On 18th December 2022, football may have peaked (at least for the foreseeable future). Now, Messi fans will never lose a debate, the Three Lions’ fans will enter their 57th year of hurt, and the seasonal football fans will enter dormancy. However, we perennial football viewers will tune into Premier League action on the 26th of December. The question is, can the Premier League bring anywhere near the excitement that the World Cup final brought us, or will post-World Cup depression send football fans into melancholy. We just experienced the World Cup’s ‘Aguero moment’ and before we could even take a breather, we have the Premier League’s most awaited fixtures – those of Boxing Day.
But are these Boxing Day fixtures significant anymore? Normally, the World Cup is in the summer, somewhat of a conclusion to what would have already been an incredible season. The domestic leagues would have concluded, followed by the dramatic European competitions and then, after a couple of weeks or so, the World Cup would have been a fitting finale. For a good month or so after the World Cup, top tier football will escape into the backdrop and give us some time to reignite our football fever. Only then will the next domestic season slowly start up again. By mid-August, we would be starving for the ‘beautiful game’ and the new season would be a fresh start.
Now, we are resuming Premier League action, with the biggest football game in four years not even being ten days old. If the Champions League concluded mid-season, would the rest of it really matter? Probably not, and it feels quite the same, if not worse, with the World Cup finishing in December. Beyond that, Messi winning the World Cup felt like a victory for every Argentinean, every neutral, and basically everyone else who is not French or a CR7 fan. Now, how do we go back and support Chelsea, or Man United or Liverpool, who are all battling it out for a measly top four.
But I have hope. Maybe when I turn on that Brentford vs Spurs game on Boxing Day, the tension of a London Derby, the Brentford faithful in loud voice, the laudable ‘non-FOX’ commentators, and the destiny of my FPL team might bring back the drama and excitement of the beautiful game. I do not expect it to match or better the drama of the World Cup, but I do expect it to be entertaining in a different sense. The Premier League broadcast team will have a lot on their hands to make it as big of an occasion as possible, but they might just be able to do it. After all, they have played the lead role in making the Premier League the most-watched Sports league in the world.
While we do rather unwillingly (or willingly) shift our focus back to club football, it is worth noting some of the significant details in the Premier League that may have gone unnoticed in the buildup to the World Cup. First of all, Arsenal are five points clear at the top. Unfortunately for them, ‘tis the time of year when many great teams collapse after a promising start to the season. Man City are on their tail in second place, ready to make them pay for any future failures. Quite surprisingly, Newcastle are in third place, on the back of five successive wins. They will be looking to maintain their rank, clinch European football, and mark the beginning of a new era. Spurs are in fourth position, followed by United and Liverpool. Erik ten Hag seems to have turned things around at United as they are still in top-four contention, while Klopp’s Liverpool seem to have fallen off their perch this season. Chelsea sit in eighth place after ownership changes, a disappointing start to the season and the sacking of Thomas Tuchel. Meanwhile, Brighton and Fulham are exceeding expectations, sitting in seventh and ninth place, respectively. Despite a promising Europa League campaign last season, West Ham have declined drastically – just one point off the drop zone. Nottingham Forest, Southampton, and Wolves make up the bottom three, but it is too early to call their downfall. Southampton have regularly escaped relegation in recent years, while Wolves, a promising mid-table side, are sure to find a solution.
Starting with Boxing Day 2022, I am sure the remainder of this Premier league season will bring plenty of drama, entertainment, and reasons to love this great sport. However, can anything oust or even match the significance of the World Cup final that took place just seven days ago?
Emi Martinez is an Argentine hero, a trash-talking icon, and an idol for millions of young goalkeepers worldwide. However, just two and a half years ago, he was a little-known backup goalkeeper who was battling to stay in top-flight European leagues. Emi Martinez’s story is one of perseverance, dedication, and hope. His career so far represents a steep exponential curve, with the dreariest of flats followed by a glorious climb.
Emi Martinez holding up the Golden Glove that (symbolically) won the 2022 FIFA World Cup for his nation.
On the 20th of June 2020, what seemed like an insignificant play set off a chain of events that would conclude with Martinez. Messi and Argentina lifting the World Cup.
