Did Lahoz disappoint in a big game at the World Cup? The story of Argentina’s first penalty shootout victory in Saudi Arabia
Argentina’s hopes of the World Cup are very much alive after a penalty shoot out victory over the Netherlands in a tournament that is being held in Saudi Arabia.
Argentina got the better of the Netherlands in the quarterfinals in an epic which culminated in a penalty shootout, and one which saw the South American team display distraction and delaying tactics to arguably mentally monster their opponents.
After keeping out Coman’s attempt, the goalie was on hand to save his country in the shoot out, as he had done many times before.
After Enzo Fernandez missed the first penalty that would have given Argentina victory, Lautaro Martinez stepped up and hammered home the winning spot kick to send the thousands of Argentine fans inside the Lusail Stadium into delirium.
The team’s highly-awaited return is currently being celebrated in several states and overseas, following Argentina’s convincing win against France.
This game at the World Cup has seen many shocks and comebacks, but this one perhaps exceeded them all.
Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz, known for his eccentricity and enjoyment of the limelight, certainly added to the drama, dishing out an numerous yellow cards, including one in the shootout, as he struggled to keep control of the game.
There were three mass brawls, the first of which was instigated by Leandro Paredes after he smashed a ball into the Netherlands bench.
Argentina will need to bring itself down to earth immediately after the semifinal against Croatia if it wants to win the World Cup.
The desire to see Messi emulate Maradona in leading his country to glory extends far beyond Argentina, with much of the footballing world desperate to see the 35-year-old finally clinch the trophy that has long-eluded him in what will, by his own admission, be his last World Cup appearance.
Few fans would have placed Argentina among the favorites ahead of the tournament, but with Messi in the team’s ranks anything is possible, at any time.
Under head coach Lionel Scaloni, a former Argentine international, the team is in a better place than it has been for some quite some time and in 2021 won the Copa America, the national team’s first major trophy since 1993 and Messi’s first in the famous blue and white shirt.
However, Argentina was yet to put together a convincing 90 minutes in Qatar and defensive frailties that has hindered it in recent years undoubtedly remain.
A patient probing team move and a Memphis Depay goal were the best of the game, as the Netherlands defeated the United States Men’s National team in the round of 16.
This was the sixth time that the two teams have met in the World Cup and has provided many stories over the years. From a Mario Kempes-inspired victory in the 1978 final to Dennis Bergkamp’s stunning goal in the 1998 quarterfinals, this rivalry was ready for another player to write their name in soccer folklore.
Running towards the left-hand side of the penalty area, the Argentina captain played an absurd reverse pass perfectly into the path of Molina, who took one touch and poked the ball past Andries Noppert.
Replays showed Messi didn’t once look up to see Molina’s run; how he saw the pass, let alone played it, only he will know. When you think you have seen everything in Messis 18-year career, he still finds a way to leave agape.
With both sides’ feeling the effects of the scintillating finale, Messi looked to have scored a winner in the 108th minute in what would have been a Hollywood ending.
The Netherlands wanted to hit long ball after long ball at the Argentina penalty area in a bid to get Weghorst and Van Dijk into the game.
It looked as though either Cody Gakpo or Teun Koopmeiners were going to take a shot at goal, but the latter played an ingenious pass into Weghorst, who turned his defender and slotted the ball past Martinez.
There were further sour scenes that followed, though, as some of the Argentina team celebrated in the faces of the distraught Dutch players once Martinez had scored the winning penalty, caused tempers to flare once again.
It was an almost crazy turn of events when Weghorst, the player who struggled to make an impact at the club, moved to Besiktas and temporarily halted Messi’s march towards a World Cup title.
Argentina’s win over Morocco in the group stages of the 2017 World Cup: After all, a little magic has come a long way
The first goal, a Messi penalty, gave Argentina a commanding lead at the break as they went on to win the game.
Messi spent parts of the game feeling his left hamstring, though you wouldn’t have guessed he was in any discomfort by the way his mazy, twisting run bamboozled Joško Gvardiol, one of this tournament’s best defenders, to create Argentina’s third goal.
Messi’s near superhuman powers are undoubtedly dwindling as he plays into the twilight of his career, but the little magician still has the ability to deliver moments of genius just when his country needs him most.
His goal against Mexico in the group stages, the assist against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and his overall performance in Tuesday’s semfinal have provided yet more memorable moments to a nation of 45 million people that consider him to be not far from a deity.
