragui’s team showed a great game and demonstrated that they will fight against any team, and now they are more than motivated after the great group stage they did.

Classifieds

Before the World Cup, it was thought that Belgium was going to pass without a doubt, but we were a long way from that. The Belgians showed that this generation came to an end and they were eliminated while playing very badly. Morocco gave a big surprise and won the group, while Croatia worked harder than expected and got second place. Canada said goodbye with no points.

World Cup Group F: Belgium

This may be the last chance for Belgium’s golden generation. After being very close in Russia 2018, where they were third, Roberto Martínez’s team will burn the last cartridge with players who probably will not be in the next World Cup or will not be in their prime time. 

With the talent and leadership of Kevin De Bruyne, and the security of Thibaut Courtois, the Belgians hope that Eden Hazard continues to be the same one who shines in the National Team and not the one who is a substitute every weekend at Real Madrid. On the other hand, Romelu Lukaku is coming off a long injury and it is not known if he is at 100%, but he is a fearsome striker and they know that with his power they can achieve a lot. 

In addition to those already mentioned, there are great figures in their teams such as Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Leandro Trossard (Brighton), Charles de Ketelaere (Milan), and Atlético Madrid players Yannick Carrasco and Axel Witsel. 

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The only absence that can be criticized is that of Divock Origi, who was called up when he was a substitute at Liverpool but now that he is getting a lot more minutes at Milan, he was deleted. 

They have just made a strong showing in the UEFA Nations League, where they finished second to the Netherlands, and advanced as first and undefeated in the Qualifiers, beating Wales and the Czech Republic.

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels

Defenders: Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Leander Dendoncker, Zeno Debast, Arthur Theate, Wout Faes

Midfielders: Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Thorgan Hazard, Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi, Lois Openda, Charles De Ketelaere, Eden Hazard, Jeremy Doku, Dries Mertens, Leandro Trossard

World Cup Group F: Croatia

After having been runners-up in Russia 2018, Croatia arrives in Qatar with the mission of improving what was done in the last World Cup, therefore, they want to be champions. 8 players are repeated concerning the team from 4 years ago, and once again Luka Modric will be the one to lead this team, which very rarely can match what was seen in Russia. 

Along with the Real Madrid player will be Ivan Perisic (Tottenham), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), and Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), among others. Very good names with a great present that can surprise everyone, just as they did recently in the UEFA Nations League, where they came first in their group by eliminating France, Denmark, and Austria. In addition, in the Qualifiers, they were first in a group that they shared with Russia, Slovakia, and Slovenia, among others. 

The Croats arrive with 4 wins in a row and knowing that it is the last appointment of their captain and emblem, Modric. Despite being the current runners-up, they don’t have the label of favorites, but that does not matter to them and they promise to work silently as they did 4 years ago.

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barisic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisic, Martin Erlic, Josip Sutalo

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Sucic

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja

World Cup Group F: Canada

Canada will play it’s second World Cup and it does so after 36 years (Mexico 86), so it is already a cause for celebration in the country. On that occasion, they lost all three games and did not score any goals, two items that they hope to achieve in Qatar 2022. 

In the last Gold Cup, they lost in the semifinals with Mexico after a goal by Héctor Herrera at minute 90+8, and in the qualifiers they came first, beating the same Mexicans and the United States, showing that they have weapons for battle. 

One of the fears of the Canadians was the presence of his star, Alphonso Davies. The Bayern München player was injured a few weeks ago and was unknown, but a couple of days ago his club announced that it was not serious and this Sunday he appeared on the list. In addition to Davies, the Maple Leaf team has players who have performed well in Europe, such as striker Jonathan David (Lille), midfielder Stephen Eustáquio (Porto), goalkeeper Milan Borjan (Crvena Zvezda), and others of great moments in the MLS, where the majority plays. 

Canada has a good team, which is known, but we believe that they are inexperienced in these big events, and that could be decisive.

Goalkeepers: James Pantemis, Milan Borjan, Dayne St. Clair

Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe, Joel Waterman, Alistair Johnston, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Derek Cornelius

Midfielders: Liam Fraser, Ismael Kone, Mark-Anthony Kaye, David Wotherspoon, Jonathan Osorio, Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Eustaquio, Samuel Piette

Forwards: Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar, Lucas Cavallini, Ike Ugbo, Junior Hoilett, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Alphonso Davies

World Cup Group F: Morocco

For many, Morocco is a weak team, but the truth is that they have very good players in each line such as the goalkeeper Yassine Bono (Sevilla), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint Germain), and Nayef Aguerd (West Ham) in defense, Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina) in midfield, and Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea) or Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla) in the attack. However, they are not the only ones. 

The African team repeats the World Cup after being in Russia in 2018, but does so amid controversy, after the dismissal of coach Vahid Halilhodzic 3 months ago. The Bosnian had a fairly strict regimen and also did not call up Ziyech or Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern München), which ended up being decisive. 

Walid Regragui arrived after a good campaign at the local Wydad and has only managed two friendlies: a 2-0 victory against Chile and a goalless draw with Paraguay. Their last two official matches were for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they beat South Africa 2-1 and Liberia 0-2. En-Nesyri scored 2 of the 4 goals. 

In the last World Cup, they surprised everyone from the start equaling 2-2 with Spain, but they gradually deflated and lost to Portugal (1-0) and Iran (1-0), finishing last in their group. This time they will try to advance for the second time in their history to the round of 16.

Goalkeepers: Bono, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Tagnaouti

Defenders: Nayef Aguerd, Yahia Attiyat Allah, Badr Benoun, Achraf Dari, Jawad El Yamiq, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Romain Saiss

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Bilal El Khannous, Yahya Jabrane, Azzedine Ounahi, Abdelhamid Sabiri

Forwards: Zakaria Aboukhlal, Sofiane Boufal, Ilias Chair, Walid Cheddira, Youssef En-Nesyri, Abde Ezzalzouli, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Amine Harit, Hakim Ziyech.

Classifieds

Belgium will undoubtedly advance to the second round, but it will be a very interesting battle to stay in second place, where the three teams have almost equal chances, but we believe that Croatia has a plus with their individualities and will go through to the round of 16.

Fixture Schedule

• Wed, Nov. 23 Morocco vs. Croatia 5 a.m.
•  Wed, Nov. 23 Belgium vs. Canada 2 p.m.
•  Sun, Nov. 27 Belgium vs. Morocco 8 a.m.
•  Sun, Nov. 27 Croatia vs. Canada 11 a.m.
•  Thurs, Dec. 1 Croatia vs. Belgium 10 a.m.
•  Thurs, Dec. 1 Canada vs. Morocco 10 a.m.