DOHA, Dec 17 (Reuters) – Qatar’s World Cup has provided a huge soccer feast for the past month, with surprises, big goals, spectacular celebrations and record-breaking performances by the those who have gathered.
Here are the 10 points selected by the Reuters team of journalists who report on the competition.
SAUDI ARABIA STUN ARGENTINA
Argentina won their first Group C match after Lionel Messi conceded a penalty in the first half. But the Green Falcons got going after half-time with Saleh Al-Shehri hitting a low shot to equalise, and five minutes later Salem Al-Dawsari curled in a hot second to break away. in Argentina in disbelief with Saudi fans chanting ‘where is Messi?’.
THE FUTURE OF KOREAN
When Hwang Hee-chan scored in stoppage time for South Korea in their final Group H game the hard part began. The Korean players spent nearly 10 minutes in pain in the middle circle watching the phone, hoping Uruguay wouldn’t score against Ghana. Finally, with a place in the last-16, they run into their treacherous rivals.
MAGICAL MESSI BAMBOOZLES CROATIAN GVARDIOL
Such is the impact of the 10th Argentine in Qatar that the seven-time Ballon d’or winner can have many entries on the memorable list. But his stoppage of Croatia’s blindfolded defender Josko Gvardiol, and then his stunning volley to set up the third goal in a 3-0 semi-final win, included the genius of the 35-year-old.
RONALDO EXITS WORLD CUP IN TEARS
The Portuguese striker became the first male player to score in five World Cups with a brace against Ghana. But the 37-year-old was left behind in the starting line-up and after failing to revive his side after coming from behind in the quarter-final against Morocco, she was pictured walking down the tunnel in a flood of tears.
THE FIRST WOMAN GOALKEEPER AT THE MEN’S WORLD CUP
Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart took charge of Germany’s final Group E match against Costa Rica, becoming the first female referee to take charge at a men’s World Cup.
Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez said there was a big way forward in a ‘sexist sport’ and 39-year-old Frappart produced a calm and composed display in Germany’s victory.
JAPAN WAS ALSO ASKED TO CONSIDER GERMANY
Ahead of the Group E opener, German players covered their mouths to protest FIFA’s threat of sanctions for wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband.
At the final whistle they were kept busy after Ritsu Doan and Japan’s Takuma Asano scored in a 2-1 win for the Samurai Blue who were cheered by fans before littering the stadium.
MOROCCO COUNTRIES
Thousands of them descended on the Arabian Gulf to rumble the Atlas Lions and pay dearly as Morocco became the first African and Arab country to reach the finals.
The frenzy created by thousands of red-clad fans in the stadiums reached a fever pitch as Spain lost on penalties in the last 16 and Portugal in the quarter-finals during Thanksgiving. many whistles were blown to all the enemy’s forts in the defense of Morocco. their lead 1-0.
LAST WORKING GROUP
A group that started with Germany losing to Japan and Spain seven goals ahead of Costa Rica ended on a tumultuous night that almost changed the world of football.
Germany needed wins against Costa Rica and Spain to beat Japan to move into second place, and at halftime, that’s exactly what happened. And then everything went crazy.
Japan scored two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half, Costa Rica turned their game against Germany to take the lead, and for four minutes the live scoreboard showed Japan and Costa Rica in first place and in second place Spain and Germany will go home.
Germany won 4-2 to rescue Spain, even as they flew home the next day.
MBAPPE KILLED POLAND
Kylian Mbappe has enhanced his reputation as one of the best players in the world in Qatar, and the Frenchman was unable to play in the last 16 against Poland.
He first set up Olivier Giroud to open the scoring and then took it into his own hands with two superb finishes to seal a 3-0 win. The speed clock was 35.3kph during the game.
THE ABOUBAKAR OF CAMEROON ENTERED, PRAYED, THEN LET IT GO
The manic group stage ended in comic relief when Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar scored a stoppage-time winner against a qualified Brazil, had his shirt removed and was shown a second yellow card. an offended referee shook the player’s hand.
Commentary by Martyn Herman Editing by Christian Radnedge
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