Football

Poor old Luka Modric. A player of such balletic beauty and grace, he could barely have been more elegant had he tiptoed on to the pitch down a sweeping ...

[Manchester United](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/22/manchester-united-up-for-sale-as-glazers-announce-plans-to-leave-old-trafford) and [Liverpool](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/10/jurgen-klopp-committed-to-liverpool-no-matter-who-owns-club) counterparts, seeing as both clubs, along with their freeholds atop the moral high ground, are now up for sale and vulnerable to folk wielding big bags of the old petro-pennies. [five-goal thumping](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/07/tottenham-everton-premier-league-match-report) at Spurs to the [twin defeats](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/12/bournemouth-everton-premier-league-match-report) at Bournemouth, via humiliations against Leicester and Crystal Palace and everything in between. Peter Shilton, the bizarro-world Neville Southall, had already this year gone out of his way to have a pint with Nigel Farage on GB News and announce that he’d never take the knee. This one goes to everyone on that party bus with fixed grins and dead eyes, insisting they were lost in the carefree celebration of a successful season. Let it all out, José, just like Football Daily plans to do yet again while watching the end of It’s a Wonderful Life. Southend United, for selling the naming rights of their West Stand to a local firm of estate agents called Gilbert and Rose. [Three goals in 336 seconds](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/22/manchester-city-win-premier-league-title-aston-villa-match-report) later, City were ahead and certs for the title. None of them were having it – furious old pros will be furious old pros – and Walton displayed remarkable composure in the face of a knowledge-lite salvo. Less than five months later, Stevie [was sacked](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/oct/20/steven-gerrard-leaves-aston-villa-after-disappointing-start-to-season), after which a former subordinate [took his old job](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/nov/29/mick-beale-is-a-cosy-appointment-when-rangers-need-a-ruthless-rebuild) at Rangers. A slapstick masterclass, and upon being immediately substituted it’s just as well everyone in the stadium gave the Astaire of the Adriatic the standing ovation A player of such balletic beauty and grace, he could barely have been more elegant had he tiptoed on to the pitch down a sweeping staircase in top hat and tails. Hmm, all of a sudden, the penny’s beginning to drop.

How many times were we told this was the best World Cup ever? Mainly by people with a vested interest in spreading the message, it must be said. Fifa president ...

[Suarez’s infamous handball in the 2010 World Cup](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/ghana-vs-uruguay-feud-explained-luis-suarez-handball-world-cup-rivalries-2000185?ico=in-line_link). You could just imagine Malcolm Tucker on the phone to Infantino afterwards and calling him a lot of words beginning with fuck. In hindsight, it set the tone perfectly. It was hard not to see it as a furious reaction to all the negative PR the country had been getting predominantly from the West in the week building up to opening game. About as far away from the spotlight as you could get, two migrant workers died during the tournament (that we know of), one while working at a resort used by the Saudi Arabia team and another falling from a great height at the Lusail Stadium. [Germany’s players holding hands over mouths](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/germany-protest-covering-mouths-one-love-armband-fifa-lost-control-1989531?ico=in-line_link), symbolising they’d been gagged by Fifa over the OneLove armband, went everywhere. [ confronted BBC Persia reporter Shaimaa Khalil](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/iran-coach-carlos-queiroz-bbc-journalist-world-cup-questions-protest-1992404?ico=in-line_link) to ask why she didn’t question Gareth Southgate over the UK’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. And to conclude that, no, it was definitely stuff actually happening to marginalised and exploited members of society, and not racism. The best World Cup ever! But in pics and clips, they truly are the best stadiums ever. How many times were we told this was the best World Cup ever? Mainly by people with a vested interest in spreading the message, it must be said.

Telegraph readers react to Argentina's epic World Cup final win over France and Qatar's hosting of the tournament as a whole.

Telegraph readers joined the rest of the footballing (and non-footballing) world in reacting to perhaps the wildest 120 minutes in football ever. [beat France](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/12/18/argentina-vs-france-world-cup-2022-final-live-score-messi-mbappe/) 4-2 on penalties after France fought back from 2-0 and then 3-2 down, with both sides having chances to win a [helter-skelter game](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2022/12/18/how-world-reacted-argentinas-crazy-world-cup-final-win/?) at the death before the shootout. [Messi](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2022/12/19/majestic-lionel-messi-writes-perfect-final-chapter-world-cup/) matched his idol Diego Maradona in winning international football's most coveted prize.

