FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH (UPDATES)

HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT A NIGHT, WHAT A SPORT, WHAT A SHOW

Someone’s nightmare but someone’s night to remember. An event to remember as the greatest show on earth presented four giants of the sport contesting each other, pushing the opposition back to their corners till their nerves allowed, respecting the potential of the opponent on one hand while being confident on their own skill on the other. The first two adversaries were Brazil the bloodline of world football & Croatia who have always been fearless especially in knockouts. The name which standout from all the other players on that field was Dominik Livakovic, what a warrior standing tall defending his grounds in one of the best goalkeeping efforts in world cup.

By PIXSELL -  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=103404606

From the moment the match started it was an amazing display of pace and ground coverage by Croatia. First few minutes witnessed some amazing runs especially by the 33 year old Winger Ivan Perišić

By Антон Зайцев -  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71196380

who was seemed making a mockery of the Brazilian midfield and flying towards the goal with Pašalić & Kramarić which led them maintain a constant pressure on the Brazilian penalty area and not letting them to settle at all. Brazilian’s took some time and eventually were back in the game but were not able to produce any counters as they faced some brilliant midfield tackles. In the 42^nd minute Neymar managed to get a free kick at just the edge of the Croatian penalty area but there was still no outcome as it went in the hands of Livakovic. The second half started with some good set of skills by Richarlison and Neymar but Vinicious jr was not in the rhythm at all and every time defending their shots was Livakovic who was determined. Lucas Paquetá created a chance in the 66^th minute but again no outcome of that. Finally in the 106^th minute, it was Neymar with a wonderful piece of one to one touch game play and an amazing dribble in front of Livakovic was enough to find the back of the net and broke the deadlock and the whole stadium erupted with excitement of the Brazil supporters. He equalled Pele’s record and became one of the best ever.

They were just 15 minutes away from the Semis but 117^th minute Bruno Petković stunned the goalkeeper by scoring an equalizer which was enough to stun them all. 

And now it was the time for the tie breaker and as expected Livakovic was there like an unbreachable wall. Brazil kept missing and Croatia was doing the opposite and then came the moment for Croatia when Marquinhos hid the sidebar and Croatia getting through to the semis in consecutive world cups proving their worthiness of being there leaving the Brazilians in tears as they failed to get through again since 2002.

 

It was not long and Brazil was still in repentance when two more warrior worlds were about to collide. Argentina was about to take on Netherlands keeping in mind what happened earlier and Lionel Messi in his last world cup did not wanted to be there where Neymar was at any cost. It was time for another album of memories for the world cup. It was the 6^th world cup meeting of these two teams knowing each other very well on the field. The match started with much awaited excitement and it was just in the 35^th minute when the architect Lionel Messi put through a beautiful pass to Nahuel Molina 

and without any mistake he puts Argentina in the lead which was doubled in the 73^rd minute when it was a penalty and again Lionel Messi scored to reach out to the semis. 

But it was not over yet as in the 83^rd minute Wout Weghorst scored with an amazing header and announced they are still in the game and in the 101^st minute, a calm under the wall free kick and Weghorst scored again to amaze the opponents and to equalize. 

Netherlands did the unthinkable to stay in this game and show their limit of resilience. It was the last minute of the extra time when a shot by Fernandez hit the post and now to the penalties. Netherlands had the chance to move up with the first shot but it was Emiliano Martínez who saved a strong thump by Virgil van Dijk and denied them the lead. 

It was Messi in the same spot again repeating the same thing with a shot smooth as cheese. The second shot by Netherlands and Martínez again stood tall with a marvellous save again. Then after both teams scored 1 each it was Fernandez who missed one to create an end scare.  And here it was the last penalty of the game a decider of deciders and Martinez decides that Argentina would march on to the semis. They are through again and Messi now can very much put his eye on the prize he fancied forever.

A night to remember forever was at its end and as a result some held their heads high and proud and some in sorrow and disbelief. Whatever, we don’t think anyone was lesser than anyone but it was the temperament which got the better of some. Croatia now are set to face Argentina in the mega semi-final clash while we all wait for the last two Quarter-Finals. On that note bye for now and stay tuned for updates. Thanks for reading.