Fifa World Cup 2018

Lionel Messi wore a 'lucky red ribbon' during the FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign with Argentina. He was first gifted the ribbon by a reporter in Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup: The South Americans had an edge in the game with a 2-0 lead before Kylian Mbappe struck twice to bring the 2018 champions back in the game

Thrust into the hotseat on an interim basis in 2018 after Jorge Sampaoli's tempestuous reign ended, Scaloni, 44, has made the job his own -- leading the Albiceleste to the brink of a third World Cup crown

FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina and Croatia Semi-Final Highlights: A Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina thumped 2018 runners-up Croatia 3-0 to set up a World Cup final against either France or Morocco.

Daizen Maeda gave Japan a half-time lead and Ivan Perisic headed home an equaliser for the 2018 runners-up before goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three of four penalties as Croatia won the shoot-out 3-1.

After crying tears of sorrow in the last two World Cups, with South Korea eliminated in the group stage in both 2014 and 2018, Son Heung-min was finally able to shed tears of joy.

The 2018 runners-up need to avoid defeat on Thursday to be sure of qualification for the last 16, while Belgium likely need all three points. Belgian coach Roberto Martinez hit out at "fake news" after media reports of a rift in his squad.

The world's second-ranked side will have to beat 2018 runners-up Croatia on Thursday to be sure of a last-16 place after their 2-0 loss at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Having scored four during France's victorious 2018 campaign and one against Australia, Mbappe now has seven goals in nine World Cup appearances.

Belgium, who finished third at the tournament in Russia in 2018, are still ranked second in the world but many of the much-vaunted "Golden Generation" are now in their 30s

Morocco took the game to a Croatia side featuring four players who started the 2018 final but struggled to create genuine chances against a defence marshalled by the experienced Dejan Lovren

2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia will face Morocco in their first match of the 2022 edition

Germany begin their path to World Cup redemption on Wednesday after the 2018 horror show in Russia, with Spain and Croatia also kicking off their campaigns in Qatar.

The "Champions Curse" has already hurt a few FIFA World Cup champions. Germany were eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and France would hope to avoid going through the same in the 2022 edition of the tournament.

As the Netherlands return to the World Cup after missing out in 2018 they will be led by Virgil van Dijk, who has grown into one of the game's best defenders.

Lionel Messi wore a 'lucky red ribbon' during the FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign with Argentina. He was first gifted the ribbon by a reporter in Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup: The South Americans had an edge in the game with a 2-0 lead before Kylian Mbappe struck twice to bring the 2018 champions back in the game

Thrust into the hotseat on an interim basis in 2018 after Jorge Sampaoli's tempestuous reign ended, Scaloni, 44, has made the job his own -- leading the Albiceleste to the brink of a third World Cup crown

FIFA World Cup 2022 Argentina and Croatia Semi-Final Highlights: A Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina thumped 2018 runners-up Croatia 3-0 to set up a World Cup final against either France or Morocco.

Daizen Maeda gave Japan a half-time lead and Ivan Perisic headed home an equaliser for the 2018 runners-up before goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three of four penalties as Croatia won the shoot-out 3-1.

After crying tears of sorrow in the last two World Cups, with South Korea eliminated in the group stage in both 2014 and 2018, Son Heung-min was finally able to shed tears of joy.

The 2018 runners-up need to avoid defeat on Thursday to be sure of qualification for the last 16, while Belgium likely need all three points. Belgian coach Roberto Martinez hit out at "fake news" after media reports of a rift in his squad.

The world's second-ranked side will have to beat 2018 runners-up Croatia on Thursday to be sure of a last-16 place after their 2-0 loss at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Having scored four during France's victorious 2018 campaign and one against Australia, Mbappe now has seven goals in nine World Cup appearances.

Belgium, who finished third at the tournament in Russia in 2018, are still ranked second in the world but many of the much-vaunted "Golden Generation" are now in their 30s

Morocco took the game to a Croatia side featuring four players who started the 2018 final but struggled to create genuine chances against a defence marshalled by the experienced Dejan Lovren

2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia will face Morocco in their first match of the 2022 edition

Germany begin their path to World Cup redemption on Wednesday after the 2018 horror show in Russia, with Spain and Croatia also kicking off their campaigns in Qatar.

The "Champions Curse" has already hurt a few FIFA World Cup champions. Germany were eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and France would hope to avoid going through the same in the 2022 edition of the tournament.

As the Netherlands return to the World Cup after missing out in 2018 they will be led by Virgil van Dijk, who has grown into one of the game's best defenders.