soccer – World Cup Soccer Talk

The Maradona Cup

The 1986 FIFA World Cup was one for the history books, as Diego Maradona single-handedly won the cup for Argentina. His performance at the tournament is regarded as the best individual performance in World Cup history.

Throughout the tournament Maradona was doing it all, he was captain; and led the team with five goals and assists. What made him so dangerous on the pitch was his speed and ability to create chances for himself and his teammates. He was on a mission to bring back glory to his country and set a name for himself at the biggest stage of football.

Argentina made it through the group stage easily, and from then on, Maradona left his mark at the tournament against England in the quarterfinals. During the first half, the match was very stalemate as both teams failed to score, but what occurred in the second half created arguably two unforgettable moments in World Cup history. In the 51^st minute Maradona scored what was later named “The Hand of God”, as the ball deflected off an English defender and Maradona jumped and punched the ball with his hand to score. As he celebrated, the entire England squad swarmed the referee in disgust as they protested that it was a handball, but the goal stood. Not even five minutes later, Maradona scored what is considered the greatest goal scored in World Cup history, as he dribbled through the entire England squad.

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Argentina went on to win the match 2-1, and he later scored two more in a 2-0 win in the semifinals against Belgium. Setting up the final between Argentina and West Germany. The final was an exciting match as Argentina surrendered a 2-0 late in the match, but Maradona bailed out his team yet again as he set up the game winning assist in the 85^th minute. Sending his team over the hump and winning the match, and crowned World Cup champions for the second time.

Maradona winning the World Cup cemented his name as one of the greatest of all time. Footballers across the world say winning the World Cup is very difficult, but Maradona seemingly did it on his own, and that there is a feat no one will ever accomplish anytime soon.

The Controversial Ball

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The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa was nearly a perfect tournament, except for one thing, the ball. The “Jabulani” was the official match ball of the 2010 World Cup, and experts believe it’s one of the worst match balls in World Cup history.

For those who don’t know, the word Jabulani means, to celebrate. Sadly, this ball did the complete opposite, and made it a living nightmare for players on the pitch. As the ball was kicked, it had a mind of its own. The movement had goalkeepers off their feet as the ball was dipping mid-air and, on the ground, and ultimately ended in the back of the net.

For the attackers, they too had difficulty taming a wild beast like the Jabulani. Their shots would rise high from the strengths of their shots into the stands. When kicked, players said the ball felt like a giant beach ball, not knowing what direction the ball was going in.

Despite having many negatives, the Jabulani did have some good moments. The crazy dips and knuckle movement allowed players to score some of the best goals of the entire tournament.

Singing the National Anthem

The national anthems for both countries are played, creating special a moment for players and fans coming together before the start of every World Cup match. Letting their opponent know they are ready to win the game. This side of soccer may not be for everyone, but witnessing raw emotion from everyone singing along gives the body goosebumps.

For players, having the opportunity to sing their country’s anthem is a moment they will never forget. The gigantic roar of the crowd can leave a player filled with emotions. Many players do not get the opportunity to represent their nation at a World Cup. For many players, it can be the first and only time they will ever get to experience this monumental moment.

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I have had dreams that I was playing for Mexico in the World Cup, and I was on the pitch singing along to the national anthem. I know it is a feeling that is indescribable. I hope once in my lifetime I can get the opportunity to see this with my own eyes.

The Day Robben crushed Mexico’s heart

On June 29, 2014, a robbery was committed in Fortaleza, Brazil by a man named Arjen Robben. It was the 92nd minute of the round of 16 matchup between Mexico and Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Robben won a controversial game-winning penalty by flopping inside the penalty area. This ended Mexico’s tournament with a 2-1 defeat, but losing by a horrible call still haunts the fans to this day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8EJoBfh3D8

It has been six years, since this occurred and I for one can never forget how upset I was. Prior to the game, my dad and I discussed the chances of Mexico winning, even though they were not considered favorites. In the 48th minute , Giovanni Dos Santos scored an unlikely goal, and from then on, I believed they were going to pull off the upset. My dad and I jumped and screamed with pure excitement because no one but Mexico fans believed the team was capable of beating the Dutch. Little did I know, that was soon going to change.

