Can expectations be substantiated?

Solution 1:

To meet or match expectations can be defined by

to be as successful as people think someone or something should be

according to Merrian Webster. It is more common to say expectations are not met, and "met" can be replaced with other words such as "matched", "realized", and "fulfilled" (credit given to other users in the comments). Although these words are more common, "substantiated" can still be used here, for substantiate, according to dictionary.com, means

to establish by proof or competent evidence

Synonyms for substantiate include verify, support, and uphold.

Despite the word's more conventional usage in giving support for claims/statements, you can think of the phrase, expectations are not substantiated, as a way of saying that certain goals were not established by substance; hence there is no way to show people that expectations have been met.