50 things that we loved about the 2022 World Cup: Messi, Morocco…

Quick Reads
Lionel Messi holds the World Cup aloft after the 2022 final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium, Doha, Qatar, December 2022.

The 2022 World Cup is over and we’re only just starting to recover from the stunning final between Argentina and France – but there was plenty of other stuff to love about the tournament.

This year’s edition of the World Cup saw the most goals ever scored in a single tournament (172), the first African semi-finalist (Morocco) and the footballing world rejoiced as Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the trophy he coveted the most.

We’ve collected together 50 things we loved the most about this year’s World Cup.

Iran

The Iran players refused to sing their national anthem before the England game in protest against their barbaric government and we cannot commend their bravery enough.

Souness v Keane

You can see Laura Woods and Joe Cole grabbing the popcorn while these two scrap it out on live television.

Herve Renard

No wonder the Saudis were inspired to beat Argentina after this team talk.

Saudi Arabian celebration

These Saudi supporters thoroughly enjoyed their big moment.

Andreas Cornelius

Denmark were crap at this World Cup but at least they gifted us this hall-of-famer miss.

Selim Amallah

The kind of defending that got Morocco to the semi-finals.

Germany’s protest

Some things are bigger than football.

Antonio Rudiger

Definitely the sort of thing that wouldn’t backfire on the Germany defender…

Japan fans littering the stadium

Disgraceful scenes (Disclaimer: obviously not disgraceful).

Gavi

Spain were excellent for precisely one match and Gavi scored the pick of their seven goals against Costa Rica.

Vincent Kompany

Kompany was asked if he’d take the newly-available Cristiano Ronaldo at Burnley and he responded with this glorious two-footer.

Inaki Williams vs. Portugal

One slip away from the funniest goal ever scored at a World Cup.

Richarlison v Serbia

The Brazil striker bought Samba magic to the World Cup.

Wayne Hennessey’s red

If anything, Hennessey’s education about the Nazis has gone too well.

Sky News

They had a complete shocker after Wales lost to Iran.

Luis Enrique on Twitch

Give this man an Oscar.

Wojciech Szczesny

Surely the most impressive save of this year’s World Cup.

These Mexican fans

Better luck next time, lads.

Enzo Fernandez

The best young player of Qatar 2022 putting the seal on Argentina’s tournament-saving win over Mexico.

Atiba Hutchinson

What on earth was going on here?

Cameroon 3-3 Serbia

A glorious mess of a group stage match, capped by the coolest scoop from Vincent Aboubakar.

This Ghana coach

Full marks for cheekiness.

Ismaila Sarr

Cooler than the other side of the pillow.

Australian limbs

Who said the Aussies didn’t love football?

Luis Chavez

One of the best free-kicks seen at any World Cup.

Those mental four minutes

The conclusion of Group E was the World Cup at its most bonkers.

Uruguay kicking off

A perfect example of taking defeat with dignity from world football’s biggest sh*thouses.

Granit Xhaka

Xhaka used all his experience to make the simmering cauldron of Serbia-Switzerland boil over.

Vincent Aboubakar

Scored the goal of his dreams and got sent off straight after; we don’t think Aboubakar would have given a solitary sh*t though.

Louis van Gaal’s dancing

What a man.

Aziz Behich

Only a stupendous block from Lisandro Martinez denied the Australian from scoring the best goal of any World Cup.

Bukayo Saka’s spelling bee

To be fair to Jack Grealish, ‘rhythm’ is a tricky word to spell under pressure.

This guy

The face of England’s World Cup.

This Brazil goal

Probably the best team goal at the finals – with a celebration to match.

Desalination plant

Another Ally McCoist gem.

Achraf Hakimi

Scoring a Panenka to defeat the country of your birth is one thing, celebrating it with this little dance is elite.

Roy Keane scoring against Micah Richards

It looked like an own goal to us but we’re not about to take this one away from Roy.

Croatian celebrations

This guy knew just how to savour scoring against Brazil.

This Messi assist

We cannot conceive how Messi saw this pass, let alone executed it.

Wout Weghorst

This strike gave us all goosebumps.

Jawad El Yamiq

The perfect way to send Pepe and Portugal home.

Moroccan players and their mums

No, you’re crying.

Dave the cat

At least he’s coming home.

ITV pundits vs. Peter Walton

‘Let’s bring in Peter Walton. Let’s ignore Peter Walton’.

Messi ragdolling Gvardiol

Never mind mate, there’s a queue of clubs willing to pay Β£100million for your services.

Angel Di Maria

A ridiculous goal in the biggest match of them all.

Kylian Mbappe

We were all on our feet when this went in.

Ally McCoist

Even during the best World Cup final ever, McCoist couldn’t resist a dig at the English.

The moment of glory

Simply perfect.

Emiliano Martinez

Arguably the defining moment of the entire World Cup.


READ MORE:Β A totally unscientific ranking of our favourite WC teams from least to most

TRY A QUIZ:Β Can you name every single player to score 10+ World Cup goals?

Lionel Messi World Cup