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MBAPPE, THE GAME CHANGER OF WC FINAL WINS HEARTS

Fearlessly violating the sound-decibel rules, crackers started busting with the Argentinian fans being at the top of their cheers…reports Asian Lite News

In the final battle of the FIFA Soccer World Cup Final -2022, Kolkata’s euphoria was since the beginning tilted towards Argentina or to be precise towards Lionel Messi. However, by the end of the match, France’s Kylian Mbappe left a deep-rooted impact in the hearts of the city’s soccer- lovers as the “man of no error,” who could not ultimately lead his team to victory and hence emerged as the “tragic hero”.

The preparation was there since early in the evening with local clubs in Kolkata having finished the preparations for live viewing of the match in giant screens hosted at different street corners. The preparatory emotions were clearly tilting towards Argentina or rather towards Lionel Messi, with nearly 90 per cent of the viewers flocking in front of those giant screens sporting the Argentinian white-blue jerseys.

As the match started with the first-half being thoroughly dominated by the Latin American squad leading by two goals, the sky all over the ‘City of Joy’ went euphoric with the slogan — Messi-Messi. Fearlessly violating the sound-decibel rules, crackers started busting with the Argentinian fans being at the top of their cheers.

For most of them, including the State Fire Services Minister Sujit Basu, it was a foregone conclusion that Argentina was heading towards a clear victory with the only speculation till the beginning of the second half was what would be the exact winning margin for the Latin American squad.

However, the second half emerged as the shocker for the Argentinian fans as Kylian Mbappe emerged as the game-changer scoring two successive goals thus bringing the equalizers for France. The common discussion that was going around among the soccer-fanatics was that when the popular expectation was that the final match would be a show between France and Messi, this dark-skinned man was turning the trend otherwise.

However, the euphoria of Kolkata’s soccer-fans over the equalizers by Mbappe did not match that over Argentina’s performance in the first half. But, the majority of the viewers in front of the screens streaming the match live were witnessed biting their nails during the entire second half.

The extra-time was equally nerve-racking till the time Argentina went ahead again when the Messi-euphoria gushed out again with crackers bursting. However, none was quite sure of the return of the Mbappe tsunami, which turned out to be true with the repeat equalizer soon. So, when the match finally went for the tiebreaker, the common feeling was — It is anybody’s match now.

However, finally again the city erupted with the “Messi-Messi” slogans, for some Kylian Mbappe turned out to be the “tragic hero” for the day.

As rightly pointed out and concluded by the champion striker of Indian football in yesteryear– It is soccer who won tonight.

ALSO READ-Golden Ball for Messi, Boot for Mbappe

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Golden Ball for Messi, Boot for Mbappe

The Adidas Golden Boot was won by Kylian Mbappe, with 8 goals and 2 assists. Lionel Messi collected the Silver Boot and Olivier Giroud from France the Bronze…reports Asian Lite News

After a thrilling final saw Argentina beat France on penalties, the awards for the 2022 World Cup were also announced with some of the biggest names in football were recognized, with Lionel Messi from Argentina was confirmed as the best player at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The Argentinian forward won the Adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to the best player by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG).

Kylian Mbappe from France and Luka Modric from Croatia came second and third respectively.

Golden Ball — Lionel Messi (Argentina)

This was Messi’s World Cup — and that was rubber-stamped as he was named the player of the tournament.

The 35-year-old finally got his hands on football’s biggest prize, scoring seven goals enroute to hoisting the trophy high into the Qatar night.

He became the first man to score in the last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of the same edition and wins the individual accolade for a second time.

The Adidas Golden Boot was won by Kylian Mbappe, with 8 goals and 2 assists. Lionel Messi collected the Silver Boot and Olivier Giroud from France the Bronze.

Emiliano Martinez from Argentina collected the Adidas Golden Glove while England took the FIFA Fair Play award

Golden Boot — Kylian Mbappe (France)

The France forward was level with Messi on five goals heading into the showdown in Lusail. He would go on to become the first man since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, tucking away two penalties and hitting a fine finish which took the game to extra-time.

It was not enough for France to retain the trophy but, with eight goals across the finals, he matched Ronaldo’s total from 2002 and, at the age of 23, there could still be plenty more to come from Mbappe.

Young Player award — Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)

There were plenty of contenders for the best young player in Qatar. Jude Bellingham would have been in the running had England not been eliminated in the quarter-finals while France’s Aurelien Tchouameni was another candidate.

Fernandez, though, was superb throughout the finals, a tenacious and determined midfielder who is also good in possession and a driving force in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina at the tender age of 21.

Golden Glove — Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)

The Aston Villa goalkeeper provided heroics in penalty shoot-out victories for Argentina against both Netherlands, where he saved two, and against France in the final where he kept out Kingsley Coman’s effort to give his side the upper hand.

His presence was also obvious for all to see and his stunning one-on-one stop from Randal Kolo Muani prevented France securing a dramatic late win.

Fair Play award — England

England did not leave Qatar empty-handed after all.

Gareth Southgate’s side went the entire group stage without picking up as much as a booking and extended that run as they beat Senegal 3-0 in the last 16.

It was only in their quarter-final defeat to France where they troubled the referee’s notebook as Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was cautioned in the closing stages with England chasing the game.

ALSO READ-FIFA World Cup: Messi dazzles as Argentina win their third title

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Messi, Mbappe battle for Golden Boot

Messi or Mbappe? Bars, pubs all set for grand finale as football fever hits a crescendo

Yadav told that Kasa Kai Mumbai organises interest-based gatherings ranging from football to Formula 1, among others…reports Asian Lite News

The big screens are set, the chairs are aligned and the beers are ready to flow as bars and pubs in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai gear up for the mother of clashes when Lionel Messi’s Argentina take on defending champions France in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Doha on Sunday night.

