Messi or Mbappe?
Month: December 2022
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Croatia bags the third spot after a tough fight with Morocco
Morroco versus Croatia, Fifa Worldcup, 2022 (Video source: @TSN) Croatia is not a country that gives up easily. From being the Fifa World Cup finalist in 2018, it bagged the third place in Fifa World Cup 2022 by beating Morocco with 2 goals.
The match for the third place played today, in Qatar, saw many eyebrows raised as Croatians lifted the spirit of the crowded stadium that cheered for them after their fresh semifinals defeat against Argentina.
The semis, however, was a story of trial and with Messi being Messi, the victory appeared a little too far fetched. The battle for the third against Morocco, however, was a definite redemption for Croatia.
Interestingly, the Moroccans also fought to remember as they bagged an immediate second goal in the first five minutes of the match. Besides, the incredible saves made by Moroccan goalie Bono, only validated the authority of the team as a top contender. Moroccans’ perseverance has led them to be the first African country to enter straight into the semifinals. And that cannot just be a matter of chance.
Well, some players do fight to let the world know that they are alive!
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Will it rather end as Messi versus France?
Video source: TSN
If Argentina has had a chance to watch France versus Morocco semis, it instantly needs to strengthen its guard.
France as a team looks undefeatable. The Finals of Fifa World Cup 2022 being played in Qatar is now being pitted as a Lionel Messi versus Kylian Mbappe clash but anyone who has watched the semi final match between Morocco and France, would know that that French as a team is solid. What more? With no pressure to prove, Mbappe has a psychological advantage over Messi, freedom to enjoy his game and he is doing just that. Messi, playing likely his last world cup, might need to calm his nerves and exploit the game without the weight of stature. He is already a deity.
France versus Morocco semi final
Scoring a goal under 5 minutes of opening Theo Hernández scored the first goal for France. The French team did not let the ball pass an inch and then from Mbappe to Hernández the strike was unbeatable. Goal 1.
The second goal was far more interesting than the first. A new player with just 2 matches in his basket scored his very first international goal within 44 seconds of entry.
Randal Kolo Muani will be a player anticipated to be a future talk if he maintains the agility of his first world cup. From the crowd of players when the ball came to Muani it seemed an easy strike for him. Goal 2.
The French team does look undefeatable. And even if Messi versus Mbappe has been the talk of the day, Argentina will definitely need a plan to unsettle the French unity.
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Messi embraces his moment again!
Video Source: TSN
( Video Source: https://youtu.be/rtoHSrpAoEk?t=3340 )
If you haven’t watched the 2018 Argentina versus Croatia World Cup match, please go watch it. You will know that this year’s quarterfinal between the two can easily pass of as a dramatic Season 2 of a Netflix series where the script flips on the victim’s side.
Yes, the quarterfinal match between Argentina and Croatia was a plain revenge of 2018 debacle of Argentina. Well, the 3 goals on the Croatian scoreboard in 2018, hopped over to the Argentinian side in 2022. Argentina settled the score wholly and seamlessly. On the other hand, Croatia struggled to defend what they have seemed to get easily in the last World Cup. Failures teach more than successes do, and Argentina clearly turned out to be a good student of its past mistakes.
It beat Croatia by 3 goals to enter into semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 being played in Qatar.
The momentum started with the penalty kick for Argentina over the controversial yellow card shown by referee Daniele Orsato pointed to Cratian goalie, Livakovic, after he clattered with Julian Alvarez. Lionel Messi grabbed the golden chance to get the scorecard running for Argentina. Goal 1.
A few minutes later Manchester City forward Alvarez had already lifted the ball over for the second goal for Argentina. Goal 2. The last goal by Messi by passing the ball forward to Alvarez crowned it all for the country. Goal 3.
Grabbing this victory, enters Lionel Messi, with his team having his back, into the finals against France.
In the opposing French team, we will watch Kylian Mbappe chasing his second World Cup title. Will Messi, who most likely will be playing his last World Cup match, bring the title back to Argentina or will Mbappe do a replay of his magical 2018 Finals to get a back-to-back cup for France and declare his fiefdom?
Well, bet on whichever country you wish, but you gotta give it to Qatar for the kick you got without a booze.
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Morocco makes history as Canada cheers for its goalie!
Video Source: @TSN_Sports
A game usually declares its winner in the first 10 minutes. No, it’s not the performance but the body language of the players in action. When Portugal arrived to play against Morocco it was the poor body language that gave it all. Even Cristiano Ronaldo could not flip the game, and seemed to be weighed down by the baggage of the “extraordinaire” sought from a sporting legend.
In the first half, Morocco bagged a goal but Portugal could not match it up as it foddered it with minimum competition. Then, the second half spun the magic of Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, who also came as a solace for the healing Canadians. This Montreal-born talent made two extraordinary saves in the second half of the game, leaving Portugal spin its head. What happens next? Well, nothing much but a history is made with first African country reaching the semis. That’s football!