Day 23

Final: Argentina 3, France 3; Argentina wins on penalties, 4-2

Leo Messi finally achieved the dream of winning a World Cup, proving he is the GOAT. He scored two goals in the game along with his penalty in the shootout. Angel De Maria scored the other goal for Argentina. Kylian Mbappe scored a hat trick, but it wasn’t enough because in the shootout, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kingsley Coman both missed their shots and all four Argentina players scored, meaning that the World Cup is theirs.

Tournament Awards:

Golden Glove – Emi Martinez, Argentina

Golden Boot – Kylian Mbappe, France

Golden Ball – Leo Messi, Argentina

Day 22

Third place game: Croatia 2, Morocco 1

Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic scored for Croatia, helping them finish third place in the tournament. Achraf Dari scored the lone goal for Morocco as they finished fourth in the tournament.

Day 21

France ended Morocco’s World Cup final dreams. Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani scored for France, sending them to a back-to-back final appearance.

France plays Argentina in the final on Dec. 18. Morocco plays Croatia in the third-place game on Dec. 17.

Day 20

Argentina 3, Croatia 0

Julian Alvarez netted a brace, and Leo Messi scored from the spot. For the second time in his career, Messi will play in a World Cup final. Argentina plays the winner of the France/Morocco game on Dec. 18 in the final. Croatia plays the loser of the France/Morocco game in a third place game on Dec. 17 .

Day 19

Morocco 1,  Portugal 0

Youssef En-Nesyri headed Morocco into the semi-final early in the first half. This goal ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of winning a world cup.

Morocco plays France on Dec. 14.

France 2,  England 1

Olivier Giroud and Aurélien Tchouaméni both scored for Le Bleu to give them a birth in the semi-final. Harry Kane scored the lone English goal from the spot. Kane also skied a penalty late in the game.

France plays Morocco on Dec. 14.

Day 18

Brazil 1, Croatia 1

Croatia won 4 to 2 on penalties. Neymar Jr. scored early in extra time. Bruno Petković scored the goal that sent the game to penalties. The favorite to win the tournament, Brazil, is out.

Croatia plays Argentina on Dec. 13. 

Argentina 2,  Netherlands 2

Argentina won 4 to 3 on penalties. Nahual Molina and Leo Messi scored early for Argentina. Netherlands super sub Wout Weghorst scored two goals really late into the game to send the game to penalties. Unfortunately the tournament is over for the Dutch.

Argentina plays Croatia on Dec. 13.

Day 17

Morocco 3, Spain 0

Achraf Hakimi scored the game-winning goal in a shot from the mark to send Spain home and keep the African dream alive.

Morocco plays Portugal on Dec. 10.

Portugal 6, Switzerland 1

Gonçalo Ramos, who started instead of Cristiano Ronaldo, scored a hat trick. Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro, and Rafael Leão each scored one. Manuel Akanji scored a consolation goal for the Swiss.

Portugal plays Morocco on Dec. 10.

Day 16

Croatia 1,  Japan 1 

Daizen Maeda scored for Japan early in the second half. Ivan Perisic scored five minutes later to tie the game. The game ended up going to a shootout and Croatia won. Japan’s tournament is over.

Croatia plays Brazil on Dec. 9.

Brazil 4.  South Korea 1

Richarlison, Neymar Jr., Vini Jr., and Lucas Paquetá each scored to lead Brazil to the quarterfinal. Paik Seung-ho scored a consolation goal for Korea.

Brazil plays Croatia on Dec. 9.

Day 15

France 3,  Poland 1

Kylian Mbappé scored a brace, and Olivier Giroud scored his  52nd career international goal, surpassing Thierry Henry in most goals for France. Robert Lewandowski scored a consolation goal for Poland. Poland’s tournament is over.

France plays England on Dec. 10.

England 3, Senegal 0

Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson, and Bukayo Saka scored for the Three Lions.

England plays Les Bleu on Dec 10.

Day 14

Netherlands 3, USA 1

Denzel Dumfries scored off a cross late in the game to seal the Dutch win. Daley Blind and Memphis Depay also scored for the Dutch. Haji Wright scored the lone American goal. The Americans head home.

The Netherlands play Argentina on Dec. 9. 

Argentina 2, Australia 1

Leo Messi and Julian Alvarez scored for Argentina to seal their win. Australia scored off an Enzo Fernandez goal. Australia’s tournament is over.

Argentina plays the Netherlands on Dec. 9. 

Day 13

Cameroon 1, Brazil 0

Vincent Aboubakar scored the lone goal in the game. Cameroon’s tournament is over.

Brazil plays South Korea on Dec. 5.

