World Cup 2022

OLIVIER GIROUD was booked during the World Cup final… long AFTER he had been substituted.The veteran striker was named in Didier Deschamps’ starting XI for France’s dramatic clash with Argentina.
Olivier Giroud was booked by Szymon Marciniak long after being substitutedCredit: Getty
His match didn’t last long, however, as he was hooked by Deschamps after just 41 minutes following a disastrous opening period for Les Bleus.
Giroud, 36, responded furiously – hurling a water bottle at the ground in frustration.
And he remained fired up on the bench during the second-half.
France managed to come back from the brink late on, with a quick-fire Kylian Mbappe double bringing them back to 2-2 in the 81st minute.
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Deschamps’ men continued to push for a winner, and came desperately close to producing one.
Substitute Kingsley Coman conjured some brilliant trickery on the left wing in stoppage time before being fouled.
Rather than blowing up for a free-kick, however, the referee allowed France to play on – with Les Bleus subsequently getting a shot off at goal.
After the ball ended up in Emi Martinez’s grateful hands, France wanted play to be brought back for their free-kick – although the referee deemed that too long had elapsed to do so.
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Giroud responded angrily on the bench, and was reprimanded with a booking by the stern whistler.
Even as he was being yellow carded, Giroud continued to protest the decision.
His words fell on deaf ears, however, and Argentina clung on to reach extra time.
Messi and Mbappe would both add one further goal in extra time as the match finished 3-3 before the Argentines prevailed on penalties.

Giroud, 36, responded furiously to being substituted in the first-halfCredit: Rex More

DIDIER DESCHAMPS launched a damning assessment of his France side after watching his players get torn apart in the first half of the World Cup Final.The French boss likely could not believe his eyes as he watched outstanding Argentina dissect the World Cup holders in the opening 45.
France fell apart completely in the first halfCredit: Reuters
A penalty converted by Lionel Messi and a wonderful team goal finished off by Angel Di Maria opened up a two goal margin over France.
A desperate Deschamps even made a double first-half change to wrestle back some control.
The French manager was damning of his team after watching them get exposed in front of millions of TV viewers.
In a half-time interview with TF1, Deschamps said: “We utterly failed to show up in the 1st half.
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“We expected [their intensity], we neither had the correct attitude nor the correct response.
“It will take a lot to worry them & come back. They are really playing a World Cup final.”
France had shown weaknesses earlier in the tournament.
A rotated team in the group stages fell to defeat against Tunisia, while England and Morocco both gave Les Bleus plenty to worry about in the knockout stages.
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But few could had seen their first-half collapse coming.
They were swarmed all over by Argentina in the opening stages and conceded a penalty when Ousmane Dembele clumsily caught Di Maria.
Messi converted from the spot before helping Argentina move through the gears for a second goal.
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister provided the final pass for Di Maria to put Argentina 2-0 up.
Despite the Argentina dominance, France launched an extraordinary second-half comeback.
However, it ended in heartbreak for the French after they lost 4-2 on penalties. More

LIONEL SCALONI was the calmest man in the stadium when his Argentina side took the lead against France this afternoon.The South Americans went ahead from the penalty spot after 23 minutes, Lionel Messi beating Hugo Lloris from 12 yards.
Lionel Scaloni remained calm as his bench wildly celebratedCredit: AFP
Messi’s strike prompted pandemonium in the stands, with wife Antonela among those to go wild.
Argentina’s substitutes also got up out of their seats to celebrate, as did most of their coaching staff.
Assistants including legends Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar waved their fists in delight.
The only man that remained seemingly nonplussed, however, was Scaloni.
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Argentina’s boss was pictured with his arms folded and stony faced – giving little away.
Things got even better for his just 13 minutes later – with Messi again involved.
The Paris Saint-Germain star beautifully flicked the ball on as his side launched a counter-attack, with the ball eventually finding Alexis Mac Allister.
He then slid it over to Di Maria, who brilliantly beat Lloris one on one.
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Messi, 35, and his team-mates celebrate his goalCredit: Getty
France’s sluggish display led to boss Didier Deschamps taking drastic measures – making TWO substitutions just five minutes before half-time.
He withdrew attackers Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud – replacing them with Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram.
Scaloni, 44, hasn’t always kept his cards too close to his chest during the tournament.
Prior to the semi-finals, the former West Ham ace burst into tears during an interview, when asked about the support his side have received from back home.
He also cried after his side’s victory over Croatia, bursting with pride at his side’s achievement.
Lionel Scaloni was emotional after his side’s semi-final victoryCredit: Getty More

LIONEL MESSI’S World Cup boots have been revealed and they include a touching nod to his wife and children. The 35-year-old takes part in the biggest game of his career as he looks to lead his country to World Cup glory for the first time since 1986.
Messi is looking to lead his country to victory in his last ever World Cup gameCredit: Getty
Messi’s is wearing these golden boots during the World Cup FinalCredit: Getty
The Jules Rimet trophy is one of the few pieces of silverware missing from his long and decorated career.
Ahead of the huge clash against France, fans got a glimpse at his footwear for the showpiece event in Qatar.
The golden boots were pictured sat next to his white and black sliders.
There was a lovely nod to his wife and three children with their names visible on his boots.
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His youngest child, Ciro Messi, has his name and date of birth stitched alongside the side of his left boot.
Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, also has part of her name “Anto” below Ciro’s.
On the outside of his right boot bares the name of his other children and their dates of birthday: “Thiago 02 11 12” and “Mateo 11 09 15”.
The Argentine star is wearing a pair of specially customised Adidas X Speedportal Leyenda boots.
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Messi’s name can be seen visible on his sliders
The shoes are gold but have blue and white features which are meant to represent his country.
Alongside the boots are a pair of sliders where “Messi” is visible on the white and black striped shoes.
Messi will be hoping his special boots will help him produce his usual magic against France at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Along with the fight to win the World Cup, he’s also bidding to claim the Golden Boot.
Messi went into the final tied on 5 goals with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe. More