12 Jun 2019
The 2018 World Cup in Russia is all set up to be a fascinating tournament, with plenty of unfamiliar nations entering the fray - such as Egypt who are playing in their first World Cup for 28 years. Many of the past decade’s strongest teams will also be missing in Russia – Chile, Italy and the Netherlands all missed out – leaving the potential for smaller nations to go deep into the competition and spring a few surprises along the way.
On Your Marks, Get Set, Mo!
Focusing in on the Egyptian team – led by Premier League golden boot winner Mo Salah – it’s clear that their 28-year World Cup drought is not the only record they will break. Goalkeeper and captain Essam El-Hadary is set to become the oldest player to ever feature in a World Cup at the age of 45. The previous record was held by Colombia’s Faryd Mondragón in Brazil at 43. Egypt will hope this small piece of history will inspire some fine performances between the sticks for their captain and stalwart. Egypt to make it out of a strong group at 5/4 is entirely possible if Salah can carry over his outstanding domestic form onto the international stage.
A further record that we could see fall in Russia involving smaller nations is the longest gap between successive titles – that is currently held by Italy for the 44-year gap between their victories in 1938 and 1982. Uruguay – two-time previous winners – last won the World Cup in 1950, meaning a victory in Russia would see a 68-year gap. Although relative underdogs, the Uruguay team is full of star power and represents the last chance of their ‘golden generation’ – led by Suarez, Cavani and Godin – to fulfil their potential. Suarez and Cavani scored 71 goals between them this season - could they upset all the odds and lead Uruguay to record breaking glory? At 28/1 to go all the way, they’ve got to be worth a punt, surely?
Goals, goals, goals
Speaking of goals, the 171 goals scored at France ’98 and Brazil 2014 represents the record number at a World Cup. With Messi and Ronaldo and the aforementioned Salah in such good form, it would be easy to see that goal record smashed in Russia. Messi and Ronaldo – forever linked for their incredible career exploits – will surely want to leave their mark in what could be the last World Cup they take part in.
The prospect of a non-goal scoring record being broken in Russia is also plausible. Germany conceded just four goals in their 10 qualifying matches and the defending champions boast some of the World’s best defenders. Italy’s Walter Zenga went 517 minutes before conceding his first goal at Italia ’90 and with Germany’s favourable group draw of: Mexico, Sweden and South Korea, they may have a shot at breaking that incredible record. Although, to make the required minutes up they will have to make it all the way to the semi-finals without conceding!
World Cups always provide incredible amounts of drama and this summer in Russia is set to be no different, with both new and old faces hoping to write their names into the history books.
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