The quest for three points
ZWF #42: Sunday, November 27, 2022
It’s now been one week since the World Cup 2022 began. One that has been filled with shocking results, stunning play, and a U.S. side fighting to get out of the group.
Inside this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts, an update on the ongoing World Cup, and a look at what Zander’s been reading this past week. Plus, a compilation of the top news and sports headlines from the past seven days.
Also, go listen to the latest episode of the Zander’s Facts podcast! Episode 82 features a recap of the first three days of the World Cup, up until Wednesday. Zander breaks down everything that happened on and off the field and previews what could come next in soccer’s largest tournament. Go download and listen to the Zander’s Facts podcast wherever you get your podcasts!
Zander’s Weekend Facts is here to give you the facts about what has been going on in the world around us this past week. You’ll just read these facts, instead of listening to them on the Zander’s Facts podcast.
Here are Zander’s Weekend Facts for Sunday, November 27, 2022:
An update on the World Cup
The World Cup 2022 is now in full force, with a week of games down and several more to go. With a week now in the books, it’s time to take a look at how things stand for all 32 teams (including the USMNT) and what the future holds.
By the way, there’s a lot more you should know about this World Cup other than what’s going on on the field. To learn more about all the off the field issues with this World Cup, check out last weekend’s Zander’s Weekend Facts.
On to the pitch, here are where things stand in all eight groups, and for all 32 teams, as of Sunday morning:
Group A:
Netherlands — 4 points
Ecuador — 4 points
Senegal — 3 points
Qatar — 0 points **Eliminated**
It’s been a rough couple of firsts for Qatar. The host nation was the first host to lose the opening World Cup match and now is the first host to be eliminated from the knockout rounds after just two games.
On Tuesday, the Netherlands will face Qatar and Ecuador will face Senegal with three teams vying for two knockout round spots. The winner of Ecuador-Senegal is in, and if the Netherlands win, they are in. But in the event of an Ecuador-Senegal and a Netherlands loss, things get complicated. If that happened, Ecuador would advance with five points, and if the Netherlands lose by more than two goals, Senegal advances. Both matches take place at 10:00 am et on Tuesday.
Group B:
England — 4 points
Iran — 3 points
USA — 2 points
Wales — 1 point
While England spanked Iran 6-2 and the U.S. drew with Wales 1-1 on Monday, the results on Friday proved much more pivotal. Early Friday morning, Wales were shocked with a 2-0 loss by Iran in which both goals came after the 97th minute. Then, the U.S. drew once again against England 0-0 in another match where the U.S. came away with just one point in a match where they were the better team on the pitch.
Now it all comes down to Tuesday afternoon, where England will face Wales and the U.S. will take on Iran. If England win, draw, or lose by less than four goals, they advance to the knockouts. Wales must win by four or more goals to advance. If the U.S. beat Iran, they advanced, while they go home if they draw or lose. Iran can advance with a draw or win. Both matches take place at 2:00 pm et on Tuesday. (By the way, Zander will have complete analysis of these matches on Wednesday’s podcast.)
Group C:
Poland — 4 points
Argentina — 3 points
Saudi Arabia — 3 points
Mexico — 1 point
After Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina and won 2-1 against one of the tournament favorites, it was a must-win against Mexico on Saturday. They beat Mexico 2-0 but still will need another result to have a chance to advance. Mexico got their one point from a 0-0 draw with Poland, while the Poles were able to beat Saudi Arabia 2-0.
The final games of this group take place on Wednesday at 2:00 pm et, with Poland facing Argentina and Saudi Arabia playing Mexico. The winner of Poland-Argentina advances, but if they draw, Poland would advance and Argentina would advance if Saudi Arabia draw or lose by less than four goals. If Saudi Arabia win, they advance, while they will advance if they draw and Argentina lose. Mexico must win to advance and either have Argentina draw or lose. If Argentina draw, Mexico must win by four goals or more.
Group D:
France — 6 points **Advanced**
Australia — 3 points
Denmark — 1 point
Tunisia — 1 point
At the moment, France are the only nation to have clinched a knockout round berth with their two wins over Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1). The Socceroos of Australia bounced back on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Tunisia, while Denmark drew Tunisia 0-0 earlier in the week.
In the final two matches of the group, Australia face Denmark and Tunisia take on France. With France already advancing, the three remaining teams are fighting for one knockout spot. Denmark and Tunisia both need wins, while Tunisia would only advance with a win and an Australia-Denmark draw or Denmark wins by a smaller goal margin than Tunisia. Australia advances with a win, or a draw as long as Tunisia draw or lose. Both matches take place Wednesday at 10:00 am et.
