Surprise stars of the FIFA World Cup

Japan’s Ritsu Doan, Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari, Ecuador’s Enner Valencia and England’s Marcus Rashford.
Photo: AFP

As the FIFA World Cup culminates in the closing stages, we take a look back at the players who stole the spotlight in Qatar.

With elite footballers from around the world being showcased on the biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup always brings attention to players who have not necessarily shown their full abilities at the highest level.

Meanwhile, players who have been written off as being past their best also take centre stage to prove their doubters wrong.

Here we look at some of the players who have surpassed expectations at the 2022 FIFA World Cup:

Marcus Rashford

While already an established star in the football world, Marcus Rashford suffered a significant drop in form over the 2021/22 season at Manchester United, scoring just five goals in 32 appearances.

However, at only 24-years-old, the dynamic forward has seen an upswing in form this year with both club and country, which ultimately has seen him reclaim his spot in the England national team.

The pacy forward wasn’t a shoe in to make the England squad but he certainly proved his worth in Qatar, scoring three goals in five appearances – with four of those cameos coming from the bench.

In his only start of the tournament Rashford notched a well-taken double against Wales including an incredible free kick, which was probably the team’s best goal of the World Cup.

Despite being mainly used off the bench by England manager Gareth Southgate, Rashford finished as England’s second highest goal scorer after only 137 minutes of time on the pitch.

England forward Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring a goal during the Group B match between Wales and England on 29 November, 2022.
Photo: AFP

Enner Valencia, Ecuador

A player who is vaguely remembered by English Premier League fans for his woefully unsuccessful stint at West Ham, Ecuador captain Enner Valencia reminded the world of his pedigree in the Qatar World Cup group stages.

The Fenerbache striker opened the scoring at the World Cup with a coolly taken penalty against the host nation before notching his brace with an inch perfect flicked header.

In the next game, Valencia extended his early lead in the Golden Boot race with a true poacher’s goal to secure a draw against the Netherlands.

After also scoring three goals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Valencia’s exploits in Qatar took his FIFA World Cup tally to six goals – nearly half of the 14 goals Ecuador have scored in their four World Cup appearances.

Despite crashing out of the competition in the group stage after a loss to Senegal, the veteran Ecuadorian striker once again brought joy to his country and secured his place in the memories of football fans around the world.

Enner Valencia celebrates after scoring a goal against Qatar in the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Photo: AFP

Harry Souttar, Australia

As the 2022 World Cup’s tallest outfield player at 6’6, Australia centre back Harry Souttar is hard to miss on the field.

However, it was the 24-year-old’s dogged performances on the field that made the world take notice as his commanding presence in defense helped push Australia to the Round of 16.

After a hefty defeat to France in their opening game, the Socceroos found themselves with their back up against the wall in Group D, with Denmark and Tunisia also competing for a knockout spot.

Against Tunisia, Souttar put on a defensive masterclass to keep the African side scoreless with the lanky producing a game-saving tackle to stop a clear chance with just minutes to go.

After another impressive performance to keep a clean sheet against Denmark, the Scotland-born centre back has received widespread praise for his defensive displays.

Currently playing at Stoke City in the English Championship, many have tipped him for a move to a higher division when the January transfer window rolls around.

Australia centre back Harry Souttar slides in to make a game-saving tackle to stop a shot from Tunisia’s Taha Khenissi.
Photo: AFP

Salem Al-Dawsari, Saudi Arabia

Coming into the World Cup, nobody expected much from Saudi Arabia who sit at just 51st in the FIFA world rankings for men’s national teams.

However, in the opening match of Group C against Argentina the Saudi Falcons produced one of the greatest upsets the World Cup has ever seen.

After going down to 1-nil early on thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty, Saudi Arabia rallied in the second half following a hair-raising half-time speech from coach Hervé Renard.

Just three minutes into the half Saudi Arabia equalised through a clinical finish from Saudi striker Saleh Alshehri, but it was Salem Al-Dawsari who would capture the hearts of the Arab world moments later.

Bringing down a high ball with poise before dancing through three Argentinian tacklers, the 31-year-old winger unleashed a powerful curling effort high into the top right corner.

Celebrating with a cartwheel-backflip combo, Al-Dawsari’s wonder goal sent shockwaves through the football world as Saudi Arabia went on to defeat the World Cup favourites 2-1.

Al-Dawsari turned the game on its head with this absolute screamer! #LetItFly with @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/XoMPN1hnqH

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022

Ritsu Doan

Japan proved to be the comeback kings at the 2022 World Cup, defying the odds to secure a Round of 16 spot with wins over European giants Germany and Spain.

Playing a vital role in both incredible upsets, super sub winger Ritsu Doan wrote his name in the history books as he came off the bench to score the equalising goals against both Germany and Spain.

Doan was in the right place at the right time against Germany, smashing home a rebound goal just minutes after being subbed on with just under twenty minutes left.

Then against Spain the 24-year-old took just three minutes to make his mark after coming on at half-time, cutting inside off the wing to hit a curling shot which the Spanish keeper simply could not handle.

Despite being knocked out on penalties against Croatia in the Round of 16, Ritsu Doan and Japan showcased the ever-improving quality of Asian football and proved to be one of the highlights of the tournament.

Japan winger Ritsu Doan scores an equaliser in the second half of the FIFA World Cup Group E match Japan vs Spain.
Photo: AFP

Antoinne Griezmann, France

In a France team stacked to the brim with attacking talent, even a world class talent such as Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann was not expected to play a key role at this World Cup.

But instead of competing with players like Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele for a place in the forward line, Griezmann has surprisingly changed position all together.

A firm favourite of France manager Didier Deschamps, the 31-year-old has taken on a role as a midfield virtuoso at the World Cup and seemingly picked up the new role with ease.

Antoine Griezmann’s game by numbers vs. England:

100% tackles won
100% aerial duels won
88% pass accuracy
58 touches
38 passes completed
3/3 long balls completed
2 key passes
2 assists

Magical. pic.twitter.com/ozgVVjkyMF

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 10, 2022

Picking up three assists across five appearances, the former-Barcelona man’s ability to quickly transition midfield play from defense to attack has proved to be vital to Deschamp’s system.

With the defending-champions set to face Morocco in their semi-final, Griezmann could prove to be the France’s unsung hero if they can successfully secure back-to-back World Cup titles.