The Story of 2022: Messi’s Destiny, the Greatest Final Ever
The 22nd FIFA World Cup made history before a ball was kicked, becoming the first World Cup held in the Arab world and the first played in November and December rather than the traditional summer months. What followed in Qatar was a tournament of seismic upsets, historic breakthroughs, and a final so extraordinary that it may never be surpassed. At its heart was Lionel Messi, the greatest player of his generation, finally claiming the prize that had eluded him for so long.
A World Cup Like No Other
Qatar 2022 shattered conventions. The compact nature of the host country meant fans could attend multiple matches in a single day, creating an atmosphere unlike any previous tournament. Eight stadiums, seven of them newly constructed, hosted 64 matches over 29 days. An estimated 1.5 billion people watched the final, making it one of the most-viewed sporting events in history.
The tournament’s placement in the winter calendar disrupted domestic leagues worldwide but allowed play in temperatures far cooler than a Middle Eastern summer would have permitted. It was a World Cup of firsts: the first in the Arab world, the first with female referees, and ultimately, the first to produce what many consider the greatest final ever played.
The Group Stage Shocks
The tournament’s opening stages produced stunning upsets that upended the established order. Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 victory over Argentina in their first match sent shockwaves through the competition. Lionel Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot, but goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari turned the match on its head. The Saudi Arabian government declared a national holiday in celebration.
Japan twice came from behind to defeat both Germany and Spain, their late winners against each securing remarkable 2-1 victories. Germany, eliminated in consecutive World Cups at the group stage, went home in disgrace. Morocco topped their group with seven points, defeating Belgium and drawing with Croatia to announce their intentions.
Morocco’s Historic Run
No team captured the imagination of the neutral quite like Morocco. The Atlas Lions, managed by Walid Regragui, became the first African and first Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal, their achievement resonating across the entire region.
Their defensive organization was extraordinary. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was outstanding, while the backline marshaled by captain Romain Saiss proved almost impenetrable. In the Round of 16, they eliminated Spain on penalties, with Bounou saving three spot-kicks. The quarterfinal brought Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Youssef En-Nesyri’s towering header secured a 1-0 victory.
Morocco’s semifinal against France ended in defeat, goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani sealing a 2-0 win for the defending champions. But the Atlas Lions had achieved something remarkable, inspiring a continent and a region that had never before witnessed such success at football’s highest level. Their fourth-place finish remains the best by any African or Arab nation.
Messi’s Final Quest
Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia might have derailed lesser teams, but Lionel Scaloni’s squad responded with a ruthlessness that characterized their entire campaign. They won their next six matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding just once.
Messi was at the center of everything. At 35, playing in what he acknowledged would be his final World Cup, he produced performances of sublime quality. His assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands was a piece of genius, a weighted pass that seemed to defy physics. His penalty in the quarterfinal shootout, converted under immense pressure, demonstrated his mental strength.
But it was in the semifinal against Croatia that Messi reminded the world of his transcendent ability. His assist for Julian Alvarez’s second goal, gliding past Josko Gvardiol as if the Croatian defender wasn’t there, was the moment of the tournament. Argentina won 3-0, and Messi had reached his second World Cup final.
The Greatest Final
December 18, 2022. Lusail Stadium. Argentina versus France. What followed over 120 minutes of football was a drama so intense, so unpredictable, that it transcended sport.
Argentina dominated the first 80 minutes. Messi converted a penalty in the 23rd minute after Ousmane Dembele fouled Angel Di Maria. Di Maria then finished a sweeping counterattack to make it 2-0 before halftime. France, affected by a virus that had swept through their squad, looked listless. Didier Deschamps substituted Olivier Giroud and Dembele at halftime, but the malaise continued.
Then Kylian Mbappe awakened. In the 80th minute, he converted a penalty after Nicolas Otamendi fouled Randal Kolo Muani. Ninety-seven seconds later, he volleyed an extraordinary strike past Emiliano Martinez. In the space of two minutes, the final had been transformed. The match went to extra time.
