World Cup 2022

THE World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll wowed as she headed to the final despite her beloved Croatia not being there. But that didn’t stop Ivana from staying patriotic and sporting a Croatia kit for the game.
The World Cup’s ‘hottest fan’ Ivana Knoll was at the final on SundayCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
Ivana still donned Croatia colours for Argentina vs FranceCredit: Instagram @knolldoll
Ivana took to social media after a “crazy” final, which Argentina won on penaltiesCredit: Instagram @knolldoll

Ivana flashed her abs as she turned a Croatia shirt into a crop top for the match, which Argentina won on penalties.
The Croatian model, who has stolen the show in Qatar, dropped jaws as she matched the shirt with a pair of skin-tight leggings that showed off her incredible figure.
Ivana herself was left in awe of the action that unfolded in front of her at Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
Taking to her Instagram story, she wrote: “What a crazy game.”
READ MORE ON WORLD CUP FANS
Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria put Argentina ahead before Kylian Mbappe netted a quickfire double to send the game to extra-time.
Messi then put Argentina back in front, before Mbappe completed his hat-trick to send the game to penalties.
Argentina won on spot-kicks, before Messi was crowned Player of the Tournament.
However, Ivana was left unimpressed, slamming on Insta: “@fifaworldcup you gave the golden ball to the wrong person! Maybe Argentina won but @k.mbappe is the golden ball.”
Most read in Football
Fans at the game stopped for selfies with Ivana, who shot to fame at the World Cup.
She now has a whopping 3.3million followers on Instagram after being pictured at various games throughout the tournament.
Ivana was also at Croatia’s third place play-off win over Morocco on Saturday.

She danced in a racy Croatia crop-top and red leggings as she cheered on her nation to victory.
Ivana has made the most of her stay in Qatar, recently posing in the desert in a tiny bikini as she enjoyed some time away from the football.
Ivana was in the stands for Croatia’s third place play-off win over MoroccoCredit: Getty
The Croatian model donned a Luka Modric kit for the matchCredit: Getty
Ivana has shot to worldwide stardom at the World CupCredit: Getty More

ARGENTINA’S World Cup-winning stars partied all through the night after their iconic victory on Sunday night.Lionel Messi led his country to glory in the most spectacular fashion as Lionel Scaloni’s side beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw on a simply astonishing evening in Qatar.
Paulo Dybala shared a picture of the Argentine squad enjoying a post-match mealCredit: Instagram
He then panned the camera up to show the World Cup trophyCredit: Instagram
It was a stunning image posted just hours after their triumphCredit: Instagram
Lautaro Martinez was snapped continuing the celebrations at nearly 7amCredit: Instagram
It appears some members of the squad did not sleep at all after the finalCredit: Instagram
The win handed Argentina their third World Cup and first since Diego Maradona led them to glory back in 1986.
And the players in the squad were loving every minute of the celebrations after the game as they partied in the dressing room and then took the jubilant scenes elsewhere.
A number of Instagram stories were shared by the players from the likes of Paulo Dybala and keeper hero Emi Martinez.
Dybala posted a video showing them all sitting together eating a “romantic” dinner.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
Emi Martinez took a picture while chilling as his team-mates played poolCredit: Instagram
They also enjoyed some games of Fifa following the winCredit: Instagram
Argentina lifted their first World Cup in 36 years on SundayCredit: Instagram
Martinez was the hero in the penalty shootout as Argentina claimed the trophyCredit: Instagram
The camera then pans upwards and the World Cup trophy can be seen on show in the middle of them.
Martinez then shared some snaps of his own as his team-mates relaxed with some games of pool and FIFA.
Lautaro Martinez was one of the players chilling alongside the Villa shot-stopper with the duo among those donning a pair of sunglasses.
And he was then pictured on midfielder Enzo Fernandez’s story at 6.53am local time.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS FOR DECEMBER 2022
So the party clearly went deep into the night and filtered through to the morning.
The Argentina squad are scheduled to depart Doha at around 2pm on Monday.
That means they are due to return home between 10pm and midnight.
An official parade is then expected to take place on Tuesday as Argentines prepare to flock to the streets to celebrate their historic victory with Messi and Co.
Martinez with the World Cup trophy in the dressing roomCredit: Instagram
Lionel Messi was the star again as he posed with the trophy alongside Enzo FernandezCredit: Instagram More

