World Cup 2022

FANS all said the same thing as Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacted to Lionel Messi winning the World Cup.The Swedish giant, 41, was in the stands of the Lusail Stadium as Argentina eventually beat France in a truly epic final.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic watched the World Cup final with French pair Paul Pogba and Emmanuel MacronCredit: EPA
He looked pretty unimpressed next to wife Helena Seger as Argentina wonCredit: Alamy
Argentina led 2-0 and 3-2 before Messi at long last got his hands on the World Cup trophy after Gonzalo Montiel slotted the winning penalty into the back of the net.
But as Messi fell to his knees in joyful celebration, one man looked rather unimpressed.
Ibrahimovic remained stoney-faced with his wife Helena Seger.
That is despite his former team-mate finally getting his hands on the one trophy that eluded him.
READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
Messi and Ibrahimovic were part of the same Barcelona side in 2009-10.
But it seems Zlatan was cheering on France – after sitting next to Paul Pogba and French president Emmanuel Macron for the final.
Earlier on he was pictured with PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi in the posh areas behind the scenes.
And fans on Twitter were convinced Ibra was not-so-secretly gutted about the result of the World Cup final.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
One said: “Zlatan wanted France to win.”
Another joked: “Zlatan look like he had money on France.”
And a third added: “Zlatan Ibrahimovic looking so lost. Perhaps he was hoping to milk France winning the trophy.”
Messi will not care at all, though, as he lifted the iconic trophy with his Argentina team-mates.
He scored twice in the thrilling final while Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick as it went to the shootout.
And misses by Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni from 12 yards gave Montiel the chance to seal it – which he did with utter composure.
That sparked wild scenes in the Lusail Stadium as Messi celebrated with his family and Sergio Aguero joined in the fun as well as back in Buenos Aires after La Albiceleste secured their first World Cup triumph since 1986.

Lionel Messi was lifted up as he held the trophyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

ARGENTINA revealed their new badge MINUTES after winning a third World Cup trophy.The new badge includes three stars representing the triumph at the tournament in Qatar.
Argentine won the World Cup against FranceCredit: Getty
Argentina revealed their new badge with three World Cup starsCredit: Twitter – @Argentina
Argentina won the World Cup after a thrilling clash against France.
The two sides battled to a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes and then in extra time both scored to take the game to penalties.
Argentina went perfect in the shootout with Gonzalo Montiel scoring the decisive penalty.
Every nation that has won a World Cup is able to put a star above its badge as a nod to the win.
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
England has one star over the Three Lions badge as a nod to the victory in 1966.
Brazil have the most stars on their badge, having won five World Cup tournaments.
With Argentina winning now three, they are now clear of France and Uruguay, who have won two each.
The South Americans are now only one behind Italy and Germany, who have won the tournament on four occasions.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
The new badge has been hailed by fans on social media as one tweeted: “One Two Three. How good they are. I got used to it quickly, although soon there will be four.”
A second added: “They totally deserved it, for the D10S, for Messi, for the most football-loving people in the world”.
A third said: “The stars are beautiful”.
They will try and make it four stars at the next World Cup which will be played in 2026 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. More

EMILIANO MARTINEZ almost overshadowed his penalty shootout heroics with his X-rated celebration after winning the Golden Glove prize for best keeper at the tournament. The Aston Villa goalkeeper put in an outstanding performance in the World Cup final as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Emiliano Martinez reacted oddly to winning the Golden GloveCredit: EPA
Martinez was one of Argentina’s top performers in QatarCredit: Getty
He was awarded the individual accolade for being the best goalkeeper in Qatar and when he was handed the trophy, Martinez reacted in an unique way.
The 30-year-old shook hands with Fifa representatives, including Gianni Infantino, before holding the gold award in front of his private area while leaning back and pulling an odd face.
Martinez shocked fans worldwide, one Tweeted: “Never had Martinez using the Golden Glove trophy as a sex toy on my World Cup final bingo card.”
A second commented: “What on Earth was he thinking?”
READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
Another slammed his reaction, saying: “Emi Martinez is proof that men never grow up.”
But some supporters saw the funny side: “Not a single thought in his brain. I love it, I love you Martinez.”
Another reacted: “Martinez claims the best moment of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.”
The ex-Arsenal keeper made a number of big saves in the final and stopped Kingsley Coman’s effort in the penalty shootout.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
He also proved vital in Argentina’s quarter-final victory over the Netherlands, saving two penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis.
Martinez also recorded the joint-most clean sheets in the competition with three.
This is the same amount as Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and England’s Jordan Pickford.
The Argentine winning the Golden Glove tops a remarkable rise from having spells out on loan at Oxford United in 2012 and Rotherham in 2015 to World Cup glory. More

