The World Cup runneth over with these great moments

By Mio Moser | Manor Ink

The 2022 World Cup was a thrilling display of skill and fortitude, and in the final match between Argentina and France, featured perhaps the best game in the history of the sport. But there were many other great moments, and here are my top five.

No. 5: My choice for the fifth most impressive moment was not a goal, but a save, which took place in a group stage match between Argentina and Mexico. In the forty-fourth minute, Mexican player Alexis Vega took a free kick into the upper left corner of the Argentinian goal. By all means, it should have gone in. However, the Argentinian goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, reacted extremely quickly and was there in no time to wonderfully catch the ball and prevent a Mexican lead. In my opinion, this was the finest save of the entire tournament.

No. 4: The fourth best moment was not a particular goal or event, but an entire match itself; specifically the 7-0 group stage victory for Spain against Costa Rica. This game saw goals practically every ten minutes. It was the highest victory for Spain in the history of the world cup. I will name it the most enjoyable match of the tournament. Even though Spain went on to have an embarrassingly go home against Morocco, this match demonstrated the talent of their new generation of young players.

No. 3: The third most impressive moment was a penalty kick, scored by world cup favorite Lionel Messi (#10) for Argentina in the semifinal match against Croatia. This penalty was fairly given after the Croatian goalkeeper committed a clear foul against an Argentinian striker. Messi, who took the penalty, dispatched the ball perfectly into the upper right corner, leaving Croatian goalkeeper, Dominik Livaković, with no chance of saving.

No. 2: The second best moment was also a goal, and it was scored by Brazil in their group stage match against Serbia. This goal was scored by Richarlison (#9), who had already scored a goal earlier in the match. However, this goal was truly extraordinary, as it was the only goal scored by means of an overhead kick. It was certainly among the finest goals in the tournament, and perhaps the most technique involving goal. Richarlison knew perfectly where to stand, and when and where to shoot the ball. The Serbian defense and goalkeeper were left with no chance of saving.

No. 1: Finally, in my opinion, the finest goal in the world cup was scored by South Korea’s Seung-ho Paik (#8) in the round of 16 match against Brazil. After a free kick was blocked by the Brazilian defense, the ball rebounded back to Paik, who was undefended, and who then shot the ball cleanly into the goal after a small touch. Despite still losing 4-1, the South Koreans can go home proudly knowing that they scored the tournament’s finest goal.