There's been some drama surrounding the USMNT since the end of the World Cup with Gregg Berhalter serving as lightning rod, but maybe it's time to step back and count our blessings on the things that truly matter when it comes to playing great soccer: having great players.
La FIFA designó este jueves al árbitro que impartirá la ley en la final del Mundial entre Argentina y Francia. Se trata de Szymon Marciniak, silbante que ya le pitó a ambas selecciones durante el torneo y que se convertirá en el primer polaco en dirigir esta instancia.
Por si alguien busca tendencias, coincidencias y la quinta pata a los gatos, Marciniak ya dirigió a ambas selecciones durante el torneo, con victorias tanto para Argentina como para Francia. Sin embargo, hay un dato de su biografía que ilusiona más a los aficionados de La Albiceleste.
For the casual soccer fans wondering, “has the USA ever made the World Cup Final?” we have some bummer news. The men’s team has never made it to the finale of the World Cup.
The USA women’s team, on the other hand, has been to five World Cup finals and have won four times.
No. The best they’ve ever done is third place.
With over one billion people tuning in around the globe, Sunday's World Cup final represents the grandest stage in all of sports. For the players, it's a chance to touch immortality by joining the pantheon of winners.
Many on France's team already tasted glory in 2018, but now they're focused on becoming the first nation to successfully defend its crown since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
If you're still rewinding and replaying Lionel Messi's magnificent assist vs. Croatia, this fan footage of it will knock your socks off.
The magic behind the clip is that it shows the play from its genesis and allows you to see how Messi masterminded the sequence with some small talk with Julián Álvarez near the midfield line.
With this year's World Cup being held in the middle of the European soccer season, many questioned the impact it would have on the players’ clubs. While there have been some high-profile injuries, there've also been some players who've written their names among the stars.
For their clubs, this break has helped star players gain global recognition and grow their values ahead of the January transfer window. Whether they cash in and sell high or keep their players, the World Cup has absolutely helped some clubs more than others.
The stage is set. The 2022 FIFA World Cup Final will be a clash of titans — Lionel Messi and Argentina battling Kylian Mbappé and France with both nations going for a third title. Only Brazil (five), Germany and Italy (both four) have won it more.
France, the defending world champions, have a lethal mixture of know-how and individual brilliance, but Argentina, South American champs, have Messi and a supporting cast ready to run through walls for their beloved captain.
El cuento de hadas de Marruecos se acabó. Lo mató Francia y lo mató una jugada sublime de Kylian Mbappé.
Los Leones del Atlas fueron la gran sorpresa del Mundial de Catar, pero la gasolina no les alcanzó ante un equipo galo pragmático y que con dos estocadas aseguró su segunda final consecutiva en el evento deportivo más grande del planeta.
Mbappé no estuvo al tope de sus capacidades, pero una fenomenal creación suya selló el partido para Francia y le dio uno que otro punto en la carrera que tiene con Lionel Messi por ser el mejor jugador del torneo.
No guys, that won’t count as an assist for Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman helped set up an amazing game-sealing goal during France’s 2-0 World Cup semifinal win vs. Morocco on Wednesday.
Trailing 1-0 late in the game, Morocco looked to be getting closer and closer to finding an equalizer until Mbappé produced a moment of magic in the 79th minute.
Receiving the ball at the top of the Moroccan box, Mbappé quickly glided past Soyfan Amrabat and then slithered away from Achraf Dari. In the blink of eye there were five Morocco players converging on the 23-year-old.