Hey football fans! The World Cup 2022 in Qatar was an unforgettable tournament, and even though it's over, let's relive the excitement by looking back at all the fixtures. From the opening match to the grand finale, we'll cover all the dates, times, and key moments. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just getting into the sport, this recap will bring back some amazing memories.

Group Stage Fixtures

The group stage is where the World Cup journey begins for many teams. The group stage fixtures set the stage for the entire tournament. It's a whirlwind of matches, surprises, and emerging stars. Here’s a detailed look at how it all unfolded:

Group A

• Qatar vs. Ecuador: The opening match! Ecuador spoiled the host nation's party with a 2-0 victory. Enner Valencia was the star, netting both goals. The atmosphere was electric, but Ecuador's clinical finishing made the difference.
• Senegal vs. Netherlands: A late show from the Netherlands saw them secure a 2-0 win. Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen scored the goals, breaking Senegal's resistance. It was a tactical battle, with the Netherlands' experience proving crucial.
• Qatar vs. Senegal: Senegal bounced back with a 3-1 victory, ending Qatar's hopes of progressing. Boulaye Dia, Famara Diédhiou, and Bamba Dieng got the goals for Senegal, while Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar's first-ever World Cup goal. A historic moment for Qatar, even in defeat.
• Netherlands vs. Ecuador: A 1-1 draw saw both teams pick up a valuable point. Cody Gakpo scored again for the Netherlands, but Enner Valencia continued his impressive form, equalizing for Ecuador. A thrilling encounter with end-to-end action.
• Ecuador vs. Senegal: Senegal secured their place in the knockout stages with a 2-1 win. Ismaïla Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly scored for Senegal, while Moisés Caicedo scored for Ecuador. A tense and dramatic match with everything on the line.
• Netherlands vs. Qatar: The Netherlands finished top of the group with a 2-0 victory. Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong were on the scoresheet. A comfortable win for the Dutch, confirming their status as group winners.

Group B

• England vs. Iran: England started strong with a dominant 6-2 victory. Bukayo Saka (twice), Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, and Jack Grealish all found the net. A statement win for England, showcasing their attacking prowess.
• USA vs. Wales: A 1-1 draw saw Gareth Bale score a late penalty to rescue a point for Wales. Timothy Weah had put the USA ahead. A hard-fought match with drama until the very end.
• Wales vs. Iran: Iran stunned Wales with a 2-0 victory, scoring two late goals. Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian were the heroes. A massive win for Iran, revitalizing their World Cup campaign.
• England vs. USA: A 0-0 draw saw the USA frustrate England. A disciplined defensive performance from the USA earned them a valuable point. England struggled to break down the American defense.
• Wales vs. England: England secured their place in the knockout stages with a 3-0 victory over Wales. Marcus Rashford (twice) and Phil Foden scored the goals. A comfortable win for England, confirming their dominance in the group.
• Iran vs. USA: The USA progressed to the knockout stages with a 1-0 victory over Iran. Christian Pulisic scored the decisive goal. A tense and politically charged match with high stakes.

Group C

• Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia: A massive shock as Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2-1. Lionel Messi scored a penalty, but Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari turned the game around. One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
• Mexico vs. Poland: A 0-0 draw saw Robert Lewandowski miss a penalty. A tight and cagey affair with few clear-cut chances.
• Poland vs. Saudi Arabia: Poland secured a 2-0 victory. Piotr Zieliński and Robert Lewandowski (his first World Cup goal) were the scorers. A crucial win for Poland, boosting their chances of progression.
• Argentina vs. Mexico: Argentina bounced back with a 2-0 victory. Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández scored the goals. A vital win for Argentina, easing the pressure after their opening defeat.
• Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico: Mexico won 2-1, but it wasn't enough to progress. Henry Martín and Luis Chávez scored for Mexico, while Salem Al-Dawsari scored for Saudi Arabia. A bittersweet victory for Mexico.
• Poland vs. Argentina: Argentina topped the group with a 2-0 victory. Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez scored the goals. A dominant performance from Argentina, confirming their status as group winners.

Group D

• Denmark vs. Tunisia: A 0-0 draw saw both teams start with a point. A tight and tactical match with few clear chances.
• France vs. Australia: France started strong with a 4-1 victory. Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud (twice), and Kylian Mbappé scored for France, while Craig Goodwin scored for Australia. A dominant performance from the defending champions.
• Tunisia vs. Australia: Australia secured a 1-0 victory. Mitchell Duke scored the only goal. A crucial win for Australia, keeping their hopes alive.
• France vs. Denmark: France secured their place in the knockout stages with a 2-1 victory. Kylian Mbappé scored both goals for France, while Andreas Christensen scored for Denmark. A thrilling match with Mbappé stealing the show.
• Australia vs. Denmark: Australia progressed to the knockout stages with a 1-0 victory. Mathew Leckie scored the decisive goal. A historic win for Australia, their first time in the knockout stages since 2006.
• Tunisia vs. France: Tunisia won 1-0, but it wasn't enough to progress. Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal. A memorable victory for Tunisia, despite their elimination.

