The first round of the World Cup group stage saw several surprises, with Saudi Arabia overcoming the Argentinian threat and Japan defeating Germany late on. The World Cup 2022 doesn’t seem set to calm down at all in the second round of matches. See Last Word on Football’s World Cup predictions for round two, with some nations pushing to qualify already.
World Cup Predictions for Round Two
Netherlands vs Ecuador
Joe Blackburn: 3-1
Joseph Howes: 3-2
Jamie Rooke: 1-1
Jordan Hackett: 1-2
Dan Hepburn: 2-1
The Netherlands had a strong start to their World Cup, opening with a 2-0 win over a defensively stoic Senegal. Ecuador also seemed relatively created, but were absolutely untested against a horribly weak Qatar team. On previous form, the Dutch should win, with the potential to lose a clean sheet to a minor mistake.
Joe Blackburn
Qatar vs Senegal
Joe Blackburn: 0-4
Joseph Howes: 0-3
Jamie Rooke: 0-2
Jordan Hackett: 0-3
Dan Hepburn: 0-1
Qatar opened the World Cup as one of the worst sides in the tournament, receiving a first-half hammering from Ecuador before the South Americans simply chose to save their energy. Senegal, meanwhile, showed an incredible amount of interesting attacking play and were unlucky to lose to the Netherlands. This could be something of a blowout for Senegal, forcing the Qataris to an early tournament exit. 4-0 to Senegal.
Joe Blackburn
England vs USA
Joe Blackburn: 3-1
Joseph Howes: 1-0
Jamie Rooke: 3-1
Jordan Hackett: 3-1
Dan Hepburn: 2-0
Group B looks like the toughest for World Cup predictions, with every team placing high in the FIFA rankings. However, the first match is a great guide for this. England attacked a deep-lying Iran defence and scored six past them, as the USA started well before dropping further back and ultimately dropping two points to Wales. Gareth Southgate can take advantage of this, with a comfortable win on the cards. 3-1 to England.
Joe Blackburn
Wales vs Iran
Joe Blackburn: 1-0
Joseph Howes: 2-1
Jamie Rooke: 1-0
Jordan Hackett: 1-0
Dan Hepburn: 1-1
Wales scraped a point against the USA in their most recent match, with Kieffer Moore’s introduction adding some great presence to Rob Page’s side. On the other hand, Iran were on the wrong end of a hammering and lost their first-choice goalkeeper, likely for the rest of the tournament. Iran will look to sit deep but Wales have enough at the top of the pitch to sneak a winner. 1-0 to the Welsh side.
Joe Blackburn
Argentina vs Mexico
Joe Blackburn: 2-0
Joseph Howes: 2-0
Jamie Rooke: 3-1
Jordan Hackett: 2-0
Dan Hepburn: 2-0
Mexico’s opening match against Poland was something of a dull affair, with neither side really looking like they wanted anything more than a draw from the match. Meanwhile, Argentina managed to lose their opener to an incredibly defensive Saudi Arabia. Expect an angry Argentina in this match and a Lionel Messi out for revenge. Argentina win with a clean sheet.
Joe Blackburn
Poland vs Saudi Arabia
Joe Blackburn: 0-1
Joseph Howes: 0-0
Jamie Rooke: 1-1
Jordan Hackett: 2-1
Dan Hepburn: 1-0
In Saudi Arabia’s first match, they showed themselves as highly competent at holding out persistent attacks against world-class individuals. Next on their list is Robert Lewandowski of Poland. If the Saudi side can hold their defensive line and keep the Poles away by using their high line again, the Middle Eastern side could sneak out of the group at the very earliest stage. 1-0 to Saudi Arabia.
Joe Blackburn
Tunisia vs Australia
Joe Blackburn: 0-1
Joseph Howes: 0-0
Jamie Rooke: 1-1
Jordan Hackett: 2-1
Dan Hepburn: 1-0
Tunisia and Australia both looked to play on the counter against their respective opponents. For the Socceroos, that meant becoming a punching bag for Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud. The North Africans had more luck at the back but very little going forwards. Almost certainly a low-scoring affair, but the Aussies seemed to have something interesting in attacking. 1-0 Australia.
Joe Blackburn
Denmark vs France
Joe Blackburn: 2-1
Joseph Howes: 0-2
Jamie Rooke: 1-2
Jordan Hackett: 0-2
Dan Hepburn: 1-3
The Danes vs France could be one of the most interesting matches in this round. Although France looked far stronger than Denmark in the first match of the groups, the French have lost twice to their opponents in the last six months alone. Kasper Hjulmand could have the perfect recipe for beating Les Bleus, and that could shine through in this match. 2-1 to Denmark.
