How does Ronaldo turning up change things? Re-ranking the 48 World Cup teams after day 13

Cristiano Ronaldo introduced himself at the World Cup get together with a double in Portugal’s thrashing of Uzbekistan, whereas England laboured to a goalless draw with Ghana on day 13.

But do 5-0 wins propel you up our rankings? Or does a welcome 1-0 victory edge you up even only one place? Absolutely not. We’ve acquired quite a few established big-hitters close to the high of our charts and it’s going to take one thing particular or vital to shake up that order now.

So how did day 13 influence our listing?

1. France

FIFA rating: 3

 (arrow depicts motion from our earlier rating)

It goes to take one thing particular to knock France off the high of our rankings, significantly as they appear to have discovered their system for fulfillment. Since the second half of their opening recreation in opposition to Senegal, Michael Olise has performed in the No 10 function and he supplied one other two assists in the 3-0 win in opposition to Iraq, including to his match-changing efficiency in the opening recreation.

A storm stoppage in Philadelphia couldn’t take the wind out of Kylian Mbappe’s sails. He scored twice, for the second match in a row, as France booked their spot in the knockouts. A recreation in opposition to Norway on Friday awaits to see who tops the group. Manager Didier Deschamps will miss that game following the death of his mother however is predicted to return for the knockouts.

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2. Argentina

FIFA rating: 1

Lionel Messi is regarded by many as the best participant of all time, however did we see this coming? Complete domination by the 38-year-old, who has now scored all 5 of Argentina’s objectives of their two wins and have become the World Cup’s all-time main scorer after his double in opposition to Austria.

The defence might be happy too after consecutive clear sheets, although Cristian Romero’s substitution in opposition to Austria because of a knee damage is a priority.

It is perhaps helpful for a few of their different ahead gamers to select up type as Messi can’t win the World Cup single-handedly. Or can he?

3. Germany

FIFA rating: 10

Germany gained 7-1 in opposition to Curacao, however their 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast was a extra significant outcome, even when they left it late.

Supersub Deniz Undav’s double accomplished the turnaround win with a brace off the bench — the added-time victory got here courtesy of a high-quality ball from Felix Nmecha and a turn-and-finish from Undav.

The win secured them development to the knockouts at the high of Group E, the first time they’ve emerged from the group stage at a World Cup since they lifted the trophy in 2014. Julian Nagelsmann’s facet have momentum.

4. Spain

FIFA rating: 2

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Responded to the humiliation of drawing in opposition to Cape Verde of their opener by producing certainly one of the most one-sided performances of the match to this point in beating Saudi Arabia 4-0. They had 22 photographs, produced 2.85 xG and will simply have scored just a few extra.

Lamine Yamal scored 10 minutes into his first World Cup begin and acquired 45 minutes underneath his belt, whereas Mikel Oyarzabal overcame the embarrassment of not touching the ball for the first half-hour in opposition to Cape Verde by scoring twice. Job accomplished.

Now to finish the Group H job by beating Uruguay on Friday.

5. England

FIFA rating: 4

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A boring, underwhelming performance and result in opposition to lower-ranked opponents? England, you’re again! After the pleasure, objectives and thrilling attacking soccer of their 4-2 victory over Croatia, the 0-0 draw in opposition to Ghana has stopped everybody shouting: “It’s coming home.” Well, for just a few days a minimum of. Victory in opposition to Panama of their last group match will get England again on observe as group winners.

6. Netherlands

FIFA rating: 8

The thrashing of Sweden laid down a marker for the Netherlands.

Brian Brobbey got here into their beginning line-up and powered by means of Sweden’s defence as their assault intertwined superbly with Cody Gakpo and Crysencio Summerville additionally on the scoresheet.

With a last match to come back in opposition to beleaguered Tunisia, they give the impression of being more likely to high a bunch that had seemed tough on paper.

7. Brazil

FIFA rating: 6

After trying fairly unconvincing of their opening match, Brazil returned to some stage of type with a reasonably dominant 3-0 win over Haiti.

