FIFA World Cup 2022 Archives

Argentina goalie auctions World Cup gloves for $45K for cancer hospital

BUENOS AIRES: The gloves worn by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez in the nail-biting penalty shootout with France at Qatar’s World Cup final last year were auctioned Friday for $45,000 in aid of a children’s cancer hospital.

“$45,000 for the Dibu gloves to help the Garrahan boys!” the Argentine Pediatric Foundation said on Instagram, referring to the oncology ward of the Garrahan Hospital, the main pediatric hospital in Argentina.

The auction was held online Friday and featured Martinez via video-link from his home in England, where he plays for Aston Villa.

The gloves were worn by Martinez as he faced the penalty shootout against France in the final in Qatar, with Argentina winning 4-2, granting Lionel Messi’s team the championship after drawing the match 3-3 in extra time.

“When they gave me the option to donate the World Cup gloves, I didn’t hesitate, it’s a good cause for the boys,” said the goalkeeper during the event.

Martinez had autographed the inside of the gloves when announcing the donation in February.

“The World Cup finals are not played every day, (the gloves) are special. But it helps a child much more than me having them hanging in a frame in my house,” he said.

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Mbappe hat-trick in vain as Messi’s Argentina crown FIFA WC champions

LUSAIL: Lionel Messi’s dream of winning the FIFA World Cup has been fulfilled with a dramatic victory over the defending champions France after the penalty shoot-out here at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

The nail-biting final of the world cup had a dream ending for Argentina’s star Messi, who stood up at the most crucial moment of his career with two timely strikes before opening the scoring for his team in the penalty shoot-out.

Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the first half before Angel Di Maria made it 2-0.

It appeared to be a straightforward win for Argentina until Kylian Mbappe struck twice in just 97 seconds to force the match into extra time.

Messi then appeared to have done it once and for all when he converted a rebound in the 109th minute, only for Mbappe to score from another spot-kick to tie the game at 3-3 and force a shoot-out.

With his third goal of the night, Mbappe became the first player since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a World Cup final hat-trick.

Messi and Mbappe both kept fighting for their teams in the penalty shoot-out as they opened the scoring with precisely placed strikes.

The defending champions, however, lost the plot as Kingsley Coman’s next kick for France was saved and Aurelien Tchouameni then crucially missed the target and the final diverted into Argentina’s favour.

Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes successfully netted the ball from the spot before Gonzalo Montiel fired the world cup winning penalty for Messi’s Argentina.

It is pertinent to mention that Argentina were crowned world champions for the first time after 1986 and this is their third world title overall.

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Croatia down Morocco 2-1 to finish third in FIFA World Cup

AL RAYYAN: Luka Modric’s Croatia edged brave Morocco 2-1 to end their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign on a winning note that propelled them to finish third in the mega event.

The third-place play-off of the ongoing world cup started with a bang as the first nine minutes of the match witnessed Croatia opening the scoring and Morocco neutralizing.

Josko Gvardiol was the man for Croatia to put them in an early lead in just the seventh minute with a sensational header.

Last edition’s runners-up Croatia surged after Ivan Perisic glanced Lovro Majer’s cross into the box back towards a diving Gvardiol, who buried his header into the corner.

Croatia’s early lead, however short-lived as spirited Morocco came up with an astonishing equalizer just two minutes later when Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick looped up off the head of Croatian midfielder Lovro Majer, and fell kindly for Achraf Dari; allowing him to head past Dominik Livakovic.

Mislav Orsic’s then curled the ball magnificently via the post from the corner of the box and put Croatia back on top before half-time after Moroccan debutant Bilal El Khannouss lost the possession deep in his half.

Orsic’s sensational header late in the first half turned out to be enough for Croatia to sink Morocco 2-1 and finish their campaign with a bronze medal.

Croatia’s triumph over Morocco marked the 11th instance in a row when a European team finished in the world cup.

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‘Greatest’ Messi ready for fitting World Cup farewell

DOHA: Thirty-seven club trophies, seven Ballon D’Or awards and six European Golden Boots.A Copa America title, an Olympic gold medal and a list of scoring and statistical records that may never be beaten.

Over the course of an 18-year career Lionel Messi has, with one obvious exception, won the lot. And won it again and again.

On Sunday, the 35-year-old Argentina captain has the chance to fill the last remaining hole on his CV: a World Cup winners’ medal.

For Messi’s most ardent admirers, victory over France at Doha’s Lusail Stadium will settle the debate over where he ranks in the most exclusive inner sanctum of football’s pantheon.

Messi’s career achievements to date have already earned him the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Pele, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano and Johan Cruyff.

Does a World Cup win on Sunday nudge him ahead of that exalted company? Some think it does. Others think he already stands alone.

“I don’t have any doubt saying that: he is the best in history,” was the verdict of Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after Messi’s virtuoso display in the 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.

Former England captain Alan Shearer says he has long regarded Messi’s compatriot Maradona as the greatest player of all time on the basis of his 1986 World Cup triumph in Mexico.

