Morocco is in the semifinals, and what a feat it dreamed of. Finally, an African team has come so far by playing the football it could play, by making mental resilience the preponderant factor of its campaign, which has left behind forces such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
Croatia, who stayed behind Morocco in the group, although as undefeated as the Africans/Arabs, also fulfilled their dream of returning to the semis as in 2018, thanks to the sorcerer Modric, capable of being everywhere on the pitch, at the age of 37 , even after 120 minutes of football.
Just like Lionel Messi’s Argentina, which has already been in one and insists on going forward, as it was in Brazil, in 2014.
Respecting the Croats will be the least that the Argentines will do after the scare against the Netherlands, when a sold-out game turned into a nightmare, turned into a tango, thanks to the brilliant free kick devised by the restless head of the controversial Van Gaal, who dropped out for the second time without losing any game, like in 2014.
The gods of the stadiums wanted the Argentines to be the executioners again, this time in the quarterfinals and not in the semis, as in Itaquera.
Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal, known as Louis van Gaal, but who could well be called, in Dutch, Gek van Gaal, like Loco Bielsa, has a strange sense of humor, is marrento, goes against the offensiveness and permanent rotation of the geniuses Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, and got good results, without taking the Dutch to the world title.
Finally, there’s France once again in the semifinals, which is getting boring to match a certain idea of France.
Without N’Golo Kanté, without Paul Pogba, but with Tchouaméni, without Karim Benzema, without Presnel Kimpembe, without…, but with Kylian Mbappé.
If Jairzinho was the Hurricane of the 1970 World Cup, Mbappé is the Tsunami of 2022.
There were three number 10’s left to honor and strengthen the world’s fans for the recovery of the greatest of them all.
Mbappé, Messi and Modric carry on their backs the grades that the most demanding football teachers award them with praise.
What ending will we have? Argentina and France fighting for the third championship is the hope and bet of Planeta Bola.
What if Croatia vs Morocco?
It would be a blow to the football business, but at the same time, the possibility of reviewing the prevailing methods in this most popular sport on Earth, in a frank process of gentrification, as Qatar fully demonstrates.
No need to hate modern football, grassroots football asked for and won passage in this World Cup.
Neither Messi nor Mbappé were seen feasting on golden barbecues, least of all Modric.
Saiss, the Moroccan captain, prefers to wrap his thigh to stay on the field, pinch his opponent’s heel if necessary, face Cristiano Ronaldo as if he were Dom Sebastião in the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir. And win.
The Brazilian dream of winning the sixth championship fell by the wayside, for the fifth time in a row, as it repeated the hiatus between 1970 and 1994.
Fortunately, the most important victory for the Brazilians in 2022 had already taken place, on October 30.
It is not necessary to always win in football, nor is it edifying to always lose, a harsh reality for those who do not have a World Cup.
Maybe the sixth one will come next time, with competence, joy and, above all, simplicity, the best way to be serious without being moody.
The clowning goes too far, beyond the far-fetched terminology.
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
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