When the Premier League resumed after the covid-19 suspensions, a mid-table Arsenal travelled to Brighton with the hope of revitalizing their 19/20 campaign. In the 36th minute, Arsenal Goalkeeper Bernd Leno came off his line to collect an overhit long ball. Neal Maupay, who was the intended target of the pass, had given up chase. However, the ball took an awkward bounce and slowed down its approach into Leno’s hands. Seeing the opportunity, Maupay made one last half-assed attempt at retrieving the ball, ultimately colliding with Leno in mid-air, after the Arsenal shot-stopper had already collected the ball. Leno went down with a loud scream (heard even on the broadcast), having landed awkwardly on the ground – he had severely hurt his knee.
I remember sitting in my room, at my desk watching Leno get taken off on a stretcher, furiously cursing and wagging his finger at an apologetic Maupay. It was a needless challenge that had ended in the worst possible way. A little-known 27-year-old goalkeeper, named Emiliano Martinez, came on to replace Leno. The Argentine net-minder had been with Arsenal for the past ten years but had never really broken through to the first team. He had been sent on numerous loan stints over the years, but none of them had clicked. Against Brighton, Martinez showed that he was a very capable keeper. He made several important saves and ealt with multiple crosses. However, Brighton equalized in the 75th minute and Maupay scored an injury time winner, adding insult to injury (quite literally) for the Gunners.
The lows were only temporary for Arsenal though, as Martinez finished the remainder of the 19/20 season in fine form. In fact, his remarkable performances in the FA semi-final (against Manchester City) and final (against Chelsea) led Arsenal to some silverware and a spot in Europe, masking their otherwise forgettable 19/20 campaign. In the post-match interview, after the FA Cup final, Martinez broke down into tears when asked about what this victory meant for him and his family. It showed how hard he had to work for this opportunity and how passionate he was about football.
Despite all this, Arsenal decided Leno, who was back fit, would be the first choice in net going into the 20/21 season. Emi Martinez was desperate for a starting role, and his brief show of potential earned him interest from numerous clubs. Eventually, he chose fellow Premier League club Aston Villa and quickly established himself as their starting keeper. His first season at the West Midlands was a great success – he equaled the club record for clean sheets in a season (15), was voted as the Villa supporters’ player of the season, and he helped Villa finish 11th (six places ahead of the previous year). Martinez received a lot of praise for his ability to hold the ball (when making a save), cross collection and distribution, all of which make up the core components of a ‘modern day goalkeeper.’
In the summer of 2021, Martinez was called up to the Argentina squad for a series of World Cup Qualifiers. He made his senior international debut on 3rd June 2021 against Chile. Good showings meant he would start in goal for his country in the 2021 Copa America later that month. In what could potentially be Messi’s last chance at winning the tournament, the pressure on the Argentine players was immense, and more so on the Argentine keeper. However, Martinez lived for moments like these, and he would thrive under the pressure. In the first game against Chile, he helped his side secure a 1 – 1 draw. The only goal conceded was from the rebound off a penalty that Martinez had saved. In the semi-final against Colombia, Emi Martinez put on another excellent penalty saving display by stopping a whopping three spot-kicks in the shootout, thereby ensuring Argentina’s spot in the final. Recently, Peter Drury described Martinez as a ‘character keeper,’ and this was where we saw that side of Martinez for the first time. Playing for his country meant more than anything to him and he did everything in his power to lead his country to glory. His pre-penalty antics and the way he got into the penalty taker’s head was comical yet effective.
The final was against an extremely strong Brazilian side but a clean sheet from Emi Martinez and a lone goal from Angel Di Maria led Argentina to a narrow 1 – 0 victory. Despite having made his international debut just 37 days ago, Martinez had helped Argentina to South American glory. He also took home the Golden Glove award, for being the best keeper in the tournament. With Martinez in goal, Messi was finally able to win a major international tournament with his country. Having waited a decade in the shadows at Arsenal, Martinez’s rise to stardom was rapid. Yet, this was just the beginning.
Having announced himself to the Argentine public in spectacular fashion, Martinez returned to England and had another commendable season. It may have not been as impressive as his first season at the West Midlands, but he was still one of Villa’s top five performers. Villa finished the 21/22 campaign in 14th place, but it might have been worse if not for Martinez’s efforts in goal.