Switzerland 3, Serbia 2

Remo Freuler scored the goal that punched Switzerland’s ticket to the knockout stage. Breel Emboló and Xherdan Shaqiri also scored for the Swiss. Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović scored for Serbia, but their tournament is over.

Switzerland plays Portugal on Dec. 6.

Uruguay 2, Ghana 0

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored two goals but it did not matter because both teams’ tournaments are over.

South Korea 2, Portugal 1

Ricardo Horta scored early for Portugal and then South Korea got goals from Young-Gwon-Kim and Hee-Chan-Hwang, which sent them to the knockout stage.

Korea plays Brazil on Dec. 5. Portugal plays Switzerland on Dec. 6.

Day 12

Belgium 0, Croatia 0

Chances were shared, but the Red Devils tournament has come to an end.

Croatia plays Japan in the round of 16 on Dec. 5

Morocco 2, Canada 1

Morocco got goals from Hakiem Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri as they punched a ticket in the round of 16. Canada scored an own goal from Nayef Aguerd. Canada’s tournament is over.

Morocco plays Spain on Dec. 6.

Japan 2, Spain 1

Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka scored second-half goals to knock Germany out of the tournament on goal-differential. Alvaro Morata scored the lone Spanish goal.

Spain plays Morocco on Dec. 6. Japan plays Croatia on Dec. 5..

Germany 4, Costa Rica 2

Kai Havertz scored two goals. Serge Gnabry and Markus Fullkrug also scored for Germany. But Yeltsin Tejada and Manuel Neuer’s own goal derailed Germany’s chances to advance. Both teams’ tournaments are over.

Day 11

Tunisia 1, France 0

Wabi Khazri scored the lone goal of the game that counted. Antoine Griezmann had a goal that was ruled offside. In the end it didn’t mean anything because Australia beat Denmark, thus ending Tunisia’s tournament with a third-place finish in the group.

France plays Poland in the round of 16 on Dec. 4.

Australia 1, Denmark 0

The Socceroos stunned the Danes and the world when Mathew Leckie scored in the 60th minute to send the Socceroos to the round of 16. This means it is the end of Denmark’s tournament.

Australia plays Argentina on Dec. 3.

Argentina 2, Poland 0 

Even though Poland lost, they still made it through to the round of 16. This is because they had two fewer yellow cards than Mexico. Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez both scored for Argentina.

Poland plays France on Dec. 4 in the round of 16. Argentina plays Argentina on Dec. 3.

Mexico 2, KSA 1

Even though Mexico won, their tournament is over, as is Saudi Arabia’s. Both countries finished third and fourth in the group. Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina in the first match of the group stage won’t be forgotten. Mexico got goals from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez. Salem Aldawsari scored the Saudi’s lone goal.

Day 10

Netherlands 2, Qatar 0

Cody Gakpo and Frenkie De Jong scored for the Dutch to help clinch a berth in the knockout stages.

The Netherlands plays the USA in the Round of 16 on Dec. 3. Qatar is out of the tournament.

Senegal 2, Ecuador 1

Kalidou Koulibaly scored a volley to send Senegal into the round of 16. Ismaïla Sarr also scored for Senegal. Moises Canciedo scored Ecuador’s lone goal. After a hard-fought tournament, Ecuador is going home and is out of the tournament.

Senegal plays England on Dec. 3.

England 3, Wales 0

After a close first half, England broke the game open in the second half. The Three Lions got goals from Marcus Radford, who had a brace, and Phil Foden, who had one.

Wales is out of the tournament. England plays Senegal on Dec. 3.

USA 1,   Iran 0

Captain America (Christian Pulisic) carried the Americans to victory with his goal, after years of disappointment from missing out on the 2018 World Cup when they lost to Trinidad and Tobago. Sometimes being the hero comes with consequences, though. While scoring his goal, Pulisic ran into the post and the Iranian goalie. He ended up suffering a pelvic contusion. The “It’s Called Soccer” movement continues.

The U.S. plays the Netherlands on Dec 3. After putting up an amazing fight, and with a sad ending to a great run, Iran is out.

Day 9

Cameroon 3,  Serbia 3

Jean-Charles Castelletto kicked off the scoring when he gave Cameroon the lead just before the half-hour mark. Then right before half, Strahinja Pavlović and Sergej Milinković-Savić scored to give Serbia the 2-1 lead. Aleksandar Mitrovic scored early in the second half to pad the Serbian lead. Then Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored to tie the game at 3. This loss broke Cameroon’s eight-game losing streak at the World Cup.

Cameroon plays Brazil on Dec. 2. Serbia plays Switzerland on Dec. 2.

