Why are World Cup underdogs doing so well?
Why are World Cup underdogs doing so well?
Why are World Cup underdogs doing - This year’s 48-team World Cup has delivered unexpected results, with lower-ranked teams challenging top-tier sides in surprising ways. Cape Verde, Curacao, Ghana, and South Africa—placed 64th, 81st, 65th, and 54th respectively in the FIFA rankings—have earned crucial points against Spain (3rd), Ecuador (29th), England (4th), and South Korea (28th). How have these teams managed to outmaneuver their more powerful opponents?
A Tactical Masterclass from Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw against Spain stood out as one of the tournament’s most memorable upsets. The third-smallest country in World Cup history neutralized Spain with a compact 4-5-1 formation, minimizing gaps between midfield and defense. This strategy disrupted Spain’s high-possession approach, forcing them into a defensive shell. When Spain attempted to pass forward, Cape Verde’s players remained disciplined, refusing to stretch their shape. The result was a stifling display that limited Spain’s attacking options.
'PPDA' stands for 'opposition passes allowed per defensive action'. The higher the number, the less a team has been able to disrupt the opponent’s play. In Cape Verde’s match against Spain, their average PPDA was 51.2, compared to Spain’s 5.9.
Ghana’s Defensive Precision
Ghana mirrored Cape Verde’s approach in their draw with England, adopting a vertically tight 4-5-1 structure. Jordan Ayew occupied a high position to mark England’s Elliot Anderson, while the rest of the team maintained a dense block. This setup prevented England from exploiting space, despite their emphasis on deep pressing and quick counterattacks. The Ghana squad’s disciplined positioning allowed them to control the game’s tempo, much like Cape Verde.
Both teams demonstrated a willingness to stay passive initially, only increasing pressure as the match progressed. This shift suggests a calculated strategy to adapt to evolving circumstances, rather than relying solely on luck.
Where the Underdogs Fall Short
While some teams have thrived, others have struggled. Saudi Arabia’s defeat to Spain highlighted a common weakness in the 'park the bus' tactic. Despite fielding five defenders, the team failed to maintain a cohesive shape. Their midfield shifted excessively toward the ball-side, leaving gaps in the wide areas. Spain capitalized on this by switching play from left to right, isolating Saudi Arabia’s defenders in one-on-one scenarios.
As the ball moved across the field, Saudi Arabia’s left midfielder and wing-back drifted too far from the right flank. This created a two-against-one overload for Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro, resulting in a decisive goal. The lesson here is clear: underdogs must balance compactness with adaptability to avoid being outmaneuvered.