2022 World Cup Semi-Finals: Messi, Modric, and Morocco
World Cup 2022 Semi Finals
Lionel Messi led his side to a sixth World Cup Final as Argentina beat Croatia in another inspired display. Luka Modric played his final World Cup match as he opted out of International football with Croatia.
France 4 Argentina 3 was probably the best game of the 2018 World Cup, on the day that Kylian Mbappe became a world star. Four years on, those two nations meet again, this time in the final itself. If we get a game anything like that quality, it’s going to give us one of the great World Cup finals of all time.
Argentina 3 Croatia 0
Modric comes to the end of the line. Messi stands on the brink of what has long seemed to be his destiny. That was the outcome of the semi-final between Croatia and Argentina, an absorbing contest for much of the first half, a foregone conclusion for all of the second.
In the end, Croatia’s durability finally fractured, perhaps worn down by consecutive bouts of extra-time and penalties, perhaps simply unable to withstand an increasingly confident looking Argentina, and an irrepressible Messi.
Not that he is the only weapon in the Argentine armoury for on this night, he was pretty much matched by Alvarez, creator of the penalty which Messi converted with ferocious intent after 34 minutes, scorer of the two goals that then sealed victory. The second was worthy of winning any game, collecting the ball from his captain inside his own half and then driving forward with absolute conviction and electrifying pace.
You might argue that he was fortunate with two ricochets from Croatian defenders that fell kindly, but that’s unfair. He made his own luck with the quality and determination of his play, unbalancing them, forcing them into errors on which he capitalised.
Alvarez Goals Help Argentina To Final
Messi was the creator for Alvarez’s second, dashing away down the right. If he no longer has the acceleration to leave defenders in his wake, he still has the footwork to leave them looking foolish and he employed that to the full before teeing up Alvarez to slot in.
There was no denying the merit of the Argentine win. The better team by far, they look to be coming to the boil at the right moment. That opening defeat against Saudi Arabia, and the dreadful first 45 minutes against Mexico are a distant memory as they are clicking to gear certainly as an attacking force. Questions remain about their defensive solidity, exposed by the Dutch in the previous round, though Croatia were never really able to raise a sufficient gallop to exploit any potential weakness.
It was a sad end for the glittering career of the magnificent Modric, only the third place game left ahead of him at this exalted level, but not even he could turn the tide in his team’s favour. That tide seems to be carrying Messi along with it, though there will be concern that he looked to be struggling with his fitness in the opening half an hour. Surely the fates will not deny him that second final now?
France 2 Morocco 0
France were made to work before they could join Argentina in that final by the Moroccan side who have been the wild card of the competition. When Hernandez gave the French a fifth minute lead, the left-back producing a well thought finish to open the scoring as France opened brightly, it was the first goal an opponent had scored against Morocco, having scored an own goal in the 2-1 win over Canada.
France Exploit Weakened Morocco
Giroud then proceeded to hit the post and fire wide from a central position and it looked as if France were going to batter a Moroccan side wearied by the shootout wins over Spain and Portugal and weakened by defensive injuries.
But needing to show a different side of their talents, from the half hour mark onwards, Morocco began to get to grips with the game and began asking plenty of questions. Lloris made a fine save from El Yamiq as Morocco ended the first half on a real high.
They continued to have good possession in the second period, but France had steadied the ship to some extent, notably with the arrival of Thuram as a sub, rather more willing to track back on the left than Mbappe, who moved into the centre.
There were still a few alarms for the French but Morocco’s excellent approach play was not matched by the quality of the final pass or shot. Without that cutting edge, the concession of that early goal was a heavy blow indeed and while France weren’t entirely secure at the back, the fact that they had that goal in the bag, something the other sides had failed to achieve, meant they were always in control.
Morocco Break Glass Ceiling For African Football
Kolo Muani sealed victory in the 79th minute, within a minute of coming off the bench. Mbappe was the instigator, his mesmerising feet taking him away from three defenders inside half a yard of space, his shot squirting across goal to give Kolo Muani his first international goal with a tap-in from three yards.
The better side won in the end and have set up what could be a brilliant final, but even in defeat the night belonged to Morocco who have crashed through one glass ceiling by going all the way to the semi-finals of the competition, a first for any African nation.
They have given the lie to all the ancient, creaking stereotypes about African football lacking discipline and organisation, they have played with real courage and belief and they should be nothing but proud of their achievements. If only they had a real goalscorer…
Croatia beat Morocco to win 3rd place
The third place play-off match at the World Cup is a pretty weird concept but on occasion, it brings forth a decent game, as was the case with Croatia defeating Morocco 2-1. With the real pressure off and, in all honesty, with both sides having gone further in the competition than anybody would have expected, they approached the game not as an anti-climax, but something to be embraced.
Croatia were deserving winners, cementing a third place finish having been runners up four years ago. That is a remarkable achievement for such a comparatively small nation, but they leave Qatar wondering where the future will take them. There is little doubt that they will remain competitive for this is a country with a real gift for producing talented footballers on a regular basis.
But with Luca Modric 37, and surely never to grace the World Cup again, he leaves a giant hole for them to fill. No team this good is ever a one man band, but Modric is as close to irreplaceable as it gets, for there are few midfielders around who can dictate the direction of a game as he can. With his impending departure, will we see a change in style and emphasis from the Croatians? That will be one of the more intriguing stories to unfold over the next few years. Meanwhile, Croatia are favorites with the European bookies to win this one. Check out Euro soccer betting here.
Morocco Look To Build On World Cup Legacy
Meanwhile, what of Morocco, the greatest African side ever at a World Cup? They continued to impress and enchant to the very end and football fans all across the globe will be sad that they will now disappear from our screens for a while to come. What is essential now is that they build on the success for next time around.
That will be easier said than done for many if their players have now gone from being respected within the game to suddenly being in real demand by bigger and bigger clubs with deeper and deeper pockets. Keeping your focus amid that takes some doing, One of the greatest elements of their success has been their unity, that ‘all for one’ spirit. Retaining that is central to them repeating this success in 2026. Croatia should be their inspiration there, for time and again, they have shown it can be done.
Sir Alf Ramsey: England 1973 focuses on the final full year of Sir Alf’s reign as England boss. The nation that won the World Cup in 1966 failed to even qualify for the 1974 tournament. Ramsey was suddenly a man out of time, both on and off the pitch. The failing fortunes of the England team mirrored those of a post-Empire nation heading for its own fall.
A must read for all fans. Order your copy.