Prior to the start of the World Cup final tournament on Nov. 20 there were questions asked by several commentators all over the world as to whether Qatar was a proper location to host soccer’s biggest event, considering the Gulf State’s human-rights’ record. Those questions are still being debated, but on Sunday evening most soccer supporters agreed that the 2022 tournament was well run, benefited from plenty of shock results and ended with one of the best-ever finals in the 92-year history of the World Cup. In the first half France were overrun by Argentina and failed to have a shot on target. Manager Didier Deschamps took decisive action, taking off Giroud and Dembele in the 41st minute.
But it was to be Messi’s day and the midfielder who left his native Argentina for Barcelona at the age of 13, got the first goal from the penalty spot after 23 minutes. The second goal from Di Maria on 36 minutes was described by RTE panelist Liam Brady as the best team goal combination he has ever seen in a World Cup tournament. Argentina could probably have made it 3-0 in the second half, but the French subs were making an impression and they won a penalty on 80 minutes which Mbappe converted. The young star, who up to then had been having a very quiet game, got the equaliser with a great strike a minute later. The game went to extra time and when Messi squeezed home his second goal with his weaker right foot in the 108th minute it looked all over.
But France kept trying and were rewarded with another penalty in the 118th minute which Mbappe converted. He became the first player since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. Mbappe led by example and converted France’s first penalty in the shoot-out, but it looked like France’s young players were nervous; they missed twice and Argentina were crowned champions. Winning captain Messi was named Player of the Tournament and Mbappe won the Gold Boot after scoring 12 goals, one more than Messi.
On Saturday Croatia beat Morocco 2-1 to secure third place and the bronze medals. Mislav Orsic scored the winning goal shortly before halftime at the Khalifa International Stadium to ensure 37 year-old Modric finished on a winning note in what is likely to be his final World Cup appearance.
Vera Pauw has responded to a negative NWSL report. INPHO/RYAN BYRNE
PAUW DENIES ALLEGATIONS
Republic of Ireland Women’s manager Vera Pauw says allegations made against her in a report by the US National Women’s Soccer League NWSL should not detract from the Republic of Ireland players’ magic year. Pauw was named among several managers and coaches in a report by the NWSL that discovered widespread, ongoing misconduct in the NWSL. The investigation unit received reports of ongoing misconduct at “more than half” of the NWSL clubs during the 14-month inquiry.
The report claimed Pauw, who was in charge at Houston Dash in 2018, attempted to exert excessive control over her players’ eating habits and that it was not in best practice. Pauw has strongly denied all allegations and last week said she will consider the possibility of legal action. Pauw said: ‘‘I don’t feel any guilt in this. I don’t feel it has anything to do with that fantastic performance that we have done with Ireland. We made the impossible possible, so I don’t want to take that away from the players.’
A statement from the FAI backed their manager, saying ‘‘Neither the FAI or Vera had sight of this report before it was published and we note that Vera has already expressed her views to the authors of the report. The FAI continues to support Vera and her team as they prepare for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia.’’ Meanwhile a former Houston Dash player has hit out at the allegations aimed at Pauw. She said: ‘‘The accusations against Vera are ridiculous. Vera is one of the best women’s coaches in the world right now and I am proud to have worked with her.
That comes with high standards and high demands. It is always Vera’s intention to get the best out of an individual so that the team will benefit. Certain players may have mistaken this for a certain kind of abuse because they may not have been challenged enough by other coaches at an earlier stage to get the most out of themselves.’’
Leona Maguire has praised Sean Quinn’s “vision.” INPHO/BEN BRADY
MAGUIRE PRAISES QUINN’S VISION
Irish golfer Leona Maguire has revealed she would never have played golf professionally if it had not been for the “vision” of controversial businessman Seán Quinn. Maguire is back home in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, after a stellar year in which she won on the LPGA Tour for the first time, rose to 11th in the world and banked her biggest cheque of $550,000. She said: ‘‘To be perfectly honest, if it wasn’t for the Slieve Russell golf course and the vision of Seán Quinn, both myself and Lisa probably wouldn’t be playing golf.’’ Maguire’s twin sister Lisa was also a professional golfer, before her retirement in 2019.
KATIE’S DREAM A STEP CLOSER
Katie Taylor has seen her dream homecoming bout move a step closer as rival Amanda Serrano recently outlined her plans for 2023. Taylor, who will turn 37 next summer, has repeatedly expressed a desire to fight in her native country before she hangs up her gloves and it looks more realistic than ever now that Serrano has explained what she hopes to accomplish in the next few months. Serrano, who previously turned down the offer of a rematch with Taylor in Dublin, plans to unify the featherweight division before she moves up again to take on Taylor, with Croke Park the most likely venue for the second bout.
Serrano’s promoter, Jake Paul confirmed that his company is in negotiations with Taylor’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, to get the rematch in Ireland over the line but that will only take place after Serrano becomes undisputed 126lbs champion.
Serrano echoed Paul's message and explained that her priority is a clash with WBA featherweight champion Erika Cruz before she agrees to travel to Ireland for the Taylor rematch. Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, who has represented Taylor since she ventured into the pro ranks in 2016, is determined to come up with a plan for Taylor’s next fight. ‘‘We are in negotiations with Nakisa and MVP. Obviously, our priority is to make the rematch with Katie Taylor.
At the same time, we’d like to do a two-fight deal with them. There’s a massive opportunity for Serrano to fight Cruz and then Taylor in the big rematch. For Serrano to become undisputed at 126lbs and then fight Katie again for the undisputed at 135lbs at Croke Park in Dublin, it would make that rematch even bigger if you can imagine that. We need to move on Katie’s next fight. She has three options on Croke Park. We want to choose one within the next two weeks max. We want it to be Amanda Serrano.’’
RUSSELL RETIRES
Jockey Davy Russell has announced his retirement from the saddle after winning at Thurles on Sunday. The 43-year-old Youghal-born rider was a two-time winner of the Aintree Grand National on Tiger Roll and claimed 22 victories at Cheltenham, including the Gold Cup on Lord Windemere in 2014.
SOUTHGATE STAYS
The English FA confirmed at the weekend that Gareth Southgate is to stay on as England manager. The 52-year-old was considering his future in the wake of the World Cup quarter-final defeat to France. Southgate has a contract until the 2024 European Championship, but admitted to feeling conflicted about staying on given what has often been a difficult 18 months.
