The World Cup in Qatar ended in the best possible way. In the final match, Argentina and France gave soccer lovers the best show they could give. The final was a beautifully chaotic affair with each side celebrating three goals, with players from both sides giving their all, running around limitlessly. The scales finally tipped in favor of the Albiceleste in a penalty shootout in what may well be called the best final in history.
The final was not the only great moment of this edition of the World Cup. Here's a look at some of the best images, the surprises, and also the disappointments we have witnessed at the World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina: an end to a 36-year drought.
The Albiceleste had not reached the top of the World Cup podium since Mexico in 1986. They suffered defeat in the finals of Italy in 1990 and Brazil in 2014 until, on December 18, 2022, they added their third World Cup to their trophy cabinet.
The Argentine fans have experienced huge moments of tension and suffering in Qatar. For example, the quarterfinals against the Netherlands and the final itself, two matches that had to be decided on penalties. La Albiceleste no comenzó el Mundial de la mejor manera que esperaba, tras perder frente a una selección, a prior, inferior, como es Arabia Saudita. But all the suffering in the month-long tournament will have been worth it for every fan.
The Argentine fans have experienced huge moments of tension and suffering in Qatar. For example, the quarterfinals against the Netherlands and the final itself, two games that had to be decided by penalties. The Albiceleste got off to a rocky start at the start of the World Cup, first up was the loss to Saudi Arabia, defeat to a team considered vastly inferior to one with a rich history of football. Other moments included late comebacks by the Netherlands and France when the Albiceleste looked to be in total control, fans and players alike could be seen with expressions of deep concern on their faces. Nevertheless, they pulled through and all the suffering in the month that the tournament has lasted will have been worth it for each of its fans.
Lionel Messi, MVP
One of the best players in history - for some, the best - was named FIFA's Best Player of the World Cup. And deservedly so. Until the final, he was the top scorer, but the Golden Boot award was snatched away from him by Kylian Mbappé in the final.
Leo Messi began the championship by joining a small circle of players who have played in the tournament five times. It will probably be his last World Cup and what a way to conclude this part of his professional career! He now has in his trophy cabinet the one trophy he so longed for, with which he will close out a career trajectory difficult or near impossible to see again.
The dribbling he did against Croatia in the semi-final or the smile he never wiped off his face after winning the final will also remain in everyone's memory.
Messi dances the tango to Gvardiol and gives away the goal to Julián Álvarez 🐐.
✈️ Content sponsored by @emirates #FlyBetter #GolMundial pic.twitter.com/vhslPkEeuh
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 13, 2022
A save worth a World Cup
Emiliano Dibu Martínez became one of the main protagonists of the final. The Argentine goalkeeper's intervention on Kolo Muani just seconds before the end of extra time saved the Albiceleste from defeat.
🏅 'Dibu' Martinez, best goalkeeper of the World Cup for saves like this one #GolMundial https://t.co/1WcoqtI6PL
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 18, 2022
He also played a key role in the penalty shootouts against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and France in the final. FIFA awarded him the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper of the World Cup.
France and Mbappé
Les Bleus went to Qatar to revalidate their status as champions after winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Their mission fell just one goal short of being achieved. But this does not mean that France should be considered one of the disappointments.
The direct style of play and the powerful physique of the French players are a reflection of today's soccer. Thanks to these two virtues, France reached the final for the second consecutive time.
And what about Kylian Mbappé. The best player of the French national team is a clear example of a modern footballer: at the age of 24, he has already won the admiration and respect of the whole world thanks to his power, speed, and goal-scoring efficiency. He scored one of the best goals of the World Cup in Qatar and won the Golden Boot, the award for the tournament's top scorer.
Great players always appear at the big events 🔝.
🇫🇷 𝗞𝗬𝗟𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘 🇫
✈️ Contenido patrocinado por @emirates #FlyBetter#GolMundial pic.twitter.com/xdcRteZhLa
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 18, 2022
Morocco, the great revelation
With the exception of Argentina, the World Cup's trailblazer award must go to Morocco. Qatar left us the Atlas Lions as the great revelation of the World Cup who made history by becoming the first African team to qualify for the semifinals.
Captured the hearts of us all, we'll be seeing you soon @EnMaroc 🇲🇦🦁 pic.twitter.com/nfARWEoAq7
- FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 17, 2022
They achieved a creditable fourth place after leaving behind teams such as Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, who were all contenders for at least a place in the semifinals. They came close to winning the bronze medal in the third and fourth-place matches, but Croatia was superior and defeated them.