The Argentine embassy said as many as 40,000 of their fans traveled to Qatar for the World Cup and it sounded like there were many inside the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Argentina bench and coaching staff started singing and chanting as the clock ticked closer to injury time, and the victory was beyond doubt.
Messi and Modri have led their countries in the losing World Cup finals, meaning this is the last chance for them to get their hands on the trophy.
Neither side featured among the tournament favorites ahead of Qatar 2022, but Croatia stunned the world four years ago in reaching the final and did so once again in the previous round in Qatar, eliminating pre-tournament favorite Brazil on penalties in a display of sheer grit and determination.
In the biggest matches, Modri and his teammates are battle-hardened and they have played in arguably the best in the World Cup.
Sunday’s win also marked a change in fortunes for Argentina after three recent defeats in major finals – the 2014 World Cup, and the Copa America in 2015 and 2016.
This is not the Argentina of yore, where you always tried to give the ball to Messi, even at the cost of more brilliant attackers. Instead, a team of functional, hard-working players keep the game ticking by until Messi decides he wants to influence the game.
Modri gave the ball away in the middle with Gvardiol not being able to track the Manchester City forward, and that allowed Livaco to get the better of him.
Argentina fans were in raptures when Messi picked the ball up and ran Gvardiol ragged, before finding Ricky inside the box and sending them into raptures.
The miracle of a World Cup semifinal: Lionel Messi’s world champion after a remarkable game against Argentina in the 70th minute
Only a stunning reflex save from Livakovic prevented the score getting any worse for Croatia before half time, but it would take something extra special, even for a team that is used to conjuring footballing miracles, to come back from this one.
However, Croatia offered little going forward in the second half, a combination of weary attacking play and stout Argentine defending, and its stay of execution lasted until the 70th minute.
This was a final that had superstar rivalries, penalties, iconic goals and goalkeeping masterclasses, culminating in Lionel Messi’s crowning as world champion after Argentina beat France on penalties.
It was the fifth time that Argentina has played in a World Cup semifinal and it ended with a defeat to the USA. It has advanced to a final six times. The last time Argentina won the World Cup was in 1986.
The beautiful tandem of Messi and Álvarez had one more sparkling moment against Croatia. In the 69th minute, Messi had a flash of unbelievable ballhandling against Croatia defender Joško Gvardiol on the right side of the goal. lvarez lifted it for the third and largest lead of the day. Of Croatia’s twelve shots on goal, only two were on target.
Messi became the first player to score in the group stage, round of 16, quaterfinals, semifinalists and final of a single World Cup, according to Opta.
France and Morocco will play each other on Sunday in the semifinals. Croatia’s World Cup tournament is not done yet. The winner of tomorrow’s semifinal will play in the third place match on Saturday.
The Loss of Roger Pearce, Khalid al-Misslam, and the Making of FIFA: three journalists die in the World Cup
At the World Cup, there have been three deaths of journalists. Roger Pearce was a director of ITV sports. Khalid al-Misslam, a photojournalist with Al Kass TV, died suddenly this past weekend.
Each journalist has a picture in one of the three books that FIFA set up at the media center. “This media center is teeming, and NPR’s Tom Goldman was among those who took the time to honor those who died.” But it’s empty.”
There are 64 matches played at the 2022 World Cup – and not only is this last one on Sunday the most meaningful, it arguably will be the most thrilling game of the monthlong tournament in Qatar.
Lionel Messi and the Argentina-France match: how Antoine Griezmann helped lead Argentina out of the World Cup finals
Argentina scored in extra time. And was there ever any doubt who would knock it in? Lionel Messi, of course. The ball ricocheting in front of the French goal and Messi booting it in. In the 109th minute. His second goal of the evening. There was a 3-2 decision.
France is the defending champion and no country has won back-to-back World Cup titles in 60 years (Brazil, in 1962, was the last). Les Bleus have a lot of talent and enter this match on a roll.
Mbappé shined during the 2018 World Cup as a 19-year-old. It was not the first time someone had a stellar soccer background and was also compared to another teenager. (In 2018, Mbappé became the first teenager to score at a World Cup final since Pelé in 1958). At the 2022 tournament, Mbappé picked up where he left off.
The soccer team is made up of ten other players. While most of the attention goes to the players, one of the most important players in the country has beenAntoine Griezmann. A forward and an attacker, but put in the center of the defense because of a number of French injuries, is proving to be a good player. He’s kept the team connected with his innovative ideas.
