World Cup
World Cup memories
My name is Luca Rizzo and I’m the Team Lead for the Organic Social department at William Hill. I’ve followed every major football tournament since I can remember, so I’ve looked back at some memorable moments and ahead to Qatar 2022.
2002 World Cup in South Korea
Amazingly, the 2002 World Cup was the last time Brazil lifted the trophy. It’s a tournament that will live long in my memory as I watched a lot of the games at school! Our teachers would wheel out the TVs for the England games and we’d spend the 90-minute lessons watching the footy. Sadly, we didn’t get to watch my beloved Italy.
The tournament was a great spectacle, although there was some controversy – particularly in my house as South Korea knocked Italy out in the Round of 16. Ahn Jung-hwan’s golden goal was the difference in extra time after, in my opinion, some questionable refereeing decisions.
South Korea went on to knock Spain out in the last eight but were beaten by Germany in the semis. The final was all about THE Ronaldo and THAT haircut as he scored twice to seal Brazil’s fifth title.
Brazil are 4/1 to win the 2022 World Cup.
2006 World Cup in Germany
Disappointment in 2002 was replaced by utter elation four years later as Italy were crowned world champions. Before that memorable final in Berlin, there was the famous wink by Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s quarter-final with England after Wayne Rooney’s red card. The Three Lions exited on penalties, sounds familiar, but Italy went all the way to the final.
They faced France in Berlin and went on to win on penalties, with Fabio Grosso converting the final spot kick. But the most-iconic moment of that final came in the 110th minute when Zinedine Zidane inexplicably headbutted Marco Materazzi.
France are 6/1 to go one better this time and win in Qatar.
2010 World Cup in South Africa
The ‘’Vuvuzela’’ – how can you forget them, right? What a noise! It was like a swarm of bees was at every game in South Africa!
Away from the noise, one of the most memorable moments of the tournament came in the opening game as South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico. Siphiwe Tshabalala put the hosts ahead in the 55th minute to send the stadium wild. His strike was also greeted by the famous commentary line from ITV’s Peter Drury: “TSHABALALA, goal BAFANA BAFANA, goal for South Africa, goal for all Africa.” But unfortunately, they never made it out of the group stage.
By 2010, the Spanish dominance and tiki-taka was in full flow after their triumph in Euro 2008. And they added the World Cup to their trophy cabinet in dramatic style with a 116th minute extra-time winner from Andres Iniesta to break Dutch hearts.
Spain are 8/1 to win the 2022 World Cup.
2014 World Cup in Brazil
A World Cup in Brazil. Is there anywhere better? The 2014 competition saw the introduction of goal-line technology and had shocks throughout.
In the group stage, the Netherlands beat defending champions Spain 5-1, including a sublime diving header from Robin van Persie. Meanwhile, England and Italy both failed to make it out of a group with Uruguay and Costa Rica!
The biggest surprise came in the semi-final, though, as Germany thumped hosts Brazil 7-1! They were not as ruthless in the final, but eventually found a way through Argentina’s defence in extra time through Mario Gotze.
Germany are 10/1 to win the 2022 World Cup.
2018 World Cup in Russia
Four years ago, I had to watch a tournament without Italy. The 2018 World Cup was the first to use VAR and saw England reach the semi-finals.
Spain again made an early exit, losing to Russia in the Round of 16, while Brazil were beaten by Belgium in the quarters.
England’s march to the last four under Gareth Southgate saw them win a penalty shootout against Colombia and beat Sweden. Was football coming home? No. Not this time. Croatia ended England’s dreams, but they were then beaten 4-2 by a France side that included Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba.
England are 7/1 to go all the way in Qatar
2022 World Cup in Qatar
Now, we come to this year’s tournament. The first not to be played in June/July. Instead, the 2022 World Cup takes place in November/December to avoid the extreme heat in Qatar.
Sadly, it’s another World Cup without Italy after the European champions were beaten by North Macedonia in the European play-offs.
So, which teams are going to be in contention? Let’s have a look:
Brazil are the current favourites for the World Cup, which they seem to be each and every time. They are in fine form with 22 wins from their last 26 internationals and have the mercurial Neymar at the heart of things. The Selecao are 4/1 to win it.
There’s always pressure as the holders, but France were unbeaten in qualifying to top their group. They have an array of talent at their disposal and are 6/1 to repeat their 2018 heroics.
But my pick is Argentina. They’re unbeaten in 33 games, won the Copa America final against Brazil and beat Italy 3-0 in ‘The Finalissima’. It’s 7/1 that Argentina and Lionel Messi go all the way.
Picking a Golden Boot winner is no easy task given the depth of attackers set to be on show in Qatar. The likes of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, Vinicius Jr should all be there. Benzema is the one for me. He was sensational last season for Real Madrid and at 10/1 is a good price. I might have a little something on Messi at 14/1 too, because, you know, it’s Messi!
