Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker | OneFootball

Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker | OneFootball

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·12 December 2022

Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker

Article image:Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker

Samuel Eto’o was widely criticised for his predictions ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

To say that his forecast was bizarre would be an understatement.


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Article image:Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker

However, as the tournament has progressed Eto’o has recovered plenty of his reputation.

That’s because one of the sides Eto’o backed to go far was Morocco.

Morocco are in the World Cup semi finals against France after beating Spain and then Portugal in the knockout rounds.

That’s been a surprise to just about anyone other than Eto’o who knew that would happen.

No, really.

But what else did Eto’o predict?

Well, let’s take you through his group stage and knockout predictions.

Article image:Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker

Eto’o’s World Cup group stage predictions

Group A:Eto’o’s predictions: 1st Senegal, 2nd Qatar, 3rd Netherlands, 4th EcuadorActual: 1st Netherlands, 2nd Senegal, 3rd Ecuador, 4th Qatar

Well, Eto’o was right in thinking Senegal would progress – although they did so in second. That’s about as good as it got in Group A.

Group B:Eto’o’s predictions: 1st England, 2nd Iran, 3rd USA, 4th WalesActual: 1st England, 2nd USA, 3rd Iran, 4th Wales

Eto’o got USA and Iran in the wrong order with the two nations facing off in the final match to decide who would come second. Not a bad effort.

Group C:Eto’o’s predictions: 1st Argentina, 2nd Poland, 3rd Mexico, 4th Saudi ArabiaActual: 1st Argentina, 2nd Poland, 3rd Mexico, 4th Saudi Arabia

Spot on. Fair play, Samuel!

Group D:Eto’o’s predictions: 1st France, 2nd Tunisia, 3rd Denmark, 4th AustraliaActual: 1st France, 2nd Australia, 3rd Tunisia, 4th Denmark

Eto’o was brave to predict Denmark would be eliminated from Group D – but they were. It was Australia, not Tunisia, that progressed though.

Eto’o’s predictions: 1st Germany, 2nd Spain, 3rd Japan, 4th Costa RicaActual: 1st Japan, 2nd Spain, 3rd Germany, 4th Costa Rica

Not even Eto’o saw Japan finishing top of Group E at the expense of Germany!

Group F:Eto’o’s predictions: 1st Morocco, 2nd Belgium, 3rd Croatia, 4th CanadaActual: 1st Morocco, 2nd Croatia, 3rd Belgium, 4th Canada

Eto’o knew Morocco would win the group but got Belgium and Croatia in the wrong order.

Group G:Eto’o’s predictions: 1st Cameroon, 2nd Brazil, 3rd Serbia, 4th SwitzerlandActual: 1st Brazil, 2nd Switzerland, 3rd Cameroon, 4th Serbia

It’s actually impressive that Eto’o failed to predict a single side in the correct position in Group G.

Eto’o backed Ghana to finish second to Portugal but they crashed out coming bottom of the group. Eto’o certainly didn’t see South Korea qualifying.

Article image:Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker

Eto’o’s World Cup knockout stage predictions

Eto’o’s group stage predictions then formed a knockout stage bracket which he then picked the winner of each tie before an eventual winner.

Due to Eto’o’s rogue group stage predictions, very few of his last-16 match-ups actually happened.

However, Morocco did indeed face Spain and Eto’o correctly predicted the African side would come out on top. That set up a quarter final clash against Portugal, just like in real life. And again, Eto’o correctly predicted Morocco would win.

Article image:Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker

It means that, in Eto’o’s bracket, Morocco face France in the semi final – just like they will on Wednesday.

While Eto’o think Morocco will beat France, he’s not backing them to go all the way.

Who beats them in the final? Cameroon, of course…

A reminder that Cameroon crashed out of the group stages.

He may not have got that right but you’ve got to give Eto’o respect for predicting Morocco’s performance at this World Cup.

Article image:Samuel Eto'o's World Cup predictions: Morocco were backed by legendary striker
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