Croatia did it again
The fans of the Ajedrezados once again enjoyed and celebrated another feat by their national team. Despite falling just short of the final for the second consecutive time, Zlatko Dalić's side produced another sensational tournament and finished third.
Their leader on the pitch, Luka Modrić, continues to prove that soccer is also played with intelligence. At 37 years of age, he has not confirmed that this will be his last World Cup, something we will see in June next year if he decides to retire from the national team, as the player himself assured. The quality he demonstrates continues to captivate the soccer world.
- FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 17, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo's tears
Crying is a natural emotion and we have seen many soccer players express it after defeat. When Portugal was eliminated in the quarterfinals, we saw one of the images of the World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo's tears.
🇲🇦⚽️🇵🇹 | Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the field crying in the elimination of Portugal from the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/4zgBjBCJJkF
- ALERT RD 🇩 (@AlertasRD) December 10, 2022
The Portuguese star could not hold back his tears, knowing that this was probably his last World Cup and his last chance to win a title with his national team. I don't think he lacks ambition and enthusiasm to continue, but at 37 years of age, it seems unlikely that we will see him playing in the tournament again.
Germany, Belgium, and Spain: the biggest disappointments
Germany and Belgium failed to qualify for the round of 16 after a very disappointing group stage. Both teams barely managed to win a match and were defeated by teams such as Japan and Morocco in their respective groups.
On the other hand, there is Spain. Their start was the best that can be had by thrashing Costa Rica with a resounding 7-0. This result was the only positive that La Roja could get out of the World Cup. Terrible performances against Japan (they lost 2-1) and their elimination by Morocco in the round of 16 led to the resignation of the national coach, Luis Enrique, and what many believe will lead to a necessary generational changing of the guard.
Cold-bloodedness of Achraf 🥶
😓 ¡#MAR se lleva la victoria en los penaltis y deja a #ESP sin Mundial!
✈️ Contenido patrocinado por @emirates #flybetter#GolMundial pic.twitter.com/x2Dha4gN5d
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 6, 2022
Brazil needs to improve
The five-time world champions were eliminated by Croatia in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals. The perennial favorites showed some brilliance in Qatar, but more is expected from the Canarinha.
Before the World Cup began, the generation of Neymar, Vinícius Junior, Casemiro, and the company was favored by most of the world and their elimination in the quarterfinals was one of the bigger and unforseen disappointments of the tournament.
Respect for and with Japan
The Japanese team was another of the big surprises of the World Cup. Playing a hard-fought style of play, Japan qualified for the round of 16 after finishing first in the group stage, ahead of Germany and Spain. But they not only earned the respect of soccer for the way they played, but also for knowing how to act in defeat.
Hajime Moriyasu, Japan's head coach, showed his respect and apologies to the Japanese fans by bowing in a samurai bow after being eliminated by Croatia in the Round of 16.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu's bow to the fans after the elimination against Croatia.
RESPECT. pic.twitter.com/EgBNlq62oE
- Pablo Giralt (@giraltpablo) December 5, 2022
This was not the only moment in which the Japanese astonished the world. Japanese spectators watching their team's victory over Germany in the group stage picked up trash from the stands after the match.
The Japanese 🇯 cleaned the stadium after the win against Germany 🇩🇪. pic.twitter.com/IYc7G6DcRS
- En Una Baldosa (@enunabaldosa) November 23, 2022
Tribute to Pelé
One of the greatest players of all time, Pelé, is in a delicate state of health and the Brazilian players wanted to pay him a nice tribute after beating Switzerland.
👏 The #BRA players' tribute to Pelé #GolMundial pic.twitter.com/IUdFAub2Hh
- Gol Mundial (@Gol) December 5, 2022
The Canarinha players wore a banner with a photo of O Rei and his name, as a symbol of support for the legend and his family.
The countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins
The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 Soccer World Cup. The tournament will return to its usual format: it will be held in the months of June and July of that year, unlike that of Qatar, which has been held between November and December to avoid high temperatures.
The world will unite in North America! #United2026 has officially won the right to host the @FIFAWorldCup!
🇨🇦🇲🇽🇺🇸 | https://t.co/jbld3pvI99 pic.twitter.com/iBhngny42b
- United 2026 (@united2026) June 13, 2018
