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Fates have been decided 🌟⚽️🏟️🏆

We made it to the final matches of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Only Group G and H remained to play their third matches. As with most of the other groups, things were extremely competitive until the very end.

Prior to discussing the details of these final group stage matches, I also want to point out that I have written about every 2022 World Cup match so far. I most recently posted an article featuring the following games...

Croatia🇭🇷 vs Belgium🇧🇪
Canada🇨🇦 vs Morocco🇲🇦
Japan🇯🇵 vs Spain🇪🇸
Costa Rica🇨🇷 vs Germany🇩🇪

^{If you want to go back and read my breakdown you can follow this link.}

Portugal and Brazil both knew they were already headed to the knockout stage, but surely they both would wish to remain undefeated going into the next stage. All of the other teams were fighting to outlast each other. This all made for some fierce play and many stand-out moments.

Let's recap four more games from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar...

Ghana🇬🇭 vs Uruguay🇺🇾

^{My Prediction: Ghana}

Ghana and Uruguay both needed this win to stay alive in the tournament. Ghana could possibly get away with a draw as long as South Korea didn't win their match. Uruguay was an even match for Ghana, but only one could move on from this group. The first bit of action was a bit controversial during this match. Ghana was awarded a penalty kick when VAR helped confirm a foul on Uruguay's goalkeeper. The only thing is, Ghana choked like they did in 2010 against Uruguay and was unable to score their free goal yet again.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598698720320970754?s=20&t=khgE_bJYLhOFQgnkGT0_wQ
- FOXSoccer

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598699338498187264?s=20&t=YzvRgMnwoR3XlDRty1zZRA
- FOXSoccer

A few moments after the missed pk, Uruguay nearly scored. The keeper was beaten, but somehow a Ghanaian defender managed to appear at the last second to kick the ball away from the goal.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598699989525356544?s=20&t=biBXpUgIVmLTrYPm8agd4Q
- FOXSoccer

In the 26th minute, the match was altered in a big way. Luis Suárez had great look, but it was saved by Ghana's keeper. The only thing is, Giorgian de Arrascaeta was there for the rebound header.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598700668625338373?s=20&t=au8h4lf3xX-ECZ-cROFReQ
- FOXSoccer

Another goal from Uruguay was on the books in the 32nd minute. It was De Arrascaeta yet again who scored. This time it was a beautiful volley across the box and into the back of the net. This powerful shot was set up nicely by the Uruguayan legend Luis Suárez.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598702058818994178?s=20&t=aHfWPDYUg-3JqBd8ooLHlw
- FOXSoccer

After 45 minutes of play, Uruguay still held a decisive lead. Ghana absolutely needed to wake up and commandeer the lead. Ghana was unable to answer with any goals to keep their nation from being eliminated. Uruguay was hopeful that Portugal and South Korea were ending it at a draw, but a late South Korean goal changed the mood for Uruguay in the final minutes of their match. If Uruguay did not score a third goal (and keep Ghana from scoring), then they would be eliminated due to the goal differential being even with South Korea. It was a fair play that pushed South Korea ahead of Uruguay. Uruguay had more yellow cards than South Korea. Ghana and Uruguay have both been eliminated from the World Cup as a result.

Result: 0-2 in favor of Uruguay

South Korea🇰🇷 vs Portugal🇵🇹

^{My Prediction: Portugal}

South Korea was facing a must-win situation, otherwise, they would be eliminated from the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo insisted on playing instead of being benched since Portugal had already advanced to the knockout stage. Although it was not Ronaldo who scored Portugal's early goal in the 5th minute, that was actually Ricardo Horta. South Korea was forced into an uphill battle from here.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598695401364029441?s=20&t=X84m9LD0bsmHo2PByArTUw
- FOXSoccer

Portugal thought they were on their way to another easy win to go undefeated through the group stage. However, South Korea responded in the 27th minute when Kim Young-gwon blessed his nation with a goal thanks to a well-placed corner kick from Son Heung-min.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598701129579352066?s=20&t=87vL55gy73UPEi3JjxO3EA
- FOXSoccer

At the break, the score was even. South Korea needed to make some adjustments to keep its dreams of finally advancing to the knockout stage alive. No more goals were scored until South Korea did the unthinkable when Son Heung-min got on a breakaway in the 90th minute. He was patient and waited for his teammate Hwang Hee-chan to arrive and dropped it off to him for the goal that saved them.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598721206315880455?s=20&t=w4Tpm8UaBxVpVQwML4EleA
- FOXSoccer

The result of this match means that Portugal and South Korea both will move on from Group H to the knockout stage. Portugal was the group winner and will face Switzerland in their next match. South Korea will be up against Brazil soon.

