Qatar had the honour of hosting the first ever world cup on middle eastern shores this November as well as the first ever in a northern hemisphere’s winter. It had been 20 years since a non European team had won the cup. On that occasion also in Asia, Brazil won. Could the hosts match up in hospitality ?

In 1986, Argentina had become world champions again on the two feet of the world’s best footballer and arguably of all time – Diego Armando Maradona. It was a dream run.His goals were incredible and unbelievable in that and every footballing era even to this day. Sadly 2022 World Cup was the first world cup since his death. Could the drought end ?

Coming into this years cup, Argentina’s unbeaten run was amazing.It stood at 36 games. They were ranked in the top 3. Brazil and France could only defy them on paper as pre world cup favourites. La Albaceleste had always a great following and thousands of miles away from Plaza de Mayo, Beonus Aires where their home fan base accumulated for the national games, they had plenty of voices cheering them on.For one Lionel Messi , it was a medal that had always eluded him.

Their road wasn’t easy as first up the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia got them on the ropes. Within minutes in the second half first Saleh Al Shehri and then an absolute cracker by Salem Al Dowsari that could only be defined by the arabic commentary ” Innaha Junoonia” – Its insanity ! The brace had ripple effects not only in Beonus Aires but in Doha and in Riyadh where a national holiday was marked as Saudi Arabia priduced the biggest win of its footballing history ! 2-1 vs Argentina ! Losail went into pandemonium !      

How does one react after that? They were dazed. Messi and his men next met Mexico and till long periods didn’t look like in any hurry.This time they cracked the second half better. Messi first and then the emerging player of the tourney, Enzo Fernandez nailed the three points. Poland were up next and by this time Argentines were discovering their suave. They throughly dominated the Poles. 2-0 looked euphemistic. How Poles survived that entourage to make it to last 16 was also an enigma .

Though Australia in the last 16 scored a late goal, Messi and Julian Alvarez’s strikes were too much to overcome.Argentina found themselves against one of their great rivals, Netherlands in the quarters. They started well and by the time Messi launched another penalty to make it to 2-0, only 17 minutes remained. However the super sub Wout Weghorst pinched two goals, the second off the last kick of the regulation to force extra time.Argentina held their nerve in the spot kicks. Emmy Martinez held through.

Coming into the last four was something Argentina had last done in 2014. the year they lost in an extra time final.This time there were no penalty kicks to force as they were throughly in control.Typically a Messi penalty gave them a lead. Julian Alvarez had two more to add in second and they were off to Losail again for another final.At least there was no Germany this time.They had lost their last two to them in 1990 and 2014.

As expected, France had prevailed from the other end, taking apart Poland 3-1, England 2-1 and the surprise package of the tourney , Morocco 2-0 in semis.The Atlas Lions were the toast of Qatar with wins over Belgium, Spain in the last 16 and Portugal in the quarters.Salma Rachid would sing all night until the next world cup now I guess. Qatar and the Arab world was all painted in red of “Al Maghrebia “. The French would finally get the better of them opening their defence devoid of key players and in a slow winding semifinal that they are used to pick their chances to plot the win. “Asood al Atlas” won many hearts though !  

The Final was essentially everything minus France for 81 minutes.Argentina totally dominated (Messi had scored on a doubtful penalty but Angel Di Maria’ s presence showed in the super second )and were 2-0 en route what looked like an easy win until a careless penalty was conceded. Kylian Mbappe the leading scorer with Messi until now , scored off the spot and within a minute nailed a finish to make it 2-2.Argentina stood stunned, the earth taken beneath their feet. Game on !

What ensued next was a thriller. Messi gave Argentines another lead in the extra time only for Mbappe to come back via another spot kick. He had scored a hat trick, the first since Geoff Hurst in a World Cup final. Messi had scored in every round , the first since Jairzinho in 1970. He had broken the appearance record as well for world cups and scored 13 goals. It was the first final ever with a 3-3 scoreline. Penalty kicks again.

Enter Emmy Martinez- he saved off Kingsley Coman and Aurelian Tchouameni hit wide. Argentina went perfect with Gonzalo Monteil netting the winning kick. Emmy won the Golden Glove as a despondent Kylian Mbappe landed the Golden Boot.For all his efforts and in a bid to re live Diego in 1986, Lionel Messi finally won the gold medal and in doing so also won the Golden Ball again. Argentina were champs for the third time after 36years in waiting.   

Qatar welcomed the world in high spirits and pitched the perfect World Cup. The ceremonies were traditional .The organisation was world class and so was the football. One didn’t have to travel much. There were many great goals to re live and Laeeb was superb as well.They had sailed through with flying colours despite the national team not making it to the playoffs. Qatar welcomed the world in high spirits and pitched the perfect World Cup. The ceremonies were traditional .The organisation was world class and so was the football. One didn’t have to travel much. There were many great goals to re live and Laeeb was superb as well.They had sailed through with flying colours despite the national team not making it to the playoffs. Shukran ya Qatar !