5 Biggest Surprises So Far:
5. Subs, subs and more subs
Subs in soccer usually don’t have a huge impact on the game, yet from the word go at this World Cup players who have come off the bench have had a massive impact on the game. Belgium have had all three of its World Cup goals scored by subs, John Brooks scored the United States game-winner and overall nearly 20% of the 94 goals scored in this tournament have come from subs. Yes, the point of many offensive substitutions is to get things going when they haven’t been, but the rate these guys are scoring is simply astounding.
4. Karim Benzema’s scoring binge
Benzema is a world-class striker, and that was true before this World Cup. But, what he’s done in leading Les Bleus to two emphatic wins in Group E has been impressive. He leads all goal scorers with three so far this tournament and he also has 15 total shots to go with it. Benzema’s been dangerous from the first moment he touched he ball and his hattrick against Switzerland was one of the better done at a World Cup. Thanks to his performances, France looks more like a side capable of going far than the one that melted down four years ago in South Africa.
3. Algeria’s scoring binge
While we’re on the topic of scoring binges…Raise your hands if you thought Algeria was capable of scoring four goals in the tournament, let alone four in one match? Sure, South Korea’s goalkeeper and his lack of skill were part of the equation, but Algeria put the foot on the gas on Sunday and never let off. It was as big of an ass kicking as we’ve seen in this tournament. Oh, and who knew no African nation had ever scored four goals in a single tournament? Would’ve put money on any other side to break that record over Algeria.
2. South Korea’s lack of discipline
The South Korean’s have gained a reputation of playing disciplined and attacking soccer over the last decade or so, but so far this tournament there have been a number of uncharacteristic mistakes made by the side. In fact, three of the Algerian goals on Sunday were down to goalkeeper and defensive errors. That to me and to many other observers is a massive surprise. Through two games the side has accumulated five yellow cards, nearly topping that category at this World Cup (6 yellow cards for Greece and Honduras).
1. Costa Rica
Personally, having paid attention to Los Ticos‘ amazing ride through CONCACAF qualifying I knew the side was talented. But, expecting them to qualify for the knockout stages after two games was a feat no one expected to happen. All the Costa Ricans have done is beat Uruguay and Italy and with another win against England would make a clean sweep of a group that includes three former World Cup winners. Los Ticos were one of my dark horse teams, but on the pitch they’ve proven to be one of the better sides at this World Cup.