The World Cup finals in Qatar are just 13 months away.
With crunch time coming, the October set of qualifiers produced fascinating footballing stories on every continent, and there’s still all to play for. Europe is wrapping up, it’s raining goals in Asia, and giants are progressing in Africa, but in the Americas, play has been dominated by individuals. Alphonso Davies lit up the North American stage and, further south, Lionel Messi reminded us why he is simply something else.
Asia: AFC
It’s been a fantastic few weeks for football in Asia, filled with exciting games and surprising results. After four matchdays, we are now starting to see who is fighting for automatic qualification, and who will be pushing for the playoffs.
In Group A, Asian giants Iran and South Korea collided in Tehran. It was supposed to be the first football match in Iran to welcome fans, including a small number of women, in almost two years. Eventually, though, it was held behind closed doors, and the empty stands watched on as the game ended in a solid 1-1 draw - Son Heung-min and Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored the goals. It was a quality check for Team Melli, despite topping the group they’ve not produced the best out of their talented group of players.
But forget about Iran and South Korea, now everyone is speaking about Lebanon.
The country is going through one of its most challenging hours, but The Cedars were able to pull off a spectacular win in the Shami derby, overcoming Syria 3-2. With five home games in their remaining six, and with the UAE and Iraq struggling to win, Lebanon have become a contender for a spot in the fourth round.
Saudi Arabia have had a fantastic couple of games, beating both Japan and China at home and collecting all 12 points on offer so far in Group B. Australia were “supposed” to be in the same situation, but a 2-1 loss against a disappointing Japan side leaves them on nine. Japan themselves have previously lost to both Oman and Saudi Arabia. Many thought this group would be straightforward, but it’s becoming a real thriller.
Africa: CAF
It’s come to a point in Africa where some teams progress, and others crash silently in the distance. Senegal and Morocco both claimed their spot in the third round, gaining all 12 points on offer so far.
In Group A, the battle for qualification looks like it will go to the very last day. Algeria, who are now unbeaten for 31 consecutive matches, the longest current run among international teams, and Burkina Faso are both on ten points, and will be eager to secure their spots in the next round.
Tunisia are comfortable leaders of Group B, and three points clear of nearest challengers Equatorial Guinea.
The Central African Republic shocked Nigeria with a 1-0 win away from home - it’s their first loss in a World Cup qualifier in years, but the Super Eagles bounced back and won their reverse fixture, and are still favourites in Group C.
Ivory Coast and Cameroon are still battling in Group D, Mali are eyeing the next stage in Group E, and Groups G and J will come to a tense climax in November, with South Africa and Ghana, and Tanzania and Benin, battling it out respectively.
Away from the action, the most interesting team to follow in Africa was Egypt, and the quick cultural transformation that Carlos Quieroz has made to their football.
Two victories over Libya showed Africa, and the world, that their ability to return to their second consecutive World Cup is not in question. The first was a complex and combative 1-0 win in Alexandria, with a superb goal from the talented Omar Marmoush.
The second provided a more convincing victory for the Pharaohs, a clean 3-0 win in Benghazi. Libya, and their Spanish coach Javier Clemente, were hoping to shock the Egyptians, but soon realised that their World Cup dream is unrealistic, especially when Queiroz is around.
It is a little early, but Quieroz and Egypt look like a match made in heaven. The players are flourishing under him, especially the young Marmoush and Ahmed Al-Fotouh. The team is not depending solely on Mohammed Salah anymore, and they are more dynamic and flexible in attack, whilst organized and quick in defence. You can comfortably say that Queiroz is building something special out of this Egypt side, and it will be fascinating to see how it develops. Who knows, maybe the connection the Portuguese coach is making in the Pyramids will end up usurping what he built in Iran. Time will tell.
Europe: UEFA
Qualifiers in Europe probably endure the worst PR of all the continents. The gap between the best and the worst is so significant that, sometimes, the level of appreciation games receive from neutrals is declining.
One of the ever-present best, Germany, guaranteed its place in the World Cup finals, the first nation to do so (after Qatar, the hosts), with Hansi Flick cruising in his new managerial role. The ex-Bayern Munich coach enjoyed a smooth entrance into the job, it’s almost like he has been there forever.
Denmark also guaranteed its place, becoming the second team to do so. The Danes have held onto a perfect record so far, eight wins from eight games, scoring 27 goals and conceding zero in the process.
Russia, England, France, and Belgium are all looking solid bets for qualification, but still all is to play for, and there are still some exciting stories rumbling on.
Second place in Group I is being fought for between Albania and Poland, whilst Portugal are closing in on Serbia in a tight Group A. The Netherlands are firmly on top of Group G, with Turkey and Norway eyeing second place - they played each other this week, but neither were able to capitalise on the opportunity to pull ahead, the match ended with a 1-1 draw.
Italy and Spain are still looking to nail down a guaranteed place in the tournament, they’re fighting Switzerland and Sweden respectively.
And Israel bid farewell to their World Cup aspirations with a dramatic loss to Scotland. A win at home to minnows Moldova couldn’t help their cause, Scotland are already thinking about the playoffs following their win against the Faroe Islands. The Scots will be hoping to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998.
North & Central America: CONCACAF
Alphonso Davies’ Canada are not playing games. Despite struggling against Jamaica and Mexico, and taking home only two points from their first two games this window, the Bayern Munich defender scored an outstanding goal in their third, an impressive 4-1 win over Panama. The Canucks are serious about making it to Qatar, and making what would be only their second ever World Cup finals appearance.
The Panamanians haven’t given up either. Hosting the USA, they secured a lucrative 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal from Anibal Godoy.
The US recovered with a 2-1 win over Costa Rica, which seems them hold on to second place for the time being, but they still aren’t putting in strong performances, and aren’t looking ready for a World Cup.
And who’s in first place in the octagonal? Mexico, of course. El Tri are cruising in their hunt for a place at another finals tournament, the only question now is whether they will make it past the last 16.
South America: CONMEBOL
Messi, Messi, Messi. Thank god for Messi.
The CONMEBOL qualifiers produced some quality moments in October, and the Argentinian magician and his Albiceleste were at the centre of it.
The 3-0 victory against Uruguay showed the whole world that Messi has still got it, that Argentina is still a power in world football, and that South American football can still produce world class games. Simply poetry in motion.
But as expected, it wasn’t all glamour on the continent. Colombia’s first two games of the window, against Uruguay and Brazil, were both goalless, but La Tricolor were hoping to bring something different to their third game, and take revenge on an Ecuador side who beat them 6-1 when they met a year ago. But, after 100 minutes of football, only 44 minutes of which with the ball in play, VAR decisions, bad officiating, and havoc in the middle of the pitch, Colombia ground out their third 0-0 of the window.
A guaranteed place in the playoffs went to Brazil, who reached the target of 28 points (now with 31 already), the minimum amount needed to qualify, they’ll now be looking to push on towards automatic qualification.
And Bolivia, one of the continent’s minnows, finished this round with a 4-0 rout over Paraguay. The Bolivians now have 12 points, and are only four away from the playoffs. They’ve only reached the finals three times, the last being in 1994, if they can pull off the unthinkable then the celebrations in La Paz will be something unforgettable.
So many stories from across the world, and it’ll all be back again in less than a month's time. And let’s not forget about Oceania, where the race to qualify hasn’t even started yet. Just imagine the scenes on the islands of Vanuatu, trying to punch for a place in the intercontinental playoffs, that’s what the international break is all about.
Edited by Alex Smith.
Photo via Saudi Arabia national team official Twitter account.
