The Qatar 2022 World Cup has been one of the most exciting editions of the tournament ever. We’ve seen it all. Jaw-dropping goals, underdog stories, players giving their all for their nations, and boring stalemates as well as high-scoring matches. 

Ahead of the semifinals, Fanbase looks at some of the memorable moments after three weeks of action.

The Group Stages: Opening Day Upsets and Qatar’s Unpleasant Record

Qatar became the first host nation to lose the World Cup opening game. They are also the first host nation to bow out without a single point, losing all their group games to Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands. In Group B, England recorded the biggest opening day win in a World Cup after beating Iran 6-2.

Still on records, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score in five World Cups.

But the opening day wasn’t without underdog stories. Tournament favorites Argentina and Germany suffered surprising defeats to Saudi Arabia and Japan respectively. The bad start saw Germany crash out in the group stages for the second World Cup in a row despite a final-day win against Costa Rica. Japan won the Group of Death.

Morocco, deemed to be the whipping boys of Group F before the tournament, overcame Belgium, Croatia, and Canada to top the group without conceding a goal. It joined Senegal as Africa’s representatives in the Round of 16 while Cameroon, Tunisia, and Ghana missed out by small margins.

Round of 16: First Hattrick of the Tournament, Spain’s Collapse

The Round of 16 saw routine wins for the Netherlands, Brazil, England, and France against the USA, South Korea, Senegal, and Poland respectively. But Argentina had to survive an onslaught from Australia in the last 10 minutes of the game, eventually winning 2-1 with Messi scoring his first-ever World Cup knockout goal. 

Fellow favourites Spain didn’t have similar luck against Morocco. The North Africans' defensive resilience took the game to penalties. Thanks to Bono’s heroics between the posts, Spain crashed out earlier than expected after missing all their penalties. Spain players later on accused Morocco of deploying “anti-football” tactics to win the game.

In the last game of the Round of 16, Portugal squared off with Switzerland. Ronaldo started on the bench, his place taken up by 21-year-old Goncalo Ramos. Portugal came off 6-1 winners with Ramos scoring a hattrick- the only one in the tournament. 

The Quarterfinals: Morocco Makes African Record, Referees Take the Spotlight

The quarterfinals pairing saw old rivalries renewed. Argentina faced the Netherlands for the sixth time in World Cup history while Brazil faced Croatia for the third time in a World Cup match. England and France are familiar opponents in the Euros, but the last time they met in the World Cup before this game was in 1982. Portugal faced tournament dark horses Morocco in the other game.

The first two games dragged to extra time and then penalties, where Brazil crashed out against Croatia and Netherlands endured a bitter ending to their fairytale comeback against Argentina. France beat England 2-1 while a first-half En Nesyri header crushed Ronaldo’s hopes of winning the World Cup and completing football. 

Morocco became the first African country to ever qualify for the World Cup semis.

But it was the refereeing decisions that took the limelight as all the losing teams questioned key decisions going against them. So controversial were the decisions that Facundo Tello (referee in Portugal vs Morocco) and Mateu Lahoz (referee in Argentina vs Netherlands) have reportedly been sent home and will no longer referee at the World Cup.

Who Will Make History?

The semifinals begin on Tuesday, December 13, with Argentina taking on Croatia at 10 pm (EAT). France will face off with Morocco in the second semifinal on Wednesday, December 14, at 10 pm (EAT). While France and Argentina are favorites to make it to the final, football fans are no longer underestimating Croatia and Morocco. Their grit and resilience could carry them through.

However this World Cup ends, it’s guaranteed to see new records written in the history book. Morocco could become the first African country to play in a World Cup final (and maybe even win it). France could become the first country to win back-to-back World Cup titles for the first time in 60 years. Messi could win Argentina their first World Cup since 1986. Or Modric could lead his country to their first-ever World Cup title after coming just short in 2018. Which way will history go?

Do you feel that your team of choice has done you proud? Whether knocked out or still in contention, you should proudly wear your jersey to show your stand.

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