Despite both Argentina and France possessing all four of the top scorers at the tournament – Messi, Mbappé, Olivier Giroud and Julián Álvarez – both teams have been defined by their defensive doggedness.
Messi helped drag Argentina out of a disastrous opening day defeat to Saudi Arabia and on to the summit, creating delirium in his native country.
“I’ve seen lots of images of people back home watching the semifinal and celebrating, it makes us very emotional,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters.
“Of course we know what Lionel Messi means in the history of football, but this is a match between France [and Argentina] at the end of the day and there are some very good players in the two squads.”
France will look to Mbappé to light the spark on Sunday after a less-than-ideal build-up to the game. Several players, including central defensive pair Ibrahima Konaté and Raphaël Varane, as well as midfielder Adrien Rabiot, were infected with a virus that has hit the French camp.
Konaté, Varane and winger Kingsley Coman all missed collective training on Friday, and Deschamps said there was no further update to give on the eve of the game.
Antonio Martinez’s goals against the Netherlands and Argentina at the World Cup: what he could have learned from the game in the first tournament?
He has not scored in the last two games but his influence has been felt. Against Morocco, despite not scoring, his mere presence was instrumental in both France goals in the 2-0 win.
At the World Cup, the two teams played each other. In the round of 16 they played out arguably the best game of the tournament, with France coming out on top with a 4-3 win.
Both teams have shown that they are much more comfortable defending than keeping the ball. Both of the final candidates have had less of the ball than their opposition.
Les Bleus looks at its best when playing football. The French can dominate any defense on the transition because of their strength and speed.
Argentina started the match against France with aggressiveness and relentless attacks. The French, who looked so dominant all tournament, struggled to find their rhythm, cohesion and energy it had showcased in Qatar.
Both teams will be very happy to cede control of the ball at times, but it’s probably more likely that they will dominate the game for a short period of time.
The questions are more about those individuals. Can Argentina stop him from running with the ball? Can France stop Messi from getting the ball?
In the end, it was the Argentina captain who was the one celebrating with his teammates after his team beat France on penalties in the World Cup.
Martinez, who had already saved two penalties in his side’s quarterfinal win against the Netherlands, was also named goalkeeper of the tournament after a string of impressive performances in Qatar.
He was brilliant on Sunday, producing a stunning save in the final moments of extra time when it looked certain that Randal Kolo Muani would score the winner.
Argentines campeón del mundo: how Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé broke the World Cup Final on Sunday
How could anything capture the sound in the stadium when Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy? Or the calmness with which Kylian Mbappé slotted a penalty to equalize in extra time?
I am a fan of the #FIFAWorldCup. The game is evil. Ryan Reynolds was a huge fan of Messi and he said that he loved it so much that he wanted to stop it.
“What a game man. If someone still doesn’t think this is the best sport ever…,” former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas tweeted as the players lined up to take penalties.
In Sunday’s final, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez showing his ability to distract the French takers, throwing the ball away before Aurélien Tchouaméni attempt, which flew wide. The previous attempt from France had been saved.
Telemundo’s commentator Andrés Cantor simply repeated: “Argentina es campeón del mundo” – Argentina is world champion – as he called the winning moment, hugging his co-commentator Claudio Borghi and his voice cracking with emotion.
“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after the match Sunday, according to Reuters.
Argentina won the World Cup in Guadalajara on Sunday. Argentina started the final match with a 2-0 lead over France, but Kylian Mbappé quickly changed the complexion of the game with two goals of his own. With minutes left, Argentina’s star player Lionel Messi broke the tie and scored another goal, and it seemed like Argentina once again had sealed their victory — until Mbappé, for only the second time in the history of the World Cup finals, completed a hat trick, scoring a third goal with a late penalty.
France’s Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne also tweeted, saying: “Thank you Les Bleus! Just before the end, we have been trembling with you all. Thank you for this journey, thank you for making us dream, thank you for this exceptional game.”
The game was 2-2 after 120 minutes before Montiel scored the winning penalty after the game had finished 3-3 after extra time.
But in the 80th minute, Mbappé sliced the Argentina lead in half with a penalty shot to make it 2-1. France had been quiet all match long. Quiet. Unsure. But then the game’s energy changed as France showed some life.
