Five things that shock the World Cup

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The World Cup in Russia has thrown up no shortage of surprises as favorites have been toppled, heroes vanquished and new stars born. Here we look at the five biggest shocks of the tournament so far.


Germany dumped out


The World Cup champions curse continued as Joachim Loew's men were dumped out in the group stage. It was the third consecutive time that the holders have failed to reach the round of 16, following on from Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014.


Something just wasn't right from the start of their first match against Mexico, which they lost 1-0. A brilliant Toni Kroos free-kick routine saved their blushes against Sweden before they collapsed to a 2-0 loss to South Korea in their final group match.

Mario Gomez (C) and Mats Hummels of Germany react during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F match between Germany and South Korea in Kazan, Russia, June 27, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


Messi kept in check


Argentina fans had hoped that this tournament would provide a glorious and belated coronation for Lionel Messi after the Albiceleste lost three straight finals in major tournaments: the 2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America.


However both Messi and Argentina were found wanting, sputtering through the group stage before being knockout out by France in the last 16. Messi looked a shadow of the player that has won five Ballon d'Or awards, scoring just once in four matches.

Lionel Messi (C) of Argentina breaks through with the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between France and Argentina in Kazan, Russia, on June 30, 2018. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)


Rampant Russia


Rated before the tournament as Russia's worst ever team, the hosts quickly went about proving their doubters wrong by romping to a 5-0 win in their tournament opener against Saudi Arabia, led by a Denis Cheryshev brace.


Stanislav Cherchesov's side won their next match against Egypt 3-1 before losing 3-0 to Uruguay after being reduced to 10 men early. They then beat 2010 champions Spain on penalties in the round of 16 but bowed out in the quarterfinals against Croatia in another duel decided by spot-kicks.

Artem Dzyuba (front) of Russia scores a penalty kick during the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Spain and Russia in Moscow, Russia, July 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Wu Zhuang)

Roberto Martinez's Belgium


Belgium's so-called golden generation has finally turned potential into concrete results by reaching the last four of the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Coach Roberto Martinez has succeeded where his predecessors failed by making the team greater than the sum of its parts.


The Spaniard has also shown great tactical pragmatism by setting up his side to suit the characteristics of his best players and exploit the weakness of opponents. This was exemplified in the team's 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Brazil, when Kevin de Bruyne was deployed as a false nine while Roman Lukaku and Eden Hazard where pulled wide.

Fagner (L) of Brazil vies with Eden Hazard of Belgium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between Brazil and Belgium in Kazan, Russia, July 6, 2018. (Xinhua/Du Yu)


Kylian Mbappe


The 19-year-old forward almost single-handedly fired his team to victory over Argentina in the round of 16 by scoring twice and earning a penalty. In doing so, he became the first teenager since Pele in 1958 to net a brace in a single World Cup match. His explosive speed and lethal finishing has drawn comparisons with Brazil great Ronaldo.

Diego Laxalt (L) of Uruguay vies with Kylian Mbappe (C) of France during the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match between Uruguay and France in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, July 6, 2018. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)


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