Here are some alternative awards for the Fifa World Cup 2022
Game of the tournament
It had to be the final, barring the 2019 version there have been a few poor finals
This was not one of these. 3 goals for Mbappe – 2 of them in a minute when France looked down and out, 2 goals for Messi, a tremendous team goal for Argentina scored by Di Maria. 3 penalties in normal/extra time – all of them converted
Finally, Argentina won the shoot out with some interesting gamesmanship by the Argentina goalie.
A game that befitted the occasion played out by 2 football powerhouses, fantastic stuff.
Player of the tournament
The narrative was about Lionel Messi and the nonsense about him not being a great unless he won the world cup. He did and his contribution to Argentina should not go unnoticed – a true legend who scored 7 goals and had 3 assists
Honorable mentions
Antoine Griezmann – a very good tournament where he looked back to his best
Kylian Mbappe – If France had won, he would probably been the player of the tournament
Best goal of the tournament
After first mis-controlling a pass from Vinicius Jr, Richarlison readjusted to brilliantly take the aerial route and fire in an acrobatic right-foot finish. A great goal.
I also thought his team goal against Serbia was a great move
Honorable Mentions
The Argentina 2nd goal in the final was a terrific move finished off
A couple of good free-kicks by Marcus Rashford and Luis Chavez
A rocket from Paik Seung-ho against Brazil in the round of 16 which was only a consolation
Biggest disappointment – Team
Oh boy there were a few teams that fell into this category
Germany – Did not get out of the group, lost to Japan which prove to be crucial. Another poor tournament.
Belgium – Failed to get of the group and this looks like the end for arguably one of the most talented teams who lets be fair underachieved in big tournaments
Denmark – Very poor tournament,a few people had them as dark horses – the went out by picking up only one point from three games in a group containing France, Australia and Tunisia.
For me it was Belgium
Biggest disappointment – Player
It looked one tournament to many for Cristiano Ronaldo, still a very good player and a legend but it didn’t quite work out for him at this tournament
He was replaced in the Round of 16 game against Switzerland and his replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick and was very impressive.
I could also add in most of the German team, Belbium teams and Uruguay teams – full of good players, most of them underperformed but the headlines will go to Ronaldo
Story of the tournament
Messi is the obvious one but for me its Morocco. We knew they had a couple of top players like hakimi and ziyech but a relatively new manager and in a group with Croatio and Belgium.
They finished to top the group then beat Spain on penalties after a 0-0 draw, they then beat Portugal 1-0 and gave France a game in the semi final losing 2-1 but playing very well
A few players were propelled into the general publics eyes and I would be surprised if a few moves to other clubs didn’t happen – especially the Goalkeeper Bounou and Sofyan Amrabat
