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Here we go! The round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup is coming to an end, and we now know the teams qualified for the round of 16. The favorites qualified without a hitch. This is the case for Argentina, France, Spain, and Morocco. For others, it was more complicated. Brazil, England, Portugal, and Belgium suffered greatly against emerging teams that are in full progression. Japan, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Senegal made the great football nations they faced tremble.

Unfortunately, after a near-perfect match, these 4 nations conceded defeat in the final minutes. After starting their match without complex, opening the scoring with magnificent goals like those of Ismaïla Sarr and Brian Cipenga, the machine gradually broke down. The teams lacked clinical efficiency, and little by little stopped playing to preserve the score. A big mistake, which condemned them to suffer repeated attacks from their opponents. Right up until the moment the latter found the breakthrough.

Ivory Coast, Senegal, DRC, Japan: why did the underdogs crack in money time despite very high-level performances?

Ivory Coast, Japan, the DRC, and Senegal were inches away from crossing this stage of the competition for the first time in their history. In the end, they are heading home. A match is never over until the end. That is the hard lesson haunting these teams and their managers on their flight back.

Valiant fighters for nearly 85 minutes, they failed to hold on to the score. Frustration runs deep for millions of supporters. The temptation to blame coaches, key players, or referees is there. We must not give in to it. Let us seek to understand instead. For a few days now, several commentators have seen in this cursed 86th minute proof of a fate affecting African football. For Rudi Garcia, manager of Belgium, the problem lies elsewhere:

"We know these teams, they lose their tactical structure toward the end of the match. We also knew that around 2-0, they would do everything to protect their goal, which in my opinion is a serious mistake." And with good reason: at the slightest goal, the entire momentum of the match shifts. Fear changes sides, and everything can happen very fast. That is a first part of the answer.

Beyond this tactical aspect, let us above all note that most of these goals stem from defensive errors. And with good reason: although these teams have high potential and players who continue to rise in the global hierarchy, they are missing key elements to reach the top.

Why do organizations (and football teams) crack under final pressure?

We asked for the opinion of Loïc Aumont, president of O.P.O. Consulting, a company specializing in high-level sports performance optimization: "It is clearly not a question of talent. These teams and players are world-renowned. Nevertheless, we observe a gap between top-tier teams and these underdogs. Especially in managing emotions. The tactical and technical errors we saw in the last quarter of an hour bear witness to a lack of lucidity in money time. Yet that is what makes all the difference."

He continues: "The closer the end of the match gets, the more the players focus on what is at stake rather than what they have to do. They stop playing. They become passive and observatory. The hard-earned advantage becomes increasingly fragile. And it only takes a single match event for everything to collapse in 5 minutes. Concentration, serenity, and tactical control—everything crumbles."

Their opponents know this, and even though they were in great difficulty, as was the case for Belgium, they stick to the game plan until the lock breaks. Pressure eventually pays off.

"Despite their commitment to their jersey, a generosity in effort, and heroic goalkeepers, I notice in these teams a fear of winning. Players have difficulty killing the match. Many chances are missed, and there is an insidious relaxation, particularly in recovery runs. Yet what sets winners apart from the rest is excellence in the fundamentals."

"I don't know if there is an inferiority complex, but in any case, you can clearly feel in Harry Kane and his teammates the certainty that they were going to get through it. Whereas I observed gestures of annoyance and worry from their opponents, despite being ahead on the scoreboard. Inevitably, this impacts refereeing decisions, which follow the momentum of this match dynamic."

Optimizing performance and decision-making under intense stress.

"To remedy these dynamics, we must address these issues and provide players with concrete solutions. With this goal in mind, we have created tailored guidance, built alongside the players and in collaboration with the staff, which finally addresses these individual and collective shortcomings. Applicable to both individual and team sports, the O.P.O. method of Original Potential Optimization addresses the causes of these fears that affect players during periods of intense stress. It is about learning to manage uncertainty, master one's inner dialogue, and not lose sight of the target. Thanks to tenfold confidence and focus, our clients are able to express their full potential, and this translates into results on the pitch. With the NEW 'Conquest of the Golden Peak' OFFER I am convinced that the young gems of African football will finally have the capacity to bloom and carry their nation to the summit of world football. It offers the breakthrough and maturity they need to break out of these infernal cycles."

"Beyond these aspects, we must remember that football is a team sport. Over a long competition like the World Cup, the difference is made through the collective—in other words, the depth of the bench, the quality of the substitutes, and their integration into the team. Everything must be put in place to get the best out of the players present and succeed in making them work toward the common goal. To conclude, I would also highlight the necessity of failing in order to progress. Experiencing major competitions is learned over time. These nations have a bright future if they manage to draw the right lessons. Remember the number of years required for PSG to finally win the Champions League. In a few years, we will say the same about these teams."

We thank Loïc Aumont for his insights. We clearly see that bringing up fate, media pressure, or internal dysfunctions does not solve the problem. To shine in the coming years, in-depth work with the players and national teams must be implemented. Opportunities exist. It is now a matter of seizing them so our colors can fly at the highest level.

Interview conducted by journalists from Le médicien.ci, APR-NEWS.fr, Heshima Magazine, Fraternité Matin Sports, Le Filet Ivoirien, and Instant Sport. You can find their articles on their respective websites.

Profile:

Founder of Original Potential Optimization©, Loïc Aumont has paved a new path to rethink Health, Development, and Performance. Known as Goldfingers, Loïc Aumont has been supporting elite professional athletes for over 15 years, including Murielle Ahouré, the Ivorian sprinting legend. Author and speaker, his expertise is recognized for its accuracy and relevance. It serves as a true foundation for breaking through to new levels and proves invaluable for those struggling to return to the highest level, caught in cycles of injuries or doubts.

Article INSTANT SPORT

Article Le méridien.ci