The first World Cup in the Middle East, played in November–December amid intense controversy over Qatar's human-rights record; Argentina beat France on penalties in an instant-classic Final, crowning Lionel Messi.
The first World Cup held in the Arab world began with host nation Qatar losing 2-0 to Ecuador. The tournament was overshadowed by intense international criticism of Qatar's human-rights record, including reported migrant-worker deaths during stadium construction and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, as well as FIFA's last-minute ban on players wearing the 'OneLove' armband. Source — Wikipedia:
On the morning of November 22, FIFA warned captains of seven European nations — including England, Germany, and the Netherlands — that wearing the pro-LGBTQ+ 'OneLove' armband would result in immediate yellow cards. The federations backed down, citing FIFA's threat, sparking widespread criticism from fans, players, and human-rights organizations. Source — Wikipedia:
Pre-tournament favorites Argentina suffered one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, falling 2-1 to Saudi Arabia after leading 1-0 at halftime. Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari scored in a stunning three-minute second-half spell, ending Argentina's 36-match unbeaten run and shaking up Group C. Source — Wikipedia:
Japan came from behind to beat four-time champions Germany 2-1, with substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scoring in the final 14 minutes. The result mirrored Japan's 2018 upset of Colombia and signaled the Asian side's intent in a group also containing Spain and Costa Rica. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_E
South Korea stunned Portugal 2-1 in Group H through Hwang Hee-chan's stoppage-time winner, while Japan topped Group E after defeating Spain 2-1 in a result that eliminated Germany on goal difference despite Germany's 4-2 win over Costa Rica. Both Asian nations advanced to the Round of 16 at the expense of European heavyweights. Source — Wikipedia:
Groups A and B concluded with the Netherlands and Senegal advancing from A, and the USA and England qualifying from B. Host nation Qatar became the first World Cup host to lose all three group matches and fail to score a point, while Ecuador were eliminated on goal difference despite a strong showing. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_A
Belgium, ranked second in the world, were eliminated after a 0-0 draw with Croatia, while Morocco topped the group with a 2-1 win over Canada. Morocco's progression made them only the fourth African nation to reach the World Cup knockout phase, setting the stage for a historic run. Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina topped Group C with a 2-0 win over Poland thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez, recovering from their opening loss to Saudi Arabia. Poland advanced as runners-up on goal difference over Mexico, who beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 but fell short despite a superior goal tally across three matches. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_C
Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup knockout goal to put Argentina ahead, and Julián Álvarez added a second before an own goal by Enzo Fernández set up a tense finish. Argentina held on to advance, setting up a quarterfinal clash with the Netherlands. Source — Wikipedia: )
The Netherlands dispatched the USA 3-1 in the first knockout match, with Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, and Denzel Dumfries scoring. The Americans' tournament ended despite a late consolation from Haji Wright, as Louis van Gaal's organized Dutch side advanced to a quarterfinal against Argentina. Source — Wikipedia: )
England comfortably defeated Senegal 3-0 with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka. The win set up a quarterfinal against France, renewing one of international football's oldest rivalries, as England kept their third consecutive clean sheet of the tournament. Source — Wikipedia: )
Olivier Giroud became France's all-time leading scorer with his 52nd international goal, opening the scoring against Poland. Kylian Mbappé added a second-half brace, including a stunning long-range strike, to secure France's passage to the quarterfinals before Robert Lewandowski scored a late consolation penalty. Source — Wikipedia: )
Brazil delivered a devastating first-half performance, scoring four goals inside 36 minutes through Vinícius Júnior, Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paquetá. South Korea pulled one back through Paik Seung-ho, but the Seleção's emphatic win sent a warning to the remaining teams and set up a quarterfinal with Croatia. Source — Wikipedia: )
Daichi Kamada gave Japan a first-half lead before Ivan Perišić equalized for Croatia, and the match remained 1-1 through extra time. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković saved three penalties in the shootout, becoming the hero as the 2018 finalists advanced to face Brazil in the quarterfinals. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_v_Croatia_(2022_FIFA_World_Cup)