Matheus Cunha seemed a extra pure match of their fluid assault than Igor Thiago and, whereas there might be a lot more durable checks to come back, a cushty victory was precisely what Brazil wanted.

Carlo Ancelotti’s facet will now hope for one more convincing win, in opposition to Scotland, to high Group C.

8. Morocco

FIFA rating: 7

Expectations are large again house after reaching the semi-final in 2022 and (in all probability) successful AFCON earlier this 12 months. Morocco look fairly good in Group C after drawing with Brazil and beating Scotland, with Ismael Saibari superbly taking each of their objectives.

They’ll in all probability want a giant victory in opposition to Haiti to high the group, relying on how Brazil get on in opposition to Scotland, however progress to the knockout stage is all that issues.

9. United States

FIFA rating: 17

When individuals are (*13*), you understand it’s going nicely.

Alright, that is perhaps a bit a lot, however the Americans have made an ideal begin. They’re optimistic, adventurous and enjoyable to observe, what with their rotating forged of attacking abilities, and didn’t even want Christian Pulisic when beating Australia 2-0, a outcome which backed up their gorgeous 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Already by means of as group winners, Mauricio Pochettino can afford to relaxation Pulisic in opposition to Turkey on Thursday as they plot a route deep into the match. Excitement is constructing.

10. Norway

FIFA rating: 31

The darkish horses are galloping on to the knockouts and should be taken extra critically after their 3-2 win over Senegal.

Norway ran the (stripped) African champions’ defence ragged. They had probabilities galore and compelled errors from the opposition backline.

Conceding late made the victory much less emphatic, however seven objectives in two video games speaks to their firepower. Key to that’s Erling Haaland, who’s proving unstoppable after one other double. They have proven defensive vulnerability, however have been in a position to outscore their opposition.

11. Colombia

FIFA rating: 14

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A crew of attacking expertise and prepared runners aplenty, who’ve a 100 per cent file with two wins from two. Neither victory was wholly convincing, with a wobble in opposition to Uzbekistan after which an unnecessarily tight 1-0 victory over DR Congo, however Colombia have achieved their first goal of the match by progressing to the knockout levels.

To do it with a recreation to spare takes the stress off their lip-licking recreation with Portugal this weekend, however they’ll nonetheless wish to high the group, which they’ll do with a draw.

13. Portugal

FIFA rating: 5

Portugal put proper the wrongs of their underwhelming opener in opposition to DR Congo with a much-needed 5-0 shellacking of Uzbekistan to get their match up and operating.

The truth Ronaldo scored twice wasn’t simply an historic second (he turned the first man to attain in six completely different World Cups) however necessary to quell the incessant noise about his place in the facet, a minimum of for just a few days.

However, given how overawed and inexperienced the Uzbek defence was, any pleasure at Portugal’s total prospects ought to be tempered. Their conflict with Colombia subsequent up will inform us extra.

12. Mexico

FIFA rating: 13

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Mexico turned the first crew by means of to the knockout stage, with a 1-0 victory over South Korea making certain their progress to the final 32 and in addition guaranteeing high spot in Group A. That is essential not solely as a result of they’ll play a third-placed facet in the subsequent spherical however it additionally implies that tie might be in Mexico City… and their last-16 recreation could be too.

They weren’t precisely scintillating in opposition to South Korea — or in opposition to South Africa of their opening match — however two wins and two clear sheets symbolize an ideal begin for the co-hosts.

14. Croatia

FIFA rating: 11

Survived a few actual scares in opposition to Panama to edge a slender 1-0 victory due to substitute Ante Budimir’s close-range finish.

How far can Croatia’s golden-olden era take them on this match? The indicators of their opening two matches haven’t been nice, however one factor we have now realized from the finalists in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022 is to by no means write them off.

15. Egypt

FIFA rating: 29

So far, so good.

Made to sweat by New Zealand and needed to come from behind, however Egypt lastly gained a match at the World Cup for the first time, impressed by a objective and an help from Mohamed Salah.

You wouldn’t say they’ve supplied a lot proof that they’ll go deep in the match, however victory over Iran on Friday will imply they high Group G and would see them paired with a third-placed facet in the spherical of 32.

