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Every year has its upsets, but 2022 seemed to have some of the biggest upsets in sporting history. Let’s look at some of the most shocking wins and losses of the year, from Cricket to Football.
There is hardly any year in recent memory that has witnessed the rise of underdogs as the way 2022 did across important multi-nation tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games and the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup.
A lot of upsets occurred this year, right from Saudia Arabia defeating Argentina 2-1 and Japan beating Spain 2-1 in FIFA World Cup to Zimbabwe beating Pakistan by one run and Namibia beating Sri Lanka by 55 runs in T20 World Cup to name a few.
However, the top three biggest upsets of the year were South Africa losing to the Netherlands by 13 runs in T20 World Cup, Japan beating Germany 2-1 and Morocco defeating Spain 3-0 (Penalties) in FIFA World Cup 2022.
1) Netherlands beating South Africa by 13 runs (T20 World Cup):
Many expected South Africa to easily defeat the Netherlands and cruise into the knockouts despite a defeat against Pakistan in the preceding game. Then again, the T20 World Cup was a tournament of upsets that no team could have taken lightly despite the opponent team’s stature.
WHAT A WIN! 🤩
Netherlands defeat South Africa in their final Group 2 match of #T20WorldCup#SAvNED |📝: https://t.co/4UJVijHlTA pic.twitter.com/zhmHSOpqVe
— ICC (@ICC) November 6, 2022
The Netherlands recorded one of their memorable victories in world cricket as they stunned South Africa by 13 runs in the T20 World Cup. Sent into bat, Netherlands posted 158 for 4 in 20 overs. Defending the target, Netherlands bowlers rose to the occasion and restricted South Africa to 145 for 8. South Africa’s defeat eventually went on to help Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals after their five-wicket victory against Bangladesh.
2) Japan beating Germany 2-1 (FIFA World Cup):
With a tale of bold substitutions, fleeting football and a never-say-die attitude, Japan stunned the world of football with a 2-1 win over four-time world champions Germany in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2002 at the Khalifa International Stadium. The Blue Samurai used their 26% of possession to hand Germany their first defeat in 26 games.
History being made in front of our very eyes 🔥#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/dMe8EDUzTD
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 23, 2022
Similar to Saudi Arabia’s stunning comeback victory against Argentina, Japan came from one goal down to secure a 2-1 win against the mighty Germans. At the end of the first half, Germany had a 1-0 lead with the help of Ilkay Guendogan’s penalty in the 33rd minute. However, they failed to increase the lead in the second half as Japan gave their everything in the last 15 minutes of play with Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano, who came as substitutes scoring for the team in the 75th and 83rd minute, respectively.
3) Morocco defeating Spain 3-0 in Penalties (FIFA World Cup):
Morocco made it to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time after holding their nerve in the penalty shootout against Spain.
Morocco stunned the 2010 champions Spain to reach their first-ever World Cup quarterfinals, winning their round-of-16 encounter in a penalty shootout at the Education City stadium. Morocco defeated Spain 3-0 on penalties, with all three Spanish penalty-takers missing the goal.
Absolute scenes. 😳
Morocco are into the World Cup Quarter-Finals! 🇲🇦 #FIFAWorldCup | @adidasfootball
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 6, 2022
The match went into a penalty shootout after both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time. The score remained levelled 0-0 even after the thirty minutes of extra time, leading the game into the shootouts.
Two substitutes – Pablo Sarabia and Carlos Soler, along with Sergio Busquets came to take the penalties for the Spanish and unfortunately failed to score. On the other hand, only Badr Benoun missed scoring for Morocco, while Abdelhamid Sabiri and Hakim Ziyech successfully converted their goals.
In the end, Achraf Hakimi, a product of the Real Madrid youth system, kept his calm to score the winning goal to take his side into the quarterfinals as emotions erupted among fans and players to celebrate a historic win in the stadium.
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