Three big upset threats to look out for as World Cup starts second group matches

The World Cup is only getting started and there have already been a couple of upsets. Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkey was unexpected, as was Cape Verde’s spirited 0-0 draw against European champions Spain and DR Congo’s first ever tournament point, picked up against Portugal.

Going forward, there will be further upsets as the stakes climb. While the expanded format has opened the door for more teams to make the knockout rounds, the desperation of certain teams that face an early exit could generate some shocks.

Here are three matches to look out for at this stage of World Cup group fixtures.

USA vs Australia

Friday, June 19 in Seattle

The U.S. made an extremely positive start by thumping Paraguay 4-1 in their tournament opener in Los Angeles, producing what has been labelled by some as their best-ever performance at a World Cup. It was certainly a result and display that caused many to sit up and take notice.

Australia, however, also started their World Cup campaign impressively — beating Turkey 2-0, when most expected Vincenzo Montella’s side to come out on top. The way the Socceroos approached their opener has surely given Mauricio Pochettino something to consider, and possibly something to worry about.

Against Turkey, Australia sat deep in their defensive block, protected their penalty box well and hit on the counter-attack – primarily through Nestory Irankunda, whose direct running and determination to get in behind could be an issue for a USA backline that includes 38-year-old Tim Ream.

At 15/4, Australia are outsiders to leave Seattle with all three points and a place in the round of 32, but Tony Popovic’s team could exacerbate the issues that the USA has previously had creating consistent scoring opportunities against low blocks under both Pochettino and Gregg Berhalter.

Scotland vs Morocco

Friday, June 19 in Foxborough, Mass.

Scotland claimed their first World Cup victory since Italia 90 by overcoming Haiti on Saturday, although Steve Clarke and his players won’t have taken much confidence from the manner of their nervy and laboured 1-0 win over an opponent currently 83rd in the FIFA rankings.

This doesn’t immediately suggest that Scotland will trouble Morocco on Friday, but the dynamic of the meeting against the African giants will be entirely different to the one Clarke’s side struggled to handle against Haiti. The tactical match-up might suit them better even if the opposition is stronger.

Morocco will control the majority of possession, which could suit the likes of John McGinn and Scott McTominay, who struggled to make much of an impact on the opening fixture. Open play creativity in the opposition half has never been a strength of Scotland’s under Clarke, but they have shown their ability to play on the counter.

At 4/1, the odds are firmly against Scotland avenging their loss to Morocco at the 1998 World Cup. The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists have the talent to make another deep run, but Scotland could embrace the chaos to overcome a top opponent like they did Denmark to make it to this tournament in the first place.

Netherlands vs Sweden

Saturday, June 20 in Houston

Sweden entered this World Cup with a lot of uncertainty around them. After finishing bottom of their qualification group and only making it to the tournament through the Nations League back door, few knew what to expect from Graham Potter’s side … and yet they were dominant in their opener against Tunisia.

If Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak can repeat the sort of understanding that led to two of Sweden’s five goals against Tunisia, the Netherlands will find themselves in trouble. They had their defensive vulnerabilities exposed by Japan in a thrilling 2-2 draw last time out, after all.

Ronald Koeman’s team will likely set up to dominate the match in the centre of the pitch, such is the talent they have through the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders, but the Swedes clearly have attacking threat that should keep the Netherlands on their toes.

At 7/2, Sweden are outsiders to make it two wins from two games to start the World Cup, but Potter is already moulding the national team of his adopted homeland in his own image after taking over in October. This tournament could be an opportunity for Sweden to show how good they can be.