EAGLE-EYED fans have spotted World Cup-winning Argentina captain Lionel Messi with a THREE-STARRED shirt after beating France.The legendary 35-year-old scored a brace in the 3-3 final before cooly setting the tone in the penalty shootout which was later won 4-2 with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the decider.
Messi in his match-worn shirt before lifting the World CupCredit: EPA
For Argentina’s celebrations, Messi slipped into a new three-starred shirtCredit: AFP
Messi bagged a brace in the World Cup finalCredit: Getty
Messi was a goal off picking up the Golden Boot, losing out to Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe, who netted a historic hat-trick.
He did, however, win the Golden Ball, as well as leave the Lusail Stadium on an open-top bus with the glittering, golden trophy.
Messi lifted his first and potentially his only World Cup in his match-worn shirt, which had two stars above Argentina’s crest.
However, for the wild stadium celebrations, Messi swapped it for a three-starred shirt.
READ MORE ON MESSI
Surrounded by family, friends, and a team-mate sitting on top of the crossbar, Messi paraded the World Cup in the new jersey.
A fan said: “I NEED TO BUY THIS JERSEY.”
Another added: “This is legendary.”
World Cup 2018 winners France did the same.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
As did Germany in 2014 when they won their fourth world crown in a final AGAINST Argentina inside Brazil’s Maracana.
Many expected Messi to walk away from international football whether Argentina won a third World Cup or not.
But the magical man has declared he intends to continue.
He said: “Obviously I wanted to complete my career with this – I can’t ask for more.
“Finishing my career this way is impressive. After this, what else? I have a Copa America, a World Cup, almost at the very end.
“I love football, what I do. I enjoy being part of the national team, the group.
“I want to enjoy a couple more matches being a world champion.”
France showing off their second star in 2018Credit: Getty More

FRANCE missed out on the chance to become the second team in history to win back-to-back World Cups after a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina.And fans have joked Raphael Varane’s backside is the reason for the loss.
Lautaro Martinez was kept onside for Argentina’s third goal by Raphal VaraneCredit: FIFA
Lionel Messi squeezed the ball over the line after Hugo Lloris denied MartinezCredit: Getty
Argentina went on to win the World Cup final on penaltiesCredit: Getty
After Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria put Argentina ahead, Kylian Mbappe hit back with two goals to send the game to extra-time.
Messi then netted again to make it 3-2, but only after a tight offside call involving Manchester United ace Varane.
In the first-half of extra-time Enzo Fernandez played the ball through to Lautaro Martinez, who saw saw his effort saved by Hugo Lloris only for Messi to squeeze the rebound over the line.
Initial replays showed it was a tight call as to whether Martinez had been played onside by Varane.
Read More World Cup News
VAR confirmed the Argentina striker was indeed onside, and fans have joked it was Varane’s backside that meant the goal counted.
One Twitter user wrote: “Love how Varane’s backside was used as the offside line for that graphic.”
Another said: “Varane’s bum winning Argentina a World Cup.”
While a third added: “Varane’s bum really cost a whole nation.”
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
However, others suggested Varane’s torso was also keeping Martinez onside.
Had the goal not been given then theoretically Mbappe’s second penalty, to seal his hat-trick, would have seen France win 3-2 after extra-time.
Although in an incredible game there could well have been more twists and turns had Messi’s extra-time strike been ruled out.
In the end it went to penalties, with Emi Martinez the hero from the spot for Argentina.
He denied Kingsley Coman before Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide to see Argentina win their first World Cup since 1986.
The now three-time champions marked the victory with wild dressing room celebrations.
Messi steered Argentina to World Cup gloryCredit: Getty More

