World Cup awards: Messi’s ‘Qué mirás, bobo,’ Neymar’s objective, Richarlison’s dance, Hakimi panenka, Saudi stunner

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar involves an finish on Sunday when France go for back-to-back titles with Argentina standing in the best way. Lionel Messi seeks the one main accomplishment lacking from his resume and he’ll have a tricky process at hand to get there. Earlier than we are saying goodbye to this match, let’s hand out some superlative awards — and when you’re at it, sign up for our new newsletter protecting the gorgeous recreation in all its glory, together with day by day updates in regards to the World Cup, here.

Bear in mind, when the World Cup ends and Champions League resumes, you can catch all of the motion on Paramount+. Use provide code ALLYEAR now to get 50% off the annual plan. We have UEFA membership competitions, Serie A, NWSL, FA Girls’s Tremendous League and extra only one click on away.

Craving extra World Cup protection? Hear under and comply with House of Champions, a day by day CBS Sports activities soccer podcast, bringing you top-notch evaluation, commentary, picks and extra throughout the large video games in Qatar.

Finest objective(s)

Roger Gonzalez’s decide: Neymar. There are just a few choices for Brazil right here, who confirmed out with some unbelievable targets. There was Richarlison’s fantastic end in opposition to South Korea off a beautiful mixture and his overhead kick in opposition to Serbia, the place settled the ball completely within the field, lifted it as much as himself earlier than producing an absolute second of magic for among the best World Cup targets we have seen shortly. However, the winner must be Neymar’s in opposition to Croatia. It got here in an enormous spot, and although Brazil would lose in penalty kicks, it got here off some good passing on the high of the ultimate third and ended with Neymar’s hesitation within the field to beat the goalkeeper to his left earlier than lifting the ball into the highest of the objective for what seemed to be the successful objective.

Jonathan Johnson’s decide: Salem Al-Dawsari. It feels a lifetime in the past now that we’re approaching the tip in Qatar, however Saudi Arabia’s shock win over finalists Argentina was a spotlight for a lot of neutrals and arguably now a much bigger scalp. So far as successful targets go, Salem Al-Dawsari’s was powerful to beat and it deserves to be remembered as one of many moments which underlined the shock worth we have now loved at this World Cup.

Finest help(s)

Gonzalez’s decide: Lionel Messi. How might it not be? However the true query is which one? All of us noticed what he did to Josko Gvardiol of Croatia within the semifinals, sending him for a spin earlier than feeding Julian Alvarez to make it 2-0. However the most effective help of the match was what he noticed Messi pull off in opposition to the Netherlands within the quarterfinals. It was that no-look, threaded help to Nahuel Molina that caught everyone unexpectedly. It was an audacious try, and it confirmed his sense of the sport, ready until the right second to ship what was an ideal help. 

Johnson’s decide: Antoine Griezmann. England thought they’d all of it discovered by silencing Kylian Mbappe within the quarterfinals, but the Three Lions forgot about Antoine Griezmann’s telepathic understanding with Olivier Giroud from 2018 which proved Gareth Southgate’s undoing late on. Griezmann picked out an ideal cross for the second of his two assists and Giroud did the remaining together with his head to ship Les Bleus to the semifinals.

Finest celebration

Chuck Sales space’s decide: Richarlison, Tite and Brazil take part on the pigeon dance. Whereas the World Cup might not have ended how Brazil would’ve favored, the 4-1 victory over South Korea is likely one of the finest performances of the match. Scoring 4 targets within the first half, the whole crew was sambaing to their coronary heart’s content material and Richarlison received the entire squad in on the affairs with Brazil’s third. Going over to the sidelines, Richarlison received Tite and the crew in on his signature pigeon dance which proved be a memorable second as Tite’s time in control of Brazil ended.

And it produced an incredible meme after Brazil’s elimination:

Finest save(s)

Gonzalez’s decide: Wojiech Szczesny. The Polish shot-stopper made some unimaginable saves. He denied penalties in opposition to Saudi Arabia and Lionel Messi, however it’s the previous that takes the cake. Not solely did he make the preliminary save, however he needed to cope with a point-blank rebound, tipping it over the bar by some means with the quickest response save you will note. It occurred so quick, it seemed just like the ball was simply shot over, however the Juventus man received his hand to it for the save of the tourney.

Johnson’s decide: Hugo Lloris. I’ll go together with the French captain’s save in opposition to Denmark. Not essentially for its wow issue, however for its significance. Lloris has made key stops in opposition to Poland, England, and Morocco too, however the champions won’t have performed these groups had he not saved Denmark at bay when it was 1-1 within the group stage. Had France saved extra clear sheets in Qatar, Lloris can be talked about greater than is already the case.