Gonçalo Ramos, starting in place of Cristiano Ronaldo, scored a hat-trick as Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1. Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro, Raphaël Leão, and an own goal by Manuel Akanji completed the rout, marking Portugal's most emphatic World Cup knockout performance and setting up a quarterfinal against Morocco. Source — Wikipedia: )
Morocco became the first Arab nation to reach a World Cup quarterfinal, eliminating Spain in a penalty shootout after 120 goalless minutes. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two Spanish penalties and Pablo Sarabia hit the post, as Spain failed to convert any of their three spot-kicks in a historic upset. Source — Wikipedia: )
Neymar looked to have won it for Brazil with a stunning extra-time goal, but Croatia's Bruno Petković equalized in the 117th minute to force penalties. Croatia converted all four spot-kicks while Rodrygo missed and Marquinhos hit the post, eliminating the tournament favorites and sending the 2018 finalists through to the semifinals. Source — Wikipedia: )
Argentina led 2-0 through Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi's penalty before Wout Weghorst scored twice in the final 83 minutes, including a dramatic 101st-minute equalizer from a clever free-kick routine. Emiliano Martínez saved two Dutch penalties in the shootout, sending Argentina to the semifinals in one of the tournament's most dramatic matches. Source — Wikipedia: )
Aurélien Tchouaméni opened the scoring for France before Harry Kane equalized from the penalty spot. Olivier Giroud restored France's lead with a powerful header, and Kane then missed a second penalty, sending the defending champions through to the semifinals in a tightly contested clash between two European powers. Source — Wikipedia: )
Youssef En-Nesyri's towering first-half header sent Morocco into the World Cup semifinals, making them the first African and Arab nation to reach that stage. Portugal, despite bringing on Cristiano Ronaldo at halftime, could not find an equalizer, and Morocco's historic run continued with a quarterfinal victory over a European heavyweight. Source — Wikipedia: )
Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and provided a sensational assist for Julián Álvarez's second goal as Argentina dismantled Croatia 3-0. Álvarez scored twice, and Messi's dribble past Josip Stanišić for the third goal was hailed as one of the tournament's iconic moments, sending Argentina to their second final in three tournaments. Source — Wikipedia: )
France ended Morocco's historic run with a 2-0 win, as Théo Hernandez scored inside five minutes and Randal Kolo Muani added a late second. Morocco had become the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal, eliminating Belgium, Spain, and Portugal along the way, but France's quality prevailed to set up a final against Argentina. Source — Wikipedia: )
Croatia secured third place with a 2-1 win over Morocco, as Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Oršić scored either side of Achraf Dari's equalizer. The match was a fitting end to Morocco's historic campaign, while Luka Modrić and Croatia's golden generation earned a second World Cup medal after their 2018 final appearance. Source — Wikipedia: )
The 2022 Final between Argentina and France is widely regarded as the greatest World Cup final ever played. Lionel Messi scored twice and Kylian Mbappé became only the second man after Geoff Hurst to score a World Cup Final hat-trick, as the match finished 3-3 after extra time before Argentina won 4-2 on penalties. Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez won the Golden Glove as the tournament's best goalkeeper but drew criticism for his celebrations, including a provocative gesture with the trophy and later mocking Kylian Mbappé during Argentina's victory parade. His penalty saves against the Netherlands and France were decisive, but his conduct sparked debate about sportsmanship. Source — Wikipedia:
Lionel Messi, at 35, won the only major trophy that had eluded him in his illustrious career, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. He was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, scoring seven goals across the competition, and lifted the trophy after a final widely called the greatest in World Cup history. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi
Argentina led 2-0 through Messi's penalty and Álvarez's assist for Di María, before Mbappé scored twice in 97 seconds to force extra time. Messi scored again in the 108th minute, Mbappé completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 118th, and Emiliano Martínez saved Kingsley Coman's penalty in the shootout as Argentina won their third World Cup and Messi his first. Source — Wikipedia: