The football World Cup is one of the biggest international sporting events of the year. There were initially doubts over the suitability of the venue and the time for the 2022 WC (this time in Asia and held at the end of year, instead of usually being in June in the European summer). However the tournament was a success, and the final was probably one of the best ever, if not the best, in the history of the tournament. Here are five big moments from the Cup that the world will remember for years to come.
Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina
The Saudi Arabian football team’s win against Argentina was a huge surprise to everyone. The team was ranked the second lowest in the tournament and were seen as huge underdogs as compared to their opponents, who came into the tournament as one of the favourites.
The Asian side were 1-0 down at half time, but made a stunning comeback by scoring two goals within the span of five second half minutes. They then produced a gritty defensive performance to hold on for a historic win. It prompted massive celebrations in the country and also saw a public holiday being given- such was the magnitude of the win. And, as it turned out, the Saudis were also the only team to beat the eventual winners in the tournament!
Ronaldo on the bench
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely considered one of the greatest players in history; he has won five Ballon d’Or awards, and four Champions League titles with two different clubs and this was possibly his last World Cup.
While he initially started in the tournament, Ronaldo was put on the bench for their knockout clashes against both Switzerland and Morocco- an indicator that his best days are now behind him. It was a massive statement from Selecao coach Fernando Santos, who has mostly been thought to be a deferential figure to the legendary striker all these years. His contract with Manchester United was also terminated by mutual consent, and he will now play for Saudi club Al-Nassr.
Not the best of tournaments for Ronaldo fans- perhaps made worse by the fact that his arch rival Messi almost single-handedly took his team to World Cup glory.
Messi steps up for Argentina
They might have been on the precipice of elimination following that shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia, but it was Lionel Messi’s 64th minute stunner against Mexico that saw the Albiceleste turn a corner. He was Man of the Match for all of their knockout games, and kept his nerve when it came to spot-kicks to finally get the trophy that had long eluded him.
And there may be more trophies lying in store for the little Argentine magician, with his club PSG favourites to lift both Ligue 1 and the French Cup this season according to the current odds at Novibet. There’s a very good chance that he would have won every possible title for all the teams he’s played for at the end of his career, and this WC probably settles the Messi-Ronaldo debate.
Morocco reach the last four
Morocco were the surprise story of the World Cup. They first emerged from a tough group that also had Belgium and Croatia and then upset both Portugal and Spain in successive games in the knockout stages before eventually falling to France in the last four.
In the process, they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Many others had come close in previous editions- Cameroon and Ghana to name a couple, but had always faltered in the last eight. The Atlas Lions became the first team to surpass that barrier, and this will hopefully be an inspiration for more Asian and African teams to do well in future editions.
Brazil suffer quarterfinal agony again
The quarterfinal curse struck Brazil again. Minutes away from a mouthwatering last four tie against arch rivals Argentina, Tite’s men conceded an equaliser deep into extra time against Croatia. That forced the game into penalties, where Brazil fluffed their lines and were knocked out by the 2018 finalists. This was probably a fantastic time for Brazil to break their QF hoodoo, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. Will Neymar ever get a better chance to win the World Cup?