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 RECORDSQatar are the first host country, in…
Author: Hfutbol World
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 TOURNAMENTGoalkeeper : Dominik Livakovic of CroatiaMost saves in the tournament. Joint most shout-out penalties saved in the history of the tournament. Two…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Second quickest semi final goal and the third fastest goal by a substitute in the history of the FIFA World Cup from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani respectively sends France into consecutive final for the first time in their history.France reach yet another FIFA World Cup final following a 2-0 victory over the Atlas Lions of Morocco, who for the first two times since the appointment of their history making coach, Walid Regragui conceded goals from an opposing player.After a complicated build up to the game due to the North Africans’ ability to defy the odds, it was predicted…
Argentina have reached the FIFA World Cup final for the second time since the 2014 edition following a convincing 3-0 win over last edition’s beaten finalist, Croatia.Croatia, who had beaten Argentina by the same scoreline over four years ago in Russia in a group D meeting had only conceded three goals on their way to the semis, while eliminating Brazil in the last round.However, Argentina proved too much a force for them and despite Croatia’s early dominance, it was the South American champions who broke the deadlock from a Lionel Messi’s penalty just four minutes after the half hour mark.Julian…
Goals from Aurélien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud in either side of a Harry Kane penalty sends Didier Deschamps and his minions through to the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup.For the second edition running, defending Champions, France look very determined to defend the title they only won for a second time four and a half years ago in Russia.In a clash predicted to be very even in all respect, they took an early lead through Aurélien Tchouameni, who scored his first ever FIFA World Cup goal with an absolute rocket from yards out with only 17 minutes played.France took…
The Atlas Lions of Morocco are through to the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 win over Portugal thanks to a first half header by Youssef En-Nesyri.Walid Regragui made it nine games since his appointment as the country’s new manager in August, which has neither produced a defeat nor a goal scored against them by an opposing player.Three minutes before the end of the first 45 minutes, Sevilla striker, En-Nesyri rose highest to beat Diogo Costa to a Yahia Attiat-Allah cross and hand the Africans the only goal of the match.Portugal pushed for an equaliser and…