Delayed Coverage and Mixed Reviews for the Opening Match
The delayed live broadcast by ZDF of the opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup has generated significant frustration on social media. The network began its coverage several minutes late, missing the initial moments of the show before the inaugural match between Mexico and South Africa, which ended with a score of 2-0 in favor of Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium. Viewers were still subjected to commercials while the first artists took the stage. However, ZDF eventually caught up with the live presentation of the official World Cup song 'Dai Dai' performed by international stars Shakira and Burna Boy. Prior to the match, ZDF had commenced its pre-match programming nearly four hours earlier, featuring discussions with notable guests, including former national players Christoph Kramer and Per Mertesacker.
The interest in the opening game was palpable, with an impressive average of 10.038 million viewers tuning in to watch the match, according to AGF Videoforschung. This figure accounted for a substantial market share of 46.5 percent. The only program on Thursday evening to achieve better ratings was the halftime segment of the 'heute journal,' which attracted 10.487 million viewers, representing a market share of 46.8 percent. Despite the high viewership numbers, the quality of play during the match received criticism from football experts Jürgen Klopp and Christoph Kramer, who expressed disappointment in the tactical performance displayed on the field.
Critiques on Tactical Performance and Upcoming Matches
The 2-0 victory for Mexico was, according to analysts, lacking in tactical brilliance. Klopp noted a specific incident involving a red card issued to Mexico's Cesar Montes during stoppage time as emblematic of the match's overall quality, stating, "This situation encapsulates the entire game. Tactically, it was simply poor! Neither team performed well." Montes was penalized for a last-ditch foul on Khuliso Mudau at the edge of the penalty area. ZDF's commentators also shared similar sentiments, with Kramer expressing expectations for more intensity and space, remarking, "I thought there would be real confrontations, but that was not the case. It felt more like a charity match than a World Cup opener." Former Freiburg coach Christian Streich echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment in South Africa's performance, believing they would demonstrate better organization and fight.
Looking ahead, South Africa will face the Czech Republic, while Mexico is set to compete against South Korea, who recently secured a notable 2-1 victory over the Czechs. In a related development, Australia has shown confidence ahead of the tournament, extending the contract of their coach Tony Popovic just hours before the World Cup commences in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The 52-year-old coach will now lead the Socceroos until the Asian Cup next year, a testament to the trust placed in him by the Australian Football Federation.
Mexican President Sheinbaum expressed her pride in the national team following their opening victory, calling it a "historic joy," although the atmosphere outside the stadium was marred by unrest as families highlighted the plight of over 130,000 missing persons in Mexico. A radical teachers' union also took the opportunity to protest during the event, leading to a tense environment described by local media as "unusual," contrasting sharply with the celebratory spirit typically associated with World Cup festivities.
Former World Cup-winning coach Joachim Löw criticized the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams, arguing that the previous format of 32 teams was more effective. He believes that while smaller nations deserve a chance to participate, the current format dilutes the competition's quality. Löw noted that the inclusion of eight group third-place teams advancing to the knockout phase makes the group stage less compelling, advocating instead for a more selective approach to maintain high standards in the tournament.
In a somber announcement, Brazil's football community mourned the passing of former defender Brito, who was part of the 1970 World Cup-winning team, at the age of 86. His legacy as one of Brazil's greatest defenders will inspire current players competing in the tournament. Brazil's national team is set to open their campaign against African champions Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey, looking to reclaim glory after 24 years without a World Cup title. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies will miss Canada's opening match due to a thigh injury, though his coach remains hopeful for his return in subsequent matches.
As reported by web.de.
