Change is the biggest constant and the FIFA World Cup at Qatar is the biggest testament to that. The football sphere changes fast every four years. A player at his peak in 30, might be reduced to a substitute by the time the next World Cup arrives. One need not go far to find an example. The ‘GOAT’ Cristiano Ronaldo whose free kick against Spain at the last World Cup (2018) was the center of so many talk shows, was introduced in the 51st minute during Portugal’s quarter-final game last week.
And it is not just in the lives of the individual players. It is the same for the national teams as well. The teams too have to go through a process of evolution akin to the individual players. One of the greatest footballing nations, Italy failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups while Morocco, an emerging team defeated the likes of Spain and Portugal to storm its way into the semi-finals this year.
Here’s a look at four teams whose performances have inspired millions globally:
Croatia
Having defeated tournament favourites Brazil on penalties, Croatia has once again stunned the world by securing a place in the semis. With an impressive and inspiring run, they became the finalists in the 2018 World Cup. Their squad was one of the strongest then with the likes of Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic, and Ivan Perisic. They thrashed Argentina by three goals in the group-stage game and also beat England in a hard-fought semi-final clash.
This time too Modric’s men have done the impossible, igniting hope in the red and white checkered shirts as they beat Japan and Brazil on penalties to book a semi-final berth for a consecutive time.
Morocco
The country has proven its mettle time and again in this tournament. Beating the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal is not mere chance, it is the result of hard work, strategy, and team spirit.
Morocco qualified for the first time during the 1970 FIFA World Cup. They have since then qualified four more times but have never gone beyond the Round of 16. Their campaign in the present World Cup is a ray of hope for all emerging teams. Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech and Yassine Bonou have gone all out to take the Atlas Lions to the top of the mountain.
Senegal
Senegal qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2002 and even managed to reach the quarter-finals in an awe-inspiring run. In that tournament, they defeated the defending champions France in their opening group game. They then went on to draw with Denmark and Uruguay to qualify for the knockout phase. They then defeated a star-studded Sweden team comprising the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson, and Freddie Ljunberg.
Now, they have their captain from the 2002 squad, Aliou Cisse, as their coach and under him, Senegal has qualified for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup editions.
Despite an injury that ruled out their key man Sadio Mane out, Senegal has kept their momentum high. One saw that in the 70th-minute winner from captain and Chelsea star Kalidou Koulibaly against Ecuador in their final group stage game, a crucial win that eased them into the Round of 16.
South Korea
Believe it or not but South Korea is no stranger to the big stage. In the 2002 World Cup, they finished fourth, defeating Portugal, Italy, and Spain along the way. Their two-nil victory over Germany in the 2018 World Cup, knocking the defending champions out in the group stage itself was a big feat.
In the 2022 World Cup, the Korean Tigers held Luis Suarez’s Uruguay to a goalless draw in their opening group game. They also created one of the best moments in the 2022 World Cup as they came from behind to beat Portugal by two goals to one in a thriller of a match.
After conceding a goal in a matter of five minutes, the Korean Tigers equalised as Kim Young-gwon pounced off a Ronaldo deflection during the corner and half-volleyed the ball into the Portuguese net. However, they truly won hearts worldwide in the dying moments of the game as Son Heung min took the ball from his half and made a delightful assist through the legs of the Portuguese defender to Hwang Hee-chan who scored in a superb one-touch kick. Hee-chan’s picture wrapping himself in the national flag, holding the man of the match trophy after the game broke the Internet.