Fifa World Cup News 2022 Qatar

A ground-breaking World Cup with a fairy tale ending

Lionel Messi was the hero of the highest-scoring World Cup in history. FIFA+ looks back on a historic tournament.

World Cup hits and misses: Lionel Messi determined to win ...

Lionel Messi was the star as Argentina returned to the summit of world football
The highest-scoring World Cup in history set new standards on and off the field
Morocco helped make history for Africa, while Kylian Mbappe dazzled in defeat

This was always going to be a FIFA World Cup™ like no other.

The first to be hosted in the Middle East, the first to be played in November and December, and the first of its size to be held in such a small geographical area, Qatar 2022 offered a fresh twist on this old and much-loved festival of football.

But while the treading of so much new ground came with opportunities – the novel prospect of attending multiple World Cup matches in a single day, for example – the risks were clear and undeniable.

Gianni Infantino admitted as much earlier this week, when he confessed to pre-tournament concerns “about having so many fans from so many countries, at the same time, in the same place”.

“In a normal World Cup, you have in one city fans of two countries, not more,” added the FIFA President. “Here, you have 32 countries plus all [the] other fans from the world who come to enjoy the World Cup together in the same place.”

Given that the place in question has a population of less than 2.9 million and its stadiums are all within a 35-mile radius, questions naturally arose about how Qatar and its infrastructure would cope with a such a mass invasion. Others wondered how the on-field fare would be impacted by the tournament taking place in the middle of most players’ domestic seasons, with reduced preparation time an inevitable consequence.

One by one, of course, those doubts were swept away by a tidal wave of fantastic football, flawless organisation and friendly, passionate atmospheres on the streets and in the stadiums.

Jurgen Klinsmann this week described it as “a World Cup organised to perfection”, while Infantino has been far from alone in declaring Qatar 2022 to be, quite simply, “the best ever”.

The same description is, of course, being applied increasingly widely to the tournament’s star man. Lionel Messi was already a leading contender for ‘GOAT’ status but his claims to that title have been further fortified by a truly magnificent month in Qatar.

In the highest-scoring World Cup of all time, it was goals from Argentina’s captain that did most to determine the direction of the title. And not even La Albiceleste’s fiercest rivals could begrudge this wonderful player his well-deserved moment with the prize he has so long coveted.

Medalists

Champions: Argentina Runners-up: France Third place: Croatia

Award winners

adidas Golden Ball: Lionel Messi (ARG)

adidas Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (FRA)

adidas Golden Glove: Emiliano Martinez (ARG)

Best Young Player: Enzo Fernandez (ARG)

Standout sides

Argentina

From the butt of the world’s jokes to the worthiest of champions, La Albiceleste enjoyed one hell of a ride. And just as no-one foresaw that opening-match defeat to Saudi Arabia, few could have imagined that they would recover to achieve their long-held dream in such impressive – and dramatic – circumstances.

As for their talisman, what more can be said? Messi is quite rightly a beloved figure far beyond Argentina’s borders, and neutrals across the world were both captivated and converted to his team’s cause by the little magician’s pursuit of World Cup glory.

Morocco

It took 88 years of attempting for an Africa team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Morocco were the continental trailblazers.

After sinking Belgium in the group stage, Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri and Co eliminated Spain in the last 16 and Portugal in the quarter-finals. The Atlas Lions also gave France a strict examination in the last four before losing an end-to-end encounter with Croatia 2-1 in the battle for bronze.

Croatia

It simply must rank as one of the greatest achievements in World Cup history – a nation inhabited by fewer than four million people finishing second and third at back-to-back editions.

Zlatko Dalic lost several key components of his 2018 side, such as Danijel Subasic, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic, but new stars emerged in the shape of Dominik Livakovic and Josko Gvardiol to complement the divine talent of Luka Modric. The Croatian highlight was a stunning elimination of tournament favourites Brazil en route to finishing third.

Japan

Would four-time champions Germany or 21st-century titans Spain win Group E? Japan made a mockery of the question the masses were assessing by slaying both those giants to finish top. The Samurai Blue also became only the third team in World Cup history, and the first since West Germany in 1970, to win two separate games in which they had been trailing at half-time.

Individual achievers

Lionel Messi: This requires an article all of its own and, fortunately, we have one. Enjoy our detailed rundown on the various national and global records that were rewritten by Messi at Qatar 2022.
Kylian Mbappe: With eight goals in seven appearances, the France talisman produced the highest-scoring World Cup by any individual player since Ronaldo emerged with an identical haul from the 2002 edition. Mbappe also became just the fifth player in World Cup history to score in separate finals, the first to score a final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst in 1966 and, with four goals across 2018 and 2022, is now established as the highest-scoring player in the history of football’s showpiece fixture.

Lionel Scaloni: At 44 years old, the Argentinian became the youngest coach since fellow countryman Cesar Luis Menotti – who was 39 in 1978 – to win the World Cup.
Yassine Bounou: The Morocco hero became the first African goalkeeper to record three clean sheets in a single World Cup edition.
Olivier Giroud: The big Frenchman only started for France due to a late pre-tournament injury to Karim Benzema but certainly made the most of his opportunity, scoring four times to move on to 53 for his country – two clear of Thierry Henry’s previous record of 51.

Neymar: In a tournament that ended in tears for the Brazil No10, he nonetheless equalled Pele’s 77-goal haul to become A Seleção’s joint-record scorer.
Hugo Lloris: The France skipper surpassed Lilian Thuram (142) as his country’s all-time record caps holder and also became the first goalkeeper to reach the milestone of 20 World Cup appearances.

