FIFA World Cup 2022 – Qatar
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was a truly historic event, the first ever to be held in the Middle East and the Arab world. Hosted by Qatar, it was a tournament of firsts, defined by its compact nature, state-of-the-art stadiums, and a mid-season schedule. It was a competition filled with drama, stunning upsets, and the emotional culmination of Lionel Messi’s quest for the ultimate prize in football, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
Group Stage
Group A
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 |
 Senegal |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
 Ecuador |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
 Qatar |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 |
Match Results
- Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
- Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
- Qatar 1-3 Senegal
- Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
- Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
- Netherlands 2-0 Qatar
The host nation, Qatar, had a difficult campaign, becoming the first host to lose their opening match and the first to be eliminated after just two games. The Netherlands and Senegal, despite a close race, comfortably secured their spots in the next round.
Group B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 England |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 7 |
 United States |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 |
 Iran |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 3 |
 Wales |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
Match Results
- England 6-2 Iran
- United States 1-1 Wales
- Wales 0-2 Iran
- England 0-0 United States
- Wales 0-3 England
- Iran 0-1 United States
England’s dominant opening win over Iran set the stage for their group dominance. The USA’s 0-0 draw against England was a significant result, but it was their thrilling 1-0 win over Iran that sealed their spot in the knockout stage, leaving a strong-willed Iranian side eliminated.
Group C
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
 Poland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
 Mexico |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
 Saudi Arabia |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
Match Results
- Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
- Mexico 0-0 Poland
- Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
- Argentina 2-0 Mexico
- Poland 0-2 Argentina
- Saudi Arabia 1-2 Mexico
The biggest shock of the group stage was Argentina’s stunning 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. Despite this setback, Argentina recovered to top the group. Poland qualified for the knockout stage on goal difference, just ahead of Mexico, thanks to their disciplined defense in the final group match.
Group D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 France |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 |
 Australia |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 6 |
 Tunisia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Denmark |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
Match Results
- Denmark 0-0 Tunisia
- France 4-1 Australia
- Tunisia 0-1 Australia
- France 2-1 Denmark
- Australia 1-0 Denmark
- Tunisia 1-0 France
France, despite a surprising loss to Tunisia in their final match, topped the group. The real story was Australia’s impressive performance, winning two of their three matches to secure an unexpected spot in the knockout stage, while a heavily favored Denmark side was eliminated.
Group E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
 Spain |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 4 |
 Germany |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 |
 Costa Rica |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 3 |
Match Results
- Germany 1-2 Japan
- Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
- Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
- Spain 1-1 Germany
- Japan 2-1 Spain
- Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
This was arguably the most shocking group. Japan, despite losing to Costa Rica, stunned both Germany and Spain to top the group. Germany, a four-time champion, was eliminated on goal difference for the second consecutive World Cup, a stunning fall from grace.
Group F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Morocco |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 |
 Croatia |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 5 |
 Belgium |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 4 |
 Canada |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 |
Match Results
- Morocco 0-0 Croatia
- Belgium 1-0 Canada
- Belgium 0-2 Morocco
- Croatia 4-1 Canada
- Croatia 0-0 Belgium
- Canada 1-2 Morocco
The “Golden Generation” of Belgium, ranked #2 in the world, was shockingly eliminated after a goalless draw with Croatia. Morocco, on the other hand, topped the group with a heroic performance, winning two matches and setting the stage for a historic knockout stage run.
Group G
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 6 |
 Switzerland |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 |
 Cameroon |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
 Serbia |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 1 |
Match Results
- Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon
- Brazil 2-0 Serbia
- Cameroon 3-3 Serbia
- Brazil 1-0 Switzerland
- Serbia 2-3 Switzerland
- Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
Brazil topped the group, despite a shock loss to Cameroon in their final group match. Switzerland’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Serbia was the key result, securing their spot in the next round. The match between Cameroon and Serbia was a thrilling six-goal spectacle.
Group H
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Portugal |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 6 |
 South Korea |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
 Uruguay |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
 Ghana |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
Match Results
- Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
- Portugal 3-2 Ghana
- South Korea 2-3 Ghana
- Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
- Ghana 0-2 Uruguay
- South Korea 2-1 Portugal
This group provided a dramatic finish. South Korea, with a late winner against Portugal, qualified for the next round on goals scored, just ahead of Uruguay. This meant that the South American giants, despite beating Ghana 2-0, were eliminated in a heartbreaking turn of events.
Knockout Stage
Round of 16
▸
Netherlands 3-1 United States
Argentina 2-1 Australia
Japan 1-1 Croatia (Croatia wins 3-1 on penalties)
Brazil 4-1 South Korea
England 3-0 Senegal
France 3-1 Poland
Morocco 0-0 Spain (Morocco wins 3-0 on penalties)
Portugal 6-1 Switzerland
The Round of 16 was marked by the stunning elimination of Spain by a resilient Morocco side. The North African team’s disciplined defending and a brilliant goalkeeping display by Yassine Bounou saw them win on penalties. Another highlight was Portugal’s dominant victory over Switzerland, where Gonçalo Ramos, starting instead of Cristiano Ronaldo, scored a brilliant hat-trick.
Quarter-finals
▸
Croatia 1-1 Brazil (Croatia wins 4-2 on penalties)
Netherlands 2-2 Argentina (Argentina wins 4-3 on penalties)
Morocco 1-0 Portugal
England 1-2 France
The quarterfinals were filled with high drama. Morocco continued their fairytale run by defeating Portugal, becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. The match between Argentina and the Netherlands was a feisty affair, known as the “Battle of Lusail,” with a record number of yellow cards and a heated exchange between players after Argentina’s win on penalties.
Semi-finals
▸
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
France 2-0 Morocco
Argentina, led by an inspired Lionel Messi, put in a dominant performance to defeat Croatia and book their place in the final. France’s win over Morocco was a more difficult affair, but they eventually secured their place in a second consecutive final, ending Morocco’s historic run.
Third Place Play-off
▸
Match: Croatia vs. Morocco
Result: Croatia 2-1 Morocco
Croatia secured third place, a repeat of their 1998 success. Morocco’s fourth-place finish was a historic achievement for the nation and the African continent.
Final
▸
Match: Argentina vs. France
Result: Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina wins 4-2 on penalties)
This was a final for the ages, widely regarded as one of the greatest football matches ever played. Argentina seemed to have the game won with a 2-0 lead, but Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in quick succession to force extra time. Messi and Mbappé each scored in extra time, leading to a thrilling penalty shootout. Argentina’s win marked their third World Cup title and cemented Lionel Messi’s status as a footballing icon, finally lifting the trophy that had long eluded him.