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The end of the game was near, and the Dutch were making a late push on a tired Mexican team. Dutchman Wesley Sneijder scored a rocket volley to tie the game in the 87th minute. To be fair, it was a miscommunication between the defenders, because the shot had pace that goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could not have saved. Nevertheless, the game continued, and the most disgusting play I have ever seen was on the verge of happening.

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Robben’s dive was not a huge surprise because his style of play is really simple. He is fast and cuts inside, but he was always known for falling quite easily. After the call was made, I quickly shouted, “NO ERA PENAL!” The replay had a clear shot that it was not a penalty, but the referee gave the penalty in spite of the players protests. The Dutch scored and won the game, and I fell to the floor in utter disappointment. I lost all respect for Robben after what he did, and I will never forgive him. It is a World Cup moment that will haunt Mexico fans for the rest of time because everyone who watched the game realized that Mexico was robbed.

Waka Waka is the Best World Cup Anthem

The 2010 FIFA World Cup had its best song come to fruition. On May 7, 2010, “Waka Waka (Esto es Africa)”, by global superstar Shakira featuring South African group Freshlyground was released. The message of the song encourages people to continue battling towards their goals, no matter how many times they fall.

Waka Waka Official Music Video

For soccer fans across the globe, the song brought magical moments of joy during the tournament. The beat of the drums and the rhythm of the guitar will make you get up and dance. Shakira’s vocals and dancing gave a stylistic aspect to the song, but it was Freshlyground’s rhythm that brought the song to life. They were able to incorporate their style of music to the soccer realm. To this day, I listen back to this song and remember watching the games early in the morning with my dad or before I had my own match to play.

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The song celebrated its 10-year anniversary earlier this year, and there is no sign of losing its touch. It is embedded to the minds of soccer fans across the world. Only a few songs have that ability to stay popular after many years. It will never be forgotten.

The FIFA World Cup, just how special is it?

2010 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Netherlands in Johannesburg, South Africa
Photo by: Mikhael Moosa

Once every four years, the world gathers together to watch what is arguably the biggest sports event in the world, the prestigious FIFA World Cup. Thirty-two of the world’s best countries send their best players to fight for the biggest trophy any soccer player can dream of winning. The World Cup provides us with jaw dropping moments of pure joy, but it can have moments where your heart is filled with utter disappointment. Only an event so prestige like the World Cup is capable of doing this, so because of that; here are a few reasons on what make the World Cup so prestige.

When I think of the World Cup, I think about the trophy. There have been two trophies that have been awarded for the winner of the tournament. The original trophy was first given out in 1930 to Uruguay for winning the inaugural tournament, and was named the Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the Frenchman who proposed the tournament. The Jules Rimet trophy was awarded up until the 1970 tournament and introduced the current trophy at the 1974 tournament, and it has been the focal point of winning the tournament. For many soccer players, getting the opportunity to hold the trophy and hoist in the sky is a dream for all players, but very few get the chance to do it.

Another key aspect of what makes the World Cup prestigious are the fans. The fans are such a key part to sports in general, but in the World Cup; I feel like there’s no competition of which fans are best. The constant chants, songs, and noises come from the fans to give their players the backing they need to win. In soccer, there are only eleven players on the pitch per team, and the fans represent themselves as the twelfth player. The roar of the crowd as they pour their hearts out as they do whatever they can do give an advantage to their team.

I have never been to a World Cup game, but I do have an opportunity to be there once the World Cup comes to the United States in 2026. By then, I will be able to be a part of the crowd, the chants, take a picture with the cup and hopefully witness the most prestigious sporting event, the World Cup. But for now, I’ll sit at home and watch on tv.