Biggest Highs and Lows at the FIFA World Cup 2022

The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar is nearing the end with Argentina and France confirming their places in the final early on Monday morning. 

It's been dubbed one of the most exciting World Cups in recent memory and Stats Insider readers will be acutely aware how advantageous it was to read the site and follow our predictive models.

Betfair has provided us with some of the interesting numbers of the tournament to date, including big in-play dividends and wise future investments.

Saudis Stun The Finalists 

Argentina entered its opening Group C game against Saudi Arabia on a 36-match unbeaten streak, just one shy of Italy’s all-time international record set between 2018 and 2021. Argentina entered the game as $1.13 favourites at kick-off – odds which shrunk to as low as $1.02 in-play after Lionel Messi put ‘La Albiceleste’ 1-0 ahead from the penalty spot after ten minutes.

In a frenetic five-minute rush shortly after the halftime break, Saudi Arabia wiped out the deficit, followed soon after by a stupendous strike from the edge of the box by Salem Al-Dawsari. Saudi backers found themselves claiming an unexpected bounty – with max in-play odds taken at $1,000.

RELATED: Argentina vs France World Cup 2022 Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

Six Goal Thriller 

Cameroon and Serbia were both eliminated from Group G, no thanks to their six-goal encounter featuring high drama, theatrics, desperation – and a draw. It was arguably the match of the tournament, with none of the three results assured until the referee finally blew his whistle.

The draw was taken in-play at max odds of $55. Incidentally, Cameroon – who was trailing 1-3 after the 53rd minute – blew out to as high as $360 to win before winding back the margin in the 66th minute. Meanwhile, Serbia backers were left to weep, with minimum odds matched as low as $1.02.

Japan belies outsider status

You deserve a medal if you were on the right side of a Japan result in all three Group E games.

The Samurai Blue produced not one, but two remarkable comebacks to beat powerhouse nations Germany and Spain, with max in-play odds taken at $65 vs. Germany and $32 vs. Spain. However, it was Costa Rica giving Japan backers a taste of their own medicine when it forced its own 1-0 upset (max odds taken at $23, while Japan was taken at $1.41 in-play).

Socceroos Defy Expectation

It would be remiss not to pay our respects to Australia for claiming a somewhat unthinkable win over Denmark – number 10 in FIFA’s world rankings – sending us through to the knockout stage.

The Socceroos ended up as $8.60 underdogs at kickoff and were sluggish in the opening half. Despite the 0-0 deadlock, Australia’s win odds ballooned to $13.50 in-play. Leave it to Mathew Leckie’s heroics in the 60th minute to signal a second-half momentum shift and score a famous victory.

Quarter Final Slug Fest 

The Netherlands and Argentina brought the heat to a winter World Cup like no other. This quarter-final will be remembered for 18 yellow cards and a two-goal fightback by the Dutch, which sparked heavy tension and brawling right up to the final minute of an extended stoppage time.

With Betfair’s Match Odds markets settled at the end of regular time, the 2-2 finish meant Argentina backers would lose trading at odds as low as $1.02 in-play. The draw, meanwhile, was the big winner, with max odds taken at $60.

Germany Fails Once Again

This is not Die Mannschaft we have become used to for so many decades. Germany – one of world football’s most storied teams – has now exited from the World Cup’s group stage in consecutive tournaments. This year they watched their knockout stage hopes dissolve in real time.

With Germany winning 4-2 in its final Group E game against Costa Rica, it was up to Spain to confirm Germany’s safe passage through to the Round of 16 by winning over Japan. With the Spanish taking a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute, Germany was punted down to as low as $1.03 in the Group E “To Qualify” market. All hopes were dashed shortly after half-time when Japan scored twice, leading to an improbable victory – and the Germans’ demise.

Can the FIFA World Cup final cause yet more mayhem on the Betfair Exchange? France is a slight favourite to defend its 2018 title at $2.86, with Argentina at $2.98 and the draw marginal underdogs at $3.10. 

For all the latest odds and guide on the Final check out the World Cup predictions model here, brought to you by Stats Insider.