After Argentina and France produced arguably the greatest World Cup final of all time, Sky Sports News Rob Dorsett reviews Qatar 2022 and discusses what the ...

Thank God the football was such a pleasant distraction from all of this. The lack of alcohol was of course a huge factor. Next to the Al Bayt Stadium was a synthetic warm-up pitch. With hotel prices typically in excess of £500 per night, and beer prices more than £12 a bottle in the few hotels you could buy it - it seemed unaffordable and unattractive to many. Always looking for recycling bins within the FIFA facilities and on the street, and only very rarely finding one. It felt, even before the World Cup had started, that maybe FIFA wasn't running its own tournament. A fairly wealthy stooge who was delighted with his free England shirt and free tickets to a big World Cup game. There was a very short build-up to the tournament. The English FA, wrong-footed and fuming at FIFA, lit the Wembley arch in rainbow colours. It turned out that the interviewee was an entrepreneur, who owned a health and safety business in Saudi Arabia, who had won a contract with the Supreme Committee to oversee work practices in Doha. And when FIFA organised a 'meet-the-migrant-workers' choreographed photocall at England's team base in Al Wakrah, it was a hugely awkward and fully choreographed event. An extravaganza of footballing drama that went all the way, lurching sometimes towards France, sometimes towards Argentina.

TEHRAN – Argentina ended their long title drought by beating France 4-2 in penalty shootout of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. La Abliceste won the title ...

Thank you for making people to fight together in a peaceful atmosphere. Reportedly, around five billion people watched the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Regardless of final result, FOOTBALL brought billions of people together in a one-month period.

Lionel Messi, leading the Argentina team throughout the World Cup, has achieved his crowning glory and ascended to another plane, says football writer ...

His mesmerising run to set up Julian Alvarez for the [third against Croatia](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/messi-and-alvarez-fire-argentina-past-croatia-world-cup-final-3142886), turning the highly rated Josko Gvardiol inside out in the process, showed his ageless quality. Messi is now able to take his place alongside Maradona as an Argentinian icon and a World Cup-winning great. [driven throughout Qatar 2022](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/lionel-messi-argentina-players-world-cup-goals-stats-and-career-highlights-3150691). Messi has not taken to his easy chair during the later stages of his career. On Sunday, Montiel’s decisive spot-kick to confirm Argentina’s 4-2 shoot-out win was an almost nonchalant effort, belying the tension. But Messi’s status as the greatest of the 21st century is now unquestioned. The 23-year-old, gunning for a second World Cup title at such a young age, woke from the slumber that had afflicted him throughout much of the opening 80 minutes. Two goals in as many minutes ignited the night in a manner few expected. Back and forth the blows rained through extra time. Like two heavyweights slugging each other to a standstill at the end of four gruelling weeks, Argentina’s World Cup final win over France at Lusail Stadium had everything. But where would the fun have been in that? So much drama.

We put together the most memorable quotes of the college football year, from Lane Kiffin and Jim Harbaugh to Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher.

"I think the first couple series are going to be really important to kind of figure out what they're bringing to the party. "People ask the question, 'How does it feel to be hunted?' We will not be hunted at the University of Georgia. And you know I took one of the hardest hits of the entire game, and unlike some of our players who had to go to the medical tent ... "You're going to wake up watching Big Ten football and go to bed watching Big Ten football. They're not going to win the division, they're not going to win the SEC, they're not going to get in that Final Four. The new commissioner, I mean, honestly, if I was him, I wouldn't let OU and Texas in any meetings." I'd encourage you not to pander to the Twittersphere and really, the haters that like to drink their haterade and eat their hater tots." "You go to USC and UCLA games, and quite honestly, it's just kind of boring. You go to the other schools out of state and their fans are kind of like fanatics." But I don't know if we will be able to sustain that in the future because more and more people are doing it." "When you first see all the cigars you're like, what is all that? "Coach Arnett has made it clear that we're going to finish what we started and honor Coach Leach.

DOHA - The streets of Msheireb in downtown Doha were eerily quiet on Monday morning. Barricades that had been in place for a month were gone, as were the TV ...

In Germany, Suddeutsche Zeitung also played on that via the headline “The foot of God” for Messi. On the cover of its sports section, it dubbed him “The Greatest”. As did four billion people all over the world, from Buenos Aires to Bangladesh, to bars, coffee shops and lawns in Singapore. Barricades that had been in place for a month were gone, as were the TV trucks and security presence. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, a mess at first, was later seen bopping up and down on the pitch with his two sons. After 29 days and a record 172 goals across 64 matches, the World Cup in Qatar was finally over.

