National Teams

Emiliano Martínez shimmies, saves and secures Argentina’s World Cup with vital saves at the end

Emiliano Martínez didn’t have a single shot come toward his goal until the 71st minute. From that moment on he became one of the key figures in Argentina’s 4-2 penalty shootout victory vs. France in the World Cup final after the game finished 3-3 at the end of extra time.

Martínez was one of the most polarizing characters at the 2022 World Cup. His haters despise him for his gamesmanship, taunting and excessive celebratory body gyrations. Martínez’s critics have one other thing to deal with: he’s a DAMN good goalkeeper.

The GOAT: Messi delivers World Cup to Argentina with defining performance in final

It was Lionel Messi's World Cup. With almost 80 minutes gone in Sunday's final and Argentina leading 2-0, the 35-year-old looked destined to lift the trophy while capturing both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball — a clean sweep of everything on the GOAT's World Cup swan song.

Then, in 97 seconds of Kylian Mbappé-inspired madness over the 80th and 81st minutes, France pulled level with Messi's PSG teammate scoring from the spot before unleashing a 15-yard side-volley for the equalizer. 

Messi cumple su sueño y Argentina es campeón del mundo

Lionel Messi consiguió su sueño: ser campeón del mundo.

El "10" lideró a Argentina ante Francia en la final de Catar 2022, acaso la mejor final en la historia de los mundiales.

Y no es exageración. 

El partido tuvo polémica, una remontada increíble, tiempos extras lleno de suspenso y una definición desde los 12 pasos que dejó a más de 3.500 millones de personas – si creemos las proyecciones de la FIFA – con el corazón en la boca.

World Cup final starting XIs: Ángel Di María makes surprise start for Argentina

LUSAIL, Qatar - Ángel Di María is starting for Argentina in their World Cup final clash against France as coach Lionel Scaloni opted for a 4-3-3 formation on Sunday.

Di María, who has not started since the group phase and played only eight minutes in the quarterfinal victory against the Netherlands, is on the right flank of attack, with Lionel Messi set to become the player with most appearances at the World Cup finals (26).

Croatia tames Atlas Lions of Morocco with 2 sublime goals in third-place playoff

The FIFA World Cup third-place playoff always takes place under the shadow cast by the next day's monumentous final, but they have a tendency to entertain as two losing semifinalists unshackle themselves from pressure and anxiety to secure bronze for proud footballing nations.

Saturday's third-place playoff didn't disappoint as Croatia and Morocco, after both failing to score in the semis, exchanged goals in the opening 10 minutes before Mislav Oršić put the Checkered Ones ahead before halftime with a stunner that proved game-winner.

Argentina or France? The18's 2022 World Cup final predictions

We are at the end of the road. Yeah! It's hard to believe it. After a month and 63 games filled with drama, joy and other emotions, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is almost finished. The only thing left to know is who will be the grand champion.

Argentina and France are the finalists, and both are chasing to lift the tournament's trophy for the third time in their history. But that's not all. Their best players, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, are also locking horns, seeking individual glories: the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball. 

Cold virus hits France ahead of World Cup final against Argentina

DOHA - Several France players have caught colds, the French Football Federation said, as they prepare for the World Cup final against Argentina, with Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate the latest to fall ill on Friday.

Centre back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot missed Wednesday's 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco with the illness.

Cold virus hits France ahead World Cup final

Coach Didier Deschamps refused to panic after Wednesday's game and said they were being careful to ensure the illness did not spread.

U.S. Male Player of the Year nominees show how far we've come since 2016

There's been some drama surrounding the USMNT since the end of the World Cup with Gregg Berhalter serving as lightning rod, but maybe it's time to step back and count our blessings on the things that truly matter when it comes to playing great soccer: having great players.

Dato del árbitro que pitará la final del Mundial ilusiona a los aficionados argentinos

La FIFA designó este jueves al árbitro que impartirá la ley en la final del Mundial entre Argentina y Francia. Se trata de Szymon Marciniak, silbante que ya le pitó a ambas selecciones durante el torneo y que se convertirá en el primer polaco en dirigir esta instancia.

Por si alguien busca tendencias, coincidencias y la quinta pata a los gatos, Marciniak ya dirigió a ambas selecciones durante el torneo, con victorias tanto para Argentina como para Francia. Sin embargo, hay un dato de su biografía que ilusiona más a los aficionados de La Albiceleste. 

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