Result: 2-1 in favor of South Korea

Serbia🇷🇸 vs Switzerland🇨🇭

^{My Prediction: Switzerland}

Serbia walked onto the pitch for this match against the Swiss still vying for their first win at this World Cup. Serbia and Switzerland both were in a dire situation where a win was needed to stay alive in this tournament. Switzerland was the first to strike as Xherdan Shaqiri scored a one-timer in the 20th minute.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598759679982698497?s=20&t=hfRqfvc-B3ssWOLdjE51nA
- FOXSoccer

Not long after, Serbia replied with a goal of their own in the 26th minute when Aleksandar Mitrović headed one past the keeper. Then a second goal in the 35th minute by Dušan Vlahović.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598761286761840658?s=20&t=LZOrDhhXipsPC1YTC88J1Q
- FOXSoccer

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598763403526406162?s=20&t=Qy01L5nGJ5hcP6X_mx3pyg
- FOXSoccer

Switzerland found the equalizer just before the first half's end. It was Breel Embolo who guided a low cross through for an essential goal before halftime.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598765774797144065?s=20&t=RkamCKl6G1JyVybkt-5N3w
- FOXSoccer

This topsy-turvy game didn't slow down one bit going into the second half. Switzerland got their third goal to take the lead back. This one was from Remo Freuler as he accepted a beautiful flick from his compatriot.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598771700673421313?s=20&t=ClxSL0PYXNPtmEXnfSr5rQ
- FOXSoccer

Switzerland held off the rabid Serbians through the end of this match. Serbia seemed to me like the team willing to bleed the most out of any that I have seen play during this World Cup. The Swiss deserve a lot of respect for holding them off.

We will see if Switzerland can win another big match when they face Portugal in the first round of the knockout stage.

Result: 2-3 in favor of Switzerland

Cameroon🇨🇲 vs Brazil🇧🇷

^{My Prediction: Brazil}

Brazil was in a great position going into this game and was able to rest many of their starters. The bad thing for Cameroon is, Brazil's bench is better than the majority of the other team's starters. Cameroon only had a chance to continue after this match if they won and Switzerland did not win. Brazil came into this match having given up zero shots on goal so far during this World Cup. Cameroon was one of the teams with the most shots on goal. The two stats went head to head and Brazil kept control of this match with zero issues. There were multiple instances where Brazil was about to score, but Cameroon's defenders decided to foul hard and accept yellow cards. If it weren't for those dangerous plays, there most likely would have been at least one goal in the first half.

Cameroon played a lovely ball into the box which resulted in a bouncing header that was miraculously saved by Brazil's goalkeeper Ederson. This was his first save of this World Cup up to that point.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598766688480075776?s=20&t=3UEYkrflgSMPsg98qZEZKA
- FOXSoccer

Despite Brazil having nearly 20 shots, they were unable to score a goal through 90 minutes. Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar finally claimed the first goal of the match in extra time and also the only goal scored against Brazil so far. He was so ecstatic about it that he took his shirt off and received his second yellow card of the match and then was sent off with a red.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598782518018408450?s=20&t=0xDVmwFSxsmmZ1OS1f7qjQ
- FOXSoccer

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598783179493675010?s=20&t=EXsd9-t1AClKBW5yG5RIww
- FOXSoccer

This brought Cameroon down to a 10v11 situation and they still needed another goal to have any chance at all to advance. They also needed Switzerland to lose, which hadn't happened yet. Cameroon was unable to get that second goal and Brazil left this match having not only lost but also unable to score a single goal.

Cameroon has been eliminated and Brazil will move on to face South Korea in the knockout stage.

Result: 1-0 in favor of Cameroon

On to the round of 16 👀

We now know all of the teams that will advance to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Sixteen teams have been eliminated and sixteen will move on to play more. There will be no more draws and any loss will result in elimination. Things are about to get even more interesting than they already were.

^{Don't forget about the Hive account@hivebuzz World Cup contest @hivebuzz/wc2022}