16. Japan

FIFA rating: 18

Japan are greater than 99 per cent more likely to progress from the group after a convincing 4-0 win over Tunisia, which included an Ayase Ueda double.

In the 1,000th World Cup match, Japan gained by their largest-ever margin at a World Cup and have become the first Asian crew to attain 4 objectives in a recreation at the match. Tunisia are struggling, so it’s in all probability not the time to get too carried away with the emphatic victory, however Japan have proven a transparent sense of id of their opening two matches, taking part in with velocity and depth and an efficient press.

17. South Korea

FIFA rating: 22

A desperately disappointing efficiency and outcome in opposition to Mexico which leaves their knockout-stage qualification in peril going into their last match in opposition to South Africa. They barely created any probabilities in Guadalajara, with captain Son Heung-min given the hook after lower than an hour. They clearly have the expertise and ought to beat South Africa, however it’s time for his or her large gamers to step up now.

18. Switzerland

FIFA rating: 19

At 20 years and 247 days, a star was born in Johan Manzambi as Switzerland left it late with a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their second match. Freiburg’s Manzambi turned the youngest participant to attain a double in its place in a males’s World Cup match. Switzerland face Canada subsequent, figuring out a draw sees them by means of however a victory will imply they end high of the group.

19. Canada

FIFA rating: 30

An extraordinary outcome in opposition to Qatar of their second group recreation, dishing out a 6-0 walloping to break their World Cup duck (that they had by no means gained a recreation at the match earlier than) in some fashion. Almost the whole lot went proper for Canada in Vancouver as they showcased the aggressive attacking recreation Jesse Marsch needs, with Jonathan David netting a hat-trick as they humbled Qatar. Ismael Kone’s damage was the exception and is a blow, however Canada have arrived at the World Cup.

A draw in opposition to Switzerland of their last match on Wednesday will take the co-hosts by means of to the knockout stage.

20. Ghana

FIFA rating: 73

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It couldn’t have gone significantly better. Victory over Panama was brilliantly backed up by incomes a 0-0 draw in opposition to England with a resolute, organised efficiency.

They might even have gained through sporadic, pacy threats on the counter and, if VAR hadn’t gone for a coffee, they could have had a penalty for Ezri Konsa’s foul on Prince Kwabena Adu.

Four factors from two video games primarily secures their progress to the knockout levels.

21. Belgium

FIFA rating: 9

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That FIFA rating would possibly want updating to a extra life like quantity.

Belgium’s stats of their second match in opposition to Iran (23 photographs, 1.82 xG, 70 per cent possession) inform you they dominated the recreation and may have gained, however stats additionally inform you that Kevin De Bruyne is certainly one of the Premier League’s finest ever gamers and Romelu Lukaku is the Belgian nationwide crew’s file goalscorer, and proper now these issues don’t imply an excessive amount of.

Belgium appear like half a crew. They have didn’t beat Egypt and Iran, and even when they now beat New Zealand on Friday, how far can they realistically go on this match? They want Jeremy Doku again and firing, that’s for positive.

22. Ivory Coast

FIFA rating: 33

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The Ivory Coast have proven a capability to compete with anybody and led Germany for greater than half an hour.

Their wingers, Yan Diomande and Amad, have confirmed a handful for defences, however they have been unable to carry onto what would have been a press release victory. Still, they’ve a 95 per cent likelihood of progressing to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, in line with The Athletic’s forecast mannequin.

23. Uruguay

FIFA rating: 16

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Oh expensive. Two matches, 44 photographs, 3.88 xG, three objectives… however solely two factors. And now they want a outcome in opposition to Spain to undergo. Not what Marcelo Bielsa envisaged when plotting Uruguay’s progress from Group H.

We weren’t fairly positive what to anticipate from Uruguay pre-tournament; that they had completed stage on factors with Brazil and Colombia in qualification and clearly have a high-quality midfield, however their type coming into the finals was dreadful.

They’ve carried that into the World Cup, and the fragile, porous two-man wall that allowed Cape Verde’s free kick to sneak in sums up Uruguay to this point.