Finest David-Goliath second

James Benge’s decide: Saudi Arabia stun Argentina. Very like the long run king of Israel, Saudi Arabia didn’t have to take many photographs to slay the large that stood in entrance of them. Annoyingly for this metaphor, it was two gorgeous strikes — somewhat than one — that fell the beast. That apart, this did have the sensation of an Outdated Testomony story even because it was unfolding earlier than your eyes; in years to return, lecturers will certainly debate how a lot embellishment there’s within the claims of Lautaro Martinez’s endless offsides, the string of Argentine defenders that Salem Al Dawsari blew by, the onslaught in opposition to which Hassan Al Tambakti stood agency. This was the stuff of World Cup legend in actual time.

Largest shock 

Johnson’s decide: Morocco. There are just a few candidates, however a heroic run to the semifinals and historical past made for African and Arabic soccer is hard to beat. The Atlas Lions’ technical qualities have been talked up pre-tournament, however few actually had them pegged to go so far as they did. Slaying Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their method to the ultimate 4 was spectacular and everyone will fondly keep in mind Walid Regragui’s crew and hope to look them construct upon this exhibiting. It might additionally encourage future nice groups now that the Moroccan blueprint is being examined.

Largest disappointment 

Francesco Porzio’s decide: Germany. Hansi Flick’s facet is certainly the most important disappointment, together with Brazil. The Germans have been eradicated for the second time in a row within the group stage. That is undoubtedly an enormous disappointment when you think about the variety of gifted gamers within the roster and a brand new cycle that had began final 12 months with the ex-Bayern Munich coach who took over for Joachim Low. Regardless of the failure of the crew, Jamal Musiala was in all probability among the best gamers of the group stage and confirmed the potential he has. He will certainly be one of the crucial attention-grabbing abilities to observe within the coming years. The 2024 Euro will happen in Germany and the hosts cannot replicate the failures of the previous two World Cups. 

Finest second

Porzio’s decide: Achraf Hakimi’s panenka. Morocco’s 2022 World Cup marketing campaign was one of the crucial unimaginable tales of the match. Their penalty-kick shootout win over Spain within the spherical of 16 featured Achraf Hakimi scoring the deciding fifth penalty with a panenka that might be etched in World Cup lore. Plus, give him factors for the penguin celebration.

Finest drama

Sales space’s decide: Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Cho Gue-sung. Not solely was this one of the crucial dramatic moments of the match, it additionally turned one of many costliest. Ronaldo is not a fan of dropping even in a recreation that did not imply a lot to Portugal, having already certified for the knockout phases. As he walked off the pitch to sub out, Ronaldo claims that Gue-sung instructed him to go away rapidly and he rapidly clapped again. Ronaldo was fuming on the thought of being subbed out earlier than this trade, which led to Portugal coach Fernando Santos benching Ronaldo for Goncalo Ramos in opposition to Switzerland. Ramos responded with a hat trick. Did Ronaldo’s trade probably finish his worldwide profession for Portugal?

Igor Mello’s decide: Imply-streak Messi. Three phrases I will always remember from this match: “Qué mirás, bobo?” 4 phrases to dwell by when coping with haters: “Andá para allá, bobo.” It is in all probability secure to imagine that the Argentine legend binged-watched “The Final Dance” on his method to Qatar as a result of he is taking all the things private. And as a Brazilian who’s programmed to root in opposition to Argentina, my soiled little secret is that I am all the best way right here for this model of Messi as he is 90-plus minutes away from the most effective swan track we might have ever seen on this sport. 

From the cupping-of-the-ears to rejoice a objective — ala Juan Roman Riquelme — within the face of Louis van Gaal to his postgame confrontation with Edgar Davids after which Dutch tremendous sub Wout Weghorst, it is a efficiency that would depart any professional wrestler with envy. Within the spirit of the vacations, the best participant of our technology is making a listing and checking it twice on his method to glory. Now, that is some good drama.

Finest younger participant(s)

Johnson’s decide: Aurelien Tchouameni. France weren’t favorites coming into this match and one of many causes for that was a weakened midfield with no Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. Not solely has the Actual Madrid man been an enough deputy, he has arguably put the pair within the shade given how he and Adrien Rabiot have functioned collectively so nicely. Looking forward to 2024, Deschamps many nicely have discovered his midfield base already given Tchouameni’s mature performances and eye for objective in Qatar.

Benge’s decide: Jude Bellingham. Phil Foden mentioned the Borussia Dortmund teen would be the finest midfielder on the earth. The one follow-up query that would have probably prompted is “how quickly will that be?” Barring unforeseeable circumstances, Bellingham would be the benchmark in opposition to which so many are measured over the subsequent decade. From disrupting opposition construct up and successful tackles to driving via the engine room and making key passes, Bellingham confirmed he can do all of it at this World Cup. Come the subsequent one, he might don’t have any equal.