Harry Kane: With his 52nd and 53rd international goals, the England captain moved alongside Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’ all-time record scorer.
Ivan Perisic: The Croatia wide man scored one and set up two for the Vatreni, meaning that he now has six goals and five assists across the last three World Cups. Only the great Messi (21) can claim more direct goal involvements during the same period.
Goncalo Ramos: The rising Portugal star became the first player to score a hat-trick on his maiden World Cup start since Miroslav Klose in 2002. He was also responsible for the first treble in the knockout stage since Tomas Skuhravy at Italia ‘90.

Note: The credit for this news goes to the official website of the FIFA World Cup.

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The excitement and emotion of a classic final

Get closer to an unforgettable Qatar 2022 final through FIFA+’s unique collection of videos.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 13: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

What a final. And what a FIFA World Cup™.

When you’ve just witnessed the indescribable, sometimes it’s best to let the images speaks for themselves.

Fortunately, we have plenty of those to enjoy, so sit back, relax and relive the key moments and emotional reactions to one of the greatest matches in the history of the beautiful game.

Sing before you’re winning

Unity has been a defining characteristic of this Argentina squad and it was on display again as the team arrived, in fine voice, at Lusail Stadium ahead of the Qatar 2022 decider.

The show before the show

A spectacular closing ceremony, fittingly titled ‘A Night to Remember’, referenced the world coming together for the 29 days of the tournament through poetry and music.

Taking time in the tunnel

The defining moment of his career awaited. Lionel Messi, however, still took time out to chat and pose for photographs with two disabled fans before warming up for the final with his team-mates.

Respect between rivals

As the game drew ever closer, Messi – looking thoroughly relaxed – also made a point of greeting Didier Deschamps and the France team, including his PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe. Both colleagues, it’s fair to say, were fairly prominent in the aciton that followed!

Casillas and the Cup

The prize that players the world over dream over arrived accompanied by Iker Casillas, the man who captained Spain to glory in 2010.

Another record falls to Messi

Simply by setting foot on the field, Argentina’s captain created another piece of World Cup history, surpassing Lothar Matthaus’s long-standing appearance record.

… and then another

It wasn’t long before Messi was firing Argentina in front and, in the process, becoming the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the same World Cup.

Golden oldies

Argentina were completely dominant, and when Angel Di Maria made it 2-0 – joining Messi in the top three oldest scorers in World Cup finals history – victory looked to be theirs for the taking.

Mbappe strikes back

France’s talented talisman had other ideas, of course, and he became the first man since 1966 to score a World Cup final hat-trick – earning himself the adidas Golden Boot in the process.

A titan in the top five

Mbappe’s third and final strike came deep into extra-time, shortly after Messi thought he’d sealed glory for Argentina with a goal that took him into the top five of the tournament’s all-time scoring list.

Spot-kick specialist comes up big again

Cometh the shootout, cometh Emiliano Martinez. The Argentina keeper has proved himself a master in these situations over recent years and he once again produced a vital save to tip the balance in his team’s favour.

Montiel makes his mark

A full-back who has only recently risen to prominence, Gonzalo Montiel made himself the Fabio Grosso of 2022 by burying the winning penalty and producing an understandably emotional reaction.

A moment in time

This was what Lionel Messi had spent his entire career chasing and, when he finally became a world champion, the Argentina No10 simply sank to his knees before being engulfed by team-mates.

Saluting the faithful

Messi was a picture of happiness as he headed to the Argentina fans, who had filled the majority of the Lusail Stadium and cheered their team on throughout.

The joy of the people

This was what it mean to those fans. Argentina are world champions once again and the celebrations in Doha, Buenos Aires and beyond are sure to last long into next week.

Lifting the trophy

This is what Argentina, and most of neutrals across the world, wanted to see: Messi lifting the trophy he craved more than any other.

Sharing the joy

Part of Messi’s appeal, of course, is that it’s never only about Leo himself. Not seeking to hog the limelight, he immediately sought to savour the moment with his team-mates and Argentina’s fans.

A family affair

Argentina’s players were also able to share this career highlight with their families, and there were moving moments as Martinez celebrated alongside his children.

Star man speaks

Messi was the man everyone wanted to hear from, of course, and he spoke of the personal significance of becoming a world champion in the wake of Argentina’s triumph.

Meanwhile in Buenos Aires

This drone footage offered a bird’s eye view of some truly spectacular celebrations in Argentina’s capital city.

Note: The credit for this news goes to the official website of the FIFA World Cup.

More on FIFA+

A tribute to Lionel Messi

FIFA+ pays tribute to Lionel Messi with trivia, stats, quotes and golazos after he inspired Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to glory in an amazing Qatar 2022 final
He collected the Golden Ball and Silver Boot in the process
We pay tribute with quotes, stats, trivia and best moments

“Lionel Messi, for many the greatest footballer in history, has finally got his hands on the FIFA World Cup™ trophy – and following one of the finest individual campaigns in the competition’s history. The 35-year-old provided seven goals and three assists, and broke multiple records, as Argentina conquered the sport for the first time in 36 years.

Did you know?
Diego Maradona and Messi both made their Argentina debuts against Hungary, coming off the bench in the 62nd and 63rd minutes respectively. ‘La Pulga Atomica’ was sent off just two minutes into his bow.

Note: The credit for this news goes to the official website of the FIFA World Cup.

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