World Cup 2022: Full of shocks, excited fans, but marred by controversy
Words by: Moses Brett
Whilst we take a break from the Premier League and turn our attention to the highest level of international football that brings fans from Australia to Argentina and from Senegal to Spain, the world prepares for an exhilarating tournament like no other.
The opening matchday saw the BBC not showing the opening ceremony of the long-awaited Qatar World Cup 2022 and focusing on the several issues surrounding it such as its concerning views on LGBT+ rights and it’s abhorrent treatment of migrant workers, some of whom tragically passed away during the construction of the various stadiums hosting football’s greatest event. The home nation were to play first, and a brace from ex-Evertonian Enner Valencia saw Ecuador win 2-0.
The second day saw England smash Iran 6-2, with a notable highlight being Bukayo Saka’s redemption following his unfortunate penalty miss in last year’s Euros final vs Italy, in which he scored two goals, including a brilliant volley from the edge of the box. Notably, Gareth Bale’s penalty marked Wales’ first ever goal at a World Cup.
The opening matchday saw the BBC not showing the opening ceremony of the long-awaited Qatar World Cup 2022 and focusing on the several issues surrounding it such as its concerning views on LGBT+ rights and it’s abhorrent treatment of migrant workers, some of whom tragically passed away during the construction of the various stadiums hosting football’s greatest event. The home nation were to play first, and a brace from ex-Evertonian Enner Valencia saw Ecuador win 2-0.
The second day saw England smash Iran 6-2, with a notable highlight being Bukayo Saka’s redemption following his unfortunate penalty miss in last year’s Euros final vs Italy, in which he scored two goals, including a brilliant volley from the edge of the box. Notably, Gareth Bale’s penalty marked Wales’ first ever goal at a World Cup.
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The third day saw the shock of the tournament as 49th placed Saudi Arabia came from behind to beat the eventual winners Argentina 2-1, with a stunning wonder goal from Salem Al Dawsari sealing what will go down to be one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history.
Left: The Saudi Arabian team ecstatic following their famous win. |
Before you thought there weren’t going to be any more shocks, Japan also provided a surprise victory over Germany, who have now crashed out of the group stage in back-to-back World Cup tournaments as VFL Bochum’s Takuma Asano netted an 83rd minute winner to beat the Germans 2-1. Additionally, the biggest win of the World Cup saw Spain demolish Costa Rica 7-0 as ex-Man City winger Ferran Torres netted two during this game.
On the Thursday, a dazzling performance from Tottenham’s Richarlison saw Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 following a thrilling game between quarter-finalists Portugal and Ghana, where the Seleção das Quinas won the five-goal thriller, where Cristiano Ronaldo scored what is seen to be his last ever World Cup goal, converting a penalty in the 65th minute.
The Friday saw a drab, goalless draw between England and USA, with the aptly named “Captain of America” Christian Pulisic thundering a left-footed strike on the frame of Jordan Pickford’s goal. The Saturday saw one of the best strikers of his generation, Robert Lewandowski, net his first World Cup goal in a 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia.
Sunday saw some spectacular results, with Costa Rica putting their bodies on the line against Japan to scrape a 1-0 win, the two heavyweights Spain and Germany settling for a goal apiece in what was the only group stage game of this tournament to feature two former winners battling against each other, and perhaps the team of the tournament Morocco beating a struggling Belgium team 2-0.
Monday saw two more thrilling games, with Cameroon and Serbia sharing six goals between them as they finished an exhilarating draw inspired by Cameroon substitute Vincent Aboubakar. Later on in the day, Ghana squeezed over the line against South Korea, with an inspired performance from rising star Mohammed Kudus as he netted a pair of goals against the East Asian team.
On the Thursday, a dazzling performance from Tottenham’s Richarlison saw Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 following a thrilling game between quarter-finalists Portugal and Ghana, where the Seleção das Quinas won the five-goal thriller, where Cristiano Ronaldo scored what is seen to be his last ever World Cup goal, converting a penalty in the 65th minute.
The Friday saw a drab, goalless draw between England and USA, with the aptly named “Captain of America” Christian Pulisic thundering a left-footed strike on the frame of Jordan Pickford’s goal. The Saturday saw one of the best strikers of his generation, Robert Lewandowski, net his first World Cup goal in a 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia.
Sunday saw some spectacular results, with Costa Rica putting their bodies on the line against Japan to scrape a 1-0 win, the two heavyweights Spain and Germany settling for a goal apiece in what was the only group stage game of this tournament to feature two former winners battling against each other, and perhaps the team of the tournament Morocco beating a struggling Belgium team 2-0.
Monday saw two more thrilling games, with Cameroon and Serbia sharing six goals between them as they finished an exhilarating draw inspired by Cameroon substitute Vincent Aboubakar. Later on in the day, Ghana squeezed over the line against South Korea, with an inspired performance from rising star Mohammed Kudus as he netted a pair of goals against the East Asian team.