Messi thought he had won it in the 109th minute, bundling home after Lloris had saved his initial shot. But with seconds remaining, Mbappe completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Gonzalo Montiel handled. The score was 3-3, and penalties beckoned.
Mbappe and Messi both converted their spot-kicks. Then France faltered. Kingsley Coman’s penalty was saved by Martinez, whose dancing on the line and mind games had unsettled every French taker. Aurelien Tchouameni missed the target entirely. When Montiel stepped up for Argentina’s fourth penalty, he needed to score to end it. The ball hit the net, and 36 years of Argentine anguish finally ended.
Messi lifted the trophy wearing a bisht, the traditional Arab robe presented by the Emir of Qatar. The image of him holding the trophy aloft, surrounded by teammates, became instantly iconic. He had joined Pele and Maradona in the pantheon of World Cup winners, the final piece of a career that had yielded every other honor in football.
Individual Brilliance
Mbappe’s eight goals earned him the Golden Boot, but his hat-trick in defeat was a bittersweet achievement. France became the first team in history to score three goals in a World Cup final and lose. Messi won the Golden Ball, becoming the first player to win the award twice, adding to his 2014 prize.
Emiliano Martinez claimed the Golden Glove with a series of outstanding performances and crucial saves. Enzo Fernandez, the elegant 21-year-old midfielder who had arrived relatively unknown, was named Best Young Player, his displays earning a world-record transfer to Chelsea within weeks.
The Tournament’s Legacy
Qatar 2022 produced 172 goals across 64 matches, the highest total in World Cup history at that point. The compact format worked, the winter timing was managed, and the football was spectacular. Critics of the selection process were not silenced, but the tournament itself delivered on the pitch.
For Argentina, it was vindication after decades of near-misses. For Messi, it was completion, the missing piece that ensured his legacy would never be questioned. For Morocco and the Arab world, it was a statement of arrival on football’s biggest stage.
And for everyone who witnessed that final in Lusail, it was a reminder of why football captivates billions: because sometimes, the game produces moments so dramatic, so emotionally overwhelming, that they become immortal.
Australia at the 2022 World Cup
The Socceroos’ 2022 World Cup campaign was the most successful Australian tournament since their breakthrough in 2006. Under coach Graham Arnold, Australia qualified via the inter-confederation playoff route, defeating Peru on penalties in Doha in June 2022 to secure their place. Drawn in Group D alongside reigning champions France, Denmark, and Tunisia, expectations were modest. What followed exceeded every prediction.
Group D Campaign
France 4-1 Australia (22 November, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)
Australia’s tournament began with a shock — of the positive kind. Craig Goodwin fired the Socceroos into a stunning ninth-minute lead with a powerful strike at the near post, silencing the French supporters and sending Australian fans into delirium. For a glorious few minutes, the unthinkable seemed possible.
But France, the defending world champions, possessed too much quality. Adrien Rabiot equalised with a header, then Olivier Giroud scored twice — the second making him France’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Thierry Henry. Kylian Mbappe added a fourth to complete the rout. Despite the heavy defeat, Goodwin’s goal gave Australia a moment to cherish.
Tunisia 0-1 Australia (26 November, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)
This was the match that changed everything. In a tense, scrappy encounter, Australia showed the defensive resilience and tactical discipline that Arnold had drilled into them throughout qualification. Mitchell Duke rose to head home a perfectly weighted cross in the 23rd minute, wheeling away in celebration before making a heart shape with his hands — a gesture to his son.
The Socceroos defended with extraordinary determination for the remaining 67 minutes. Harry Souttar was immense at centre-back, winning header after header. Mat Ryan made crucial saves. The entire team threw themselves into blocks and tackles. When the final whistle blew, it was Australia’s first World Cup victory since 2010, and it put them firmly in contention for the Round of 16.
Australia 1-0 Denmark (30 November, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)
The defining moment of Australia’s World Cup. A victory against Denmark would guarantee progression to the knockout rounds for only the second time in history. The tension was unbearable.
