Lionel Messi’s seemingly futile journey to win the FIFA World Cup ended finally on Sunday, December 18 as his Argentina side slipped past France in the final to win its third title, at the Lusail Stadium.
Messi, deservedly, won the golden ball for his starring role in the conquest, but was denied the golden boot by France’s Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the final to become just the second player, after Geoff Hurst to do so.
The PSG duo, along with Mbappe’s teammate Antoine Griezmann dominated the attacking numbers in the Qatar World Cup.
While Messi and Mbappe takes the top two spots in the goalscoring chart, the Argentine is tied at top of the assist tally — alongside Griezmann, Bruno Fernandes, Ivan Perisic and Harry Kane.
While Messi and Mbappe takes the top two spots in the goalscoring chart, the Argentine is tied at top of the assist tally — alongside Griezmann, Bruno Fernandes, Ivan Perisic and Harry Kane.
While Messi and Mbappe take the top two spots in the goalscoring chart, the Argentine is tied at top of the assist tally — alongside Griezmann, Bruno Fernandes, Ivan Perisic and Harry Kane.
The trio of Messi, Mbappe and Griezmann though dominate the overall attacking numbers in the World Cup.
It must be noted that players from France, Argentina, Croatia and Morocco have played at least two games more than others in the list.
Messi’s Swansong
Rightfully, it has been Messi who has, almost single-handedly, driven the South American side to its elusive third title. Out of the 15 goals Argentina has scored in the tournament, 10 of them have either been scored or assisted by the PSG man.
On his way to the final, the 35-year-old had also gone past Gabriel Batistuta to become Argentina’s all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup.
He also broke Lothar Matthaus’ record of most appearances in FIFA World Cup and went past Paolo Maldini for most minutes played in the quadrennial event.
Mbappe’s Late Surge
Messi was leading for total shots made and had a clasp on the golden boot, ahead of the semifinal. But his clubmate, Mbappe blitzed away in the final as he dragged his French side into a penalty shootout, where it eventually succumbed.
With that three goals, the 23-year-old pushed his goal collection in this World Cup to eight and overall tally to a scarcely believable 12, which puts him level with Pele.
It should also be noted that four of Messi’s seven goal came from the spot, while only two of Mbappe’s goals were penalties, both in the final.
The French Connection
Of the four players to have created the most chances in the Qatar World Cup, three are French - Griezmann, Ousmanne Dembele and Theo Hernandez.
Griezmann has worn many hats for France throughout his illustrious international career. From a rapid left winger to a free-scoring false-9 and now to an all-purpose midfielder who pulls the strings, the Atletico Madrid man has transformed himself multiple times.
In Qatar 2022, he is tied at the top for key passes with Messi at 21 and became his side’s leading assist provider of all time during the tournament.
Griezmann’s withdrawn role has resulted in him taking fewer shots at goal (6), but this has enabled Mbappe and Olivier Giroud to thrive upfront.
Hernandez was the most attack-minded defender in the tournament with 11 chances created from the left flank.
The trio, though, couldn’t contribute much in the final, with Dembele subbed off in the first half itself.
Efficient Few
It is common knowledge that the probability of goal scoring rises along with an increased volume of shots.
But a few players have shown remarkable efficiency with which they have found the back of the net. The most prominent of them has been Cody Gakpo of Netherlands, who scored thrice from a mere three shots on target (total of five shots)
Goncalo Ramos of Portugal and Bukayo Saka of England are next among the lot with three goals from seven shots.
Brazil’s Richarlison and Spain’s Alvaro Morata managed to score thrice from just eight shots at goal.
Germany’s under-performing forwards
German players, despite the fact that their side exited in the group stage, are a prominent presence in the attacking chart.
Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry and Joshua Kimmich all feature in and among the best attacking players of the tournament, which explains Germany’s expected goals (as calculated by Opta) tally of 10.1, which is still the second best in the tournament, behind Argentina.
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