“If Messi were to win it here, my view would change,” Shearer told the BBC.

A more nuanced view came from former Argentina striker Jorge Burruchaga, scorer of the winning goal — set up by Maradona — in the 1986 World Cup final victory over West Germany.

For Burruchaga, Messi has been the greatest player of an era where only Cristiano Ronaldo can rival his achievements. But the 60-year-old says comparisons with previous generations are futile.

“Win or lose, Messi is not more or less than Maradona,” Burruchaga told AFP. “Messi is going to be in history whatever happens.

“There are five players in the past 70 years who can be considered the best in the world — Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Pele, Maradona and Messi.

“Messi is in that list, whether he wins the World Cup or not. But I hope he does.”

Weight of History

While the debate over Messi’s place in history rumbles on, the man himself remains focused on what he has said will be his final appearance on the World Cup stage.

Messi’s fifth World Cup campaign has arguably been his best, thriving as the attacking fulcrum of a balanced Argentina starting line-up assembled by Scaloni.

In previous World Cup appearances, Messi has appeared weighed down by history, struggling to shoulder the hopes and dreams of millions of Argentines desperate for international glory.

For much of the past decade it seemed as if he was destined to fall short in his quest to land a major title with Argentina.

The soul-destroying extra-time defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup started a run of three consecutive major final losses.

In 2015, a star-studded Argentina side lost the Copa America final to Chile in a penalty shootout. A year later, the Albiceleste were beaten again by Chile in the final of the Copa America Centenario, Messi missing a penalty in yet another shootout defeat.

In the immediate aftermath of that loss, a shattered Messi announced his retirement from international football, in what turned out to be a short-lived exile from the national team.

He returned months later and was back to lead Argentina at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. But a mostly shambolic tournament ended in the last 16 with a 4-3 defeat to eventual champions France.

The tide turned though with the appointment of Scaloni at the end of 2018.

After a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa America, Argentina finally ended their wait for a major title with victory at the 2021 tournament, beating arch-rivals Brazil in the final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

According to Burruchaga, the 2021 Copa America title liberated Argentina’s captain.

“The weight is off his shoulders now, and we are seeing another Messi,” Burruchaga said.

With five goals already in Qatar, this is already Messi’s most successful in terms of goals scored.

Playing in bursts, he has mastered the ability to produce devastating moments of magic at key times — most recently in setting up Argentina’s third goal against Croatia on Wednesday, when he left the talented 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol for dead with a scintillating run.

“I don’t know if it’s my best World Cup or not,” Messi said after the Croatia win.

“I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final…. To finish this way is brilliant.”

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Spanish great Busquets announces international retirement

MADRID: Spanish midfielder and 2010 World Cup winner Sergio Busquets announced his international retirement on Friday.

“I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 matches, the moment has arrived to bid farewell to the national team,” wrote the 34-year-old Barcelona stalwart on his social media platforms.

Busquets is the last member of the 2010 team to bow out of international football — he was also part of the team that lifted the 2012 European title.

He was captain of the 2022 World Cup side that fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco in the last-16.

Only his fellow 2010 team-mates Iker Casillas (167) and Sergio Ramos (180) represented Spain more often than him.

“It has been an honour to represent my national team and help lift it higher, to being European and World champions. To have been captain and to have played so many matches with a certain level of success and always trying to do my best,” Busquets wrote.

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France end Morocco’s dream run, set FIFA WC Final with Argentina

DOHA: Defending champions France put an end to Morocco’s dream run in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 with a dominating 2-0 victory in the second semi-final and set a blockbuster final with Lione Messi’s Argentina.

Morocco’s dream of stretching their astounding run to the final for the first time in history came to a frustrating end after a dominating display from defending champions denied their chances of world cup glory.

Morocco, best known for their defence, witnessed Theo Hernandez opening the scoring for holders France inside the five minutes of the semi-final.

France cut Morocco open down the inside right channel Raphael Varane released Antoine Griezmann, who offloaded it back to Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe then saw his two strikes blocked. However, the rebound from his second attempt fell kindly for Hernandez to score with a fine finish.

Despite conceding an early goal, spirited Morocco continue to fight the strong French attack and kept them silent for more than an hour before Randal Kolo Muani doubled France’s lead in the 80th minute to put the defending champions in complete command.

Mbappe cause havoc in the final third as he twisted and turned to fire towards the goal. His effort, however, once again went in vain but fell kindly for Muani to steer the ball crashing into the nets.

Following this victory, France qualified for their fourth FIFA World Cup Final where they will take on Messi’s Argentina in a bid to become the first side to successfully defend the title after Brazil.

Meanwhile, Morocco will go on to take Croatia in the third-place match on Saturday.

Messi, Alvarez power Argentina cruise past Croatia and into FIFA WC Final

LUSAIL: Star player Lionel Messi struck on penalty before Julian Alvarez struck twice to power Argentina to seal a dominating 3-0 victory over Croatia and qualified for the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Following their emphatic victory, the two-time champions Argentina seized a final berth after a hiatus of eight years when they last took on Germany in the 2014 edition.

