We couldn’t ask for a better FINAL than what we just witnessed. Argentina led the first half 2-0. Mbappe made a back to back score at 80-82 minutes tying the score at 2-2 and pushing the game to an extra 30mins. Then a 1-1 score at the extra time ended with 4-2 in penalty – with ARGENTINA emerging as the 2022 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS!
Everyone’s at the edge of their seats – if they’re not even standing! VERY INTENSE. Simply… EPIC!
Here’s a look back at some of the FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 matches played and won via penalties:
JAPAN vs CROATIA
The first ever extra time in the tournament was during the heart-stopping KNOCK OUT game between Japan and Croatia. The game ended on extra time 1-1 and Croatia prevailed during the penalties 3-1 beating Japan and securing a seat at the QUARTER FINALS.
MOROCCO vs SPAIN
One of the turning point of the tournament of MOROCCO’s win against SPAIN via penalty which sent them to the semis. The best finish for any Arab-African team in World Cup history. Morocco finished 4th after losing from Croatia in the 3rd Place playoff.
CROATIA vs BRAZIL
Being the tournament’s perennial “penalty killer”, CROATIA brought one of biggest shocker by beating BRAZIL in a Brazil fan-dominated 974 Stadium that got them a ticket to the semis and eventually winning the tournament’s 3rd Place.
NETHERLANDS vs ARGENTINA
Argentina’s trip the FINAL was never easy when their semi final match against Netherlands ended with 2-2 if not for that penalty kick. Argentina claimed a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory to claim a spot in the semifinals, but the match will be remembered for the 18 yellow cards and one red dished out by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz to set a record.
ARGENTINA vs FRANCE
And then we have this phenomenal FINALE. It was a big game by Mbappe scoring all 3 of France tying the game and sending to extra time and the penalty 4-2 that gave Messi-led ARGENTINA TEAM the Championship trophy.
Playing on the Penalty puts the pressure on the goal-keeper. Indeed a mind game. Losing over it is really heart breaking.
I personally learned a lot while covering and following this tournament. Never knew we would love football (even my wife was so excited every game). Im sure, many people who didnt know football before will look at this game the same way again.
After 64 matches and 29 days of football mania… Qatar proved to the world that a tiny nation can successfully host the BEST WORLD CUP ever! Almost full capacity stadiums, the most compact – highly accessible stadiums, safest and most welcoming tournament – simply historic. Congratulations QATAR!
