Qatar 2022: Seven Days to Final: Who the cap fits, let him wear it!
The final of 2022 World Cup in Qatar is just about seven days away. Thirty-two countries started the battle of survival beginning from the group stages, today only four countries are left in contention. Defending Champions France, who fought tooth and nail against Three Lions of England yesterday in one of the quarterfinal ties advancing after a 2-1 victory.
Some had tipped England to survive the battle and they did indeed fight with a view to progressing but a penalty miss by Captain Harry Kane put paid to that dream.
Morocco who have been flying solo as African representatives after surviving all the hurdles that consumed all other African countries, Tunisia, Cameroon, Ghana and even African Champions Senegal. Then you have Argentina who were tipped as hot favorites to win the title from day one, whether this will come to pass is only a matter of probability, and finally Croatia whose fighting spirit is simply contagious.
Recall their battle against France at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. There was no dull moment and even when they lost that contest 4-2 at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, many agreed that they gave it their all.
The good thing about this four countries left in Qatar is that they all stand a chance of winning the trophy and deservedly so. There will be history in the making for whichever team emerges victorious come December 18 and will there be a thousand and one reasons to rejoice with eventual Champion? A resounding yes if you ask me.
MOROCCO: Should Morocco survive France challenge on Wednesday and perhaps go ahead to win the world cup. They would have left basketful of history on the way. The first African country to qualify for the semifinal for the world cup, the first to play in the third place of the world cup or perhaps the first African Country to win the World cup since inception in 92 years ago! wao you would say what a blast.
FRANCE: Should France overcome Morocco and go ahead to win the world cup, they would have entered the record books as being able to defend the world cup they won in Russia four years ago. That will also put them in the Hall of fame of countries that have defended the world cup back to back and they are only two, five time winners Brazil 1958 and 1962 and Italy 1934 and 1938. It would also be a huge plus for Kylian Mbappe who has become one of the big boys of the round leather game.
CROATIA: Should Croatia survive Argentina hurdle and perhaps go ahead to emerge champion in Qatar, they would have joined the league of world cup winners and by number the 9th country to do so considering that only eight countries have won it since inception in 1930.
They would also have succeeded in clinching it after five appearances. It would also be a huge plus for motivator in Chief Luka Modric whose never-say -die attitude fires every team member to fight on till the last whistle. Their tenacity in the match against Brazil spoke volume.
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ARGENTINA: Should Argentina survive Croatia’s challenge and perhaps emerge champions as predicted in some quarters, it would be an addition to two trophies already in the kitty, won in 1978 and 1982. Aside from that it will be a special gift for Ballon d Or winner and easily one of the greatest footballers of our time Lionel Messi who is probably featuring at the world cup for the last time unless of course he makes a U-turn after Qatar 2022 like passion always force them to do.
One player who should have been in this four 4-Nation party to attempt to retire with world cup trophy was Cristiano Ronaldo whose rivalry with Messi is legendary, it was thus understandable when he wept bitterly following Portugal exit.
It is weekend mood for technical benches, players and fans alike. Relax and be ready the melting and boiling point is here. Who will survive the heat? Who the cap fits, let him wear it and congrats men for coming this far!
Sunday Sportainment