Group E:
Spain — 3 points
Japan — 3 points
Germany — 0 points
Costa Rica — 0 points
Today, these four teams play their matches with Japan facing Costa Rica at 5:00 am et and Germany facing Spain at 2:00 pm et. Earlier this week, Japan got a massive 2-1 win over Germany while Spain absolutely dominated Costa Rica with a tournament-high seven goals in a 7-0 rout.
Germany need at least one point, and preferably three, against Spain in order to avoid massive disappointment and stay alive in the group. Costa Rica also needs a result against Japan. With three points, Spain and Japan are in a favorable position and both could clinch knockout round berths with wins today. On Thursday, Costa Rica face Germany and Spain face Japan at 2:00 pm et.
Group F:
Belgium — 3 points
Croatia — 1 point
Morocco — 1 point
Canada — 0 points
The four squads of Group F also face off today, with Belgium taking on Morocco at 8:00 am et and Croatia facing Canada at 11:00 am et. Belgium snuck away with three points in a 1-0 win over a strong Canada side, while Croatia was held to a disappointing one point in a 0-0 draw with Morocco.
Belgium can advance with a win today, while Canada need at least one point against Croatia to stay alive in the group. Morocco also cannot afford to let Belgium win later today. In the final group matches on Thursday, Canada take on Morocco and Croatia play Belgium at 10:00 am et.
Group G:
Brazil — 3 points
Switzerland — 3 points
Cameroon — 0 points
Serbia — 0 points
While Brazil will be without Neymar Jr. for the rest of the group, they likely won’t feel his absence much after they impressed in a 2-0 win over Serbia. Switzerland also picked up three points with a 1-0 win over Cameroon. On Monday at 11:00 am et, Brazil will face Switzerland, where a winner would advance to the knockouts. Also, Cameroon will face Serbia at 5:00 am et where a loser would be eliminated.
The final matches of the group take place on Friday, as Cameroon face Brazil and Serbia play Switzerland at 2:00 pm et.
Group H:
Portugal — 3 points
South Korea — 1 point
Uruguay — 1 point
Ghana — 0 points
The final group brings Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, who didn’t appear that dominant in a 3-2 win over Ghana to open group play. South Korea and Uruguay drew 0-0 to gain one point each. Now on Monday, Portugal face Uruguay at 2:00 pm et, with Uruguay searching for more points to boost their standing in the group. Portugal would advance with a win on Monday. At 8:00 am et on Monday, South Korea face Ghana with Ghana needing at least one point to stay in contention.
The final matches of the group will take place on Friday, as Ghana will take on Uruguay and Portugal will face South Korea at 10:00 am et.
— — — — —
The World Cup group stage continues through Friday, with the Round of 16 beginning the knockout stages on Saturday. You can watch every match of the World Cup 2022 up until the final on Sunday, December 18 on Fox and FS1 in English and Telemundo and Universo in Spanish.
(And remember to check out this week’s edition of the Zander’s Facts podcast for the latest World Cup analysis.)
What Zander’s been reading this week
The future may not seem that bright for higher education institutions in the United States. With birth rates having declined now since the great recession, the smaller number of available college students may hit some universities hard.
Check out this week’s featured article on Vox - The incredible shrinking future of college.
Zander’s Facts Sporting Club
Here are the top sports stories from the past week in the sporting club:
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo had his contract with club Manchester United terminated this week. After Ronaldo’s interview critiquing the club and manager Erik ten Hag, the club decided to end its contract with the Portuguese national. Ronaldo is currently playing for Portugal at the World Cup and became the first men’s player to score in five World Cups. As the question now is where Ronaldo will play club soccer next, CBS Sports reported on Saturday that Ronaldo received a massive offer from a Saudi Arabian club.
Week 12 in the NFL began with the annual three-game slate on Thanksgiving. On Thursday, the Bills squeaked by the Lions 28-25, the Vikings held off the Patriots 33-26, and the Cowboys beat the Giants 28-20 in a game where 42 million viewers tuned in, making it the most-watched NFL regular season game in history. Moving to Sunday, the 1:00 pm et window is headlined by Bengals-Titans, Buccaneers-Browns, and Ravens-Jaguars. At 4:00 pm et, the Rams take on the Chiefs and the Saints visit the 49ers. On Sunday night, the Packers face off against the Eagles, while the Steelers play the Colts on Monday night.
