'We're world champions' cries joyous Messi

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

'We're world champions' cries joyous Messi

Lusail: Lionel Messi saluted the Argentina fans in Doha's Lusail Stadium on Sunday after helping inspire his country to their first FIFA World Cup victory in 36 years.

"We're champions of the world!" exclaimed Messi on the stadium microphone after his two goals and successful shootout spot-kick helped Argentina to the Qatar 2022 title.

Messi inspires Argentina past France for third title

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Messi inspires Argentina past France for third title

Lusail: Lionel Messi crowned his glittering career with victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Sunday as Argentina beat France on penalties in a final for the ages, triumphing 4-2 after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick ensured the game ended level following extra time.

Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the deciding penalty to give Argentina their third FIFA World Cup and prevent France becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

But a truly remarkable game saw Messi and Mbappe both live up to their billing, with Messi scoring twice and Mbappe becoming the first player since England's Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a FIFA World Cup final hat-trick in a game that ended 3-3 after extra time.

Messi wins Golden Ball

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Messi wins Golden Ball

Lusail: Lionel Messi on Sunday won the Golden Ball for the best player at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after leading Argentina to victory in the final against France.

Messi scored twice in the final in Doha, taking his tally of goals at the tournament to seven, and also scored in the shoot-out as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time.

'It's our destiny,' says goalkeeper Martinez

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

'It's our destiny,' says goalkeeper Martinez

Lusail: Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said it was "destiny" to win the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after starring in the nail-biting penalty shootout victory over France in Sunday's final.

Martinez, 30, saved from Kingsley Coman in the shootout to help Argentina to a 4-2 win after the thrilling final ended 3-3 in extra-time.

Heartbreak for Lloris after final 'boxing match'

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Heartbreak for Lloris after final 'boxing match'

Lusail: France captain Hugo Lloris admitted Sunday's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina was "cruel" and likened the pulsating showpiece to a "boxing match".

Argentina triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the final ended 3-3 in extra time.

Hurst hails Mbappe on joining hat-trick club

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Hurst hails Mbappe on joining hat-trick club

London: Geoff Hurst said he had enjoyed a "good run" after France's Kylian Mbappe became just the second player after the England great to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup final.

Hurst had stood alone for 56 years as the only player to score three goals in the showpiece match, with his treble central to England's 4-2 extra-time win over the then West Germany at Wembley in 1966.

But his feat was equalled on Sunday when Mbappe's treble helped France fight back from 2-0 down and then 3-2 behind at the Lusail Stadium as the final finished level at 3-3 after extra-time before Argentina prevailed in a penalty shoot-out that capped a dramatic match.

Modric sets sights on Nations League title

Sun, 18 Dec, 2022

Modric sets sights on Nations League title

Doha: Luka Modric led Croatia to the bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Saturday and revealed he will extend his international career into 2023 in an attempt to win the Nations League.

The 37-year-old won his 162nd cap in the 2-1 win over Morocco, four years after helping his country to the FIFA World Cup runners-up spot behind France.

Croatia will now attempt to win the Nations League title next June in the four-team Finals also featuring Netherlands, Italy and Spain.

African team to win World Cup in '15-20 years', says Regragui

Sun, 18 Dec, 2022

African team to win World Cup in '15-20 years', says Regragui

Doha: Morocco head coach Walid Regragui said he believes an African team will win the  FIFA World Cup in the next "15 to 20 years" after his team finished fourth in Qatar 2022.

The Atlas Lions, who became the first African FIFA World Cup semi-finalists in history, lost Saturday's third place playoff 2-1 against 2018 runners-up Croatia but captured the imagination in Qatar.