The 2022 World Cup was looming ahead, and Martinez was the undisputed starting keeper for Argentina. In an interview with the Athletic, Emi Martinez reminded everyone how much playing for his country at the World’s biggest stage meant to him. He said, “Maybe when I hear the national anthem, the tears might be there.” and “I will tell myself, ‘I’ve made it’, when the first game starts.” Once again, the pressure was paramount as it was sure to be Messi’s last attempt to win the elusive World Cup. Martinez had won the hearts of the Argentine public after the Copa America in 2021, but everyone knew he could become public enemy no. 1 if he failed, here.
In Argentina’s opening game against Saudi Arabia, La Albiceleste astonishingly threw away a 1 – 0 lead and lost 1 – 2. Despite Emi Martinez not being responsible for any of those goals, boos rung out every time he touched the ball in their next game, against Mexico. However, Martinez did not let that faze him and a spectacular free kick save against Mexico’s Alexis Vega silenced his critics. Martinez continued to be immense for Argentina, in an unobtrusive sort of way. La Albiceleste could not have progressed to the final without Martinez’s last minute save against Australia in the round of 16 and two-penalty shootout saves against the Dutch in the quarter finals.
Emi Martinez making a crucial stop against Australia’s Garang Kuol, in the 90 + 7th minute of their World Cup round of 16 matchup, to maintain Argentina’s 2 – 1 advantage.
In the final against France, Kylian Mbappe put three past Martinez but there was little he could have done about any of them. With the game level at 3 – 3, Emi Martinez denied French forward Kolo Muani from point-blank range in the 120 + 3rd minute. If the Frenchman had scored, it was sure to be the last kick of the game and Messi and Argentina would have fallen short once again. But Emi Martinez had kept the Argentine dream alive, sending the game to penalties. Martinez’s shootout save combined with Argentina’s perfect record from the spot sealed a fairy tale ending for Lionel Messi. After repeated international heartbreaks, since 2006, Lionel Messi had finally completed the international double in his last attempt.
While the World celebrated Messi and his career, I had to look back at Emi Martinez’s unprecedented journey to the top. Just two and a half years ago, merely playing in the World Cup was a faraway dream for Martinez. Now, he had won football’s greatest trophy, while being the Golden Glove winner (the tournament’s best keeper). A decade of unrecognition and failed loan spells, to a meteoric rise to the pinnacle of football – Martinez’s story is truly inspiring.
Lionel Messi (right) embracing Emi Martinez (left) after his penalty shootout heroics against The Netherlands in the World Cup quarter finals, on 9th December 2022.
It is funny to think that it all started with Neal Maupay (half French half Argentine by the way) needlessly contesting a lost cause. But we still do not know what the future holds for Emi Martinez, World Cup glory may just be the beginning of his success. However, one just cannot help but feel that Emi Martinez was put on this planet with one job – to help Messi finally accomplish his international dream. M.S. Dhoni did it for Sachin Tendulkar in 2011, Kyrie Irving did it for LeBron James in 2016, and now Emi Martinez did it for Leo Messi in 2022.
Many years from now, we will look back on the 18th of December 2022 as the day Lionel Messi, the greatest ever, completed football. However, anyone who witnessed it live will know that the journey, even on the final day, was far from straight forward.
Lionel Messi lifted up on the shoulders of his teammates, as they parade around Lusail Stadium with the World Cup after defeating France in the 2022 World Cup Final.
Going into the 2022 World Cup final, the storyline was that Lionel Messi had one last chance to win the elusive World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe had the chance of extending his perfect record at the World’s biggest stage. It was to be a showdown between a South American superpower driven by passion, emotion and skill and the defending champions from Europe who were methodical, clinical, and ruthless.
Argentina started the game on the front foot. Angel Di Maria, after his short absence due to injury, was more motivated than ever. His first half performance was staggering – he ran circles around defenders, won his side a penalty and finished off a devastating counterattack to give his country a 2 – 0 lead. As for the Great Man, he was built for the big stage. He did not let the moment tear him down. He had missed his penalty in the 2016 Copa America final, and he had two penalties saved earlier in this tournament, but none of that would affect him now. He scored his penalty and wheeled off to the corner flag to celebrate in front of the Argentine fans. Argentina’s second goal was pure class. It was the epitome of Argentine football – the perfect blend of passion and skill. Argentina won the ball just outside their own penalty area and just five clever passes later, Angel di Maria finished past an onrushing Hugo Lloris. Alexis MacAllister was an unsung hero for this goal, this game, and the tournament for Argentina. Despite playing for an ‘unfashionable’ Premier League club in Brighton & Hove Albion, the 23-year-old was the brightest spot in the Argentine midfield throughout the tournament.