FANS slammed Emmanuel Macron as the French president tried to console heroic World Cup final loser Kylian Mbappe – before getting brutally snubbed.Viewers believe Mbappe told his nation’s leader to “get away from me” as Macron hugged France’s hat-trick star after the agony of seeing Argentina win a shoot-out.
President Emmanuel Macron tries to comfort hat-trick scorer Kylian Mbappe after France lost the World Cup final shoot-out to ArgentinaCredit: EPA

The president was accused of attempting to win over public opinion after strong criticism for attending the tournament.
Macron has defended his visit despite allegations linking high-ranking Qataris to corruption claims in the European parliament.
But he got a chilly response on the pitch and online after stepping out to comfort his shell-shocked countrymen.
Macron persisted in patting Mbappe, pulling the PSG striker close and cradling his head.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
But the 23-year-old refused to look at him and seemed to find his approach too much.
Macron also joined Argentina’s Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez in attempting to console Mbappe when he sat on the turf looking distraught.
Fans were sceptical over his motives and were not happy about how he wouldn’t leave Mbappe alone.
One said: “Mbappe clearly doesn’t want Macron all over him trying to get political points.”
Most read in Sport
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
Another noted Macron’s grip on the frontman’s arm and posted: “Mbappe wants to get away from Macron so bad but he ain’t letting him go.”
Similar observations flooded in, such as: “Mbappe doesn’t care about Macron at all.”
In essence, fans were annoyed by what they saw as Macron failing to read the room.
One viewer wrote: “Not the moment, mate: Mbappe and Deschamps both completely blank President Macron.”
Another claimed: “Macron is utterly desperate for a reaction from Mbappe but in three major efforts, the striker gives him no eye contact, and no photo opportunity.”
Likewise: “Mbappe does NOT wanna be Macron’s mate. He should stop touching his face.”
The pacy attacker had become only the second man, after England’s 1966 hero Geoff Hurst, to net a World Cup final hat-trick.
Mbappe’s treble, including two penalties, led France’s 3-3 comeback draw.
He also thumped home his shootout effort but Argentina still won it 4-2 thanks to Martinez’s heroics.
Macron and Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez went to distraught MbappeCredit: AP More

LIONEL MESSI wore a traditional Arab robe as he lifted the World Cup trophy this evening.The Argentine superstar finally got his hands on the cup he coveted most after a thrilling match against previous world champions France.

Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophyCredit: PA
The 35-year-old was gifted a robe by the Emir of QatarCredit: Reuters
After a stunning 3-3 draw, Argentina prevailed 4-2 on penalties following Emi Martinez’s theatrics.
A lengthy ceremony followed, with Messi being awarded the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament.
Following medal hand-outs for both teams, the 35-year-old finally had an opportunity to lift the trophy.
Just before he did so, he was gifted a traditional Arab robe by the Emir of Qatar while standing next to Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
READ MORE WORLD CUP STORIES
After being helped into his gift, Messi gleefully lifted the trophy aloft – bouncing up and down with his team-mates as he did so.
The PSG star had to go toe-to-toe with his club pal Kylian Mbappe in order to come out on top in this classic encounter.
Messi 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.
Most read in Football
It appeared that Argentina would ease to victory from this point, but Mbappe had other ideas.
His quick-fire late double sent the match into extra time, during which Messi again put his side in front.
But once again, Mbappe levelled.
The clash went to penalties, with both Messi and Mbappe scoring theirs before the match was settled by their respective team-mates – Argentina prevailing 4-2 on spot kicks.
Messi kisses the World Cup trophyCredit: PA More