The Football NSW Referees Department bid farewell to ten members of its Referee Academy who graduated from the two-year program. These match officials were first selected in the FNSW Academy at the start of the 2021 season.

- Matt Harris – Macarthur District Football Referees Association - Marissa Grant – Macarthur District Football Referees Association So many people want to be in your shoes, so don’t waste the opportunity you’ve been given,’ said Blake Sanchez-Cruz.

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football following France's World Cup final defeat.

He is Madrid's second-top goalscorer of all-time with 329 goals, behind only [Belgium](/soccer/team/_/id/459) and [Spain](/football/team/_/id/164) in the semifinals and final to claim the trophy. I've written my story and ours comes to an end,"

France striker Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday on Monday, a day after Les Bleus lost to Argentina on ...

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. I wrote my story and ours is ending," Benzema wrote on Twitter. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football, a day after France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final.

World Cup How to watch and stream Argentina v France in World Cup final [France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final](https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/lionel-messi-brings-a-happy-end-to-one-of-football-s-great-stories-after-world-cup-glory-the-warm-up_sto9282458/story.shtml).

France football star and 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, Karim Benzema, has announced his retirement from international football.

Benzema was sent home on the eve of the tournament after picking up an injury, but there was some speculation that he could return for the final against France after playing a friendly for Real Madrid. I have written my story and ours is ending.” This comes barely 24 hours after France lost the 2022 FIFA World Cup final to Argentina on Sunday night at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Argentina deserved to win the World Cup and it was lovely to see Morocco do well but the world's governing body must learn from the lessons.

Instead Fifa is taking the World Cup to places where not everyone will be accepted and that can’t be right. However, it is important to remember that concerns regarding migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community will not disappear just because the world’s spotlight is no longer on Qatar. Off the pitch Qatar showed it is possible to have a sober football tournament (inside the stadium) and that fans from different nations can mingle without problems. They brought joy to the competition and their performances will inspire a lot of people, not only in Morocco but from all over Africa as well as the Moroccan diaspora. These teams really showed what they can do and brought new fans and eyes to the game, people who may not be as invested in the One could see they were up for it from the start, with their body language, their tackles, their transitions and the way they used the crowd to create energy.

The 35-year-old Real Madrid striker missed France's attempted defence of their World Cup title due to injury.

Benzema made his international debut in 2007. “I wrote my story and ours is ending.” [Photos: Alexia Putellas and Karim Benzema win Ballon d’Or awards](/gallery/2022/10/18/photos-alexia-putellas-and-karim-benzema-win-ballon-dor-awards) [France’s star striker Karim Benzema out of World Cup with injury](/news/2022/11/19/benzema-injured-on-return-to-full-training-for-france) [Benzema’s injury hampers France’s chances of retaining crown](/sports/2022/11/20/benzemas-injury-a-massive-blow-for-frances-chances)

We'll forget the bisht incident, and celebrate the amazing World Cup games, says author and broadcaster Mihir Bose.

It can be a wonderful “play within a play”, but the thrill of exploring the unknown has gone. A friend who was passing by said, “It is the Spanish supporters celebrating winning.” In fact it was the Moroccan supporters, whose team had just beaten Spain, one of their old colonial masters. These self-appointed guardians of the game, who for decades have feasted on venality, continue to make promises they know they cannot fulfil, and instead use the wonders of Messi and others to validate themselves. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? In the near century of this competition, Europe and South America, where so many people are of European descent, have been the only two continents to win the trophy. Tourists admiring the Christmas lights and shoppers laden with their presents were suddenly surrounded by cars honking and streams of people draped in a flag I could not recognise. The climaxing of the competition reminded us that football can still produce magic, mystery and enthralling drama, and provide the most unexpected twists and turns that uplift us, and, for a few brief hours, make us connect us with strangers. Then Messi, receiving a pass from just outside the box, directed a shot with such precision and delicacy that he seemed to be caressing the ball past the diving goalkeeper. Until then the World Cup had been overshadowed by the not unexpected, but nevertheless sad realisation that the sceptics were right. One is of him in his Argentinian team shirt, holding up the trophy. Most of us had never met, and will probably never meet again. The second image showed the rich state, which had bought the World Cup, rubbing in the world’s noses in it.

After France's defeat in the FIFA 2022 World Cup Finals, French striker Karim Benzema has confirmed his retirement from the international football.

