The 2022 FIFA World Cup is waiting for a new champion among its contenders. All national teams want eternal glory and the golden star on their respective shirts, but they know that there is a long and arduous road to achieve it. It all begins at the qualifying rounds. On March 24, the qualifying rounds began in Europe with the national teams of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Unlike South America, the Old Continent did not start the qualifying rounds, thanks to the waves of COVID-19 back in October 2020, but the wait is over. From March 24 to March 31, three match days will be played by the 10 corresponding teams from the European qualifications.
The German, Swedish, Italian and English national teams are the great powers that managed to reach the six points of both dates between March 24 and March 30 with no worries at all. Other countries, such as Turkey, Russia, and Denmark, also lead their respective groups, but do not have the same prominence as previous years. The Spain and France matches were both lacking, but a stunner from Dani Olmo, Spain’s midfielder, and a great finish from Ousmane Dembele, France’s forward, ended the game.
France, the last and current world champion from 2018’s World Cup, lead group D. After a difficult start in the home game, with a draw against Ukraine Bleus’, France managed to claim a 2-0 win against Kazakhstan. The squad chosen by the coach, Didier Deschamps, was completely different from the Ukraine match. The only players from the original starting lineup were goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and forward Antoine Griezzman. The victory of the French national team came from a strong cross-level finish of Ousmane Dembele in the 14th minute of the first half. 30 minutes later, the score turned 2-0 in favor of France thanks to Ukrainian central defender Maliy’s blooper. Seconds earlier, he saved the Ukrainian team on the score line, and unfortunately for him in the next play, he did not see the ball coming from the corner and it bounced off his head and off his own goal giving France a two goal lead.
The Spanish national team, unlike France, is in the second position of its group behind the solid start from the Swedish national team. In its first match “La Roja” faced Greece, which ended in a 1–1 draw. In this second game, played on March 28, the team led by the former Barcelona coach, Luis Henrique, sought nothing less than victory. What seemed to be an easy match in search of victory began as a nightmare for the Spanish national team. Prior to half-time, in the 43rd minute, midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stood 1-0 for the Georgian national team. The minutes passed and Spain did not find the right ways to reach the goal clearly. There was no football being played on the part of the Spaniards. However, in one of the many runs down the side band of Barcelona’s current left-back Jordi Alba, the Spanish national team was able to find the draw. Alba threw a center that ended up pushing forward Ferran Torres. With match 1-1 “La Roja” seeked the advantage. In the 92nd minute, Dani Olmo shot from outside the area that could not be contained by the archer.
Both France and Spain have definitely not had the start they wished for, but there is a long way through until the teams for Qatar 2022 are set. France, as the latest champion, will
have to defend their title and consequently have a far better improvement in their squad. In 2018, they were the most solid and consistent team when playing. In the next couple of matches, they will have to show off what they are made of and remind people why they are the reigning champions. Spain’s national team has a lot of young talent and experience. Although having a squad like in 2010 is almost impossible, they could easily become one of the strongest teams in Europe if they find the right system and chemistry between the youngsters and legends from “La Roja.” If both teams find the right path, they will be serious contenders.
