Most memorable moments of the 2022 World Cup

The 2022 World Cup will be remembered, not only for the protests that surrounded the tournament off the pitch, but also for some of the matches and action on it.

Here are some of the most memorable moments from Qatar.

The Final

The final was one of the most exciting games of the whole tournament. There were six goals, two dramatic comebacks by France, and then a penalty shootout.

It also featured the first hat trick in a World Cup final since 1966, scored by Kylian Mbappé.

Messi lifts the World Cup

People will always remember 2022 as the year Lionel Messi won the World Cup for the first time. He was also fittingly named the Player of the Tournament for his efforts, with his seven goals and five assists making a major contribution to the team, and finally lifting the trophy he wanted above all others.

He also seemingly ended forever, in his favour, the debate, as to who is the better player, he or Cristiano Ronaldo.

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World Cup upsets

This World Cup arguably produced some of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament, beginning with the eventual World Champions themselves, Argentina, who lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening game. Then, the next day, Japan came from behind to beat Germany.

The Japanese then went on to beat Spain, although the goal that won it for them caused endless debates as to whether the ball was out of play before it was eventually forced home.

Meanwhile, Morocco were beating Belgium, the team ranked second in the world before the start of the tournament.

Some of those on the end of upsets – Germany, Belgium and Spain – departed the tournament amidst internal rancour, which continued on their return home.

Morocco make history

Morocco made history at this World Cup by becoming not only the first African, but also the first Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

They did it the hard way, topping a group that featured Croatia as well as Belgium, and then beating Spain in a penalty shoot-out in the round of 16. And then they shocked Portugal in their quarter-final.

Although they eventually found France a step too far, the enthusiastic backing they got from their own fans and the many neutrals meant that their games were the noisiest at the World Cup.

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Most bad-tempered match                        

Easily the most bad-tempered game was the quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands, which saw the referee hand out 18 yellow cards, a World Cup record. The Argentine players had been wound up by comments of the Dutch manager Louis van Gaal before the game, who has history when it comes to South American players.

Qatar fans leave the stadium at half-time

One of the most memorable moments occurred during the tournament’s opening match between Qatar and Ecuador.

With their side losing 2–0, many of the home fans left the ground at halftime, never to return. It turned out that they had been paid to go to the game, but that they had not been given the money they were supposed to get for travel and lodging.