[Karim Benzema](/topic/karim-benzema)missed the [FIFA](/fifa-world-cup-2018-in-russia)2022 [World Cup](/topic/world-cup)Finals match. And Giroud netted four goals in the tournament, becoming the nation's all-time leading goal scorer. [Deschamps](/topic/deschamps)'.

Emotional edits of Argentina's World Cup 2022 victory set to Swift's music are flooding TikTok. Sentimental, symbolic and reflecting on past struggles, ...

One user who made an edit of Neymar with her music wrote: “how can a white American woman write a song that fits perfectly with the struggles of a Brazilian football player trying to fit in and live in a European country…” The comments are a mix of people crying at the heavy emotion and football fans utterly bemused as to why Messi's career edits have been set to her music. To honor your privacy preferences, this content can only be viewed on the site it [Swifties](https://www.tiktok.com/@taylortapes/video/7178640722415848710?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7178640722415848710&q=taylor%20swift%20messi&t=1671448910405) have been flooding TikTok with edits of [Lionel Messi]() set to her music, namely “You're On Your Own Kid” from her album Midnights, with many being served up the Messi/Swift mash-up content despite having no interest in football. Lots of users are commenting that their ‘For You’ page page is now exclusively [football](https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/sport/article/world-cup-2022-giant-killings) fancams on Swift's music. All it took was the greatest player of all time lifting the trophy at the end of the greatest final in history.

Climax of World Cup a memorable affair in controversial Qatar competition tainted by claims of corruption, deaths of migrant workers and human rights ...

The endeavour, commitment and teamwork shown by the players and their determination not to give up reminds us of the ability of humankind to overcome challenges. It provided a welcome distraction from geopolitical tensions and the troubles of everyday life. It has, at least, raised awareness of the rights of workers, women, and the LGBTQ community. The World Cup brought people of different cultures and nationalities together. It was full of drama, excitement and footballing brilliance, the perfect climax to a thrilling competition. But it has also been the most controversial World Cup, because of the choice of Qatar as host.

The France striker Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football – on his 35th birthday – a day after Les Bleus lost against ...

All three players missed their penalties in the shootout and were targeted on social media following the game. Coman’s club, Bayern Munich, posted a message of support on Twitter for the 26-year-old, condemning the racist comments made towards him. Benzema made his international debut in 2007.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following an extensive search, Lehigh has named Kevin Cahill the 30th head football coach in program history. A coaching veteran with more ...

The breadth and diversity of his experiences will be valuable as he engages with our team, our alumni, our university and our Lehigh Valley community." He helped lead Springfield College to a pair of NCAA playoff appearances and was twice recognized as the ECAC Division III New England Player of the Year. Yale boasted the top-ranked offense in the Ivy League and ranked in the top 25 in the FCS in total offense for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Kevin has had a profound impact on my career and it has been an honor to play for him and coach alongside him. I am proud of Kevin and so excited for him and Lehigh's future." He helped the Black Bears to a pair of FCS playoff appearances and mentored six all-conference performers including All-Americans Jared Turcotte and Jhamal Fluellen. "The search process was thoughtfully executed, with sensitive consideration of the input from our team prior to the search and our staff throughout the evaluation process. "In the end, the evidence of his strong and enduring relationships with team members, his fresh outlook and detailed vision for our program, his fundamental skill as a teacher and developer of young people and his optimism and passion about the people he met and opportunity at Lehigh influenced the final decision. 1 offense in the Ivy League in three of Cahill's 10 years on staff. "I am deeply grateful to and highly impressed by the work of our search committee and appreciative of the many other people at Lehigh who engaged in supporting our search and evaluation processes," said Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett '76. In 2022, the Bulldogs went 8-2 overall and 6-1 in Ivy League play to capture their third Ivy crown in the last five seasons. . – Following an extensive search, Lehigh has named Kevin Cahill the 30th head football coach in program history.

Cahill comes to Lehigh from Yale University, where he spent the past 10 seasons and was a member of the coaching staff for three Ivy League championships. “I'm ...

And for me being a good head coach is going to take away from me being a good offensive coordinator.” For me to call plays, it takes away from me being a good head coach. [Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett ’76](https://lehighsports.com/staff-directory/joe-sterrett/716), Yale and Lehigh’s hiring committee, Cahill thanked [President Joseph J. Since 2018, Cahill has served as Yale's associate head coach and offensive coordinator, working directly with the quarterbacks. The future is what we have to do from this point now for the next nine months [before next season], which is work.” Cahill comes to Lehigh from Yale University, where he spent the past 10 seasons and was a member of the coaching staff for three Ivy League championships.