Unpredictability in the FIFA World Cup: Will France Repeat History Against Croatia?

After the thrilling and unpredictable journey of the 2022 FIFA World Cup so far, a significant question emerges: will we see a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 World Cup final showdown between France and Croatia (then West Germany)?

Ancient Feuds and Rare Occurrences

French and Croatian teams have never faced each other in a World Cup final until now. However, it is worth noting that this matchup marks the first time since 1986 and 1990 when the same nations met in the final. During those times, Argentina faced West Germany in 1986, resulting in a 3–2 victory for Argentina, while West Germany avenged this loss with a 1–0 victory in 1990.

World Cup Champions and Legends

Delving into the broader context of the World Cup, it is fascinating to consider that Brazil, with its five titles, holds the record for the most World Cup victories. Italy and West Germany (which merged into present-day Germany) have been crowned champions four times each. Among the most legendary players is Pelé of Brazil, who is the only individual to have won three World Cups. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, is the only male player to have scored in five World Cups.

Notably, some countries have won the World Cup as host nations: Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), West Germany (1974), and Argentina (1978). France, aiming to follow in their footsteps, is seeking to achieve the rare feat of winning the World Cup as hosts in 2022. Brazil is the only South American nation to win a World Cup held in Europe (1958, Sweden), whereas Germany is the sole European country to triumph in the Americas (2014, Brazil).

Additionally, Brazil is the only team to have participated in every 22 World Cup tournaments, showcasing their enduring dominance. Conversely, 134 nations have yet to qualify for the World Cup finals at all. The Netherlands, despite their impressive performance as 0–3 in the championship game, are still considered one of the best teams never to have won a World Cup.

The 2022 World Cup: An Unpredictable Journey

Despite the historical context, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been characterized by unprecedented upsets and surprises. Teams that were considered minnows have triumphed over much-fancied giants. Morocco’s victory over Belgium, Japan’s defeat of Germany, and Croatia’s historic win over Brazil have all tested our predictions and raised eyebrows.

Historically, we might have anticipated that the giants would return to their dominant form in the knockout phase. However, the tournament has proven that form and expectations can be shattered. Here’s a quick recap of notable upsets:

Morocco beat Belgium with a 0-0 followed by a thrilling 1-0 victory. Japan stunned Germany, sweeping a 2-1 victory and then 1-1 in the controversially cancelled match that Japan won 2-1 in extra time. Croatia outplayed Brazil and secured a spot in the semi-finals. Despite the prior win, Portugal could not replicate their previous performance and lost to Morocco in the round of 16.

Given this track record, predicting the semi-finals results would be a risky gamble. The tournament has shown us that the law of averages can be just as unreliable as the upsets. It is a testament to the sheer unpredictability of the game that the underdog can topple the favorite, and the underdog remains just as formidable in their victories.

For the semi-final encounters that await, it remains to be seen whether France can make a repeat of their past glory against Croatia or whether another upset could occur, challenging even the most established narratives and adding another dramatic chapter to this unprecedented World Cup.