2022 World Cup – Sunday 18 December 2022
Croatia 2 (2) – (1) 1 Morocco (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Croatia scorers: Gvardiol (7′), Orsic (42′). Morocco scorer: Dari (9′)
A mad opening ten minutes with both teams getting on the scoresheet and both headed free kicks. Croatia’s after seven minutes was one of the goals of the tournament – from the ball into the box Ivan Perisic headed it towards the penalty spot where a diving Gvardiol stunningly headed home. The lead though last just two minutes when a Moroccan free kick was deflected into the box where an unmarked Dari had the easiest task of nodding home. In what was a decent first period, Croatia took the lead once more three minutes before the break with an exquisite finish from Orsic. The second half didn’t produce any goals but had it moments. Once again VAR was shown at its very best (!) when Gvardiol was clearly tripped in the box, yet no penalty was awarded – what is the point. Morocco’s best chance feel to En-Nesyri but was denied at point blank range by one of the ‘keepers of the tournament, Livakovic. Morocco became increasingly frustrated as they searched for an equaliser and their behaviour in the closing stages and at full-time was deplorable as they manhandled the referee. Why were none of the players cautioned and where was the protection for the match officials at the final whistle?
Croatia deserved the win and their celebrations at the end showed that the game did in fact have meaning, with their second third place finish at a World Cup (1998) to go with being runners-up in 2018. Quite an achievement.
2022 WORLD CUP FINAL: Argentina v France (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)
The World Cup tournament and the final down the years will mean different things to different people.
I was born in a World Cup year (1962) but that was two months after Brazil completed a 3-1 victory over Czechoslovakia. 1966, despite my dad’s insistence that I watched the final, holds no memories at all. It wasn’t until 1970 that I have any vague recollection and that was on holiday in Torquay when the whole hotel, staff and guests, gathered to see England lose 3-2 and give up their title as World Champions. Four years later (given World Cups were held in summer prior to 2022), the heavy rain that affected the tournament in West Germany stands out and whilst the hosts won 2-1 in the final I was carrying out my cricket scoring duties for my dad’s team away at Chipstead & Coulsdon so seeing very little of the action. 1978 was O-level year and I readily admit I had more interest in the events in Argentina than my text books. I remember watching the final mesmerised by the tickertape that showered down from the stands, willing the Netherlands to win – alas it was not to be as Argentina won 3-1 in extra time.
With England having failed to qualify for the finals in both ’74 and ’78, 1982 in Spain was probably the first time I really followed the Three Lions having attended qualifiers at Wembley against Switzerland and Romania. Memorable for not losing a game and the injuries to Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking which limited their participation, the 0-0 against the hosts and the missed chances, are still etched into my head. 1986 is vivid of course for England’s exit at the hands of Argentina and I remember watching the drama at my local cricket club, confused by what Peter Shilton was protesting about. The final was a see-saw occasion and glimpses were only snatched whilst playing cricket, as Argentina lifted the title once more.
1990 saw me in my own place with my then wife and as an England fan their progress was keenly followed, World in Motion et al. The final was watched at home but was an incredibly drab affair, the only consolation being that West Germany beat the dreaded Argentinians. England failed to make it to the USA in ’94 and I failed to watch the final, a tournament I just couldn’t get into.
Four years later France were hosts and memories of watching the England v Tunisia game in a local bar in darkness and then emerging into bright late afternoon sunlight, blinking and a little worse for a couple of beers. Of course the Three Lions then went out to Argentina in the last sixteen on penalties with St David of Beckham vilified for his sending-off in the game. The final was a curious watch with the saga around Ronaldo’s health and subsequent appearance a major distraction as Brazil lost 3-0.
2002 saw a joint hosting of the tournament by Japan and South Korea. The time difference meant that I remember watching the England v Nigeria game at work, with the company allowing us to come in early and watch it before working. They shouldn’t have bothered as it was a shocking 0-0 draw. Of course Beckham’s redemption with his penalty against Argentina (how many times have they been mentioned today?!) was something to recall as was the defeat to Brazil in the last eight which I imagine David Seaman still has nightmares about. The final was also redemption for Ronaldo as his two goals (and one of the strangest haircuts) saw off the Germans.
