The FIFA World Cup happens every 4 years in different parts of the world. This year 2022 the World Cup was hosted in Qatar. Every year the stadiums are full of fans and many people watch them on television. I still remember my 9th grade year watching the World Cup on my chromebook during classes. These are the top 5 moments that hold the most emotions.

Who’s gonna be the winner?

This moment was the final match between Argentina and France on December 18, 2022. The score was tied 3-3 going into penalties, Argentina winning 4-2 in penalties. Lionel Messi called himself a World Cup Champ in what could possibly be his last World Cup. Russell Lewis stated “It was finally Messi vs. Mbappé. The 35 year old, one of the finest to ever play the game, against the 23 year old, who continues to add to his impressive soccer pedigree” (Lewis). Having Mbappe who’s 10 years younger than Messi accomplishing more than Messi has in his whole career strikes as competition. They are both competing for that 2022 World Cup trophy. While Mbappé has already led France to a victory in the 2018 World Cup. Messi on the other hand had never won a single World Cup and according to Messi this is his last World Cup and was hoping to take the trophy home and he did. According to FIFA they both “headed into the showpiece match neck and neck for the adidas Golden Boot, but only one could come out on top” (Seven Moments to Remember from Qatar). It was a very intense game as Argentina took the lead 1-0 then 2-0. Mbappé was showing no action for the first 45 minutes of the match until he scored 3 goals back to back moving France to the lead 3-2. This was a huge moment as it was looking like France was going to win the World Cup two times in a row. However, Argentina then scored the tying goal, moving them into overtime. Going into penalties is not just stressful but hectic as you only have one chance to make the goal. Hearing the crowd and knowing it all depends on you can be hard. While watching the game on TV I could hear the crowd through the TV. The final match of the world cup is as huge as the superbowl. You might not keep up with all the games but many end up watching the final match just like the superbowl. At the end of the day some might see it as just a game but others it means a lot to win.

First time using female referees

As a female, I’ve always heard that men are better than women, especially when it comes to sports. Even though there is female soccer, men are shown more than females. Suggesting that men are valued more than women. 

Soccer is a very competitive sport and sometimes it’s hard to see every little thing as a referee. Tom Goldman agrees that there’s always grumbling about referees, calls they made or didn’t make – “no way was that offside, that wasn’t a foul, or are you blind” (Goldman). This was happening when referees were only men. Now imagine the crowd when females are now refereeing. Stéphanie Frappart, a french referee, was the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match and made history in this tournament. In an interview she tells CNN Sport “It’s amazing, not only for me, but also for my family and also for the French referees” (Woodyatt). The decision of having females referee male matches was made by FIFA the creator of the World Cup. This decision to use women referees happened in a country with restrictive women’s rights (Goldman). This movement made women feel more powerful and made them feel like they had a space in this sport. This inspires me especially as a female. 

Messi or Ronaldo?

There’s a lot of controversy over who’s the better player. An online football news website GOAL notes that the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate “is the biggest conundrum in football since the ‘Diego Maradona or Pele?’ debate” (Who Is the GOAT in Football?). These are 2 of the most popular soccer players in the soccer industry in a sporting rivalry created by the media and fans for their similar records and performance. Fans have become so attached to these players that they have taken every success personal. To the point it feels like they accomplished something with them. In this World Cup they did not play against each other. So the only way the “best” player was going to be determined was by who wins the World Cup. Personally I think Messi is better but everyone has a different opinion. However, let me show you some stats on these 2 players. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a total of 775 club goals and Lionel Messi scored a total of 738 club goals all the way from the 2002 season till the 2024 season. Messi won a total of 30 titles in his career and Ronaldo won 22 titles. Messi winning La Liga 10 times with Barcelona and Ligue 1 twice with PSG. Ronaldo scored 140 goals in the Champions League, 11 more goals than Messi. When it comes to the World Cup neither had won the competition until Argentina took the victory in 2022 (Who Is the GOAT in Football?). After a brief summary of their stats, what team are you? Team Ronaldo or Team Messi?

Ronaldo walking off the field in tears

I will admit Ronaldo is a very great player even though I’m team Messi, but seeing him leave the field in tears warms my heart. This World Cup was the end of an era for many players. Tom Goldman stated that it may be the last World Cup we see “Messi wearing an Argentina uniform or Ronaldo donning one for Portugal or Luka Modrić sporting the red and white checkerboard for Croatia” (Goldman). We also can’t forget my favorite goalkeeper of all time Guillermo Ochoa from the Mexico International team. He will also not be returning for the next World Cup. However, this moment made it to my list because after Portugal lost to Morocco it eliminated Portugal from the World Cup. Ronaldo’s dream of winning a World Cup Title came to an end. He broke down in tears while being escorted off the field into the locker rooms. All cameras were on him so everyone in the stadium could see this moment and those watching online. Amy Woodyatt noted that this World Cup “will stay in the collective memory as a tournament of upsets” (Woodyatt). This moment is a great example showing that it’s not just a game. I’ve seen seniors in high school cry after their final match in soccer, basketball, or football. Many athletes can relate to this moment especially when their season ends over a loss.  

Morocco makes history

This year, Morocco’s Atlas Lions ripped up the history books by becoming the first African country to reach the final four of the tournament (Woodyatt). Morocco won its first World Cup match since 1998 against Spain. They also won the match against Portugal, the game that took out Ronaldo from the competition. Daniel Rouse noted that “people were still sleeping on Morocco, but that wasn’t the case after its round of 16 dismissal of Spain” (Rouse). Morocco was known as the “underdogs” so making history and beating one of the most known teams was really exciting to have the crowd cheering for them and making their country proud. Many have experienced this type of moment where it changes everything around. Making the impossible seem possible. They finally had hope and something to look forward to.  Morocco was also known to have the most heartwarming post-match celebrations in the whole World Cup. This World Cup changed a lot for a lot of different people. What next moves will Morocco make in the next World Cup? Could they be the next champions?

Honorable Mentions:

Déjà vu delight for Japan: Japan mounted a second half comeback against Germany where Hajime Moriyasu’s side recovered from being a goal down by hitting a quick-fire double to sink their star studded opponents, before doing the exact same to Spain. 

Messi and Mbappe trade blows in epic final: Messi then appeared to have won it when he prodded home a loose ball in the 108th minute, but Mbappe picked himself up off the canvas to tuck home another penalty. 

Germany players protest: Germany players covered their mouths before their opening match against Japan in response to FIFA’s controversial clampdown on rainbow armbands. “Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice”.

Lewy gets his goal: Lewy’s relief in getting his first World Cup goal was clear as he cried while saluting the Polish fans. He’s the second-highest goalscorer in Poland’s history. 

Captain America puts his body on the line: Christian Pulisic needed to be brave to finish the goal before colliding with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, and the bump condemned him to muted celebrations of the eventual 1-0 victory from a hospital bed.