Argentina won the World Cup 2022 for the third time in a thrilling final that will go down as one of the best in World Cup history. Lionel Messi was instrumental in Argentina’s championship run, scoring twice to give him a total of seven goals for the tournament.
A World Cup full of controversy
After the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar, practical difficulties emerged. Among the first main concerns many people have is that the Persian Gulf country will be too hot to host the World Cup during its customary summer slot. Organizational difficulties include a lack of infrastructure and facilities as well as conservative and autocratic leadership.
In addition to the abuse of the thousands of migrant laborers who effectively built the World Cup stadiums, this was the other significant human rights issue leading up to and surrounding the event. The authorities stressed that a system to aid workers already exists in Qatar, citing recent labor reforms in the country.
Was Qatar ever the right choice to host the 2022 World Cup?
Worldwide, football followers are renowned for their unwavering loyalty to their respective teams. To a large extent, alcoholic beverages contribute to this fervor and merriment. While many fans will be sober for the World Cup, others may actively seek out alcoholic beverages to add to the celebration.
But unlike previous World Cups, alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited outside of designated fan zones in Qatar.
Another positive aspect of football and other sports is that they can be supported by everyone, regardless of their orientation or identity. Fans have criticized FIFA for failing to anticipate this, despite Qatar’s reiteration that they stay completely against such practices.
How it went
In the opening match of the group stage, Argentina was defeated by Saudi Arabia, and many predicted that this would herald a World Cup filled with underdogs and surprising winners.
The United States startled the world by advancing to the knockout stage, and while their loss to the Netherlands showed they weren’t yet ready, they displayed tremendous promise. They surprised everyone by bringing the second largest fan contingent to the games, second only to Qatar.
The favorites
Lionel Messi, widely considered to be the best player in World Cup history, won the tournament and was awarded the Golden Ball. His Paris Saint-Germain colleague, Kylian Mbappe, took home the Golden Boot.
They were the most effective offensive team, finishing with the most goals, shots, shots on goal, assists, critical passes, and successful take-on. They are among the top scorers in Qatar, but they also consistently carry the ball, pass it, and dribble it into dangerous positions more so than any other team.
The best moments
In a World Cup full of surprises, the moment when the Netherlands forced extra time by scoring on a free kick in the 11th minute of the second-half stoppage time of their chaotic quarterfinal match stands out.
As time ran out in the match, Teun Koopmeiners delivered a shot pass into the center of the area, where Wout Weghorst took a touch, held off his marker, and slotted home finish on the stretch.
Morocco, who made history by being the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals, has become a fan favorite this tournament. Mbappe has scored 12 goals in this tournament in just 16 games, and in 66 career internationals for France, he has scored 36 times.
Closing thoughts
Even though the tournament had repercussions off the field, it was a fantastic football show, living up to the high standards set by many. Players were eliminated from the event in a shocking fashion and showed incredible resilience throughout.