Talking of Germany they were host four years later in what was a crazy old tournament, memorable for the flash points. England undone by the Portuguese version of Ronaldo as Rooney was sent off and penalties did for the Three Lions in the Quarter Finals. And then of course the most famous headbutt in World Cup history as Zinedine Zidane tangled with Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the final, as the Italians took the title on penalties.
The 2010 tournament saw it hosted by South Africa, where England managed to limp through to the last sixteen only to be dumped out 4-1 by Germany, with us all screaming at our tv’s as Frank Lampard’s ‘ghost’ goal vanished into the ether. Notable for Luis Suarez unsporting celebration of the missed Ghana penalty and Netherlands physical approach in the final, it was another final watched sat at home, with my playing days long behind me.
2014 in Brazil highlighted again the strain hosting the event can have on a country, with politics and demonstrations very much at the fore. Whilst England were simply unwatchable and finished bottom of their group, Luis Suarez confirmed his status as a panto villain scoring twice against the Three Lions. Of course seeing Brazil dumped 7-1 in the Semi Final was an unbelievable nights watching and with Germany completing the job over Argentina in the final it made for an pleasant conclusion to the tournament.
Of course like for all England fans, 2018 was some occasion. The highs of reaching a Semi Final but the abject misery of then not making it all the way. As it was I wouldn’t have been able to watch the final, because as France were lifting their second World Cup, I was somewhere over the Bay of Biscay on the way to Lanzarote! Today another landmark as I’ll be watching in our new house, surrounded by Christmas decorations and not sat in shorts and t-shirt as in previous years. All a bit strange.
As you’ll gather from this piece and the diary this time round, I’m no fan of Argentina and have no desire to see Lionel Messi lift the trophy in his final World Cup game. Slightly concerning to read of the French squad being impacted by a ‘cold’ – anyone for a conspiracy theory as FIFA try to ensure Argentina win a third title?
There is a bit of World Cup history between these two countries, with them meeting in the very first tournament in 1930 at the group stage. Argentina won 1-0 going onto reach the final but losing 4-2 to hosts Uruguay. It was another 48 years until they met again, once again in the group stages, winning 2-1 on their way to lifting the trophy as hosts. The last World Cup encounter was at the previous event in Russia, in a last sixteen game which saw France emerge winners 4-3 with Griezmann, Pavard and Mbappe (2) the scorers. It would be a huge surprise if we get anything like that today. Not long now…
Third/Fourth Place Play-off: Croatia v Morocco (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Argentina 3 (2) – (0) 0 Croatia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)
France v Morocco (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor)
Argentina v Croatia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)
Japan 1 (1) – (0) 1 Croatia AET. Croatia won 3-1 on penalties. (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)
Brazil 4 (4) – (0) 1 South Korea (Stadium 974, Doha)
Group F:
Group E:
Yesterday started with two shocks results, had a shock start in game three, with the last of the day seeing two former World Cup winners play out a draw.
GROUP C: Argentina 1 (1) – (0) 2 Saudi Arabia (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)
Bye-bye to the big boys: Well, at least it’s farewell to a fair few of them, with the death knell sounding on all of the aptly named Group of Death teams, including reigning Euro champions Portugal, reigning World champions France and perennial contenders, Germany – three teams that many would have seen as being in it for the long haul, if not the actual winners. Netherlands, too, who, despite recent tournament disappointments, had looked so promising in the group stage fell at the first knockout hurdle, whilst Italy, who have impressed so much in the early stages, were pushed to the limits of extra-time by a team in Austria who many had written off before the starting whistle was blown. The early exit of these teams means that going into the Quarter-Finals, of the eight remaining teams, there are four nations who have previously won the tournament and four nations who have not – a 50/50 chance therefore that there will be a new national team lifting the trophy at Wembley. Of the teams who have already triumphed, Spain are the most recent victors in 2012 (with success also in 2008 and 1964), whilst Italy, the Czech Republic and Denmark all have one victory a piece, some 53 years ago for Italy, 45 years ago for the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia), and 29 years ago for Denmark. Of the teams still looking for their first Euro triumph, both Ukraine and Switzerland have surpassed their best Euros campaign already, by reaching the Quarter-Finals, whilst Belgium’s best result was as runners-up in 1980. As for England, only an appearance in the Final will guarantee their best ever showing at the Euros, having finished third in both 1968 and 1996, but why not finish the job?
