he ball is round, so goes the old saying. It refers to the sheer unpredictability of soccer, especially in the World Cup, where national pride is at stake. No one would have expected Saudi Arabia to stun Argentina 2-1 in their opening match in Qatar four years ago, even if the South Americans quickly recovered to win the tournament.
This year, cohosts the United States, Canada and Mexico have witnessed shock and awe come one after another, defying the predictions of pundits and punters alike. Qatar held big-name Switzerland to a 1-1 draw, while Morocco forced a 1-1 stalemate with five-time champion Brazil. Belgium had to thank an own goal from Egyptian defender Mohamed Hany for a 1-1 tie and Saudi Arabia almost produced another stunner in a 1-1 deadlock against two-time winner Uruguay.
But the most surprising affair of all came on Monday at Atlanta Stadium. Feisty newcomer Cape Verde fended off reigning European champion Spain in an epic match that ended in a scoreless draw. The hero of the tiny West African squad was veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, who made at least seven spectacular saves. The 40-year-old goalie broke down in tears after the final whistle, while thousands of his compatriots back home poured into the streets to celebrate the memorable debut.
Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go in this World Cup. As Ronaldo noted after Portugal’s disappointing 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, it is too early to predict who will lift the trophy on July 20. With the 48 finalists having only played their first games, teams will undoubtedly adapt their tactics and up their game to survive the next stages.
Few would argue, however, that this string of opening-week surprises signals a changing landscape in global soccer. The likes of Cape Verde have proven skeptics wrong, specifically those who feared a decline in quality after FIFA expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. While established powerhouses like Argentina, Spain, Germany and France remain strong contenders thanks to a deep-seated soccer culture, the gap between them and the rest of the world is narrowing.
Japan, for example, has emerged as a true force to be reckoned with. Even before its 2-2 thriller with the Netherlands on Monday, the Samurai Blue, ranked 18th in the world and highest in Asia, had beaten Brazil and England in friendlies, and downed Germany and Spain in Qatar. The Japanese no longer play like underdogs relying solely on defensive grit and counterattacks. Instead, they dictate tempos, press with intelligent synchronization and exploit space with technical precision, a brand of soccer built on long-term systemic planning and the steady integration of players into top-tier global leagues.
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Likewise, African soccer is asserting its strength with a depth that goes far beyond a single standout star. Morocco, bidding to repeat its historic semifinal run in Qatar, alongside DR Congo and Egypt, have shown their mettle against red-hot favorites. They are proving that African sides possess the tactical maturity to match their renowned physicality.
