Tears flowed as superstars of the game made their exits one by one in the quarterfinals and all of them making their emotions express the agony.

Stepping into the spotlight at the decisive end of the World Cup 2022 were Croatia, Argentina, Morocco and France. To recall, the first and last names figured in the final of the 2018 edition, but the team that has caught the eye at this stage is Morocco.

The North Africans, popularly known as the Atlas Lions, have done the African continent proud and to be precise the Arab region too. The backing the Africans have in the Gulf region by itself is a testimonial for the immense support they get.

No wonder they have already caused jitters in the minds of defending champions with whom they will face off for the spot in the final.

No African nation has ever made it past the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The Atlas Lions were only the fourth African team ever to make it to the last eight and now they are the one who have made it to the semifinals.

And in this edition, the Moroccans are the only team who have kept a clean slate with the only goal conceded being an own goal. This means no team, including the star-studded Portugal have breached their citadel.

Going by name, they are the underdogs of the tournament, however, until Saturday evening they have exhibited their habit of upsetting the odds.

If Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was seen sobbing in the end, it had two reasons for it. One could be that of his coach Fernando Santos not giving a slot in the opening eleven and the second could be that he is unlikely to feature in any of future World Cups.

After he came on the field in the second half, CR7 and his team tried hard to pressurise for the equalising goal but the African goalkeeper Yassine Bounou aided by stout defenders denied Portugal till the end.

Speaking about Morocco we tend to forget the other quarterfinal matches, though those were also too keenly contested.

France had edged past England after Harry Kane had missed a penalty, but the two big teams in fray were extended to the limits. Hot favourites Brazil slipped in the penalty shootouts and Lionel Messi’s Argentina managed to scrape through from a similar situation

Brazil, when they were almost on verge of a semifinal spot, when a shocker came at the fag end of second extra-time half with Bruno Petkovic getting one past Alisson Becker for the equaliser. The Croatians desperately wanted it. 

Since the 2018 Russia World Cup the Europeans had a proven record of converting shootouts in their favour, and they did it once again. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was Croatia’s hero once again and thereby ending Brazil’s dream of six titles and also leaving Neymar shell-shocked.

Neymar, like Ronaldo, was in tears, though he thought he had done enough to book a place with a stunning extra-time effort.

The quarterfinal that followed appeared to be on a similar line, with Argentina fighting off a spirited late fightback by Netherlands to force a shootout. Many thought Messi would be another star leaving the stage in despair, the star survived the scare and lived to see another day.

The Dutch might have not been as smart as the Croatians in the shoot-out but Messi’s team would have already started working out a ploy to finish off the game in regulation time. The Croatians are ready to play out time and win it off in the end.

Will Qatar provide a riposte of the 2018 final or can this edition provide a new champion? The wait is not far…

If France reaches the final and go on to win the title, they will be the first team to claim back-to-back crowns to match the achievements of the vintage Brazilian teams.

If Morocco does the same, it will be a first on all accounts – as no African teams have done this before. Can they be the new champions? Any guesses?

If Argentina manages to win the next two games, it will be a crowning moment for Messi, who is yet to win a World Cup in his illustrious career and if the winner Is Croatia, it would be one sweet moment, especially after the bitter end to their2018 campaign and a golden moment for their midfielder and captain Luka Modrić

All of us do have our choices, but the gut feeling is that there could be a new champion. And who could that be?

FOR THE STATISTICALLY INTERESTED

The spectacular goal against Croatia put Neymar on par with the legendary Pele for most goals (77) for Brazil. However, there is very huge contrast. Pele won three World Cups and Neymar had only drops of tears to count. Neymar scored 77 goals in 124 matches for Brazil, while Pele’s goals came in 92 appearances.