Fifa toasts World Cup triumph as tournament draws to close
It was supposed to be the World Cup weighed down by problems: sky-high prices, geopolitical tension, the shadow of conflict and the threat of brutal summer heat across the three host nations. Instead, the biggest, most complex edition of football’s showpiece ever staged will be remembered for simpler reasons: thrilling football and a feel-good factor […] The post Fifa toasts World Cup triumph as tournament draws to close appeared first on The Namibian .
It was supposed to be the World Cup weighed down by problems: sky-high prices, geopolitical tension, the shadow of conflict and the threat of brutal summer heat across the three host nations.
Instead, the biggest, most complex edition of football’s showpiece ever staged will be remembered for simpler reasons: thrilling football and a feel-good factor that swept across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
With only Sunday’s final between defending champions Argentina and Spain remaining, world governing body Fifa can already claim the tournament as a triumph.
Pre-tournament fears that the expansion to 48 teams — among them a clutch of tiny debutants — would lead to a dilution of quality proved unfounded.
Instead the World Cup delivered its usual intoxicating cocktail of drama and footballing brilliance that swept away any lingering anxiety.
The Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde held eventual finalists Spain to a shock goalless draw in their opening game, and would go on to rattle Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the last 32 before losing 3-2 in extra-time.
Curacao, population 185 000, would earn a 0-0 draw with Ecuador.
Egypt reached the knockout rounds for the first time and came within a whisker of a stunning upset of Argentina, leading 2-0 with 11 minutes to go before eventually succumbing to Messi’s magic.