Messi, who is keen to cap off his amazing career by winning his first World Cup, helped his team to victory with a superbly struck first-half penalty and sealed the victory by expertly producing the third goal.

Dominik Livakovic accurately predicted Messi’s intention to go to his left, but his dive went in vain as the Argentine’s brilliantly executed shot sailed high into the net to put his team up 1-0 in the 34th minute.

Argentina doubled their lead five minutes later when, following a break from a corner, Alvarez scooped up the ball within his own half and began a long dribble towards the goal.

With the Croatian defence retreating, Alvarez rode weak tackles from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa before slipping the ball past Livakovic to give Argentina complete control in the first half.

Messi then produced a scintillating assist in the second half, tormenting Josko Gvardial down the right before leaving the 20-year-old defender behind and pulling the ball back to Alvarez who calmly slotted home to guarantee a dominating victory.

Argentina will now either take on spirited Morocco or holders France in the final on Sunday and will be heavily backing themselves to lift their third title as they are peaking at the right time in the ongoing World Cup.

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Southgate future in focus as England digest World Cup exit

DOHA: England crashed out of the World Cup against an all too familiar backdrop of heroic failure and agonising over yet another crucial missed penalty in a major championship.

But as the Three Lions packed their bags on Sunday there was much about the circumstances of their exit that felt like a break from the past.

No anguished wailing about tactical failings or technical ineptitude. No demands for a root-and-branch review of English football, and no calls for a change of manager.

Instead, a growing consensus that Gareth Southgate should — if he wants to — be allowed to continue for at least one more tournament.

The 52-year-old manager was roundly lambasted after his team’s two previous tournaments, blamed for an inability to tweak his gameplan mid-course during the 2018 World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia and last year’s European Championship final defeat to Italy at Wembley.

Yet as the desert dust settled on Saturday’s 2-1 loss to France, few were accusing Southgate of tactical incompetence.

Southgate’s decision to go on the front foot against the world champions, opting for a 4-3-3 formation, came within a whisker of paying off.

“We wanted to go toe to toe, we felt that was the way we wanted to approach the tournament,” Southgate said afterwards. “We’ve done that.”

“We’ve had consistent performances across three tournaments but tonight is probably the best we’ve played against a major nation across the period that I’ve been in charge.

“But we have fallen short and the scoreline is all that matters and that’s hard to take.”

Southgate’s current contract runs through to the end of 2024, meaning he will have the chance to lead England at the next European Championship.

The England manager, however, said that he plans to take time to reflect on his future before deciding whether to stay or go.

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Morocco upset Portugal 1-0 to book historic semi-final spot

DOHA: Brave Morocco continued their dream run in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022 as they downed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1-0 to book a spot in the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

Morocco added Portugal to their list of scalped European nations as Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half goal sealed a tense 1-0 victory in their first-ever world cup quarter.

Following their astounding victory, Morocco became the first African nation and Arab team to progress into the semi-finals of the mega event.

En-Nesyri converted Morocco’s strong comeback after the break into a match-winning goal as he executed the header off Yahia Attiyat Allah El Idrissi’s assist in the 42nd minute.

Portugal tried to pile pressure on Morocco after the break but the injury-hit side managed to hold on despite missing three of their four top defenders and going down to 10 men in extra time.

Fernando Santos then sent in five-time Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo in the early phase of the second half but he too, could not rescue his side from the world cup exit.

Instead, it was another historic day for Morocco, having previously upset Belgium and Spain, on penalties.

Walid Regragui’s side will now face England or holders France in the semi-finals at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.

The dark horses of this world cup can back themselves for another astounding triumph in the ongoing mega event as they have conceded only once in five matches.

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Croatia stun Brazil on penalties to book semi-final spot

AL RAYYAN: 2018 runners-up Croatia stunned tournament favourites Brazil 4-2 on the penalty shoot-out to make their way into the second consecutive semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

The enthralling quarter-final finished at 1-1 after the extra time as Bruno Petkovic neutralized what was expected to be the match-winning goal from Neymar Jr at the brink of the first half of extra time.

The teams were evenly matched throughout the nail-biting contest and put on a defiant show to bar the opposition from breaking the deadlock and eventually forced the match to enter extra time.

Brazil’s star player Neymar Jr finally broke the deadlock at the end of the first half of extra time, working one-twos with Rodrygo and Lucas Paqueta before rounding goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to score.

Bruno Petkovic, however, neutralized Brazil’s lead minutes later to keep Croatia alive in the world cup. Mislav Orsic collected down the left flank and drove it to the edge of the box and picked Petkovic in the middle, who swept a left-footed strike towards the goal, which took a deflection from Marquinhos and deceived Alisson Becker before crashing in the nets.

Five-time champions Brazil then put on a dismal show in the shoot-out as Rodrygo, who came out to open for Tite’s side, saw his strike blocked by Livakovic.

Marquinhos, who had to score for Brazil to keep his side in the game, hit the woodwork at the most crucial time and top favourites Brazil crashed out as Croatia converted all four penalties.

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