How Will Qatar 2022 Go Down in History?

Before a ball was kicked at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the tournament was already mired in controversy. From issues with migrant workers building the stadiums to allegations of bribery in the selection process back in December 2010. But once the competition got underway on November 20th - when hosts Qatar were beaten 2-0 by Ecuador - the football has taken centre stage.

In the four weeks since, there have been some incredible, unforgettable moments. Throughout that time frame, the world's best footballing nations have been whittled down to just two, France and Argentina. They will do battle on December 18th, with the winners earning the right to be called World Champions for the next four years.

Is it finally time for Lionel Messi to etch his name into immortality? This year's World Cup marks his fifth and final foray onto the world's grandest stage. The Paris Saint-Germain magician has carried Argentina kicking and screaming to the final, just as he did four years ago. And it does seem to be written in the stars that he will bow out from international football at the very top.

But do reigning champions France have something to say about that? Messi’s PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe has been in scintillating form for Les Bleus, however, he has gone off the boil in the recent victories over England and Morocco. Should Didier Deschamps’ team manage to retain the trophy that they won so impressively in Moscow four years ago, they would become the first time since Pele’s Brazil 60 years ago to win consecutive World Cups.

One thing is for certain, the bookies can't separate the pair. Online bookmaker Bovada, where you can find World Cup soccer odds today, have made France the slight favorites to lift the famous gold trophy. If they are to do exactly that, one feels that they must up their game from their recent quarter and semi-final performances.

The tournament of shocks

In the opening weeks of the tournament, it seemed that there was a different shock every day. It all started back on November 22nd, when second favourites Argentina’s journey got underway. Lionel Scaloni’s side headed to Qatar fresh off winning the Copa America last summer - Messi’s first and only international trophy - on enemy territory no less, defeating Brazil in Rio De Janeiro to claim the trophy.

And for the first 45 minutes against Saudi Arabia, it was plain sailing. The Albiceleste led through an early Messi penalty and had four more goals ruled out for offside during the first half. But during the second half, a quickfire double from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari gave the underdogs - who were as high as 500/1 with some outlets during the break - a shock lead.

And it was a lead they wouldn’t surrender. They would hold on to the narrow victory and each player bagged themselves a brand new Rolls Royce from the Saudi Crown Prince as a reward for their heroics.

Further shocks would follow. Japan would come from behind against both Germany and Spain to secure 2-1 wins and top Group E in the process - sending Die Mannschaft home at the group stage for the second tournament in a row. Morocco defeated Belgium in the group stages, before beating Spain and Portugal to become the first African semifinalists in the history of the competition.

And there haven’t just been shocking results, there have been some gobsmacking stand-alone moments that will stand the test of time. Wout Weghorst’s equaliser in the Netherlands’ quarterfinal against Argentina in the 12th minute of injury time took all of our breath away. Replays of Harry Kane’s missed penalty against France the following evening will be shown in highlights packages for years to come.

Early goalless draws are a distant memory

Another phenomenon during the early days of the tournament was the daunted 0-0 draw. During the opening group games, there were four goalless draws. If we look back at Russia 2018, there was just one goalless draw throughout the entire tournament. But things did, thankfully, get better.

There were only two further bore draws - namely England vs the USA and Croatia vs Belgium - throughout the rest of the group stages. Morocco vs Spain in the second round also ended as a stalemate, taking the total to the tournament to seven, the joint most in World Cup history. Should the final end goalless, then Qatar 2022 will hold the unwanted record for most 0-0 draws at a FIFA World Cup.

With over half of those draws coming in the opening six days of the tournament, memories of them have been placed firmly in the rearview mirror. The knockout stages have seen goals aplenty, with nine of the 14 knockout ties played so far all producing over 2.5 goals.

It remains to be seen how Qatar will be remembered. We doubt it will be fond for the English and the Brazilians courtesy of that pair's quarterfinal exits. But the tournament certainly got better as it progressed.

And should Lionel Messi lead Argentina to glory in Lusail on Sunday? Then it will be remembered in one way, and one way only. Lionel Messi’s last dance.