24. Algeria

FIFA rating: 28

Algeria confirmed they’re a risk from set items, scoring each objectives from corners in a turnaround win in opposition to Jordan. This might assist them harm superior opposition from restricted probabilities. Riyad Mahrez got here again into the beginning line-up and was a artistic spark in open play.

Their recreation in opposition to Austria on Sunday will now decide who goes by means of in second, however three factors places them in with an opportunity of a third-place development. They have a minus-two objective distinction, although, so have work to do.

25. Sweden

FIFA rating: 38

After a 5-1 victory in opposition to Tunisia, Sweden have been on the different facet of a 5-1 scoreline after being soundly overwhelmed by the Netherlands.

This exhibits the place the crew are at: able to tearing aside inferior opposition with Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, however a stage behind the high worldwide teams and susceptible defensively. 

26. Senegal

FIFA rating: 15

No factors on the board after two video games. Senegal had a optimistic begin to the match, with an excellent first-half displaying in opposition to France, however since then, they’ve conceded six objectives.

The silver lining is Ismaila Sarr’s double in opposition to Norway and Ibrahim Mbaye’s objective in opposition to France, displaying they’re able to breaching high teams.

But in opposition to Norway, they made defensive errors and will have conceded extra. Edouard Mendy produced high saves, however got here off injured after an hour.

Now a win in opposition to Iraq is required on Friday, and a complete one to have a aggressive objective distinction to sneak by means of as certainly one of the eight finest third-placed teams. With an actual danger of being knocked out, they take a big drop in the rankings.

27. Australia

FIFA rating: 27

Hopes have been excessive for Australia after their 2-0 win over Turkey of their opening recreation, however they struggled to maintain up with the USMNT, significantly in the first half.

Head coach Tony Popovic made the barely odd determination to depart out each goalscorers from the Turkey recreation, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, from his beginning line-up. Without Irankunda’s electrical tempo on the counter-attack, they seemed decidedly much less threatening.

They play Paraguay for second place of their last group recreation.

28. Austria

FIFA rating: 25

Ralf Rangnick tinkered with the beginning line-up in opposition to Argentina, bringing Tottenham’s Kevin Danso into the again line and PSV’s Paul Wanner into midfield.

The drawback is that this crew, regardless of having high quality, doesn’t have prolific forwards or a formidable defence (conceding to Jordan). It is unclear the place their actual energy to harm higher teams lies.

After Algeria’s win over Jordan, a gathering with them on Sunday will decide who progresses in second place in the group.

29. Scotland

FIFA rating: 41

Scotland followers have all was mathematicians and knowledge analysts as they try to work out what number of objectives they’ll afford to lose to Brazil by and nonetheless qualify as certainly one of the finest eight third-placed teams.

After unconvincingly beating Haiti 1-0, Scotland battled valiantly in the second half in opposition to Morocco in shedding by the identical rating, providing proof they’ll hassle the five-time world champions of their last Group C match. Any form of optimistic outcome on Wednesday and so they’ll ebook a spot in the World Cup knockout levels for the first time.

30. Iran

FIFA rating: 20

On the face of it, they achieved an amazing outcome in opposition to Belgium, in opposition to whom they created some glorious probabilities and had an intuitive free-kick objective narrowly dominated out for offside. But Iran are nonetheless ready for his or her first win of the match and their hopes of progressing to the knockout levels in opposition to all odds are on a knife-edge.

Drawing with New Zealand of their opening recreation might show expensive — as might not benefiting from Belgium happening to 10 males — however Iran will hope Egypt might take their foot off the fuel of their last Group G recreation on Friday.

31. Ecuador

FIFA rating: 24

Having come into the match on the again of a 19-match, two-year unbeaten streak, Ecuador have been critically disappointing to this point, shedding to Ivory Coast and now drawing with Curacao.

They have failed to attain from a collective 4.08 xG at the match, making it as a lot about their poor ending as onerous luck. Enner Valencia, now 36, isn’t proving as prolific as he was in the Qatar 2022 group levels, when he scored three objectives.

