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CRAZY MOMENTS FROM FIFA WC 2022 IN QATAR

For a man approaching 94 years of age, excitement is a rarity. From November 20th to December 18th a boyish enthusiasm took over. I was one among the three billion fans who sat glued to the TV to watch the Football World Cup.

The first shock was Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina. Lionel Messi looked more than bewildered. Saudi Arabia beating Argentina!! No. it could not be real. But it was. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia presented Bentley cars to each Saudi player. Soon Germany, Belgium, Brazil, England were out. Little known African countries became giant killers. Morocco played with amazing skill. They had their opponents in a daze. Africa had arrived on the football big league. Doha’s Lusail Stadium did not have a vacant seat. Fans were left breathless.

What was the great Cristiano Ronaldo doing? He was not in the field till half time. His arrival on the wonderfully manicured green turf but some pep into the Portuguese team. He even scored a penalty goal. Here was the second best footballer in the world fumbling. He had, a few days before the World Cup began, left the Manchester team under unpleasant circumstances. As Cristiano’s game deteriorated, Messi’s picked up. Soon Portugal was out of the World Cup. Ronaldo’s grief was all too visible.

From the first day I had backed France. The country had won the Cup four years ago. Argentina and France met in the final. The former was two goals ahead when the French wizards Kylian Mbappe scored two stunning goals. Two all. In the thirty minutes extra time no goals were scored.

Penalty time. Mbappe scored the first goal. His class was all too evident. His pace is stunning. He suddenly appears from nowhere, sending the football into the goal. Speed, over 38 kilometres an hour!! Mbappe was heartbroken when his two teammates made a mess by missing two penalty goals. Argentina won the World Cup. Even President Macron could not console Mbappe. I too was very disappointed. But the better side won. A few words about the organizers. Qatar excelled itself. Everything went like clockwork. No misbehaviour in stands, none in the hotels and hostels.

For tourist too life was a ball but discipline was not flouted. Qatar is not a democracy. You step out of line, you got it in the neck. When World Cup was allotted to Qatar the widespread reaction was not in favour. Doha proved them wrong. The Hindustan Times of December 20 selected the best XI of the 2022 World Cup.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

K NATWAR SINGH The author is Former Minister of External Affairs of India

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