Argentina’s fans were in full voice ever since the onset of their national anthem prior to kick off, and they had no reason to stop. The La albiceleste continued to keep Lloris busy for much of the second half and even after 75 minutes, France were struggling to string ten passes together. Didier Deschamps made a series of changes to instigate a response from his side. He brought on Randal Kolo Muani in the 41st minute, and Kingsley Coman, and Eduardo Camavinga in the 71st. According to me, the trio were instrumental in changing France’s fortunes late in the second half. In the 79th minute, Kolo Muani went on a powerful run that ended with Otamendi bringing him down in the box and conceding a penalty. Mbappe was trusted with the penalty duties, and he did not falter, bringing the French within one. Just 97 seconds later, Messi dallied on the ball a second too long and Camavinga stole it off him. The resulting play ended in a superb volleyed finish from Mbappe for his and France’s second. In Peter Drury’s words, “Football can be a strange game,” and it certainly was on this big occasion. Argentina worked hard and dominated for 75 long minutes, only for it to be nullified by two minutes of negligence. It was France’s clinical finishing that got them past England and Morocco in the previous rounds and it was happening for them again.
After France’s two goals in two minutes, you felt it was just not to be for Argentina. You felt history would repeat itself and they would fall short once again. The wind was knocked out of the La albiceleste, and their fans were silenced. The eight minutes of added time were frantic as both sides tried to find the winner before extra time. Emi Martinez made a crucial save on Kolo Muani, after the referee played a brilliant advantage. On the other end, Hugo Lloris made an important save to deny Messi a 90 + 7th minute winner.
The first half of extra time was a relatively dull affair until Lautaro Martinez got subbed on for Argentina in the 103rd minute. Lautaro was immediately involved in a promising attack, but his shot was blocked by a spectacular last-ditch tackle from Dayot Upamecano. The rebound bounced out to Gonzalo Montiel, whose brilliant first-time volley, that looked certain to nestle into the top left corner, was bravely headed away by Raphael Varane.
Throughout the remainder of extra time, Lautaro had multiple chances that were just about dealt with by French defenders. It is an extremely harsh statement, but Lautaro’s performance bore an uncanny resemblance to a certain Gonzalo Higuain disaster class on this same stage eight years ago, that deprived Argentina of the World Cup. However, in the 108th minute, Lautaro did help Argentina break the deadlock as he initiated a clever interchange between himself, Enzo Fernandez, and Messi. This led to a shot of his own, which was parried by Lloris straight into the path of Messi, who tapped in Argentina’s third on the night.
One felt it was surely over now, with Marcos Acuna successfully wasting time in the corner, Rabiot and Varane going off injured for France and the Argentine midfielders breaking up every promising French build up.
However, there was another twist in the tale. France were awarded another penalty as Mbappe’s shot was blocked by the arm of Montiel, from inside the box. It was as if France were awarded a route back into the game for all the bad karma accumulated by Argentina over the course of the game and tournament. Players like Enzo Fernandes, Marcos Acuna, Rodrigo De Paul, and Leandro Paredes were constantly kicking ankles, making dirty tackles, pulling shirts, kicking the ball into the stands after the whistle and going to ground for minimal contact. As much as I adored Emi Martinez and respected Messi, I found it difficult to support Argentina because of this disgraceful behavior from many of their teammates.
Anyways, Mbappe stepped up and converted his second spot kick of the night, thereby completing his hat-trick and equalizing for France. Mbappe was clutch. Despite his age, he carried his nation’s hopes on his back. Just ask Harry Kane how difficult it is to score two penalties in a game. I cannot imagine what the Argentine fans and players went through today, because they were back at square one yet again.
In the third and final minute of added time, in extra time (120 + 3rd minute), Otamendi failed to cut out a long ball and Kolo Muani found himself in prime position to score the World Cup winner for France. Somehow, Emi Martinez was able to spread himself and thwart the French forward from point-blank range. I simply cannot fathom how significant of a save this was. These are the moments goalkeepers dream of and live for, and Emi Martinez made the save of his career to keep his nation alive. Within a few seconds, Argentina went straight down the other end, but Lautaro Martinez nodded his half chance wide.
