Debutants who enchanted

The host country is the only debutant at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Other selections have previously participated in the world championships, so this is the first time in history that a team did not secure participation in the tournament for the first time through the qualifications.

During the previous 92 years, many debutants wrote their own and football history at the world championships. There were many interesting matches, unexpected results, and these are just some of them.

NORTH KOREA - NIGHTMARE "AZURA"

One of the biggest sensations in the history of the world championships was created by North Korea, which appeared in England in 1966 for the first time at the world championships.

In the first match of the tournament, the Asian team was defeated by the Soviet Union (3:0), then they drew with Chile (1:1), and then in the decisive match they beat Italy (1:0) and went to the knockout phase instead of the Azzurri. .

One of the most exciting matches at the championships was played in the quarter-finals. North Korea led 3:0 against Portugal, and then Euzebio scored four goals, directed a turnaround and the European team won 5:3.

ALGERIA - "SHAME IN GIJON"

In their debut appearance at the World Cup in Spain in 1982, Algeria humiliated the current European champion, West Germany (2:1), then lost to Austria (1:0) and defeated Chile (3:2). It was, until then, the best performance by an African team at the World Cup.

Back then, two points were awarded for a victory, Algeria had the same number of points as the Germans and Austrians, but was relegated after the "Shame of Gijón". The African selection had previously defeated Chile and West Germany and Austria knew what result they needed to stay in the tournament. The Germans celebrated (1:0) and continued the competition with the Austrians.

COSTA RICA - BOOM WITH MILUTINOVIĆ

When you hire the legendary Boro Milutinović as a coach, you are guaranteed to go to the WC. Thus, in Italy in 1990, Costa Rica appeared for the first time at the World Cup.

In the group with Brazil, Scotland and Sweden, the Costa Ricans won four points and advanced to the knockout stage, where they were defeated by Czechoslovakia 4:1.

NIGERIA - FLIGHT OF "SUPER EAGLES"

Nigeria arrived in the USA in 1994 as the current African champion. The "Super Eagles" played beautifully, danced around the field, defeated Bulgaria (3:0) and Greece (2:0) in the group stage, lost to Argentina (2:1) and qualified for the round of XNUMX on debut.

In the round of 2, they took the lead against Italy, but Roberto Baggio directed a turnaround (1:XNUMX). It was a great generation led by Yekini, Okocha, Finidi, Kanu, Amokachi...

SAUDI ARABIA - ROUTE 1/8 FINALS

Saudi Arabia was a big unknown when it appeared in the 1994 World Cup in the USA. Said Al-Ovarian's great goal in the victory over Belgium (1:0), when he went through the opponent's defense in Maradona's style, is one of the most beautiful in the history of the championships.

Before Belgium, Saudi Arabia was also better than Morocco (2:1), and in the group it was only defeated by the Netherlands (2:1). This was followed by a historic placement in the round of 3, where Sweden was too strong (1:XNUMX).

CROATIA - THE BIRTH OF A FOOTBALL NATION

Placement in the 1/4 finals of Euro 1996 was only a prelude to the spectacular World Cup in France two years later. The group with Argentina, Japan and Jamaica was not a problem - Croatia made it to the 1/8 finals, where they beat Romania with a goal by Davor Šuker from the penalty spot.

This was followed by a historic victory over Germany in the 1/4 finals (3:0, goals by Jarni, Vlaović and Šuker) and then a defeat in the semi-finals by the hosts - Šuker put the Flames in the lead with another goal, but the turnaround was directed by double scorer Lilijan Tiram. .

In the match for third place, Croatia beat the Netherlands (2:1, Prosinečki, Šuker). Šuker was the top scorer of the WC with six goals.

SENEGAL - A MIRACLE IN ASIA

They came quietly and entered the legend - in 2002, the Senegalese immediately defeated the world champion France (1:0), and after draws with Denmark (1:1) and Uruguay (3:3) they qualified for the 1/8 finals, where defeated Sweden (2:1) with the golden goal of Anri Kamara.

The quarter-finals were the last stretch, but the defeat against Turkey (2:1, also a golden goal) did not spoil the impression that Senegal left in Korea and Japan.

GHANA - "BLACK STARS" ARRIVED AT THE PARTY

Ghana arrived in Germany in 2006 as one of the underdogs, but played bravely in a group with the USA, Italy and the Czech Republic and reached the round of 3. In the knockout phase, Mikael Essien, Asamoah Dzhan, Steven Appiah and their teammates ran into Brazil, which was too strong with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and other aces (0:XNUMX).