No one could have scripted how it would have gone, and every moment felt like we were in a series that we couldn’t tell what would happen next. Continue reading below to get our best World Cup Recap Betting Picks and much more.
Looking at the World Cup recap, it is difficult to tell how it could have played out. It all started with Qatar and Ecuador giving us a show, although it wasn’t at the highest level.
After that, the competition picked up. One that stood out in the first round was the Saudi Arabia vs. Argentina match.
It looked like the Argentines would dominate throughout, but the Saudis took home the three points, putting the eventual champions in a tight spot.
Japan’s Comeback
We saw Japan make a comeback against Germany in the closing minutes. After the first round, the tournament was looking up.
The teams cranked up their play in the second round and gave us an incredible show. Some ended their run in the second round. Qatar and Canada lost their second game.
However, many heartbreaks were left for the showdown. The World Cup results were going crazy.
At some point, it looked like Spain and Germany were going home, and Costa Rica and Japan would make it through.
Knockout Stage
But Germany helped Spain qualify for the knockout stage, although they couldn’t help themselves.
In addition, we saw crazy battles for the second spot in Group B, C, D, F, G, and H. The teams fought to the end.
Belgium needed one goal to go through, but they couldn’t get it. Serbia needed a win but couldn’t hold on to their 2-1 win. The results fluctuated as we got closer to the 90th minute.
The group stages were done in style, with 16 teams that would continue the battle. In the next phase, some teams had easy, while others had to go to penalties.
Then, the number of teams reduced to eight, and the battle got hotter. The quarterfinals were one to remember.
From the Netherlands‘ epic 101-minute comeback to Morocco becoming the first African nation to get into the last four, it was everything we could’ve hoped for in terms of entertainment and more.
A Number of Incredible Games
The World Cup recap shows how incredible the games were, and you just had to be there for the show.
Although the Semifinals didn’t give us much to talk about because the finalist breezed through their opponents, it did set us up for the greatest final of all time.
The third place gave us another glimpse at Morocco’s unending quest for glory and Croatia’s superior technicality as the game ended 2-1, showing how Qatar 2022 recap looks surreal.
Greatest Showdown
On the 18th of December, 2022, it was time for the greatest showdown in sports for the year. With billions of people tuned in, we hoped for nothing less than an incredible game.
However, it didn’t start like that. Looking at the World Cup recap for the final, the first half was all Argentina, and they were two goals up.
However, everything changed when France got a penalty, and Kylian Mbappe equalized to keep his golden boots hope alive.
After that, he scored again to make it level, pushing the game to another level in the closing minutes, and we got set for another 30 minutes.
Devoid of Drama
The extra time wasn’t devoid of drama as Argentina went 3-2 up, but France got another penalty to make it 3-3.
Randal Kolo Muani got the chance to make 4-3 and win it for France, but Emiliano Martinez pulled a world-class and World Cup-winning save at the death.
In the end, we went to penalties, and Argentina was superior, giving Lionel Messi the crown jewel, effectively ending the G.O.A.T debate, and making him complete football, as he has won every major trophy available to him.
With the World Cup now officially over, what’s next for international football? Here are some significant competitions coming in the next couple of months.
Soccer’s Next Significant Competition
Euro Qualifiers and Euro 2024
Even though the FIFA World Cup just ended, the preparation for the Euro 2024 is on. European teams are preparing for another incredible showdown as they hope to become European champions.
The group and schedules are out; from March 2023, we will have teams traveling to gather enough points. And in 2024, the European Championship will commence.
COPA America
In 2024, we will also see South American countries go at it for the 48th edition of COPA America. It will be another chance for Argentina to win another international trophy with Lionel Messi leading the squad.
Also, it is a perfect way for the team to prepare to defend their title at the FIFA World Cup in 2026, although they might have to do it without the greatest of all time.
Asian Cup
In 2023, Qatar will have to defend its AFC Asian Cup title against other top-notch Asian teams.
The team was underwhelming at the FIFA World Cup, and this might be their chance to redeem themselves. So, we are looking forward to another incredible showdown for international teams looking to win trophies.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Like their Asian counterparts, North American, Central American, and Caribbean teams will battle it out for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The show will be for the best team in the region. The USA will defend its title as they hope to match up with Mexico, which has eight titles compared to its seven.
African Cup of Nations
African teams will also converge in Ivory Coast for the 2023 African Cup of Nations. Senegal will defend their title after they couldn’t impact the FIFA World Cup.
This time, they would hope that their talisman, Sadio Mane is available to help the team to victory.
We expect another showdown like what we got in Cameroon, and it is a perfect return to international football for African teams as they also gear up for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
World Cup Qualifiers
We know the 2022 FIFA World Cup is still fresh in everyone’s memories, but teams are already preparing for the next event.
In 2026, the world will focus on the USA, Mexico, and Canada, the top three CONCACAF teams. This time, the format is different, and instead of 32 teams, we will have 48 countries battling it out for the title.
We can rest assured that it would be much more epic, given that more teams will have the chance to make it in, with confederations getting more slots.
The qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup will begin soon, and we’re here for the exciting showdown and heartbreaks that come with it.
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