World Cup 2022: England, USA, Senegal, and Netherlands progressed to the knockout round of the competition

 The world cup started not long ago, but half of the 64 matches, 32 have already been played.

We have seen upsets, shock results among other surprises. Group A and Group B have completed their three rounds of matches. Four teams, two from each group have progressed and the other four have to pack their luggage and go back home.

The Netherlands and the African giants Senegal, are the teams that progressed to the next round of matches from group A.  From group B England and the USMNT were the  ones that made it to the knockout round.

Group A Analysis

From the start of the tournament, many  expected the host nation Qatar to put up a fight but that didn't happen. They failed to earn a single point at home, something that has never happened to any host nation. They lost all three matches, including the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ecuador in what was the opening match of the tournament. Their fans will have to support some other team for the rest of the competition .

Ecuador did well in their first two matches and many expected them to qualify to the next round but could not happen. They earned four point from the possible six, by beating host Qatar and drew with the group winners Netherlands. However, the 2-1 lost at the hands of the Terranga Lions of Senegal threw them out of the competition.

Senegal were missing starman Sadio Mane, and many expected them to struggle in his absence. Especially after loosing their first match against group winners the Netherlands. But that was not the case, they managed to win the remaining two matches, against Qatar and Ecuador, hence they progressed to the next round with six points.

The Netherlands were tipped to progressed out of the group with ease and they didn't disappoint. They won two of their games against host Qatar and Senegal and only drew against Ecuador. They got seven point and topped their group.

Group B Analysis

England  and the USA were expected to progressed out of this group and go on to the next round. These two didn't disappoint, they came first and second respectively, with seven and five point. It was not a straight forward qualification for them though, as they had to win their final matches against Wales and Iran respectively to progressed.

As predicted, Iran and Wales could not make the cut. They secured only three and one point respectively. Iran's point  was from their win against Wales, who also couldn't qualify.

Gareth Bale and his compatriots did well to qualify their country to the world cup  after over three decades but they had to leave early. One could argue their inexperienced at this stage worked against them. As they secured only one point and that was from the game against the USA. That equaliser even came from the penaty spot. That was their only goal at the tournament.

God willingly we wait to see what happens in the other groups.

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