Biggest disappointments of the 2018 World Cup group stage

VAR was useful, at times, such as when the system helped the referee correctly overturn his penalty decision in the first half of the pivotal Group H showdown between Senegal and Colombia when replays showed Colombian defender Davinson Sanchez committed no foul in the box. Nevertheless, VAR is too inconsistent, it halts play in a way that takes fluidity from a match and it does nothing to eliminate certain hand-ball controversies. There has to be a better way, FIFA. 

All eyes are on Germany manager Joachim Low following his side's humiliating 2-0 defeat to South Korea that guaranteed the reigning World Cup champs an early exit from Russia. Low dropping Leroy Sane ahead of the tournament seems a regrettable decision after the fact, as the 22-year-old Manchester City star possibly could have provided a spark off the bench. 

Lionel Messi scored one of the competition's best goals during Argentina's tournament-saving 2-1 victory over Nigeria. As The Guardian's Marcel Desailly wrote, however, the Barcelona playmaker looks downright lost playing in a starting XI dependent on him carrying it deep into the knockout rounds. Argentina cannot afford Messi to miss another penalty this World Cup. 

What could have been a dynamic encounter between France and Denmark, two teams capable and, often, willing to play entertaining styles, became the biggest bore of the group stage. It ended in a scoreless draw that saw both countries advance. Per Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail , Denmark's Christian Eriksen apologized after both squads were booed off the pitch. 

United States fans still bumming about the Red-White-and-Blue not qualifying for the World Cup had extra salt poured into that wound after both Panama and Costa Rica were unceremoniously bounced from the tournament in the group stage. Panama may still be conceding goals to England as you read this sentence. 

What on Earth was Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny thinking when he abandoned his penalty area in the 60th minute of the match versus Senegal, only to be beaten to the ball by striker M’Baye Niang en route to what may be the easiest goal Niang will ever score on the international stage? Szczesny's latest nightmare in a major tournament cost his country dearly. 

Perhaps we all expected too much from Egypt ahead of the World Cup because of Mohamed Salah's brilliance throughout his breakout campaign with Liverpool. The Egyptian Football Association  clearly wasn't OK exiting the tournament with zero points, as it parted ways with coach Hector Cuper. 

As Jake Josling of the Independent pointed out, former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said England's Kyle Walker is "not a real defender and especially not a central defender" following Walker's performances against Tunisia and Panama. The natural right back conceded a penalty against Tunisia, and he may prove to be a liability in central defense versus better competition. 

In January 2018, Australia brought former Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk in to, hopefully, guide the Socceroos out of the group stage. Van Marwijk's side earned a single point, and his unwillingness you use Australian footballing icon Tim Cahill as anything other than a second-half sub could cost him his latest gig. 

Form is temporary, so teaches the old footballing adage, and Spain supporters will hope that is the case regarding goalkeeper David de Gea following the group stage of the World Cup. De Gea's shocking error versus Portugal could see him dropped in favor of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Mexico's victories over Germany and South Korea quickly faded from memories after El Tri capitulated to Sweden in a 3-0 defeat that would have sent them home if not for Germany's choke job against South Korea. Brazil could beat the Mexico side routed by Sweden by no fewer than seven goals. 

Iceland, the darlings of the 2016 European Championship, were unable to maintain momentum gained by a 1-1 draw with Argentina in their opening match of the World Cup. Per Reuters/ESPN, manager Heimir Hallgrimsson told reporters after the team's 2-1 loss to Croatia that his players had "no percentage left in the batteries in the dying minutes" of that game. It's the 2-0 defeat to Nigeria that will haunt the Iceland players for years to come. 

As Jack Wilson of the Daily and Sunday Express explained, Thomas Muller has not scored a goal for Germany in competitive play since March 2017, and manager Joachim Low dropped Muller for the game against South Korea. It's possible Muller, who turns 29 years old in September, has played in his last World Cup contest. 

No fewer than three incidents regarding head injuries brought questions to light about FIFA's concussion protocol that, in the eyes of critics, still does far too little to protect players. A new system, maybe one that gives teams an additional injury substitution, is needed for the benefit of everyone involved. 

Don't let Sweden's convincing 3-0 victory over Mexico cause you to forget that same Sweden side melted against 10-man Germany late in that group-stage contest. In fairness, Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen probably won't see a better free kick than the one taken by Toni Kroos in stoppage time of what became Germany's only win of the tournament. 

No disrespect meant to those among the Fox Sports crew who have been excellent since the start of the tournament. Ian Darke is, simply put, the voice of the World Cup for fans spread throughout the United States. We miss you, Sir Ian.

As Jack Watson of the Independent wrote, FIFA fined the Argentina Football Association £80,000 ($105,000) after supporters yelled homophobic chants and participated in violent acts during the team's 3-0 loss to Croatia. In time, FIFA may need to strip points away from national and/or club sides to send a clear message to fans such behavior will no longer be tolerated. 

The following is a public service announcement for Landon Donovan and anybody else associated with the United States Men's National Team: If you're ever presented with a business opportunity that involves you supporting Mexico during a World Cup in any way whatsoever, politely decline. Your country thanks you. 

Japan and Senegal finished tied on points and goal difference, but Japan notched second place in Group H due to FIFA Fair Play points accumulated by tallying fewer yellow cards (4) than Senegal (6). Somebody within FIFA must have a more suitable idea for breaking these ties. Penalties. Thumb-wrestling matches. Come up with something. 

By the time Poland's Jan Bednarek hit the back of the net against Japan on the final day of group-stage play, it was too late. Losses to Senegal and Colombia guaranteed Poland a quick exit from the tournament before the final Thursday of June. Striker Robert Lewandowski was dreadful in three games. 

Some Germany fans posting on social media platforms demanded midfielder Mesut Ozil retire from national team duties following his disappearing act at the World Cup. Ozil may not have much say in the matter. He'll be 30 years old this fall, and his country clearly needs an influx of young talent before the 2020s begin.  

Maybe the shoulder injury Mohamed Salah suffered in the Champions League Final in late May prevented him from playing at his best this World Cup. Then again, Salah posing for a picture with Chechen Republic leader Ramzan Kadyrov ahead of the tournament caused him more grief than he likely imagined. Per ESPN's Mark Ogden, Salah may actually quit Egypt over the criticism he received.

Marcos Rojo's late volley propelled Argentina to a great escape into the last 16 via an emotional and necessary 2-1 victory over Nigeria. That moment of brilliance doesn't erase everything plaguing Argentina three matches into the tournament. Lionel Messi hasn't been good enough, and it's clear the team's back line is a weakness that cannot be fixed after the group stage. Jorge Sampaoli appears to be the wrong coach utilizing an incorrect system for this squad. 

Neymar's on-the-pitch antics, most notably his multiple theatrical dives, rather than stellar play earned him headlines around the world during the group stage. Brazilian fans can take solace knowing the Paris Saint-Germain star never looked his best in the side's first three World Cup matches. 

Germany's worst World Cup team of the past eight decades, at least, tops the list of the biggest disappointments of the group stage. Soul-searching won't be enough to right the ship. Multiple individuals, perhaps starting with manager Joachim Low, should be shown the door ahead of 2020 UEFA European Football Championship qualifiers.