Group E

• Germany vs. Japan: Japan produced a stunning comeback to beat Germany 2-1. İlkay Gündoğan scored a penalty for Germany, but Ritsu Dōan and Takuma Asano secured a famous win for Japan. Another major upset in the tournament.
• Spain vs. Costa Rica: Spain recorded a dominant 7-0 victory. Álvaro Morata, Ferran Torres (twice), Dani Olmo, Gavi, Carlos Soler, and Nico Williams all scored. A ruthless performance from Spain, announcing their title credentials.
• Japan vs. Costa Rica: Costa Rica bounced back with a 1-0 victory. Keysher Fuller scored the only goal. A crucial win for Costa Rica, keeping their hopes alive.
• Spain vs. Germany: A 1-1 draw saw both teams pick up a point. Álvaro Morata scored for Spain, while Niclas Füllkrug equalized for Germany. A thrilling encounter between two European giants.
• Costa Rica vs. Germany: Germany won 4-2, but it wasn't enough to progress. Serge Gnabry, Kai Havertz (twice), and Niclas Füllkrug scored for Germany, while Yeltsin Tejeda and Juan Pablo Vargas scored for Costa Rica. A high-scoring game with plenty of drama.
• Japan vs. Spain: Japan topped the group with a 2-1 victory over Spain. Álvaro Morata scored for Spain, but Ritsu Dōan and Ao Tanaka secured another famous win for Japan. A stunning result that sent shockwaves through the tournament.

Group F

• Morocco vs. Croatia: A 0-0 draw saw both teams start with a point. A tight and tactical match with few clear chances.
• Belgium vs. Canada: Belgium secured a 1-0 victory. Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal. A hard-fought win for Belgium, despite a strong performance from Canada.
• Belgium vs. Morocco: Morocco stunned Belgium with a 2-0 victory. Romain Saïss and Zakaria Aboukhlal scored the goals. A massive win for Morocco, boosting their chances of progression.
• Croatia vs. Canada: Croatia recorded a dominant 4-1 victory. Andrej Kramarić (twice), Marko Livaja, and Lovro Majer scored for Croatia, while Alphonso Davies scored for Canada. A comprehensive win for Croatia.
• Canada vs. Morocco: Morocco topped the group with a 2-1 victory over Canada. Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri scored for Morocco, while Nayef Aguerd scored an own goal for Canada. A historic win for Morocco, securing their place in the knockout stages.
• Croatia vs. Belgium: A 0-0 draw saw Croatia progress to the knockout stages. A tense and dramatic match with Belgium unable to find a breakthrough.

Group G

• Switzerland vs. Cameroon: Switzerland secured a 1-0 victory. Breel Embolo scored the only goal. A tight match with Switzerland just edging it.
• Brazil vs. Serbia: Brazil started strong with a 2-0 victory. Richarlison scored both goals, including a stunning overhead kick. A dominant performance from Brazil, showcasing their attacking quality.
• Cameroon vs. Serbia: A thrilling 3-3 draw saw both teams pick up a point. Jean-Charles Castelletto, Vincent Aboubakar, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored for Cameroon, while Aleksandar Mitrović, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Aleksandar Mitrović scored for Serbia. A high-scoring game with plenty of drama.
• Brazil vs. Switzerland: Brazil secured their place in the knockout stages with a 1-0 victory. Casemiro scored the decisive goal. A hard-fought win for Brazil, confirming their status as group winners.
• Serbia vs. Switzerland: Switzerland progressed to the knockout stages with a 3-2 victory over Serbia. Xherdan Shaqiri, Breel Embolo, and Remo Freuler scored for Switzerland, while Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović scored for Serbia. A tense and dramatic match with plenty of goals.
• Cameroon vs. Brazil: Cameroon recorded a 1-0 victory. Vincent Aboubakar scored the only goal. A memorable victory for Cameroon, despite their elimination.