Denmark pressed from the outset, knowing they too needed a result. Australia absorbed the pressure, counter-attacked with purpose, and in the 60th minute, produced the goal that sent a nation into rapture. Mathew Leckie collected the ball on the right wing, cut inside past Joakim Maehle, and curled a magnificent left-foot shot into the far corner. It was a goal worthy of deciding any match, and Leckie’s celebration — sliding on his knees, face contorted with emotion — became one of the iconic images of the tournament.
Australia held on through 30 agonising minutes of Danish pressure. When the final whistle sounded, players collapsed to the turf in tears. Back in Australia, where fans had gathered in pubs and living rooms at 4 AM, the celebrations were euphoric. The Socceroos had qualified for the Round of 16 for only the second time in their history.
Round of 16: Argentina 2-1 Australia (3 December, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Australia’s reward was a match against Lionel Messi and Argentina in the Round of 16. Few gave the Socceroos a chance, but Graham Arnold’s team had already demonstrated they were capable of defying expectations.
Messi opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a trademark low finish, his 789th career goal, threading the ball through the legs of Harry Souttar and past Mat Ryan. Julian Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead in the 57th minute after a catastrophic error by Socceroos goalkeeper Ryan, whose clearance was charged down.
But Australia refused to surrender. In the 77th minute, Craig Goodwin’s strike deflected off Enzo Fernandez and looped into the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and igniting frantic Australian hopes of an equaliser. The Socceroos pushed forward with renewed energy, and Aziz Behich produced a sensational solo run in the 81st minute, dribbling past three Argentine defenders before his shot was blocked on the line by Lisandro Martinez in a last-ditch tackle.
It was agonisingly close, but Argentina held on. Messi later described the match as “tougher than we expected,” and the standing ovation the Socceroos received at the final whistle was testament to the respect they had earned.
Key Players and Legacy
Mathew Leckie delivered the defining moment of the campaign with his winner against Denmark. The experienced winger had been a mainstay of the squad for years, and his goal cemented his place in Australian football history.
Mitchell Duke scored the crucial winner against Tunisia and was a tireless presence up front. His emotional celebrations resonated with fans worldwide.
Harry Souttar was a revelation at centre-back, his aerial dominance and composure on the ball making him one of the standout defenders of the group stage.
Graham Arnold deserves enormous credit for the tactical setup and team spirit he cultivated. His 4-3-3 system was adaptable — sitting deep against France, pressing high against Tunisia and Denmark, and showing no fear against Argentina.
The 2022 World Cup campaign was a watershed moment for Australian football. Reaching the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006, defeating two opponents, and pushing Argentina close confirmed that Australia belonged at the highest level. It reignited public interest in football across the country and proved that the Socceroos could compete with the world’s best when preparation, belief, and tactical intelligence combined.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 6 |
| 3 | Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Denmark | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
Group Stage
Group A
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| 2 | Senegal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Qatar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
Group B
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 | Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | Wales | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
Group C
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Poland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
Group D
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 6 |
| 3 | Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Denmark | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
Group E
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Spain | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 3 | Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Costa Rica | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 3 |
Group F
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | Croatia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
| 4 | Canada | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 |
Group G
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Cameroon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Serbia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 1 |
Group H
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | South Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Ghana | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
Top Scorers - Golden Boot Race
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kylian Mbappe | France | 8 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 7 |
| 3 | Olivier Giroud | France | 4 |
| 4 | Julian Alvarez | Argentina | 4 |
| 5 | Enner Valencia | Ecuador | 3 |
| 6 | Bukayo Saka | England | 3 |
| 7 | Marcus Rashford | England | 3 |
| 8 | Cody Gakpo | Netherlands | 3 |
| 9 | Alvaro Morata | Spain | 3 |
| 10 | Richarlison | Brazil | 3 |
Tournament Awards
- Golden Ball: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- Silver Ball: Kylian Mbappe (France)
- Bronze Ball: Luka Modric (Croatia)
- Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe (France)
- Silver Boot: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- Bronze Boot: Olivier Giroud (France)
- Golden Glove: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
- Best Young Player: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
Did You Know?
