World Cup memories

My identify is Luca Rizzo and I’m the Staff Lead for the Natural Social division at William Hill. I’ve adopted each main soccer match since I can bear in mind, so I’ve appeared again at some memorable moments and forward to Qatar 2022.

2002 World Cup in South Korea

Amazingly, the 2002 World Cup was the final time Brazil lifted the trophy. It’s a match that can dwell lengthy in my reminiscence as I watched a variety of the video games at college! Our academics would wheel out the TVs for the England video games and we’d spend the 90-minute classes watching the footy. Sadly, we didn’t get to observe my beloved Italy.

The match was a terrific spectacle, though there was some controversy – notably in my home as South Korea knocked Italy out within the Spherical of 16. Ahn Jung-hwan’s golden objective was the distinction in additional time after, for my part, some questionable refereeing selections.

South Korea went on to knock Spain out within the final eight however have been overwhelmed by Germany within the semis. The ultimate was all about THE Ronaldo and THAT haircut as he scored twice to seal Brazil’s fifth title.

Brazil are 9/2 to win the 2022 World Cup.

2006 World Cup in Germany

Disappointment in 2002 was changed by utter elation 4 years later as Italy have been topped world champions. Earlier than that memorable closing in Berlin, there was the well-known wink by Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s quarter-final with England after Wayne Rooney’s purple card. The Three Lions exited on penalties, sounds acquainted, however Italy went all the best way to the ultimate.

They confronted France in Berlin and went on to win on penalties, with Fabio Grosso changing the ultimate spot kick. However the most-iconic second of that closing got here within the a hundred and tenth minute when Zinedine Zidane inexplicably headbutted Marco Materazzi.

France are 11/2 to go one higher this time and win in Qatar.

2010 World Cup in South Africa

The ‘’Vuvuzela’’ – how are you going to neglect them, proper? What a noise! It was like a swarm of bees was at each recreation in South Africa!

Away from the noise, one of the crucial memorable moments of the match got here within the opening recreation as South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico. Siphiwe Tshabalala put the hosts forward within the fifty fifth minute to ship the stadium wild. His strike was additionally greeted by the well-known commentary line from ITV’s Peter Drury: “TSHABALALA, objective BAFANA BAFANA, objective for South Africa, objective for all Africa.” However sadly, they by no means made it out of the group stage.

By 2010, the Spanish dominance and tiki-taka was in full movement after their triumph in Euro 2008. They usually added the World Cup to their trophy cupboard in dramatic fashion with a 116th minute extra-time winner from Andres Iniesta to interrupt Dutch hearts.

Spain are 8/1 to win the 2022 World Cup.

2014 World Cup in Brazil

A World Cup in Brazil. Is there wherever higher? The 2014 competitors noticed the introduction of goal-line know-how and had shocks all through.

Within the group stage, the Netherlands beat defending champions Spain 5-1, together with a elegant diving header from Robin van Persie. In the meantime, England and Italy each didn’t make it out of a bunch with Uruguay and Costa Rica!

The most important shock got here within the semi-final, although, as Germany thumped hosts Brazil 7-1! They weren’t as ruthless within the closing, however finally discovered a means by way of Argentina’s defence in additional time by way of Mario Gotze.

Germany are 10/1 to win the 2022 World Cup.

2018 World Cup in Russia

4 years in the past, I needed to watch a match with out Italy. The 2018 World Cup was the primary to make use of VAR and noticed England attain the semi-finals.

Spain once more made an early exit, dropping to Russia within the Spherical of 16, whereas Brazil have been overwhelmed by Belgium within the quarters.

England’s march to the final 4 beneath Gareth Southgate noticed them win a penalty shootout towards Colombia and beat Sweden. Was soccer coming house? No. Not this time. Croatia ended England’s desires, however they have been then overwhelmed 4-2 by a France facet that included Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba.

England are 7/1 to go all the best way in Qatar

2022 World Cup in Qatar

Now, we come to this yr’s match. The primary to not be performed in June/July. As a substitute, the 2022 World Cup takes place in November/December to keep away from the intense warmth in Qatar.

Sadly, it’s one other World Cup with out Italy after the European champions have been overwhelmed by North Macedonia within the European play-offs.

So, which groups are going to be in rivalry? Let’s take a look:

Brazil are the present favourites for the World Cup, which they appear to be each time. They’re in superb type with 22 wins from their final 26 internationals and have the mercurial Neymar on the coronary heart of issues. The Selecao are 9/2 to win it.

There’s all the time stress because the holders, however France have been unbeaten in qualifying to high their group. They’ve an array of expertise at their disposal and are 11/2 to repeat their 2018 heroics.

However my decide is Argentina. They’re unbeaten in 33 video games, gained the Copa America closing towards Brazil and beat Italy 3-0 in ‘The Finalissima’. It’s 7/1 that Argentina and Lionel Messi go all the best way.

Selecting a Golden Boot winner isn’t any simple activity given the depth of attackers set to be on present in Qatar. The likes of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, Vinicius Jr ought to all be there. Benzema is the one for me. He was sensational final season for Actual Madrid and at 10/1 is an efficient worth. I might need a little bit one thing on Messi at 14/1 to, as a result of, you understand, it’s Messi!

World Cup betting at William Hill