The 22nd FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, started off as one of the most controversial editions of the football showpiece but as events progressed, it turned out to be one of the most exciting.
That excitement is not unconnected to one of the hallmarks of this year’s tournament – its unpredictability.
Matches during the group stage were marked by upsets and giant-killing dexterity by football minnows, including that memorable defeat eventual winners Argentina suffered at the hands of Saudi Arabia.
Qatar 2022’s unpredictability culminated in an incredible final between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Having dominated proceedings in the first half and led by two goals, thanks to a Lionel Messi 23rd-minute spot kick and an Angel Di Maria 36th-minute well-worked finish, Argentina seemed poised for their third World Cup trophy.
However, a spark of magic from French star player, Kylian Mbappe, saw the defending champions level up and take the match into extra time.
Argentina thought they had done just enough to secure the trophy when Messi slotted in his second goal of the night in the 108th minute to make it 3-2, but Mbappe ensured that the game went into a shootout with his third goal in the 118th minute.
Argentina eventually denied France an opportunity to retain the World Cup title, as Messi and his legion won 4-2 on penalty shootout.
Below are other highlights of Qatar 2022:
Morocco, Africa’s pride
When Morocco shocked Belgium, a team ranked second by FIFA, during the group stage, some football enthusiasts thought it was a fluke.
Even when the North African country went on to top Group F, which also had Croatia and Canada, many did not see them going beyond the Round of 16.
However, the Atlas Lions showed strong determination and made a statement by defeating Spain in the knockout stage and Portugal in the quarter-finals to become the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
A fairytale journey eventually came to an end when they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of France. They also lost the third-place playoff to Croatia by 1:2.
But the Atlas Lions’ exploits at Qatar 2022 had already gone down history, as Morocco bowed out as the first African and Arab country to reach the tournament’s semi-finals
They were widely and rightly celebrated across Africa and the Arab world, whose hope of seeing one of their teams progress and be in contention for the biggest prize in football Morocco carried throughout the tournament.
G.O.A.T argument settled?
For more than a decade, football has witnessed one of the most controversial and contentious arguments about who, between Argentina’s Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, is football’s Greatest Of All Time (GOAT).
Both players have won many trophies in their careers, both at the club and national team levels. They share 14 Ballon d’Or awards between them, with Ronaldo winning six times while Messi has eight.
Until Dec. 18, one trophy which had eluded both Messi and Ronaldo was the World Cup and many football enthusiasts believe that the one who managed to lift the trophy should be regarded as the undisputed GOAT.
The anxiety and pressure to deliver the World Cup were visible between Messi and Ronaldo, but while Argentina built their team around Messi, Ronaldo’s appearances were limited to starting from the bench.
Messi’s performance at the Qatar 2022 earned him the Player of the Tournament award and was in contention for the World Cup Golden Boot (with seven goals) which was ultimately won by Mbappe (eight goals).
Mark Meadows, sports editor and reporter for DW, said that GOAT argument should be permanently put to rest now.
“South America has waited 20 years while Europe dominated. Messi helped stop France retaining their trophy. There will be those who still think Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest.
“But a World Cup winner’s medal is missing from his list of achievements.
“We must also contrast Messi’s departure from Barcelona – tearful, humble, gracious – and Ronaldo’s exits from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus – entitled, arrogant, selfish.
“The World Cup triumph, in his final World Cup game, puts Messi at the top of the football tree,” he wrote.
Many, including former England defender Jamie Carragher and ex-German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, agree completely that with Messi’s World Cup display, the argument should be over.
Bye Qatar, welcome North America
Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup may have generated controversies over migrant workers’ conditions and human rights violations, but the wealthy Arabian country has made a statement and bolstered its global influence.
Being the first-ever World Cup staged in the Middle East, the tiny country coughed out nothing less than $300billion to ensure the success of the football fiesta.
Qatar 2022 has also been referred to as the most innovative in terms of technology, as artificial intelligence was deployed to assist referees to make the right calls.
However, even with the deployment of technology, there were complaints about inconsistency in officiation during the tournament which FIFA should address during the next edition.
Football enthusiasts’ attention will now shift to the next edition of the tournament, to be jointly hosted in 16 cities across three North American countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Although FIFA has said it will review its decision, the 2026 World Cup, tagged The United 2026, would be the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32.
Before the 2026 edition, Mexico had hosted the World Cup twice, in 1970 and 1986, while the US had hosted it in 1994. It will be Canada’s first time hosting the tournament.
For the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the task of securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup should begin in earnest to avoid the disappointment which characterised their inability to feature in Qatar 2022. (NANFeatures)
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
Leave a Reply