World Cup 2022: What we learned from a group stage that saw record number of upsets

And take a deep breath.

A helter-skelter group stage featuring more shock results than ever before has ended with a picture of how the World Cup is unfolding.

The knockout phase should be an interesting one with some of the main players coming into form.

What are the main things that came out of the opening section?

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No side is safe from a shock result

Most of the favorites have escaped their groups, but it hasn't been easy.

Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina on the third day of the tournament.

Japan followed suit a day later as they beat Germany despite falling behind, and then beat Spain in the final game to win the group. Costa Rica upsetting Japan in their second game was the biggest surprise of the group.

We might have seen the decline of Belgium. Roberto Martinez's side, ranked second in the world, was knocked out of the tournament by a vibrant Morocco performance.

France and Brazil were not spared from a surprise result. The loss to Tunisia may have come after nine changes to the starting line-up, but it did reveal some cracks in the armour of the world's best team. Nine changes were made in Brazil's loss to Cameroon.

Six continents made the knockout stages for the first time.

It was the 12th upset of the tournament and the winner's chance of victory was between 16.7% and 33.3%).

The previous record of nine upsets and shocks in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups has been beaten by the number of upsets and shocks in the World Cup.

The only shock of the group stage was Argentina's loss to Saudi Arabia and it was joined by a win by Brazil.

The big names are still performing…

The superstars were the subject of questions. Do they have it? Is it possible to do it in the desert.

Many of them said yes.

Lionel Messi lit up Group C for Argentina, scoring a vital opening goal against Mexico and then dazzling against Poland to fire them through to the knockout stages.

The long-time rival has his troubles in club football, but he is doing his talking on the field for Portugal. He became the first man to score five World Cup goals when he scored a penalty in the second game of the tournament. He claimed that he had glanced in the opener, but it turned out to be a distraction and a crucial run because Bruno Fernandes' cross had not hit his forehead.

The man has joined the party. Poland's main man scored his first World Cup goal to help his country qualify for the last 16 for the first time in 26 years.

….but the next generation is emerging

So much has been written and said about KylianMbappe, but the France forward has not disappointed, producing electric performances and three goals in the group stage to ensure his side were the first through to the last 16.

Spain's band of dynamic youngsters have also thrilled at times, with 17-year-old Gavi becoming the youngest World Cup goal scorer since Brazil legend Pele in their opener against Costa Rica.

Gakpo was already one of the most in-demand forwards in Europe, but he may have raised his price by becoming the first man from a European country to score in all three group games.

Canada's Alphonso Davies, Mohammed Kudus, and England's Phil Foden all performed well on the big stage.

Jude Bellingham has become a huge star thanks to his goal and all-round display in the victory over Iran which helped the Three Lions top Group B.

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Brazil are still the favourites

The world's top-ranked team was already qualified by the time they lost to Cameroon.

Richarlison's second goal in the win over Serbia was a sign that Brazil are in town, according to Chris.

With Vinicius Jr and Raphinha sparkling on the flanks and Gabriel Martinelli and Antony waiting in the wings, their squad depth is still very good.

The Paris St-German forward could return for the knockout stages to support a route to the final that includes games against Spain and Argentina.

With Thiago Silva marshalling their backline, Casemiro in the form that has won him everything at club level and attackers who can score from anywhere, the five-time World Cup winners are still the team to beat.

What else have we learned?

• Games last longer: So far, there have been 525 additional stoppage time minutes of football at the World Cup. That's equivalent to almost six extra games. Fans are certainly getting their money's worth.
• Fewer goals than the last couple of World Cups, especially in the first half: 2.5 per game is the lowest in the past three World Cups, with just 36% of those coming in the first half.
• Teams are taking fewer, better shots: 22.3 per match, but with a best all-time World Cup conversion rate of 11.2%, although a record low 8% of goals have come from outside the box.
• Teams are passing more: An average of 960 passes per game is more than any other tournament.

The vital numbers

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