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Mbappé, Gakpo, Rashford, Morata golden scorers:

We expected Lionel Messi, Neymar or Harry Kane, but the only superstar to be at the top of the scorers' rankings, before the last matches of the first round, is Kylian Mbappé.

An achievement against Australia (4-1), a double against Denmark to ensure the qualification of the Blues, the French striker from Paris SG responded before being spared against Tunisia (0-1).

To come back stronger in eighth against Poland?

He is in good company at the top of the scoring charts, with Dutch revelation Cody Gakpo finding the net against Senegal (2-0), Ecuador (1-1) and Qatar (2-0), just like Alvaro Morata with Spain, against Costa Rica (7-0), Germany (1-1) and Japan (2-1).

Cody Gakpo has just opened the scoring for the Netherlands against Qatar in Al Khor on November 29, 2022 © Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP/Archives

Marcus Rashford, scorer 49 seconds after coming into play against Iran (6-2) and author of a double against Wales (3-0), is also at the top of this ranking.

Enner Valencia also have three goals, but Ecuador are eliminated.

The Brazilian Richarlison also distinguished himself with a double against Serbia (2-0).

He is perceived as the author of the most beautiful goal of the World for the moment.

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The return of Africa

Shocked by zero out of five, four years ago, in Russia, where Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal came out in the first round, Africa will have at least two, and maybe three, representatives in the next round.

Morocco even finished at the top of their group F, which was nevertheless very tough with the Croatian vice-world champions and the Belgians, as they had done in 1986 ahead of Portugal and England.

The last African team to manage to take first place in a group was Nigeria in 1998.

He is joined by Senegal who recovered from the injury of Sadio Mané just before the start of the competition and a frustrating opening defeat against the Netherlands (2-0).

The Moroccans, launched by Hakim Ziyech (foreground), overcame Canada at the Al-Thumama stadium on December 1, 2022 © NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / AFP

Tunisia, who beat a revamped France (1-0) for the last day of Group D, came close, but Ghana, second in Group H before facing Uruguay, could also pass the first round, while the mission will be more complicated for Cameroon, against Brazil.

Africa has never had more than two teams in the round of 16 of the World Cup.

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Japan cuts light

Falling into a group including Spain and Germany, Japan did not start winning in Group E, and yet it was the Blue Samurai who finished in the lead by offering two prestigious victories (2-1) against the Europeans.

Performances all the more surprising as the men of Hajime Moriyasu, led by the score, were able to overthrow their opponents by tactical adaptations and unwavering faith.

The Japanese defeated Spain to finish first in Group E at the Khalifa International Stadium on December 1, 2022 © Jewel SAMAD / AFP

The defeat against Costa Rica (1-0), on a goal at the end of the match, is a bit of a stain on the balance sheet and Spain will perhaps not be unhappy with its second place which offers it Morocco as an opponent in eighth, as Japan challenge the Croats.

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A truly... global World Cup

With the qualifications of Japan, Australia, the United States and two African countries, six geographical continents will be represented in the round of 16, a first for a World Cup.

In 2006, during the World Cup in Germany, Australia had already qualified for the next round, before losing against Italy (1-0), on a penalty in added time.

But during this edition, all Asian nations had been eliminated in the first round.

2022 World Cup: round of 16 © Laurence SAUBADU / AFP

Since the 2010 World Cup, Australia has taken part in the Asian qualifiers and more with Oceania.

The failures of leaders, such as Germany or, to a lesser degree, Denmark, partly explain this state of affairs, the truly global dimension of the competition.

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Suspense to the end

With only three teams qualified for the round of 16 after two days and qualifications or first places which were decided by one goal in all groups, this World Cup was not kind to the nerves of supporters and spectators.

The third day of Group E where all four teams qualified at one point or another in their match, with Costa Rica and Japan even being the virtual lucky ones for three minutes, while Spain and Germany thought to pack their bags, is the most glaring example.

© 2022 AFP