Messi looked sharp from the off, picking up pockets of space and instigating attacks, while Mbappé didn’t see much of the ball during the opening stages.
France looked different. In the first half, the coach replaced Dembélé and the French all-time leading scorer, Nicolas Anelka, with himself and another player.
But just when it looked like the trophy was heading to Argentina, France was handed a lifeline after Randal Kolo Muani was brought down in the box and talisman Mbappé, who was peripheral for much of the match, scored the resulting penalty in the 80th minute.
The statistics were clear. Losing the first game in group play is a must if you want to advance to the knockout round. Argentina won the group, kept winning and was able to advance.
The South Americans were not done. In the 36th minute, Argentina managed to dissect the French defense across midfield. With just two crisp passes, it was Di María creating the chances, again, streaking into the box with a shot lifted above diving French keeper Hugo Lloris. 2-0.
This is the French team everyone expected to see in the final. It was finally Messi vs. Mbappé. The 35-year-old, one of the best to ever play the game, takes on the young player who continues to add to his impressive soccer prowess.
A World Cup final with so much at stake only heightens the tension and drama when you have a penalty shoot out, which is unlike anything else in sports.
Lionel Messi’s unforgettable moment of history – winning a World Cup with Argentina in the semi-inclusive final at the LHC
Argentina won the World Cup. It’s Argentina’s third title and the first for Lionel Messi. The first time he can call himself a World Cup champion. It was his last chance. He has a resume that is full.
Croatia’s Joško Gvardiol and Morocco’s Achraf Dari scored goals early in the match. Mislav Ori scored to put Croatia ahead just before the half. Despite several attempts, Morocco was unable to score again.
It will be remembered for Messi’s incredible moment of history,Mbappé’s hat-trick and the game that never ceased to tug on the watchers’ emotions.
The pièce de resistance, a moment that will live long in the memory like an impressionistic masterpiece, is that iconic image of Messi – lifted aloft on his teammates’ shoulders – with the World Cup trophy finally in his hands.
The beautiful game of soccer was demonstrated over two hours by two players who were at different points in their careers.
One team was at the forefront of the pressure cooker atmosphere and had already emerged, while the other did not.
In the 35th minute, Messi made a great flick from the corner and Argentina did not have to worry about being held up by France.
After Messi’s deft touch to Julián Álvarez and the Manchester City forward’s excellently weighted pass to Mac Allister, who had continued his run, Argentina was in on goal.
After his penalty reduced the deficit to 2-1, a neat one-two with Marcus Thuram had the ball falling to the PSG star out of the sky on the edge of Argentina’s penalty area.
The First Soccer World Cup: 1986 Munich hat-trick for Lionel Messi’s world cup winning team, Maradona’s team, in Buenos Aires
Four years later, West Germany won the World Cup after upsetting Hungary, marking the country’s first title.
The first hat-trick in a World Cup final was scored in 1966 by England’sGeoff Hurst. Hurst’s second goal is still talked about 56 years later – had the ball crossed the line? It did, according to the officials of the game.
Four years later in Munich, host West Germany came from behind to win 2-1 against a star-studded Netherlands team – made up of Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens – to win its second World Cup.
Much like Messi at Qatar 2022, Diego Maradona almost single-handedly drove his team to its second title in eight years, beating West Germany 3-2 in the final.
In 1998, France hosted and won the first World Cup, which was mainly thanks to the genius of Zinedine Zidane, who scored twice in the final to beat a formidable Brazil side.
The gold trophy was hoisted on the tarmac by Lionel Messi’s team before they stepped off the plane, followed by reporters and a live band.
A large number of people poured onto the streets in Buenos Aires after the World Cup victory. Fans climbed on top of street poles to wave the Argentine flag as others on the ground danced, sang and chanted in celebration.
Hundreds of thousands of fans will be in the capital later on Tuesday for the victory parade, which has been declared a national holiday.
Crowds of supporters had camped out at the training site on Monday ahead of the team’s arrival, with photos showing fans spilling out of cars parked on its grounds. Some laid on blankets on the grass while others lounged on picnic chairs around coolers.
A Memorino: The First Soccer Goals of the World Cup Twenty-One-Year old Serbius and an Impact on Football
Those losses prompted Messi at one point to announce his retirement from international football – though the almost-unanimous national outcry convinced him to reverse track, before wining the Copa América in 2021.
“I am proud of the work they did,” he added, fighting back tears as he was embraced by his players. “I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country.”