Tag: FIFA World Cup

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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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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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.

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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DUBAI: Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the stars are aligned for Lionel Messi to finally capture that elusive World Cup trophy, the AC Milan forward told reporters in Dubai on Monday.

Contesting a record-equalling fifth World Cup, Messi will be looking to reach the second final of his career in the competition when Argentina take on Croatia in the last-four stage on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Messi is very likely making his final World Cup appearance and with the likes of Brazil, Portugal, Germany and Spain all knocked out in Qatar, the Argentines look primed to clinch football’s most prestigious title for the first time since 1986.

Ibrahimovic, who continues to rehabilitate his knee while joining his AC Milan team-mates for a winter training camp in Dubai, heaped praise on the other three semi-finalists in Doha but assured he only sees one team walking away with the trophy.

“I think it’s already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will lift the trophy, it’s already written,” said Ibrahimovic, who represented Sweden in two World Cups in 2002 and 2006.

Argentina and surprise semi-finalists Morocco will try to stop France and Croatia from setting up a rematch of the title decider from Russia 2018, with the Atlas Lions taking on the reigning champions on Wednesday.

Ibrahimovic described France and Croatia as “strong nations” but believes a Messi triumph is inevitable.

Asked about Morocco, who became the first ever African or Arab team to make the final four at a World Cup, Ibrahimovic said: “I don’t think it’s a surprise because I knew they were good before the World Cup. Then obviously in the World Cup everything can happen.

“That they reached the semi-final, maybe a little surprised, but remember it’s a good team, a good nation. And these surprises I think the people like; they enjoy because they want these things to happen so they get some kind of extra adrenaline.”

Emotional Ronaldo

The Moroccans punched their ticket to a historic semi-final by stunning Spain and Portugal back-to-back.

Scenes of a tearful Cristiano Ronaldo making his way to the dressing room following Portugal’s elimination have been replayed on TV screens across the globe, marking a difficult ending to the 37-year-old’s quest for World Cup glory.

Pressed to send a message to Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic said: “I think it’s not important what I can say. I mean everybody wants to win the World Cup; not everybody gets to win the World Cup.

“Everybody is trying and if you don’t win it obviously you’ll get emotional, if you win it, you get also emotional in a different way.”

Ibrahimovic added that the real story behind Ronaldo’s unceremonious exit from Manchester United will never be revealed, making it tough for him to weigh in on the matter.

“His exiting United, I think when things happen, we will never know the true story. They say what they want to say, he says what he needs to say to protect himself, then you have the coach that says these things to protect himself,” said Ibrahimovic, who spent two seasons at Manchester United from 2016 to 2018.

“Then the club says things – not like me, I will tell you how it really happened. But we are all different. Everybody is careful about their image.

“For me the perfect image is being yourself. The true story we will not know my friend.”

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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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AL KHOR: Harry Kane missed a late penalty as England’s World Cup campaign ended with a disappointing 2-1 defeat against holders France in the last quarter final of the FIFA World Cup 2022, here at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.

France have reached the semifinals for the seventh time in the World Cups and will now face first time qualifiers Morocco, who earlier upset Ronaldo’s Portugal by 1-0 in the third quarter final.

France took a lead in 17th minute when Aurelien Tchouameni fired a powerful drive from 25 yards out and through the Belligham’s leg to beat English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into the bottom left corner.

Kane, however, equalized with a penalty after the break when Bukayo Saka was tripped by Tchouameni in the area.

Olivier Giroud regained the lead for France with a header in the 78th minute on a superb cross from Antoine Griezmann.

With pressure mounting, England were awarded second penalty six minutes from full time when Theo Hernandez fouled substitute Mason Mount in the box, but Kane sent the spot kick over the bar and missed a golden opportunity to level the scores.

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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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LUSAIL: Lionel Messi’s Argentina edged Netherlands 4-3 on the penalty shoot-out at the Lusail Stadium to qualify for the semi-finals after the nailbiting last-eight tie finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

The enthralling quarter-final finished at 2-2 after the extra time leveller from Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst neutralized Argentina’s lead in the closing moments of the injury time.

Argentina started the match on a high as Albiceleste found the breakthrough in the first courtesy of their star player Messi, who darted through the midfield and threaded a pass into the box. Nahuel Molina latched onto it and fired the ball past Andries Noppert.

Both sides went hard at each other in the heated last-eight clash that saw the second-most yellow card in any match of the ongoing world cup and the Dutch as a result, made a costly error when Marcos Acuna dribbled into the box but brought down by the trailing leg of the defender and referee wasted no time to award Argentina a penalty.

Messi stepped for Argentina with calmness and composure and buried the penalty into the corner to put his side in command.

Following Messi’s strike, it seemed to be a straightforward affair for Argentina before the Dutch substitute Weghorst glimmered a ray of hope with a sensational header in the 83rd minute.

It was still not enough for Louis van Gaal’s side to turn the tables and they desperately needed to fire an equalizer to force the match into extra time and Weghorst stepped up again for his team with a brilliant strike off Teun Koopmeiners’ assist in the 11th minute of the stoppage time.

The pumped-up Dutch, however, failed to put on a show in the shoot-out as Virgil van Dijk came out to open for his side but Emiliano Martínez dived to his right to save. Messi followed and made no mistake before Martinez saved again from Steven Berghuis.

Those two misses were enough to haunt the Dutch as even despite a miss from Enzo Fernandez, Argentina held on to win the shoot-out and stormed into the semi-finals.

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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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