The Year’s Biggest Football Tournament 2022 – Review

World Cup 2022 came to an end on Sunday, when Argentina beat France in the final to win the competition for a third time.

The Albiceleste were 2-0 up until the 80th minute, when Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant brace to bring the reigning champions level. Lionel Messi and Mbappe both found the net in extra time, before Argentina won 4-2 on penalties. It was the most thrilling final in the tournament’s long history.

Now that all 64 matches have been completed, it is time to look back on the last 28 days of action in Qatar.

World Cup 2022 Overview

This was one of the most controversial tournaments of all time and the events of the last four weeks have done nothing to refute the widely-held view that Qatar should never have been chosen as the hosts of the final 32-team competition.

Sticking exclusively to on-field matters, Qatar were the worst hosts of all time, failing to win a single game. Thankfully, the rest of the group stage was much more competitive. There were plenty of surprises along the way: Germany, Uruguay, Denmark and Belgium were eliminated before the round of 16, while Morocco, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia exceeded expectations.

Ten of the 16 teams that reached the knockout stage in 2018 were European, compared to eight this time around. This greater geographical spread was a positive development, particularly as this was the first edition of the competition held in the Middle East and the Arab World.

In the end it was two traditional powerhouses that contested the final, with Argentina becoming the first South American winner since 2002.

Best Moments

Morocco Make African History

Of all the World Cup 2022 best moments, this is the one that was truly historic. Morocco became the first African and first Arab team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

The Atlas Lions topped their group ahead of Croatia, Belgium and Canada, then knocked out Spain and Portugal before finally being halted by France.

Messi Twists Gvardiol’s Blood

Josko Gvardiol was one of the standout defensive performers over the last few weeks, but even he could not stop Lionel Messi in the semi-finals.

Hemmed in on the right touchline, the Argentine magician somehow found a way out of a tight spot, before wriggling past Gvardiol and setting up Julian Alvarez for his team’s third goal of the game.

Aboubakar Accepts Punishment

When was the last time you saw a player graciously accept a red card? After scoring the winning goal against Brazil, Cameroon talisman Vincent Aboubakar removed his shirt and was dismissed by the referee for a second bookable offence.

The striker smiled, shook the official’s hand and walked straight down the tunnel without the slightest complaint.

Best Goals

Aleksandar Mitrovic vs Cameroon

Serbia’s third goal against Cameroon was a fine demonstration of their attacking potential (which was undone in the group phase by slack defensive organisation).

Five players were involved in a sweeping passing move which pulled the opposition’s backline apart. It ended with Andrija Zivkovic teeing up Aleksandar Mitrovic, who rolled the ball into an empty net.

Wout Weghorst vs Netherlands

Awarded a free-kick deep into second-half stoppage time, everyone in the stadium and watching at home expected the Netherlands to shoot.

Instead, Teun Koopmeiners fooled Argentina by passing the ball to Wout Weghorst, who controlled it and steered the ball past Emi Martinez. It was a remarkable piece of ingenuity in the most pressurised of circumstances.

Luis Chavez vs Saudi Arabia

A more conventional free-kick from Luis Chavez ranks as one of the best goals of 2022. Mexico desperately needed another goal against Saudi Arabia, and they got one thanks to a moment of brilliance from the midfielder.

Thirty yards out, Chavez bent an unstoppable left-footed strike into the top corner of the net, giving Saudi shot-stopper Mohammed Al-Owais no chance whatsoever.

Unexpected Results

Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia

When Lionel Messi scored an early penalty, this looked like it would be a routine win for Argentina – as expected. But Saudi Arabia had other ideas. They scored twice in the second half and then held out for a famous victory.

Most eye-catching was their approach. The Saudis took huge risks by defending with a high line and pressing their illustrious opponents. It worked.

Germany 1-2 Japan

One of the best World Cup 2022 matches was the main reason for Germany’s elimination in the group phase. The Nationalelf were 1-0 up and cruising against Japan, only to be hit by two sucker-punches in the second half.

Germany were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal, as a lively Japan team caused them problems on the counter-attack.

Morocco 1-0 Portugal

Morocco had already knocked out Spain on penalties in the round of 16, but many felt this would be a bridge too far for Walid Regragui and his players.

Instead, Youssef En-Nesyri headed home what proved to be the winning goal in the 42nd minute. Morocco successfully held Cristiano Ronaldo and co. at bay for the remainder of the quarter-final.

Best Players/Team of Tournament

GK: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)

Martinez kept two clean sheets in the group stage and another in the semi-final victory over Croatia. The Argentina goalkeeper was also the hero in the penalty shoot-out triumphs over the Netherlands and France.

RB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

An attack-minded full-back for Paris Saint-Germain, Hakimi had to do is fair share of defensive work for Morocco. He did so effectively against the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal, as well as offering a threat in the other direction.

CB: Romain Saiss (Morocco)

Saiss seemed to spend half of his time at this tournament adjusting the strapping on his thigh. That injury ultimately ended his participation early, but the warrior-like defender was an integral part of Morocco’s history-making campaign.

CB: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)

No centre-back performed better in Qatar than Gvardiol, whose composure, awareness and reading of the game belied his tender age of 20. The Croatian routinely broke up opposition attacks, before carrying the ball into midfield and setting his own side on a foray forward.

LB: Theo Hernandez (France)

Theo Hernandez began the competition on the bench, with Didier Deschamps preferring his brother Lucas at left-back. But a knee injury suffered by the latter saw the former come into the team, and he responded with some excellent attacking displays down the flank.

CM: Luka Modric (Croatia)

The evergreen Modric once again showed why he is one of the greatest central midfielders of all time. Despite being 37 years of age, he played with his typical tenacity and energy – not to mention the sublime technical ability that marks him out as a very rare talent.

CM: Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)

If one player summed up Morocco’s style it was Amrabat. A tough-tackling, no-nonsense holding midfielder, the Fiorentina man prowled in front of the backline and stopped opposition attacks in their tracks. He was decent on the ball too, spraying it from side to side.

RW: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi rolled back the years in Qatar. He got off to a relatively slow start despite scoring in Argentina’s opener against Saudi Arabia, but he became increasingly influential as the tournament went on. The 35-year-old ended the competition with seven goals and three assists.

AM: Antoine Griezmann (France)

Redeployed in a deeper midfield berth after injuries to Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, Griezmann performed as if he had played in that role for decades. Combining industry with invention, he was magnificent in every match he played for France.

LW: Kylian Mbappe (France)

Probably the best footballer in the world right now, Mbappe was electric in Qatar. He won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals, including a brilliant brace against Poland and a stunning hat-trick in the final.

ST: Olivier Giroud (France)

Giroud would not have started for France had Karim Benzema been fit, but the 36-year-old grasped his unexpected opportunity with both hands. He linked the play with some typically deft touches, provided an aerial outlet and scored four goals.

Conclusion

This was an enjoyable tournament, although the assertion of FIFA President Gianni Infantino that it was the greatest of all time is wide of the mark.

In truth the event probably peaked in the final round of group games. While there was plenty of drama throughout, the competition arguably lacked matches of genuine top-class quality – although the final was undoubtedly one of the best we have ever seen.

The last four weeks have contained plenty of fantastic moments that will live long in the memories of all who experienced them. Roll on 2026.