College football’s regular season concluded on Saturday with rivalries taking center stage. The headliner of the weekend was #3 Michigan and #2 Ohio State, with Michigan pulling off their first victory in Columbus, OH since 2000 with a 45-23 win. #6 USC were able to knock down #15 Notre Dame 38-27, and South Carolina beat #8 Clemson 31-30 for the first time since 2013. Also, Texas A&M beat #5 LSU 38-23, #21 Oregon State got a massive 38-34 win over #9 Oregon, and #7 Alabama crushed Auburn 49-27. There were also some games on Thursday and Friday this week, with Mississippi State knocking off #20 Ole Miss 24-22 on Thanksgiving, while #16 Florida State survived Florida 45-38, and NC State upset #17 North Carolina 30-27 in double-overtime.
College football’s conference championship games have their matchups set after Saturday’s games, with teams fighting for one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff. In the ACC, Clemson and North Carolina, both coming off losses this weekend, will face each other. The SEC will feature LSU and top-ranked Georgia, while Purdue will play Michigan in the Big Ten championship game. In the Big 12, Kansas State will play TCU, and Utah will take on USC in the Pac-12 title game. All the conference championship games will take place on Saturday, with the exception of the Pac-12, whose championship will be played on Friday night.
With college football’s regular season coming to an end, the offseason coaching carousel is starting to heat up. Already, it was announced that Nebraska, who had fired Scott Frost as their head coach earlier this season, hired former Temple, Baylor, and Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Ruhle as their next head coach. Weekend rumors surrounded Auburn, who fired Bryan Harsin earlier this season, and Hugh Freeze, the former Ole Miss head coach who currently coaches Liberty. At this point, some of the other notable schools looking for new head coaches are Arizona State, Colorado, Georgia Tech, and Wisconsin.
Rapid-fire Facts
Here are the top news headlines from the past week in rapid-fire fashion:
A shooting at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub left five people dead and 18 others injured last Saturday night. The event was an attack on one of the few gay bars in the Colorado Springs area, which has a long history of discrimination against the LGBTQ community. The 22-year-old suspect had a troubled past that was partly disguised by a name change.
The Biden administration announced another extension to the pause on student loan debt payments this week. It is the eighth time that the federal government has extended the pause since it began in March 2020. Federal student loan payments were previously scheduled to begin in January 2023. If the Biden administration is able to implement its student loan forgiveness plan before June 30, 2023, the payments will resume 60 days after the plan is implemented. If not, the payments will resume 60 days after June 30.
A shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia left six people dead Tuesday night. The suspect was a Walmart supervisor, who shot and killed six of his co-workers. It was later found that the shooter, who was found dead at the scene, wrote a note on his phone before the shooting. The shooter bought the handgun he used legally on the day of the shooting.
As Covid slips from the minds of many, China’s infamous “zero-COVID” policy appears to be slipping from validity. On Thursday, 32,695 new infections were reported in the country, the highest single-day total of the pandemic. On the same day, the U.S. only reported 36,030 new cases, nowhere near the high marks of the pandemic. China continues to implement strict lockdown policies, however, they don’t appear to be as effective as in the past.
A new report alleges that years before the Supreme Court’s draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade leaked, another case’s decision had been found out before it was announced. Rev. Rob Schenck told The New York Times and wrote in a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts that he was informed of the decision of a case in 2014 weeks before the decision was announced publicly. Schenck says he was able to create a public relations push after learning that Hobby Lobby had won a case that allowed private corporations to be exempt from a regulation it religiously objects to.
Wrapping up the Facts
Before this edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts wraps up, here’s another reminder to check out the latest episodes of the Zander’s Facts podcast. Download and listen to the latest episode of the podcast, along with every episode of Zander’s Facts, wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out Zander’s Facts’ Linktree page for more on everything Zander’s Facts related, including the all-new Zander’s Facts website. At ZandersFacts.com, get the latest on all the facts that Zander is putting out, and check out the freshest styles at the Zander’s Facts shop!
You can also listen to every episode of the podcast on this very website. All Zander’s Facts podcast episodes are now available on zandersfacts.substack.com under the “Zander’s Facts” tab for your enjoyment. That includes the next episode of the Zander’s Facts podcast, which comes out this Wednesday!
That’s a wrap on this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts. The Facts in print return next Sunday, December 4, 2022.