Group H

• Uruguay vs. South Korea: A 0-0 draw saw both teams start with a point. A tight and tactical match with few clear chances.
• Portugal vs. Ghana: Portugal secured a 3-2 victory. Cristiano Ronaldo (penalty), João Félix, and Rafael Leão scored for Portugal, while André Ayew and Osman Bukari scored for Ghana. A thrilling match with five goals.
• South Korea vs. Ghana: Ghana won 3-2 in a game filled with drama. Mohammed Salisu, Mohammed Kudus (twice) scored for Ghana, while Cho Gue-sung (twice) scored for South Korea. A back-and-forth match with plenty of excitement.
• Portugal vs. Uruguay: Portugal secured their place in the knockout stages with a 2-0 victory. Bruno Fernandes scored both goals. A comfortable win for Portugal, confirming their status as group winners.
• Ghana vs. Uruguay: Uruguay won 2-0, but it wasn't enough to progress. Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored both goals. A bittersweet victory for Uruguay, as they were eliminated on goal difference.
• South Korea vs. Portugal: South Korea progressed to the knockout stages with a 2-1 victory over Portugal. Ricardo Horta scored for Portugal, while Kim Young-gwon and Hwang Hee-chan scored for South Korea. A stunning result that sent South Korea through.

Knockout Stage Fixtures

The knockout stage is where legends are made. The knockout stage fixtures bring the drama, the tension, and the unforgettable moments. Every match is a final, and here’s how it all played out:

Round of 16

• Netherlands vs. USA: The Netherlands advanced with a 3-1 victory. Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, and Denzel Dumfries scored for the Netherlands, while Haji Wright scored for the USA. A solid performance from the Dutch.
• Argentina vs. Australia: Argentina progressed with a 2-1 victory. Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez scored for Argentina, while Craig Goodwin scored for Australia. A hard-fought win for Argentina.
• France vs. Poland: France advanced with a 3-1 victory. Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé (twice) scored for France, while Robert Lewandowski scored a late penalty for Poland. Mbappé was the star of the show.
• England vs. Senegal: England progressed with a 3-0 victory. Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka scored for England. A comfortable win for the Three Lions.
• Japan vs. Croatia: Croatia advanced after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Daizen Maeda scored for Japan, while Ivan Perišić scored for Croatia. A tense and dramatic match decided by penalties.
• Brazil vs. South Korea: Brazil cruised to a 4-1 victory. Vinícius Júnior, Neymar (penalty), Richarlison, and Lucas Paquetá scored for Brazil, while Paik Seung-ho scored a consolation goal for South Korea. A dominant performance from Brazil.
• Morocco vs. Spain: Morocco advanced after a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw. A historic win for Morocco, knocking out Spain.
• Portugal vs. Switzerland: Portugal dominated with a 6-1 victory. Gonçalo Ramos (hat-trick), Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro, and Rafael Leão scored for Portugal, while Manuel Akanji scored for Switzerland. A stunning performance from Portugal.

Quarter-Finals

• Croatia vs. Brazil: Croatia advanced after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Neymar scored for Brazil, while Bruno Petković equalized for Croatia. Another dramatic penalty shootout for Croatia.
• Netherlands vs. Argentina: Argentina advanced after a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw. Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi (penalty) scored for Argentina, while Wout Weghorst (twice) scored for the Netherlands. A thrilling match with late drama.
• Morocco vs. Portugal: Morocco continued their dream run with a 1-0 victory. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the decisive goal. A historic win for Morocco, becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
• England vs. France: France progressed with a 2-1 victory. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Olivier Giroud scored for France, while Harry Kane scored a penalty for England. A closely contested match between two European giants.

Semi-Finals

• Argentina vs. Croatia: Argentina advanced to the final with a 3-0 victory. Lionel Messi (penalty) and Julián Álvarez (twice) scored for Argentina. A dominant performance from Argentina.
• France vs. Morocco: France advanced to the final with a 2-0 victory. Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani scored for France. A hard-fought win for France, ending Morocco's dream run.

Third-Place Playoff

• Croatia vs. Morocco: Croatia secured third place with a 2-1 victory. Joško Gvardiol and Mislav Oršić scored for Croatia, while Achraf Dari scored for Morocco. A well-deserved win for Croatia.

Final

• Argentina vs. France: Argentina won after a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw. Lionel Messi (twice) and Ángel Di María scored for Argentina, while Kylian Mbappé (hat-trick) scored for France. An epic final, widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.

Conclusion

The World Cup 2022 was a tournament full of surprises, amazing goals, and unforgettable moments. From the group stage upsets to the knockout stage drama, every match had its own story. Reliving these fixtures reminds us of the passion, skill, and excitement that makes football the world's game. Whether it was the shocking defeat of Argentina by Saudi Arabia or the thrilling final between Argentina and France, World Cup 2022 will be remembered for years to come. Guys, what were your favorite moments? Let us know in the comments below!