Underdogs: Who doesn’t love an underdog story (aside from those on the wrong end of said underdog story, of course)? And the Round of 16 delivered its fair share, after some generally predictable results in the group stages. Both Austria and Croatia gave it their best shot, with Austria denying what had been a rampant Italy side for some 95 minutes before the Azzurri broke the deadlock. But even when Italy doubled their lead, Austria ensured a dramatic finale by getting one back in the 114th minute, but, alas, it wasn’t to be. Whilst, in the Spain game, La Roja were nearly victims of their own possession-based success when Unai Simon ceded a goal against the run of play to that most prolific of Euro 2020 marksman – Own Goal – with the Euros longest ever own goal, some 49 yards out. When Spain brought it back to a seemingly comfortable 3-1 on 77 minutes, it seemed that the game was virtually done and dusted, only for Croatia to draw level with two goals in the 85th and 92nd minute. After a concerted effort, Spain proved too much in extra-time, but Croatia more than played their part in an eight-goal spectacle. And as for the triumphal underdogs, the Czech Republic eased past Netherlands, whilst Ukraine sealed their victory over Sweden with the latest match-winning strike in Euros history. Denmark may not have been obvious underdogs against Wales, yet they came into the knockout stage on the back of a hugely difficult group stage with just one win, but booked their place in the last eight in emphatic style. But underdog performance of the round surely goes to Switzerland, led from the front by Haris Seferovic. Whilst many had France already booked in for the flight to Russia for the Quarter-Final, and even the final at Wembley, Switzerland had other ideas, taking the game to the World champions and getting their just rewards after 15 minutes. They should have sealed the deal in the 55th minute, but after Rodriguez’s penalty was saved, France looked to have killed Switzerland’s hopes with two goals in two minutes by Karim Benzema. Like Croatia, however, Switzerland, who undoubtedly put in their most impressive performance, fought back to take the tie level, before dispatching Les Bleus on penalties. Spain and England will need to tread very carefully in the last 8.
England: Has there ever been quite a build-up to a match as the one that seemed to dominate the media agenda for nigh on a week since it was discovered that England would be facing Germany in the Round of 16? There will be a few in politics who will be thankful for the shift in the media’s attention and, let’s be honest, we’d all rather see replays of the 1966 triumph and hear It’s Coming Home on a loop for twenty-four hours than any of that debacle. Going into the game, it seemed as if there was an equal helping of optimism and nerves – England a team full of potential and quality but not quite clicking, against an under-par German side who, typically, were likely to pull off the result when needed. Gareth Southgate’s selection underwent the inevitable scrutiny, but only time would tell if it was a masterstroke. In the first half, it perhaps looked more like a backstroke than a masterstroke, although the Three Lions never looked troubled by the German line-up. Jack Grealish was arguably the game-changer once more, having a role in both goals, with a welcome return on the goalscoring front from Harry Kane, and suddenly Southgate’s decision didn’t look so bad after all, well, unless it was something a little more entertaining you were after. But, in tournament football, it doesn’t matter how you win, just that you do, and at no point in the match did it really seem that England would lose, which isn’t a bad thing at all. And whilst credit goes to Sterling and Kane, and particularly to Grealish, for ensuring the win, Phillips and notably the back three of Walker, Stones and Maguire did much to give England an impressive defensive foundation. Though, for me, it all started with Jordan Pickford, who didn’t put a foot – or a hand – wrong – and perhaps deserved more of the accolades.