Ghana 3, South Korea 2

Mohammed Salisu scored early to give Ghana the 1 to 0 lead. Then late in the first half, Mohammed Kudus scored to give Ghana the two-goal lead. Early in the second half, Cho Gue-sung scored a brace to tie the game. Then Kudus scored again to give Ghana the lead. South Korea coach Paulo Bento got a red card after the game for arguing with the ref.

South Korea plays Portugal on Dec. 2. Ghana plays Uruguay on Dec. 2.

Brazil 1, Switzerland 0

Casemiro played hero when he scored off a volley to give Brazil the lead and the win. His goal gave Brazil a spot in the round of 16.

Brazil plays Cameroon on Dec. 2. Switzerland plays Serbia on Dec. 2.

Portugal 2, Uruguay 0

Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes scored to give Portugal a spot in the round of 16.

Portugal plays South Korea on Dec. 2. Uruguay plays Ghana on Dec. 2.

Day 8

Costa Rica 1, Japan 0

Costa Rica upset the Samurai Blue. Japan was coming off a 2-1 victory over Germany. In the 81st minute, Keyesher Fuller curled a ball into the top corner to steal the win.

Japan plays Spain on Dec. 1. Costa Rica plays Germany on Dec. 1.

Morocco 2, Belgium 0

Moroccan super subs Romain Saiss and Zakaria Aboukhlal scored late to surprise and upset Belgium.

Morocco plays Canada on Dec. 1. Belgium plays Croatia on Dec. 1.

Croatia 4, Canada 1

Alphonso Davies scored two minutes into the game, sending Canadian fans into euphoria. This euphoria didn’t last long because Croatia got four straight goals from Andrej Krameraic, who got two, and Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer, who each also scored. Canada is eliminated from making it out of the group stage, but they still have one more game. when they play Morocco on Dec 1.

Canada plays Morocco on Dec. 1. Croatia plays Belgium on Dec. 1.

Spain 1, Germany 1

Alvaro Morata scored in the 62nd minute to give Spain the lead. It looked like Germany was going to be eliminated in back-to-back group stages, but Niclas Fulkurg, who was making his World Cup debut, scored to save the Germans.

Germany plays Costa Rica on Dec. 1. Spain plays Costa Rica on Dec. 1.

Day 7

Australia 1,  Tunisia 0

Mitchell Duke scored the only goal for Australia. It was a rebound for Australia after they lost to France on Nov. 22.

Australia plays Denmark on Nov. 30. Tunisia plays France on Nov. 30.

Poland 2, Saudi Arabia 0

Piotr Zielinski scored the opening goal for Poland. Robert Lewandowski scored his first-ever World Cup goal to make it 2 to 0.

Poland plays Argentina on Nov. 30. Saudi Arabia plays Mexico on Nov. 30.

France 2, Denmark 1

Kylian Mbappe led France to victory with two goals. Andres Christensen scored the lone goal in the 68th minute for Denmark.

France plays Tunisia on Nov. 30. Denmark plays Australia on Nov. 30.

Argentina 2, Mexico 0

Leo Messi took the game into his own hands when he scored in the 64th minute with a beautiful out-of-the-box shot that slotted right into the corner. Enzo Fernandez added an insurance goal when he curled a ball past Memo Ochoa in the 84th minute.

Argentina plays Poland on Nov. 30. Mexico plays Saudi Arabia on Nov. 30.

Day 6

Iran 2,  Wales 0

Iran pulled off a stunning upset of Wales, with stoppage time goals from Roozbeh Chesmi and Ramin Razelan. The Welsh goalie Wanye Hennesaey got a red card in the 86th minute.

Wales plays England in their final group game on Nov. 29. Iran plays the U.S. in a must-win on Nov. 29.

Senegal 3, Qatar 1

The host nation became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament with this loss.

Senegal got goals from Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhlou, and Bamba Dieng. Mohamad Muntari scored the lone goal for Qatar.

Senegal plays Ecuador on Nov. 29. Qatar plays the Netherlands on Nov. 29.

Netherlands 1, Ecuador 1

Cody Gakpo scored in ninth minute to give the Dutch the early lead. Ecuador got a goal called back because it was offside. Then Enner Valencia scored to tie the game at 1.

The Netherlands play Qatar on Nov 29.  Senegal plays Ecuador on Nov 29.

USA 0, England 0

The most anticipated game of the group stage ended in a tie, though both teams had chances. Christan Pulisic of the U.S. hit the crossbar. English striker Harry Kane had a header that just missed the far post.

USA plays a must-win game to advance to the round of 16 against Iran on Nov. 29. England plays Wales on Nov. 29.

Day 5

Switzerland 1, Cameroon 0

Breel Embolo scored the lone goal in the game to give the Swiss the win.

Switzerland plays Brazil on Nov. 28. Cameroon plays Serbia on Nov. 28.

