FIFA World Cup 2010: Lionel Messi Argentina and Brazil the new favourites to win the world cup
The group stage of the World Cup is over in South Africa, with sixteen top fighters left to compete in the next round of matches. The World Cup began with many hopes from many teams and players but up till now most of the Big names have not performed to the level appended to them.
Italy and France, the reigning champions and runner-ups in the last format have already been knocked out of the tournament. All credit goes to the efforts of some of the new teams making their mark on the history of this beautiful sport. At the time when, almost all of the great teams, failed to impress.
There is also something remarkable to cherish this year. Five teams from South America participated in the tournament and for the first time in the history of FIFA World Cups; all the teams from South America were able to qualify for the round of sixteen. It is really impressive for the region where football is considered a religion and football stars as gods.
Never before on this big stage had it happened that all the teams representing South America were able to clear their first round. The tournament started with a bang when France was held to a draw in their very first match against Uruguay. Against all odds, the teams from Europe failed to make their expected mark. England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France all struggled in their respective groups and although England, Germany and Spain did qualify for the next round, their performances have left little to write home about.
The title of ‘Favourites’ was also snatched by the South American teams. Spain, who was considered favourites, looked doubtful after their poor start. France and Italy were both bewildered and were left to curse themselves after their poor performances in their respective groups. Both teams look below par in front of the other teams who looked more like a squad than a mere collection of star players.
In a similar way, the African teams failed to make their mark and beyond doubt wasted an opportunity that could have very well brought happiness throughout the continent. Ivory Coast was quite competitive but their poor ground tactics led them to finish third in their group. Algeria and Cameroon were also did not produce the standard with which the other teams played and seriously lacked confidence in their abilities. South Africans were a little more competitive but failed to qualify for the next round. Ghana from Africa, South Korea and Japan from Asia, were able to get to the next round as they showed more responsibility and confidence than any other teams from their regions.
South Americans have always been at the top of football and every time they come in this tournament they make an impact that remains on the best pages of history. They showed it yet again, as they achieved a feat never before achieved in the long World Cup history. Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile were very impressive as the former two teams also now stand at the top of their respective groups. But the real treat came from the all-time famous South America teams, Argentina and Brazil. Argentina was most impressive of the two as it not only played excellent football but also went on to win all the three matches of the group stage which is quite a feat this year. Brazil also had huge success in the opening round as they didn’t lose any game in their three openers. The South Americans made their point in the tournament and made it quite evident that they mean serious business and did not mind if the tag of favourites was not attached to them.
With the opening round now over, the stats tell us that the World Cup might end up in South America with Argentina and Brazil the new favourites to bring glory to their nations.
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