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Tuesday saw a convincing performance from The Three Lions against The Dragons, with Southgate’s side smashing past their neighbouring country 3-0, including a brilliant Marcus Rashford free-kick struck delightfully into the top-right corner. Wednesday brought World Cup fans more shocks, especially in Group D, where Australia beat Denmark 1-0 courtesy of a Matthew Leckie goal sending the Socceroos to only their second ever appearance at a World Cup knockout game. Despite France being certain to top their group, the tournament favourites still lost 1-0 to Tunisia, with Wahbi Khazri giving the North African side a famous win to celebrate despite getting knocked out.
Left: Marcus Rashford at the World Cup. |
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Thursday saw a brilliant finale to Group E, with Germany having to overcome Costa Rica 4-2 despite being behind 2-1, with exceptional performances coming from substitutes Kai Havertz and Niclas Fullkrug in their first ever World Cups, however, this was still not enough for the four-time winners to go through to the Round of 16. As well as this, another shock came from Japan, this time to heavyweights Spain, who were beating after leading 1-0 to lose 2-1, with Ao Tanaka’s 51st minute goal creating some controversy amongst fans and pundits due to the fact that some were claiming that the ball went out of play in the build up to the Japanese winner. In addition to this, Morocco saw themselves top a tough group including Belgium, Croatia and Canada, with a talismanic performance from Hakim Ziyech to send the North African team to the knockout stages.
Right: Morocco manager Walid Regrarui, who made history this World Cup. |
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Friday saw some incredible games, with Switzerland seeing off Serbia in yet another five goal thriller, Cameroon beating quarter-finalists Brazil 1-0, with a late header from Vincent Aboubakar sealing a well-deserved victory, and South Korea seeing off Portugal in a comeback win, with Wolves’ Hwang Hee-Chan sealing an injury time winner.
Onto the knockout stages we go, where Netherlands and Argentina ended USA and Australia’s World Cup hopes respectively, France beating Poland 3-1 with two goals and an assist from arguably the best player in the world Kylian Mbappé. England see another 3-0 win in this mid-winter World Cup, with a cruising win over Senegal. A penalty shootout win for Croatia saw them edge Japan 3-1 on penalties, with young goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic’s penalty heroics seeing the Dinamo Zagreb shotstopper save three penalties. Brazil thumped South Korea 4-1, with all of their goals coming in the first 40 minutes. A 3-0 penalty shootout win saw the underdogs of the tournament Morocco beat the favourites Spain following a stellar defensive display. The Round of 16 matches were rounded off by Portugal’s demolition of Switzerland, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement the young prospect Goncalo Ramos netting the tournament’s first hat-trick.
The quarter-finals saw the shocks continue, with Livakovic’s penalty-saving prowess coming in handing against Tite’s Brazil as he pushed away Real Madrid’s Rodrygo’s strike. An enthralling game between Netherlands and Argentina finished in the South American’s beating them in the battle of wits (yet another penalty shootout.) This game will be remembered for Teun Koopmeiners’ ingenuity, when in the 11th minute of injury time added onto the second half, he deftly passed the ball to Wout Weghorst from a close-range free-kick, before the former Burnley player turned to slot in the bottom corner, completing a turnaround from 2-0 down to level for 2-2. Saturday’s quarter final game saw yet another brilliant defensive display from the tired North African defence, beating Fernando Santos’ Portugal 1-0 following a towering header from Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Onto the knockout stages we go, where Netherlands and Argentina ended USA and Australia’s World Cup hopes respectively, France beating Poland 3-1 with two goals and an assist from arguably the best player in the world Kylian Mbappé. England see another 3-0 win in this mid-winter World Cup, with a cruising win over Senegal. A penalty shootout win for Croatia saw them edge Japan 3-1 on penalties, with young goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic’s penalty heroics seeing the Dinamo Zagreb shotstopper save three penalties. Brazil thumped South Korea 4-1, with all of their goals coming in the first 40 minutes. A 3-0 penalty shootout win saw the underdogs of the tournament Morocco beat the favourites Spain following a stellar defensive display. The Round of 16 matches were rounded off by Portugal’s demolition of Switzerland, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement the young prospect Goncalo Ramos netting the tournament’s first hat-trick.
The quarter-finals saw the shocks continue, with Livakovic’s penalty-saving prowess coming in handing against Tite’s Brazil as he pushed away Real Madrid’s Rodrygo’s strike. An enthralling game between Netherlands and Argentina finished in the South American’s beating them in the battle of wits (yet another penalty shootout.) This game will be remembered for Teun Koopmeiners’ ingenuity, when in the 11th minute of injury time added onto the second half, he deftly passed the ball to Wout Weghorst from a close-range free-kick, before the former Burnley player turned to slot in the bottom corner, completing a turnaround from 2-0 down to level for 2-2. Saturday’s quarter final game saw yet another brilliant defensive display from the tired North African defence, beating Fernando Santos’ Portugal 1-0 following a towering header from Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
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Heartbreakingly, the Three Lions crashed out of this year’s World Cup to reigning champions France. Despite Aurelien Tchouameni’s incredible long-distance effort was struck into the bottom corner, we rallied back with 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane converting a powerful penalty to level the score. However, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud planted a powerful header into the back of Jordan Pickford’s net from a delicious Antoine Griezmann cross to take the lead, before Kane had the chance to level the proceedings and take the Three Lions to extra time from 12 yards, before blazing his effort high over the bar.