Joe Blackburn
Japan vs Costa Rica
Joe Blackburn: 3-0
Joseph Howes: 1-0
Jamie Rooke: 2-0
Jordan Hackett: 3-1
Dan Hepburn: 2-1
Japan were one of the delights of the first round of matches, securing a 2-1 victory over Germany in a match that would, usually, put them at the top of the group. That is if Spain don’t batter Costa Rica 7-0. Costa Rica look defensively weak where Japan are especially strong in wide areas. This won’t be a result that’s quite as ugly as the Spain match, but could be comfortable for Japan. 3-0 to Japan.
Joe Blackburn
Spain vs Germany
Joe Blackburn: 4-1
Joseph Howes: 0-0
Jamie Rooke: 2-3
Jordan Hackett: 0-1
Dan Hepburn: 3-2
Spain were incredibly dominant in their match against Costa Rica, dominating the ball and creating chance after chance. In the other match in the group, Germany lost to Japan and showed that they have plenty of fragility at the back, including a lack of defensive discipline. This is relatively rogue, as World Cup predictions go, with the Spaniards can take this with ease if their midfielders are on form, 4-1.
Joe Blackburn
Croatia vs Canada
Joe Blackburn: 1-2
Joseph Howes: 3-2
Jamie Rooke: 1-2
Jordan Hackett: 1-2
Dan Hepburn: 2-1
Those who weren’t previously aware of the threats posed by this Canada will be after their run-in with Belgium. They are a young and energetic side whereas a lot of the key Croatians are in the twilight of their career. Experience counts on the biggest stage but it could well be the youthfulness of John Herdman’s side that prevails.
Jamie Rooke
Belgium vs Morocco
Joe Blackburn: 2-0
Joseph Howes: 4-1
Jamie Rooke: 2-0
Jordan Hackett: 3-0
Dan Hepburn: 1-2
Belgium managed to sneak a victory against Canada with a goal that was certainly against the run of play. Morocco similarly didn’t do much in their match against Croatia, with very few shots from either side. The Belgian defence should hold up reasonably well against a Morocco side with less pace than the Canadians, and a few attacking adjustments should bring a victory. 2-0 to Belgium.
Joe Blackburn
Serbia vs Cameroon
Joe Blackburn: 0-0
Joseph Howes: 0-0
Jamie Rooke: 1-0
Jordan Hackett: 2-1
Dan Hepburn: 1-1
Serbia played against Brazil in the very last match of the first group stage round, turning an impressive first-half performance into a clinic from the South Americans as Richarlison, Neymar and Raphinha danced their way to the top of the group. Cameroon looked relatively defensively weak but had plenty of potential to cause problems in attack. Serbia will look to hold Cameroon out, but may yet again find themselves in trouble later in the match. One of the more bland World Cup predictions, 0-0.
Joe Blackburn
Brazil vs Switzerland
Joe Blackburn: 2-0
Joseph Howes: 2-0
Jamie Rooke: 2-0
Jordan Hackett: 2-0
Dan Hepburn: 3-0
Switzerland edged past Cameroon in a fairly dull affair. On the flipside, Brazil have all the stars and will always be the favourites in any game. Stranger things have happened, but it seems difficult to look beyond three points for the Brazilians.
Jamie Rooke
Portugal vs Uruguay
Joe Blackburn: 0-1
Joseph Howes: 2-1
Jamie Rooke: 1-1
Jordan Hackett: 1-1
Dan Hepburn: 2-1
Portugal’s opening match against Ghana wasn’t the dominance that Cristiano Ronaldo will have hoped for, with the Europeans sneaking a 3-2 win in spite of a last-minute scare. Uruguay created plenty of opportunities against South Korea, but didn’t have the finishing necessary to finish the job. Uruguay seem strong enough at the back and eventually one of their chances has to go in, 1-0 to the South Americans.
Joe Blackburn
South Korea vs Ghana
Joe Blackburn: 1-2
Joseph Howes: 0-0
Jamie Rooke: 2-1
Jordan Hackett: 1-1
Dan Hepburn: 2-0
Ghana vs Portugal went from being a miserable watch to an edge-of-your-seat fixture. The former were unable to get anything out of it and so have a mountain to climb in terms of qualification. South Korea won’t make their lives any easier, having proved resolute in their goalless draw with Uruguay. All is still to play for and this one really could go either way.
Jamie Rooke
Last Word on Football recognise Qatar’s human rights abuses and instances of corruption taking place throughout the nation and in the background of the World Cup. Learn more about some of the issues surrounding the World Cup here.
