World Cup group stage recap: From Lionel Messi to Cape Verde, the tournament has been exciting but not without risk | Football news

In the group stage of the World Cup, which should not have been a problem, it definitely ended in a game. Sasa Kalajdzic’s 96th-minute equaliser, shortly after Algeria had taken the lead, earned Austria a 3-3 draw and their place in the tournament.

In a way, it summed up the difference between our fears and the reality of a World Cup that was full of fun. Algeria and Austria could have played a draw and both went through. Instead, they accomplished six more goals to add to the long list.

There were 215 in total, a team division record. And if you think it’s because there were so many games, that’s not the whole story. Indeed, the 2.99 per game average is the highest since the 1950s. And there have never been many hits.

Yes, it was all about bringing us back to 32 teams – the number of countries competing in the last seven tournaments. But none of the newcomers really embarrassed themselves. In fact, they have lit up the summer and the names of the stars.

Curacao’s equalizer against Germany will always stand out. Jordan is on a three-game losing streak but has scored in every game, including against hosts Argentina. The magical Cape Verde will face Lionel Messi and his teammates in the last 32 and remain undefeated.

As for Messi himself, it was his hat-trick against Algeria that sparked it all but he wasn’t alone. The quartet chasing him for the Golden Boot are Vinicius Junior, Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Ballon d’Or shortlist. The stars have risen.

There will be some allegations of stat-padding and they are completely unfounded. Paolo Rossi is a long way from winning the golden boot thanks to a hat-trick against Brazil before scoring his sixth goal in the 1982 final.

Both of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals were scored by Uzbekistan. Messi helped himself and played with Jordan. Haaland and Mbappe scored two each against an Iraqi side that came in through the back door, benefiting from some of the places Asia has given away.

Iraq missed out on qualifying spots to South Korea and Jordan in their first group, losing to Saudi Arabia in the next group stage and qualifying for the final. There will be those who think Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has a point.

“The number of teams that cannot enter this competition can turn it into an insult and normal,” he said on Saturday. “The World Cup should be something with meaning and importance. It should be unusual. But, as you know, today, money talks.”

The format certainly has its challenges. We have only lost three European teams. The Czech Republic was unusual. Turkey and Scotland were making their first appearances in 24 and 28 years respectively. Perhaps most surprisingly, Uruguay did not win a single match.

It was the only South American team that did not qualify, and Tunisia was the only one of the 10 African teams to go out before being beaten. A strong representation of the continent, in stark contrast to the representatives of Asia – seven of whom are no longer present.

There have certainly been many – more matches than have ever been played in the World Cup before – to complete the 16 teams. But the rhetoric of pure competition does not describe it well. This thing, for all the trappings going on, remains very special in that regard.

Raul Jimenez’s World Cup goal against Mexico and Folarin Balogan’s first-team debut for the United States. Kerim Alajbegovic announced himself in Bosnia-Herzegovina at the age of 18 and Vozinha did the same in Cape Verde at the age of 40.

In the trivela of Giovanni Reyna and the pains of Marcelo Bielsa. About Rafik Belghali getting an assist from the corner flag and Kevin Pina doing it all by himself. The joie de vivre of Ecuador. Austria’s desperation was rewarded. It has been a colorful World Cup.

Do you still agree with Queiroz? No problem. “The group stage is a warm-up and qualifying for the next round is like a credit card. Now you have to start paying,” added the angry Portuguese. “Everything goes to the winner, every game is a drama, no one can hide.”

The World Cup is starting.