Right: Olivier Giroud had an impressive tournament in his last ever World Cup. |
Semi-finals approached quickly. A repeat of the 2018 World Cup group stage game saw Argentina smash past 2018 runners-up Croatia in what was another impressive tournament from the Balkan country. A brace from man City’s Julian Alvarez, with his second goal set up by a dazzling, mazy run from Lionel Messi, who took the lead in a comfortable 3-0 win. The other semi-final saw underdogs Morocco, who were the first African and Arab nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals, fall to a 2-0 defeat from France, with the win rounded off by substitute Randal Kolo Muani’s first international goal. The third-placed play-off saw Croatia edge a tired Moroccan team 2-1, with a wonderfully worked free-kick seeing Josko Gvardiol plant a header into the net. Moroccan defender Achraf Dari pegged them back 2 minutes later, before Mislav Orsic scored a fantastic curling effort in off the post to seal a bronze medal for Croatia.
The final was set. Argentina vs France. Messi vs Mbappe. The past vs the future.
What a thrilling final. Lionel Messi opened the scoring from 12 yards after Angel Di Maria’s mazy run bamboozled French winger Ousmane Dembele, tripping him up, before Di Maria finished a quite fabulous team move from the South Americans, with breakthrough star Alexis MacAllister threading through the pass for Di Maria to slot home.
It was approaching the last 10 minutes. Ex-Man City defender Nicolas Otamendi clumsily fouls Randal Kolo Muani to concede a penalty, with the eventual Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe converting the following penalty, before scoring a brilliant volley just 97 seconds later.
Extra time.
The moment came for Lionel Messi. Lautaro Martinez struck a firm effort towards Hugo Lloris, who could only parry the shot out to the legend, and he deftly tapped it home. Mbappe had to ruin the party, with him converting his second penalty and scoring a hat-trick in the World Cup final.
3-3. Extra time had been played. The World Cup final was sent to penalties.
It was Emiliano Martinez who was the real hero. His last minute outstretched leg to prevent the French from scoring in the dying embers of the game made him an instant hero. His intimidatory antics in the shootout saw the South Americans win the biggest sporting event in the World. His penalty save from Kingsley Coman was brilliant, and his distraction for Tchouemani to send his spot-kick wide saw the opportunity for Argentinian right back Gonzalo Montiel to become a national hero to see Argentina win 4-2 in the shootout, winning their third World Cup.
The final was set. Argentina vs France. Messi vs Mbappe. The past vs the future.
What a thrilling final. Lionel Messi opened the scoring from 12 yards after Angel Di Maria’s mazy run bamboozled French winger Ousmane Dembele, tripping him up, before Di Maria finished a quite fabulous team move from the South Americans, with breakthrough star Alexis MacAllister threading through the pass for Di Maria to slot home.
It was approaching the last 10 minutes. Ex-Man City defender Nicolas Otamendi clumsily fouls Randal Kolo Muani to concede a penalty, with the eventual Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe converting the following penalty, before scoring a brilliant volley just 97 seconds later.
Extra time.
The moment came for Lionel Messi. Lautaro Martinez struck a firm effort towards Hugo Lloris, who could only parry the shot out to the legend, and he deftly tapped it home. Mbappe had to ruin the party, with him converting his second penalty and scoring a hat-trick in the World Cup final.
3-3. Extra time had been played. The World Cup final was sent to penalties.
It was Emiliano Martinez who was the real hero. His last minute outstretched leg to prevent the French from scoring in the dying embers of the game made him an instant hero. His intimidatory antics in the shootout saw the South Americans win the biggest sporting event in the World. His penalty save from Kingsley Coman was brilliant, and his distraction for Tchouemani to send his spot-kick wide saw the opportunity for Argentinian right back Gonzalo Montiel to become a national hero to see Argentina win 4-2 in the shootout, winning their third World Cup.
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Most of all, it was time for the greatest player of all time to lift the one trophy he was after. His moment. And he earnt it: Messi, he has well and truly won it all.
Right: Argentina captain, top scorer and arguably the best player of all time kisses the trophy he dreams of and has finally won. |
My awards:
Thank you for reading the article. Hope you enjoyed the magnificent tournament that dominated the last month of the year!
- Best player of the tournament: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- Team of the tournament/Underdog of the tournament: Morocco.
- Underrated player of the tournament: Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco).
- Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Dominik Livakovic (Croatia).
- Young Player of the Tournament: Julian Alvarez (Argentina).
- Goal of The Tournament: Richarlison (2nd goal vs Serbia.)
Thank you for reading the article. Hope you enjoyed the magnificent tournament that dominated the last month of the year!