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FIFA World Cup: Individual and collective landmarks matched and surpassed in Qatar 2022

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Argentina saw off France on penalties to claim the FIFA World Cup title in the 22nd edition played in Qatar, their third title in the competition's history and their first since winning it in Mexico back in 1986. France on the other side became a victim for the second time of the three FIFA World Cup finals decided on penalties. The concluded edition of the tournament is much like repetition of that of the 1986 edition but we'll take a look at some of the interesting numbers behind the 64 games on Qatar. NUMBERS and RECORDS Qatar are the first host country, in the history of the FIFA World Cup not to record a single point in all of their group games and only the second host country to be eliminated in the first round since South Africa in 2010. Morocco broke the African semi final jinx as they beat Portugal thanks to a Youssef En-Nesyri’s header to become the first African nation to reach the last four of the tournament. Achraf Dari of Morocco also became the first African play...

Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Team of the tournament: PSG Stars dominate as African duo made the cut

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After the completion of the 64 games of the FIFA World Cup, we take a look at the players who have been outstanding in their respective positions. Unsurprisingly, only players who made it to the semi finals made the cut but there are also players who didn't reach the stage that were outstanding in the tournament but unfortunately, only eleven players can be named. Here is our best XI for the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup... TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT Goalkeeper : Dominik Livakovic of Croatia Most saves in the tournament. Joint most shout-out penalties saved in the history of the tournament. Two clean sheets but man, Dominik Livakovic made some impression for himself in the tournament. Many will feel he should have been named the best Goalkeeper ahead of Emiliano Martinez but just like Gvardiol and Fernandez, playing in the final does gives you an edge. Left back : Theo Hernandez of France Theo got lucky thanks to the unfortunate injury to his brother, Lucas but did earned his righ...

Argentina completed the narratives of 1986 to edge France to a third FIFA World Cup star in Qatar

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Argentina have beaten France to win their third FIFA World Cup title in one of the most memorable finals in the history of the tournament, if not the most. From leading 2-0 to drawing 2-2 and leading again but it was on penalties that France have been conquered as Kylian Mbappé ended the night on the losing side despite his hat-trick performance. Six goals scored after extra time, most in a final match in the competition history since England beat Germany 4-2 in Wembley back in 1966. This time, it finished all square and it is the South American side who were left smiling after the shout-out. Lionel Messi got the party started for Argentina from the spot in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot after Ousmane Dembele clumsily brought down Angel Di Maria in the box. Messi fired to his right, sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way for his sixth goal of the tournament, and the fourth from the spot. The PSG forward took five penalties in Qatar 2022, making him the player with the most penalties ...

Croatia edge the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the battle for bronze to finish with a flourish in Qatar

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Croatia edge Morocco to claim a third FIFA World Cup podium finish thanks to first half goals from Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic in either side of ab Achraf Dari's maiden international goal. Croatia took an early lead in the seventh minute following a free-kick won after a Sofyan Amrabat's foul on Andrej Kramaric in the Morocco half. The resulting set-piece was neatly worked between Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, with the later sending a cross into the box, which was met by the header of Josko Gvardiol for his first goal of the tournament. It was only the fourth goal Morocco have conceded in the tournament, and the first time they have conceded in back to back games under their animated manager, Walid Regragui. Morocco were not behind for too long though as under two minutes after putting Croatia in front, Gvardiol conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Hakim Ziyech sent his delivery into the box and it took a bounce off Lovro Majer before falling kindly into the path o...

Fernando Santos : A legend forever etched in Portugal’s history but a bad news for her golden generation

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After more than eight years as the Head Coach of the Portuguese National Team, the country's football federation has now come to an agreement with Fernando Santos to finally put an end to their relationship and the 68year old announced his decision to step down on Thursday. A very good move but maybe a little too late. However, better be late than never because terms has changed for the good of the national team with brilliant players coming through the ranks, and now they deserve a more tactically endowed manager. Fernando Santos was appointed as the head coach of the nation in 2014 following a poor spell under Paulo Bento for four years, which saw them got eliminated from the group stages of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, finishing behind the USA. When Fernando Santos was employed, it was obvious Portugal were far behind the other European elites but the only positives and as well as the reason they were relevant is because of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is one of the best of all time....

FIFA World Cup epic fail : Busquets, Gavi and Pedri all talents but Luis Enrique had it coming

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Was it a disastrous outing for Spain and Luis Enrique in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup ? The winner of the 19th edition of the tournament were sent packing, following a shootout lost to their Andalusian neighbour, Atlas Lions of Morocco, who reached the quarter finals for the first time ever. When Luis Enrique announced the squad that would represent them in Qatar, it stirred a lot of controversies but the manager maintained he has selected the best legs the country has to offer. The list included seven Barcelona players, which was later made eight as left-back, Alejandro Balde was selected to replace the injured Luis Gaya in the squad, making it another young player in the ranks. Of course if we are being fair, the most successful part of the Spanish National Team history was dominated by Barcelona players. Not long ago, the trio of Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez and Andreas Iniesta pulled the strings for them. They were all mainstay in the side that won the European Championship bac...