21 World Cup things we loved this weekend: Messi, Xhaka, Van Gaal…
The 2022 World Cup has become an increasingly thrilling tournament as we enter the knockout rounds and we’ve picked out the moments that we absolutely loved over the weekend.
Friday was the last day of the group stages and the world united in laughter as Luis Suarez and Uruguay were eliminated in hilariously cruel circumstances. At least they took it well…
And, while the first four knockout ties went to the form book, there were plenty of thrills and spills along the way. We cannot wait to see the quarter-final ties between Netherlands and Argentina followed by an Anglo-French derby.
But, for now, why not feast your eyes upon 21 of the things we adored this weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino
Poch reacted delightfully to Son Heung-min’s winner against Portugal.
Poch reacting to that Sonny run and assist 🇰🇷💙pic.twitter.com/8xXBoXURRW
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) December 2, 2022
Vincent Aboubakar
An absolutely 10/10 way to exit the World Cup.
Vincent Aboubakar! 🙌🇨🇲
✅ Get the winner against Brazil in injury time
✅ Get a red card for taking your shirt off to celebrate#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/YAkGaNtKqK— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 2, 2022
Granit Xhaka
Switzerland’s win over Serbia was feisty and Xhaka made it his playground.
Granit Xhaka the absolute legend. The entire Serb bench RATTLED
Ta q** nonen pic.twitter.com/QEfCjxyyK8
— Kurt (@kxrtois) December 2, 2022
Patrice Evra
He doesn’t forget.
El like de Patrice Evra 👀 pic.twitter.com/ljLt9tt78B
— Futbol de Inglaterra (@Mercado_Ingles) December 2, 2022
Edinson Cavani
Living out the fantasy of thousands of football fans.
Lo mejor de Cavani en el mundial pic.twitter.com/7LrpK4qWbN
— Mr.Baru (@crearOreventar) December 2, 2022
Korean commentary
Chills.
Van Gaal’s Netherlands
Total football.
One of the goals of the tournament… 💫
Total football, you say? 🔥#NED #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Z88h9ZmPRs
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 3, 2022
Daley Blind
Father and son celebrated as the Dutch swept the USMNT aside.
👨👦 Dad and lad!
Daley Blind ran to his dad (and Netherlands assistant coach) Danny when he scored.
❤️ What a lovely moment!#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/n3uOl7f9so
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 3, 2022
Louis van Gaal
Dancing like a Punjabi uncle at a wedding.
Wait for Louis van Gaal. It’s worth it. pic.twitter.com/6dEYxoaKgM
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) December 4, 2022
Lionel Messi
Sheer genius.
This would have been something else 🤯
Lionel Messi almost scores his second of the night as he picks up the ball on the halfway line with his back to goal 🔥
Vintage 🤤#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/nbMyG2GH6V
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 3, 2022
Messi’s performance
Jesus.
Lionel Messi's game by numbers vs. Australia:
90% pass accuracy
58 passes
10 passes into final ⅓
9 touches in opp. box (most)
6 shots (most)
4 chances created (most)
2 Big Chances created (most)
2 shots on target
2 fouls won
1 tackle made
1 goalWow. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ugyJhTXZLR
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 3, 2022
Emiliano Martinez
This was certainly worth celebrating.
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) December 4, 2022
Aziz Behich
So close to one of the best World Cup goals. Ever.
Behich almost took a trick out of Messi's book with this winding run tonight… 👀🇦🇺#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/LtcVZLVDP6
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 3, 2022
Messi’s family
A heart-warming moment after Argentina’s narrow win.
Messi watching his family react to his goal vs Australia is the best thing you’ll see today pic.twitter.com/tinvlV71X0
— R 🇦🇷 (@Lionel30i) December 3, 2022
Peter Drury
Of course Drury rose to the occasion on Saturday night. He always does…
“A thousand games and still, he excels. There’ll never be another like him… so enjoy him whilst he’s STILL here”…
– Peter Drury on Leo Messi 🇦🇷🐐
— Sara 🦋 (@SaraFCBi) December 4, 2022
Olivier Giroud
Should’ve let it stand ref.
Giroud robbed of a WORLDIE. What a f*cking finish 🤯 pic.twitter.com/eaP3eAB1u8
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) December 4, 2022
Jules Kounde
Pretty cool.
Jules Kounde really said drip first 💫 pic.twitter.com/FjwESnDTyD
— GOAL (@goal) December 4, 2022
Kylian Mbappe and Giroud
The golden couple of the French nation right now.
Find someone who looks at you the way Mbappé looks at Giroud 😍 pic.twitter.com/hV1bRPODuA
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 4, 2022
Jordan Pickford
This save, while the game was still goalless, was crucial for England.
Senegal really are knocking on the door at this point! 🇸🇳
The west African side have had the two best chances of the game so far… 👀#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/KUWFTHgpNW
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 4, 2022
Roy Keane
Blimey.
"Will these players be fearful of France? Absolutely not!" 👀
Roy Keane is lost for words over England's wealth of young stars! 🤩#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/XEzQs0ulXE
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 4, 2022
Gabriel Clarke
Nobody’s better than ITV’s pitchside reporter.
Gabriel Clarke could narrate footage of me putting the bins out and it'd sound like I'd overcome insurmountable difficulties to face my date with destiny
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) December 4, 2022
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