Football fever is all set to hit a crescendo on Sunday when people from across the globe will have their eyes glued to their television screens to see whether Messi has the last hurrah, or Kylian Mbappe spoils his swan song in World Cup by helping France become only the second country after Brazil to defend the coveted title.

Celebrities from different corners of the world have already reached Doha to be a part of history. The night will also see Shah Rukh Khan and Nora Fatehi participate in the closing ceremony.

The pubs in India are also decked up to make the most of the memorable night, as they prepare to welcome football fanatics with great fervour and stadium-like atmosphere.

Rahul Yadav and his team from Kasa Kai Mumbai, an event management company, are putting up big screens in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Hyderabad, among many other places.

Yadav told that Kasa Kai Mumbai organises interest-based gatherings ranging from football to Formula 1, among others.

In Mumbai, they have put up screens at bars and pubs in as many as eight places, including at Kamala Mills, Andheri East, Khar and Borivali.

“This is what people want. They want to experience a stadium-like atmosphere. All the venues are sold out. It’s like an adrenaline rush as you get a stadium-like feeling sitting thousands of miles away,” he said.

In Gurugram, the newly-launched Orale Skybar has made special arrangements for football fans.

Hemant Nautiyal, owner of Orale Skybar, told: “We are screening the match live on giant screens. We are also encouraging people to come wearing the jersey of their favourite team. The first drink will be on the house.”

Prathi Tandon, Owner of Effingut, a BrewPub, agrees that “sports brings everyone together to celebrate and enjoy”.

Tandon said: “Even when supporters of two teams come together, they engage with each other, be it in the same group or different groups coming to the outlet. We want people to enjoy and have a good experience.”

From beer on tap to ‘2+1’ offers for three whiskey brands, BrePub is all set to make the final special for its patrons.

Local in Noida and Junkyard Cafe in Connaught Place too are decked up to ensure that their patrons make the most of Super Sunday. Both the joints are decorating their interiors with team flags and miniature footballs.

They will also offer special deals on beer buckets with complimentary popcorn bowls.

“Football matches are a great way of bringing people together, which definitely gives much more visibility and mileage to our restaurants. Also, beer combos and great food make our venue a one-stop destination,” said Umang Tewari from Big Fish Ventures.

So where are you headed to?

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Mbappe focused on World Cup ‘dream’

Michniewicz was disappointed at bowing out of the tournament but said Poland should be proud of reaching knockout stage for the first time since 1986…reports Asian Lite News

France forward Kylian Mbappe said he is focused on his “dream” of a second consecutive World Cup title after firing the defending champions into the quarterfinals in Qatar on Sunday. Mbappe scored two goals and provided an assist as France beat Poland 3-1 to set up a clash against either England or Senegal in the last eight.

The 23-year-old has already scored five time this tournament, taking his overall World Cup tally to nine goals.

“I’m not thinking about the Golden Ball or Golden Boot awarded to the World Cup’s best player and highest scorer, (respectively),” the Paris Saint-Germain forward said, reports Xinhua. “The only objective for me is to win the World Cup. Right now, the quarterfinal is the most important thing. It’s the only thing I dream about. I came here to win the World Cup and help the national team, not anything else.”

Mbappe also explained why he hadn’t spoken to the media during the tournament until Sunday.

“I have nothing personal against journalists. I’ve just needed to focus on football and the tournament. When I want to concentrate on something that’s the way I function. I learned that the French football association would get fined and I said I would pay it because I don’t think they should pay on my behalf.

The former Monaco player, added: “I wanted to be ready for this tournament and so far things are going well. But we are still a long way from our objective and now we have to focus on the quarterfinal.

“We are delighted to get through to the quarterfinals. It was a difficult game (against Poland). We played a tough side and managed to score goals at important times during the match. Even though we didn’t play as well as we could have, we won and we’re delighted.”

Meanwhile, Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz admitted his team had no answer to Mbappe after the Paris Saint-Germain forward guided France to victory in the round of 16

“There is no recipe to stop Mbappe in the form that he’s in now,” Michniewicz told a news conference. “He’s a fantastic player and he harmed us today. But I’m cheering for him. He’s a real star. Now we have (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Robert) Lewandowski but somebody is going to take over from them and I think that Mbappe will be that player in the coming years.”

Michniewicz was disappointed at bowing out of the tournament but said Poland should be proud of reaching knockout stage for the first time since 1986.

“We are sad and disappointed,” he said. “We had our chances in the first half and if we had scored first maybe it would have been different.”

“But as time goes on, the perspective might change. After a few weeks or months we’ll be able to say that we achieved something that Poland wasn’t able to do for 36 years.”

Michniewicz refused to be drawn on whether he will continue in charge of the team, saying it was not the time to discuss his future. He had words of support for 34-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored just one goal from open play in the tournament, amid speculation that he could have played his last World Cup game.

“As a coach I shouldn’t talk about the future of Robert Lewandowski,” he said. “He should decide. I think he should be the captain for years to come. Let’s see if he plays in the next World Cup.

“The expectations on him are huge, as they are for Messi and Ronaldo. His situation (in the national team) is difficult because of the style we play. It’s different to the teams like Portugal and France who pass the ball closer to the penalty area.”

ALSO READ-Messi scores as Argentina beat Australia to reach quarters