The Curacao outcome places their development in jeopardy, with a last group recreation in opposition to Germany to come back on Thursday. They will hope Nagelsmann rotates his crew having already secured development.

Enner Valencia has endured a tough World Cup thus far (Juan Mabromata/AFP through Getty Images)

32. Paraguay

FIFA rating: 40

Their 1-0 win over Turkey was way more prefer it from a facet who have been talked up forward of the match for his or her solidity in defence and expertise in assault.

Paraguay got here flying out of the blocks, scoring after simply two minutes with a superb long-distance strike from Matias Galarza. And even after forward Miguel Almiron became the first player ever to be sent off for covering their mouth while speaking to an opponent, Paraguay stood agency whereas they confronted a barrage of assaults from Turkey, who couldn’t break down a defence that seemed so fragile in opposition to the USMNT.

They might be with out the suspended Almiron for his or her conflict in opposition to Australia, a big blow as they goal to complete in second place.

33. Cape Verde

FIFA rating: 67

One of the tales of this World Cup. Unbeaten in two matches, claiming that shock draw in opposition to Spain of their opener after which backing it up with one other well-known outcome, drawing 2-2 with Uruguay, through a 40-yard free kick (the much less mentioned about the Uruguay wall, the higher) after which a second of ingenuity from substitute Helio Varela.

That’s two former world champions Cape Verde have held off, so how about their probabilities in opposition to Saudi Arabia subsequent? Victory in that match would make Cape Verde the impossible knockout-stage crew in the historical past of this match. Even a draw would possibly do. Incredible.

34. Saudi Arabia

FIFA rating: 60

After their spirited draw with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia have been introduced again all the way down to earth with a 4-0 humbling by Spain. To be trustworthy, it might have been a lot worse than 4, given the Spaniards’ complete and full dominance.

However, in the event you’d supplied the Saudis the likelihood to beat Cape Verde and end on 4 factors in a minimum of third place in Group H, they’d have undoubtedly taken it. That is now their process.

35. New Zealand

FIFA rating: 85

Just like of their earlier World Cup look in 2010, they’ve been cussed and onerous to beat. They drew all three matches 16 years in the past, however succumbed to their first defeat at the match since their debut (and solely different) in 1982 when shedding 3-1 to Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, regardless of taking a first-half lead by means of Finn Surman.

New Zealand nonetheless have the alternative to create historical past — beat a flagging Belgium crew on Saturday to virtually actually attain the knockout levels for the first time.

36. Czech Republic

FIFA rating: 43

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Looked to be in management in opposition to South Africa, having scored the quickest objective of the World Cup to this point, with Michal Sadilek netting after 5 minutes and 7 seconds, however didn’t subdue their opponents, who deservedly equalised seven minutes from full-time. A 1-1 draw did neither crew any good and the Czech Republic should now beat co-hosts Mexico on house soil to succeed in the knockout levels. A tall order.

37. Bosnia and Herzegovina

FIFA rating: 64

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It’s win-or-bust for Bosnia and Herzegovina after their late collapse in opposition to Switzerland. They face Qatar in Seattle on Wednesday, with the winner virtually assured to progress on 4 factors.

38. DR Congo

2

FIFA rating: 46

Again gave an excellent account of themselves in opposition to star-studded opposition, following up their shock 1-1 draw in opposition to Portugal with a slender 1-0 defeat by Colombia. Defensively they give the impression of being fairly useful and all the time carry a risk on the break by means of Yoane Wissa.

Victory in opposition to Uzbekistan this weekend certainly places them by means of to the knockout stage with 4 factors.

39. Qatar

FIFA rating: 56

Their match in opposition to Canada couldn’t have gone any worse. Six objectives conceded, two gamers despatched off… and but, their process for his or her last group recreation in opposition to Bosnia and Herzegovina may be very clear; win, and so they’ll virtually actually be by means of to the knockout stage on 4 factors, regardless of their lowly place in these rankings.

40. Curacao

FIFA rating: 82

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Step apart, Vozinha. Eloy Room was the newest goalkeeper to placed on a show-stopping efficiency for a debuting nation, incomes them some extent.

