sport news World Cup: 10 THINGS WE LEARNED from the group stages trends now
After two weeks of non-stop football that has culminated in some of the best drama we've seen at such an early stage at the World Cup, the group stages have come to the end.
We've witnessed some big teams flounder, some legendary names say their final farewells and some of the biggest ever upsets at a World Cup tournament. While the final round of group games have had fans on the edge of the seats.
Sportsmail counts down 10 things we have learnt from the group stages of World Cup 2022.
VAR must improve
The use of video technology can be hugely controversial in domestic football but during the last World Cup and at Euro 2020, the system seemed to work well. It is disheartening, then, that VAR has caused such debate in this tournament. Instead of intervening only when there is a clear mistake, the VAR team appear determined to meddle in every incident.
The result? Luka Modric lining up to take a penalty that never happened, or Antoine Griezmann seeing a goal chalked off after the final whistle, or a goal given to Japan when nobody could have been entirely sure whether the ball was still in play. Let us hope those in the control room relax a little in the knockout stages.
VAR has made some huge calls so far in Qatar, including allowing Japan's goal in their 2-1 win over Spain that knocked out Germany
Japan's second goal against Spain became a fiercely-debated topic over whether the ball went out of play
Subs change games
From Davy Klaassen for Holland against Senegal on the second day of the tournament, to Enzo Fernandez for Argentina against Mexico, to Alvaro Morata and Niclas Fullkrug in Spain’s 1-1 draw with Germany, substitutes have played a huge role in the opening phase.
With managers able to change up to half of their outfield players, every member of the squad can hope to play a role for his side. Expect more of this when the serious action begins on Saturday.
Alvaro Morata has proved to be a successful weapon off the bench for Spain so far in Qatar
The favourites are playing a dangerous game
You would have got decent odds on Tunisia, Japan or South Korea winning their final group game, but the odds on all three doing so? That seemed unthinkable after the first two matches.
While their wins over France, Spain and Portugal respectively were fabulous underdog stories, none of the three favourites seemed to be going at anywhere close to full pelt in those fixtures. Only time will tell whether this lost momentum will cost them, when they try to pick it up again in the last 16.
South Korea pulled off an emotional win over a much-changed Portugal team in Group H
Dreadful Qatar
Surely the weakest host nation in the history of the World Cup, Qatar were awful from day one. Dreadful against Ecuador, desperate against Senegal and dire against the Dutch, Qatar were an embarrassment on the pitch, with their players miles short of the required standard.
Any tournament is enhanced if the hosts perform well and the USA, Canada and Mexico will surely produce better in four years’ time.
Qatar will be remembered as the worst performing host nation to take part at World Cup finals
Young stars shining bright
Top-level football is increasingly a youngster’s game. While stars the wrong side of 30 like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale have toiled, those in their teens and early-twenties have sparkled.
The pre-tournament profile of Jamal Musiala, Jude Bellingham, Pedri and
