Favorites check after matchday 1 – two galas, two shrubs – and something in between – sport

How are the favorite teams doing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar? Surprisingly very different. We deliver the interim balance after the first appearance.

At the 22nd World Cup you could get a first impression of each of the 32 teams. After 16 games, we concentrated on the form of the supposed tournament (co-) favorites – and found significant fluctuations.

In good shape

England and Spain underpinned their standing with victories. The but: Both of them have not yet been tested by real indicators.

The “Three Lions” deserved it 6: 2 over Iran top marks. Despite an early preliminary decision (3-0 at the break), they consistently kept the rhythm high and convinced with an offensive 4-2-3-1 system. Jude Bellingham fulfilled his role as thinker and guide formidably. In his next tasks in Group B against the USA (Friday) and in the explosive island duel with Wales (Tuesday), last year’s European Championship runner-up wants to provide prompt confirmation.

Spain showed no mercy for Costa Rica. On the contrary: The 2010 world champion played himself into a frenzy with a 7-0 win and, above all, warmed up for the Group E cracker on Sunday evening against Germany, which was still pointless. There were plenty of spectacles and unusual material for the statistics books. Coach Luis Enrique’s team secured Spain’s highest World Cup victory, with almost 82 percent possession for a record, and Gavi became the youngest World Cup goalscorer since Pelé in 1958.

Solid, but with room for improvement

France is in the pool D with a 4:1 against Australia also got off the starting blocks as desired. At least this applies to the first 90 minutes of the match, because in the match itself «Les Bleus» had to make up for an early deficit and lost left-back Lucas Hernandez (torn cruciate ligament). In the wake of the new record shooter Olivier Giroud, the defending champion defied the ongoing personnel concerns with a lot of energy.

In Group A they came Netherlands despite the handbrake being on and a lack of creative approaches in attack, they ended up winning 2-0 against Senegal late in the game. From the group of extended aspirants, they also placed in group F Belgium (1-0 against Canada) as well Croatia (0-0 against Morocco), who finished second at the 2018 World Cup, got off to an unconvincing stuttering start.

Namely Richarlison with his magic goal to make it 2-0 for Brazil against Serbia in the “Swiss” group G ensured the successful final round overture. All in all, it was more of a work victory for the 5-times world champion with a significantly improved second half. Likewise Portugal Arrived with 3 points in the tournament, the 3:2 against an unexpectedly tough Ghana revealed potential for improvement.

In an uncomfortable reserve

Argentina (vs. outsiders Saudi Arabia; Group C) and Germany (against Japan, which is clearly weaker; Group E) share the fate of the losers at the start. But in her case, a sorrow shared is not a sorrow halved. Instead, the parallels in the 1-2 missteps are striking: with a 1-0 lead behind them, the two top teams had numerous chances to increase the score, then lost touch after the break and almost had to accept the turning point already paralyzed.