Scaloni on cusp of joining Argentina coaching greats

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022

Scaloni on cusp of joining Argentina coaching greats

Doha: Lionel Scaloni is just one win away from joining the pantheon of all-time Argentina coaching greats alongside former FIFA World Cup winners Cesar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo.

Thrust into the hotseat on an interim basis in 2018 after Jorge Sampaoli's tempestuous reign ended, Scaloni, 44, has made the job his own - leading the Albiceleste to the brink of a third FIFA World Cup crown.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2939100.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2939102.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2939106.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2939108.html

Dembele says no room for sentiment for Messi

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022

Dembele says no room for sentiment for Messi

Doha: France star Ousmane Dembele has admitted he will have no room for sentiment for Lionel Messi in Sunday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final as the holders look to retain the trophy when they face Argentina.

The final represents the last chance for Messi, now 35, to win football's greatest prize - he has already suggested he will not play again at a FIFA World Cup.

Preview - Third Place Playoff: Croatia v Morocco

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022

Preview - Third Place Playoff: Croatia v Morocco

Doha: Morocco will not let their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-final disappointment derail their bid to finish the tournament on a high.

Morocco, defeated 2-0 by defending champions France in the semi-finals on Wednesday, face Croatia in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Croatia, equally disappointed after falling just short of a second consecutive appearance in the FIFA World Cup final, lost 3-0 to Argentina in their semi-final on Tuesday.

Social Wrap: Joy, despair and pride

Fri, 16 Dec, 2022

Social Wrap: Joy, despair and pride

Doha: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has reached its final weekend as Argentina and France get set to face off for the title on Sunday while Croatia and Morocco battle it out for third place a day earlier.

There was a mixture of emotions for those involved in the semi-final clashes with elation for the Argentines and the French and heartbreak for the Croatians and the Moroccans. 

And those feelings are reflected as the-AFC.com delves into the social media accounts of those involved. 

Semi-finals in Numbers

Thu, 15 Dec, 2022

Semi-finals in Numbers

Doha: After 62 matches at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the two finalists have been confirmed as Argentina get set to face defending champions France in the showpiece event at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

A Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina had few problems in brushing aside Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday before an early goal for the holders set them on their way to a hard-fought 2-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday. 

The-AFC.com highlights some of the stats and facts that stood out.

Qatar's Al Jassim to officiate third-place playoff

Fri, 16 Dec, 2022

Qatar's Al Jassim to officiate third-place playoff

Doha: Abdulrahman Al Jassim will be the referee for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 third-place playoff between Croatia and Morocco on Saturday.

Qatar's Al Jassim will be assisted by compatriots Taleb Al Marri and Saoud Ahmed Almaqaled at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

It will be the trio's second match at Qatar 2022, having officiated the Group B tie between the United States and Wales on November 21.