The 37-year-old made historical past for Curacao together with his 15 saves in opposition to Ecuador, and means they nonetheless have an opportunity of development in the event that they beat Ivory Coast.

The excellent Eloy Room (Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)

41. South Africa

FIFA rating: 61

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An improved efficiency in opposition to the Czech Republic and a spirited comeback to say a late draw, however they critically wanted to win that one. South Africa will now have to upset the odds and beat South Korea to succeed in the knockout stage.

42. Iraq

FIFA rating: 57

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Iraq haven’t acquired close to their opponents, who in equity have boasted two of the finest forwards in the world in Haaland and Mbappe. Their captain, Aymen Hussein, who scored in opposition to Norway, had to get replaced with an damage after 26 minutes of their loss to France, which didn’t assist issues.

Beat Senegal comprehensively, and so they might nonetheless progress. But the probabilities of that appear slim.

43. Uzbekistan

FIFA rating: 50

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After an excellent displaying in opposition to Colombia, Uzbekistan wilted in opposition to Portugal and Ronaldo, defending with naivety in a humbling 5-0 defeat that had star participant Abdukodir Khusanov in tears at full time.

Uzbekistan weren’t anticipated to earn some extent from their two opening matches, however with their confidence and objective distinction each having taken a hammering, they now have to beat DR Congo and get fortunate with outcomes elsewhere to progress as a third-placed crew.

It appears like a tall order.

The eradicated teams

44. Panama

FIFA rating: 34

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Knocked out of the match with a recreation to spare having narrowly misplaced in opposition to Ghana (through a last-minute objective) and Croatia, each video games ending 1-0.

There might be delight in how they carried out, but in addition actual regrets over missed probabilities and spurned alternatives.

45. Jordan

FIFA rating: 63

Jordan have bowed out at their debut match after losses to Austria and Algeria. They scored in each video games, however didn’t do sufficient to stifle their opponents, one thing we have now seen from different debut nations, primarily from standout goalkeeping performances.

46. Haiti

FIFA rating: 83

They turned the first facet to be eradicated from the World Cup with a 3-0 defeat by Brazil, however Haiti have left a optimistic impression on the match and deserve to not be our lowest-ranked crew.

Placed in certainly one of the hardest teams at the match, the Caribbean nation, who can’t even play on house soil because of political unrest on the island, fought valiantly in opposition to Scotland, and may maybe take into account themselves unfortunate to stroll away from that recreation empty-handed. Fighting for his or her lives in the second recreation in opposition to Brazil would and may all the time be a bridge too far for a crew who had not certified for the World Cup since 1974, however after conceding three in the first half, they “drew” the second half 0-0. They go into the final group match in opposition to Morocco dreaming of incomes their first level at the finals.

47. Turkey

FIFA rating: 23

Note to self: don’t ever, ever, belief Turkey. Even with two of the most proficient gamers the nation has ever produced, Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler, in assault, don’t ever belief Turkey. Even with an skilled defence, together with Brighton and Hove Albion’s participant of the season, Ferdi Kadioglu, don’t belief Turkey. Even in the event you assume Hakan Calhanoglu is a improbable participant, with a depraved shot and a passing vary to die for. DO. NOT. TRUST. TURKEY.

Somehow, having been drawn in presumably the “easiest” group, Turkey, who have been many individuals’s pre-tournament ‘dark horses’, are out after simply two video games. Sixty-two photographs with out scoring a single objective throughout the two video games, a pathetic effort, actually. Perhaps they have been simply very unfortunate, but when they’ll’t rating in opposition to a Paraguay facet who performed half the recreation with 10 males, they don’t deserve any luck.

48. Tunisia

FIFA rating: 45

Tunisia’s elimination topped off a depressing World Cup group stage. After a 5-1 loss to Sweden, they sacked Sabri Lamouchi, however his alternative, Herve Renard, couldn’t stop them from a 4-0 trouncing at the arms of Japan.

On a minus-eight objective distinction after two video games, no crew has a worse shedding margin.