- Goncalo Ramos scored 3 goals for Portugal in a single Round of 16 match at the 2022 World Cup
- Kylian Mbappe scored 3 goals in the 2022 World Cup final, becoming only the second player after Geoff Hurst (1966) to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final
- Japan vs Croatia went to penalties (1-3) in the 2022 World Cup round of 16
- Morocco vs Spain went to penalties (3-0) in the 2022 World Cup round of 16
- Croatia vs Brazil went to penalties (4-2) in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals
- Australia reached the Round of 16 for only the second time in their history
- Mathew Leckie’s goal against Denmark is considered one of the most important in Australian football history
Complete Match Results
Group Stage
| Date | Match | Score | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-11-20 | Qatar vs Ecuador | 0-2 | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 2022-11-21 | England vs Iran | 6-2 | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 2022-11-21 | Senegal vs Netherlands | 0-2 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 2022-11-21 | United States vs Wales | 1-1 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
| 2022-11-22 | Argentina vs Saudi Arabia | 1-2 | Lusail Stadium |
| 2022-11-22 | Denmark vs Tunisia | 0-0 | Education City Stadium |
| 2022-11-22 | Mexico vs Poland | 0-0 | Stadium 974 |
| 2022-11-22 | France vs Australia | 4-1 | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 2022-11-23 | Morocco vs Croatia | 0-0 | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 2022-11-23 | Germany vs Japan | 1-2 | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 2022-11-23 | Spain vs Costa Rica | 7-0 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 2022-11-23 | Belgium vs Canada | 1-0 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
| 2022-11-24 | Switzerland vs Cameroon | 1-0 | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 2022-11-24 | Uruguay vs South Korea | 0-0 | Education City Stadium |
| 2022-11-24 | Portugal vs Ghana | 3-2 | Stadium 974 |
| 2022-11-24 | Brazil vs Serbia | 2-0 | Lusail Stadium |
| 2022-11-25 | Wales vs Iran | 0-2 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
| 2022-11-25 | Qatar vs Senegal | 1-3 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 2022-11-25 | Netherlands vs Ecuador | 1-1 | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 2022-11-25 | England vs United States | 0-0 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Round of 16
| Date | Match | Score | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-03 | Netherlands vs United States | 3-1 | Khalifa International Stadium |
| 2022-12-03 | Argentina vs Australia | 2-1 | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
| 2022-12-04 | France vs Poland | 3-1 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 2022-12-04 | England vs Senegal | 3-0 | Al Bayt Stadium |
| 2022-12-05 | Japan vs Croatia | 1-1 (1-3 pen) | Al Janoub Stadium |
| 2022-12-05 | Brazil vs South Korea | 4-1 | Stadium 974 |
| 2022-12-06 | Morocco vs Spain | 0-0 (3-0 pen) | Education City Stadium |
| 2022-12-06 | Portugal vs Switzerland | 6-1 | Lusail Stadium |
Quarter-Finals
| Date | Match | Score | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-09 | Croatia vs Brazil | 1-1 (4-2 pen) | Education City Stadium |
| 2022-12-09 | Netherlands vs Argentina | 2-2 (3-4 pen) | Lusail Stadium |
| 2022-12-10 | Morocco vs Portugal | 1-0 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| 2022-12-10 | England vs France | 1-2 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Semi-Finals
| Date | Match | Score | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-13 | Argentina vs Croatia | 3-0 | Lusail Stadium |
| 2022-12-14 | France vs Morocco | 2-0 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Third-Place Match
| Date | Match | Score | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-17 | Croatia vs Morocco | 2-1 | Khalifa International Stadium |
Final
| Date | Match | Score | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-12-18 | Argentina vs France | 3-3 (4-2 pen) | Lusail Stadium |
Tournament Statistics Summary
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Attendance | 3,404,252 |
| Average Attendance | 53,191 |
| Total Goals | 172 |
| Goals per Match | 2.69 |
| Matches Played | 64 |
| Teams | 32 |
| Yellow Cards | 229 |
| Red Cards | 4 |
| Penalty Shootouts | 4 |
| VAR Decisions | 23 |
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- 2018 World Cup - Previous tournament
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