Uruguay 0. South Korea 0

 Chances were shared, but neither teams could put the ball into the back of the net.

Uruguay plays Portugal on Nov. 28. South Korea plays Ghana on Nov. 28.

Portugal 3, Ghana 2 

Christiano Ronaldo became the first male to score in five different world cups with his penalty that gave Portugal the lead early in the second half. Five minutes later, Andre Ayew scored off a tap-in to tie the game and send the Ghana fans into paradise. The paradise didn’t last long. Just five minutes later, Joao Felix scored to give Portugal the lead. Just two minutes later, Rafeal Leao padded the lead. Then late in the game, Osman Bukari headed the ball into the back of net to cut the lead to one.

Portugal plays Uruguay on Nov. 28. Ghana plays South Korea on Nov. 28.

Brazil 2, Serbia 0

In the first half, both teams shared chances. Then Brazil got the breakthrough when Serbian goalie Vanja Milinković-Savić coughed up a rebound and Brazilian striker Richarlison picked up the rebound and put it into the back of the net. Richarlison gave Brazil a two-goal cushion when he scored a beautiful over-the-head kick that swirled into the bottom corner of the net.

Brazil plays Switzerland on Nov. 28. Serbia plays Cameroon on Nov. 28.

Day 4

Morocco 0, Croatia 0

Chances were shared, but neither team found the back of the net.

Morocco plays Belgium on Nov. 27. Croatia plays Canada on Nov. 27.

Japan 2, Germany 1

Ilkay Gundogan scored from the spot to give the Germans the lead right before half. Then the Samurai Blue got goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano to steal the game from the Germans. World Cup 2022 just got even crazier.

Japan plays Costa Rica on Nov. 27. Germany plays Spain on Nov. 27.

Spain 7, Costa Rica 0

La Furia Roja overwhelmed the Costa Ricans right from the get go. The Spaniards got goals from Ferran Torres, Pablo Gavi, Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Carlos Soler, and Alavaro Morata. The high powered Spanish offense will play Germany on Sunday.

Costa Rica plays Japan on Nov 27.

Day 3

Saudi Arabia 2, Argentina 1

Is it over, Leo Messi? Will the boy from Rosario be able to lift his team out of the big hole they are in?

Messi scored from the spot to give the Argentinians the lead. Then the Saudis scored two goals five minutes apart from Saleh Al-Sheri and Salem Al-Daswari. 

Argentina plays Mexico on Nov. 26. Saudi Arabia plays Poland in Nov. 26.

Tunisia 0,  Denmark 0

Both teams had chances, but neither could get the ball into the back of the net. 

Tunisia plays Australia on Nov, 26. Denmark plays France on Nov, 26.

Mexico 0, Poland 0

Both teams shared chances. Poland almost scored the only goal when Poland was given a penalty. Sadly, Polish striker Robert Lewdowski shot the ball right at Mexican goalie, Memo Ochoa. 

Mexico plays Argentina on Nov. 26. Poland plays Saudi Arabia on Nov. 26.

France 4, Australia 1

Australia shocked the world when they took an early lead after Craig Goodwin scored. The lead lasted a mere 18 minutes. Adrien Rabiot headed the ball past Aussie keeper Matt Ryan to level the game. Then, five minutes later, Oliver Giroud scored the first of his two goals to give the French the lead. After Giroud added his second of the day, Kylian Mbappe added an insurance goal to make the deficit 4-1. 

France plays Denmark on Nov. 26. Australia plays Tunisia on Nov. 26.

Day 2

England 6, Iran 2

Burakyo Saka, the young Arsenal winger, netted a brace to propel the Three Lions to victory. Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rasford, and Jack Grealish also found the net for England. Mehdi Taremi had both of Iran’s goals. His second goal came from the penalty spot at the last minute in the game. 

England plays the USA on Nov. 25. Iran plays Wales on Nov. 25.

Netherlands 2, Senegal 0

Cody Gakpo headed in Frenkie De Jong’s cross in the 84th minute to break the deadlock and give the Dutch a lead then in the 99th minute, and Davy Klassen netted a goal to secure the win.

The Netherlands play Ecuador on Nov. 25. Senegal plays Qatar on Nov. 25.

USA 1, Wales 1 (Tie)

For the first time in eight years, the U.S. is back at the World Cup, and Tim Weah kicked off the scoring to give the Americans the lead. In the 82nd minute, Gareth Bale scored a penalty to tie the game.

USA plays England on Nov. 25. Wales plays Iran on Nov. 25.

Day 1

Ecuador 2, Qatar 0

Enner Valencia scored two goals to lead Ecuador over the host country Qatar in the opening match of World Cup Qatar.

Ecuador plays the Netherlands on Nov. 25. Qatar plays Senegal on Nov. 25.