PETER CROUCH was brutally trolled after he posted a cheeky tweet about Kylian Mbappe during the World Cup final.France international Mbappe pulled out all the stops in an epic final in Qatar, scoring a hat-trick against the Argentines.
Kylian Mbappe scored a sensational hat-trick in a pulsating World Cup finalCredit: GETTY
He levelled the scores with a sensational volley in the second halfCredit: AP
Ex-England striker Crouch jokingly compared Mbappe’s effort to his wayward shot in the 2006 World Cup and was trolledCredit: AP
But his heroic efforts – including his sensational second-half equaliser – weren’t enough as the defending champions lost 4-2 on penalties.
Mbappe, 23, put France back on level terms in the 81st minute with a stunning volley, which Crouch jokingly likened to one of his efforts for England.
Along with a picture of himself attempting a similar volley in England’s 2006 World Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago – which he missed – Crouch said: “Incredible from Mbappe but I was doing this s**t in 2006.”
But his light-hearted joke was a red rag to some bullish footy fans, one of whom replied: “We know what happened next.”
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
Another said: “Wait, what! And he had the audacity to post that pics.”
One remarked: “This guy!”
And another said: “Difference is Mbappe has already won a World Cup and has achieved more at the age of 23 than you did your whole career. Have a good evening pal.”
Along with a video of Crouch’s wayward effort, another chimed in: “Here’s the video of your actual shot.”
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
Someone hilariously mocked Crouch’s technique up as a series of wind turbines

Even former Liverpool and Germany international Dietmar Hamann said: “Forgot to mention you missed the ball, good technique though Crouchmeister.”
Victory over the French saw Lionel Messi finally get his hands on the World Cup trophy and put a bow on a stellar international career.
Prior to the tournament, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner hinted he’d retire after Qatar 2022 but has since performed a U-turn.
He told TyC Sports after the game: “I am not retiring from the Argentina national team.
“I want to continue playing as a champion.”
Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup trophyCredit: GETTY More

EMI MARTINEZ demanded a minute’s silence “for Mbappe who is dead” amid Argentina’s World Cup semi-final celebrations.The Argentine goalkeeper played a key role in helping his side to a historic World Cup final victory over France earlier today.
Emi Martinez was the leader of the Conga
Martinez, 30, played a key role in Argentina’s winCredit: Getty
Martinez, 30, made a crucial, spectacular save from Randal Kolo Muani in the closing seconds of extra time.
And he made himself a hero to his fellow countrymen during the shoot-out, psyching out Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni as his side won 4-2 on penalties.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was booked for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing the ball away before Tchouameni’s spot kick, but couldn’t care a jot after getting his hands on the trophy.
Argentina stars took part in wild dressing room celebrations after the match, with footage captured by Sergio Aguero among others.
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
In one clip, Martinez and Co are claimed to have jokingly demanded a moment’s silence while taking part in a Conga with his pals.
The stopper and his team-mates sang in Spanish: “A minute of silence.”
Martinez shushed his pals before continuing: “For Mbappe who is dead!”
The victorious Argentina stars then continued dancing and singing.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP

Amid the celebrations, one star was caught on camera sensationally somersaulting into a bin.
Much more singing and dancing followed, with tournament sponsors Budweiser leaving plenty of bottles of beer out for the squad.
Lionel Messi then sensationally returned to the dressing room clutching the World Cup itself, clambering up onto the table and jumping up and down on it.
Boss Lionel Scaloni then arrived donning a retro Argentina shirt, and was promptly drenched by his players.
Messi had just had to go toe-to-toe with his club pal Kylian Mbappe in order to come out on top in this classic encounter.
The 35-year-old got his side off to the perfect start on 23 minutes, tucking away a penalty awarded for Ousmane Dembele’s light shove on Angel Di Maria.
He was involved in his team’s second goal 13 minutes later, his flick setting up a brilliant counter-attack that resulted in Di Maria making it 2-0.
It appeared that Argentina would ease to victory from this point, but Mbappe had other ideas.
Read More on The Sun
His quick-fire late double sent the match into extra time, during which Messi again put his side in front.
But once again, Mbappe would level, before Martinez’s antics helped win the subsequent shoot-out for Argentina.
Kylian Mbappe was gutted after scoring a hat-trick in defeatCredit: Getty More