ENGLAND will get a trophy from the World Cup in Qatar, even if is not the big one they wanted.The Three Lions have been awarded the Fair Play Trophy as they had the best disciplinary record during the tournament.
England won the Fair Play Trophy at the World Cup
The Three Lions received one booking throughout the competitionCredit: Getty
Harry Maguire picked up the booking against France in the quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
Argentina won the World Cup after a scintillating final against France in which penalties were needed to separate the two sides.
Lionel Messi netted twice while Kylian Mbappe fired in a hat-trick as they put everything into the match.
Before the handing out of the trophy, other awards were given out for efforts made during the tournament.
While Messi and Mbappe won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot respectively, Enzo Fernandez and Emi Martinez won the Young Player of the Tournament and Golden Glove.
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
However, there was one more award to be handed out as England won the Fair Play Trophy.
Gareth Southgate’s side only picked up one booking as they battled to the quarter-finals before their defeat to France.

That booking went to defender Harry Maguire, who was cautioned after an elbow to Antonie Griezmann in the 90th minute of the game.
Some fans on social media saw the funny side of the award, as one tweeted: “It came home after all”.
Most read in Football
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
A second added: “When’s the bus parade?”
A third commented: “Every cloud, eh…”
England manager Southgate was earlier confirmed that he would be staying on until Euro 2024. More

JUBILIANT Argentina fans went wild today as the country celebrated its first World Cup win for 36 years.Thousands poured into the streets of Buenos Aires to watch Argentina take the trophy after a nerve-shredding final.
Argentina fans celebrate their team’s World Cup victory over France in Buenos AiresCredit: AP
Fans celebrate at the former house of late football star Diego MaradonaCredit: AFP
Fans were seen jumping for joy after Argentina beat France 4-2 in Qatar on penaltiesCredit: AP
Thousands of jubilant fans take to the streets in Buenos AiresCredit: AFP
Argentina fans went wild after their World Cup winCredit: AFP
Argentine fans celebrate in Buenos Aires during the World Cup finalCredit: AP
Euphoric fans celebrate after Argentina won the World Cup finalCredit: AP
Thousands poured into the streets to watch the World Cup finalCredit: AP
Joyous footage showed thousands of euphoric fans leaping into the air and waving flags as a penalty shoot-out saw Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel score the winner.
Fans were seen weeping with joy after Argentina beat France 4-2 in Qatar on penalties.
It’s the first World Cup win for Argentina in 36 years.
Hundreds of fans gathered to watch the match at the former home of the late football star Diego Maradona – and dived into the pool after the final whistle.
Read more on the final
From London to Brazil, beers flew into the air and supporters ripped their shirts off in celebration.
After the astonishing game, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said: “There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of like this. I was calm during the penalties.”
For Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni it was a nail-biting finish to a turbulent tournament and he could not hold back his tears following the final whistle.
“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything,” Scaloni said.
Most read in Football
“I am proud of the work they did. It is an exciting group. With the blows we received today, with the draws, this makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country.”
It was the third world title for Argentina and the first since the late Diego Maradona won the trophy almost single-handedly in 1986.
For Argentina players and captain Messi, who netted twice in the 120 minutes before also scoring in the shoot-out, it was the biggest title of their careers.
Messi’s Argentine team had made the final as recently as 2014 but on that occasion they finished second best to Germany.

“I’ll never forget it. We had to suffer but we deserved to win,” Argentina defender Rodrigo De Paul said.
“We’ve beaten the last champions, it’s a joy I cannot put into words.
“I’m proud of being born in Argentina and today we are on top of the world.”
Argentina supporters celebrate at the Joyce Public House bar in New York CityCredit: Getty
Fans of Argentina celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos AiresCredit: AFP
Argentina fans celebrate in a bar in Madrid, SpainCredit: AP
Fans of Argentina celebrate Angel Di Maria’s goal at the former house of MaradonaCredit: AFP
It’s the first World Cup win for Argentina in 36 yearsCredit: Reuters
Thousands of fans poured into the streets in the Argentinian capital of Buenos AiresCredit: AP
Argentina fans celebrate in a bar in Barcelona, Spain during the World Cup finalCredit: AP
Fans of Argentina celebrate winning at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCredit: AFP
Argentina fans celebrate in BarcelonaCredit: Getty
Argentina fans celebrate at Moo Cantina in Pimlico, LondonCredit: PA More