Despite the fact that it took me from July to November to post the episodes of the 2022 Draft World Cup, I actually raced through the matches very quickly at the time, writing it up as I went. I was just completely lax with posting them, because I am on my computer first thing in the morning before I have to do stuff. And it feels pointless to share things at that time.
Anyway, we did eventually wrap up the tournament last time, as England ended six years of hurt with victory over Germany, as they have done for each of their major international trophies in real life.
In this episode we'll briefly recap the tournament, then hand out some prizes!
Group stage
Anyway, we did eventually wrap up the tournament last time, as England ended six years of hurt with victory over Germany, as they have done for each of their major international trophies in real life.
In this episode we'll briefly recap the tournament, then hand out some prizes!
Group stage
For the second year in a row, the big story was Italy failing to get out of the group stage, losing to an Asian minnow. Last year it was Iraq, this year it was Thailand.
Beyond that, there weren't too many shocks, with the more noteworthy outcomes involving Paraguay being the only debutants to get through, and Colombia overcoming two-time defending champions France to top Group A.
There was late drama, though. In Group C Belgium thought they'd saved themselves with a late goal against Egypt, only to concede in the 8th minute of added time. And in Group E there were three teams battling to join Spain in the next round. It came down to a last-second penalty for Poland, which would have sent Senegal through. But Martín Silva produced a save to send Paraguay through!
Knockout stages
Beyond that, there weren't too many shocks, with the more noteworthy outcomes involving Paraguay being the only debutants to get through, and Colombia overcoming two-time defending champions France to top Group A.
There was late drama, though. In Group C Belgium thought they'd saved themselves with a late goal against Egypt, only to concede in the 8th minute of added time. And in Group E there were three teams battling to join Spain in the next round. It came down to a last-second penalty for Poland, which would have sent Senegal through. But Martín Silva produced a save to send Paraguay through!
Knockout stages
Again, there weren't many upsets in the entirety of the knockout stages, with the exception of Spain's loss to Argentina. But we did start with a bang as two-time winners Germany and France played out an epic. The odd goal in five went in favour of the Germans, and France's two-year grip on the DWC was over. Elsewhere Brazil enacted a good comeback to knock out Ukraine.
They repeated the trick in the next round, coming from behind to beat Scotland. It meant they and Argentina joined European duo England and Germany in the semi finals. The two favourites each recorded easy 4-1 wins to set up their final, where Fabinho was the unlikely star in England's win.
World rankings
This is how the DWC has changed the world rankings. The points change is relative to the start of the tournament:
They repeated the trick in the next round, coming from behind to beat Scotland. It meant they and Argentina joined European duo England and Germany in the semi finals. The two favourites each recorded easy 4-1 wins to set up their final, where Fabinho was the unlikely star in England's win.
World rankings
This is how the DWC has changed the world rankings. The points change is relative to the start of the tournament:
Despite being on paper one of the (if not the) strongest teams in DWC-land for all six years, and despite consistently having the stronger win percentage of any team, it has taken this DWC triumph for England to finally top the world rankings, making them the fifth team to do so.
Meanwhile, Italy tumble out of the top 10, with USA replacing them. There are big rises for the minnows who took their chance - Thailand, Senegal and Vietnam.
Awards
Unlike most award ceremonies, we're just going to rattle through them.
Golden Boot
The easiest one, it's just who scored the most goals. The differential is number of games played, and for the second year in a row it proves decisive:
Meanwhile, Italy tumble out of the top 10, with USA replacing them. There are big rises for the minnows who took their chance - Thailand, Senegal and Vietnam.
Awards
Unlike most award ceremonies, we're just going to rattle through them.
Golden Boot
The easiest one, it's just who scored the most goals. The differential is number of games played, and for the second year in a row it proves decisive:
Amusingly, Erling Haaland was selected for Germany's dead rubber against Syria because - after five goals in his first two games - it was the perfect chance for him to solidify his grip on the Golden Boot. But in failing to score in that match, it ultimately proved the difference as Gabriel Barbosa - never spectacular but very prolific - takes it!
Team of the Tournament
After much deliberation, here is the XI:
Team of the Tournament
After much deliberation, here is the XI:
There are five players included from winners England, compared to 1 from runners-up Germany. It feels unfair, but is largely just that Germany's other key players were unlucky in which position they played. Robert Lewandowski was clearly the less effective of their two deadly strikers, Alphonso Davies couldn't compete with Barisic (see below) and Leroy Sané misses out to England's goalscoring wingers.
Speaking of Sanés, Yaya Sané notched three goals in the group stage to be a surprise inclusion, whilst Filip Nguyen is in after his efforts lead Vietnam to two very creditable draws. He is the only draft player included in the XI.
Golden Ball
The award for best player, you can consider the XI above the shortlist:
Speaking of Sanés, Yaya Sané notched three goals in the group stage to be a surprise inclusion, whilst Filip Nguyen is in after his efforts lead Vietnam to two very creditable draws. He is the only draft player included in the XI.
Golden Ball
The award for best player, you can consider the XI above the shortlist:
Borna Barisic had a remarkable tournament. He didn't start the tournament, but when Kieran Tierney was suspended Barisic came in and notched two hat-tricks of assists to lead Scotland to the quarter finals. But he ultimately misses out to Haaland, whose wrecking-ball efforts made Germany utterly deadly.
Goal of the Tournament
Obviously, this is the award for the best goal:
Goal of the Tournament
Obviously, this is the award for the best goal:
A magical solo run from Lewandowski is beaten by long-range strikes. Lionel Messi had a really good tournament in his first outing for France, but he was bested by a devastating long-range shot from Syria's Kamel Koaeh. A nice memento for the debutants who didn't score any other goals and finished with no points.
And that wraps it all up! With the new FM already out, I am already creating the squads for the new year. Hopefully it won't end up as protracted as this year's!