After two hours of thrilling football, the game headed to penalties. Mbappe stepped up again for France and despite Emi Martinez (and every viewer) knowing exactly where he was going to put it, he still found the net. Messi simply would not slip up in his biggest moment and he converted again as well. Emi Martinez lived up to his reputation of being an exceptional penalty stopper as he denied Kingsley Coman’s spot kick. Aurelien Tchouameni’s miss for France and a series of perfect penalties from Dybala, Paredes and Montiel for Argentina meant La albiceleste were finally World Cup winners after 36 years long years. Mbappe’s best efforts were not enough for France, but he is on course to becoming the next Great thing in World Football. Emi Martinez’s rise to stardom is unprecedented and inspiring, considering that he was not even a Premier League starter two and a half years ago.
After a rollercoaster of a ride, in this game and in his international career, Messi had achieved football’s greatest prize in his fifth and final attempt. The debate for the ‘Greatest Male Footballer of all Time’ might, just might, be over for the time being. It was a fairytale ending and a god-like farewell from the beautiful game’s biggest stage, for Lionel Messi. Over the past 19 years, he had seen it all, done it all, and now, won it all.
The first two rounds of the 2022 national tournament took place last weekend at regional campus-sites around the country and I tuned in to some of the streams to catch a glimpse of some thrilling win-or-go-home tournament soccer. Here are some of those incredible games.
UW Superior’s Josh Bellamy (middle) taking on North Central’s Johnny Kraemer (right) in their NCAA tournament first round matchup on November 12th 2022.
The first-round matchup between North Central and UW Superior summed up D3 soccer as I know it. The North Central Cardinals came into this game ranked #10 in the nation with a 16 – 0 – 4 record. They had just defeated North Park in the extremely competitive CCIW (The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) championship game. That game probably warrants its own blog post, but more on that later. Given how dominant their season was, North Central College was selected to be a regional campus-site and would host their regional pod.
Meanwhile, the travelling UW Superior Yellowjackets were fresh off a comfortable 3-0 win against Bethany Lutheran in the UMAC (Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) Championship game and boasted a 16 – 3 – 2 record. However, they were not even ranked in their region.
It was a frosty night in Naperville, IL and as the game progressed, the field began turning a dull white in the Chicago snowfall. The Cardinals were heavy favorites, as you might have guessed, and they lived up to it by piling on the pressure from the get-go. In the 5th minute, North Central’s Jaziel Enriquez came close to netting the first goal of the game, but the opposing keeper Alex Paredes was equal to it. Eight minutes later, the Cardinals found success off the foot of midfielder Aiden Westerberg, who notched his 10th goal of the season. They nearly doubled their lead in the 23rd minute through a Matteo Innocenti strike but Alex Paredes made another crucial save to keep the Yellowjackets within one. Just a few minutes later, the Yellowjackets made the Cardinals pay for their missed chances as they pulled level through their main talisman, Blake Perry. No one managed to break the deadlock for the remainder of the half and the teams headed into the break, tied one a-piece.
The Cardinals started the second half on the front foot and nearly went ahead just 42 seconds in, but Edoardo Bonifacio’s attempt was well saved by Alex Paredes. As you can tell, Alex Paredes was having an excellent game in goal for the Yellow Jackets and was single-handedly keeping things close.
The game would take an exciting turn in the 74th minute when North Central’s Jack Bonavia received two yellow cards within the span of five minutes, giving the Yellow Jackets a man advantage for the remainder of the game. Twelve minutes later, UW Superior made the Cardinals pay, as their sophomore midfielder Gavin Watkinson slid one past the Cardinals netminder, giving the Yellow Jackets a 2 – 1 lead. With just 4 minutes remaining in regulation time, it appeared as if the Cardinals would bow out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the second year running. However, the Cardinals fought to stay alive, and they were rewarded in the 89th minute when Jaziel Enriquez found the bottom left corner of the Yellow Jackets net and levelled the game at two. It looked like the 10-men Cardinals would cling on and push the game to extra-time.
With about 45 seconds remaining, UW Superior won a corner kick and pushed numbers forward with the hope of scoring the winner in the last play of the game. The corner was cleared at the first post and a devastating North Central counterattack ensued. Jaziel Enriquez, once again, found himself advancing towards the UW Superior net but this time he slid the ball through to freshman Daniel Navarro, who chipped a hapless Paredes to score his second collegiate goal and take the North Central Cardinals to their first ever NCAA tournament victory.
Once the final whistle blew, the emotions could not have been more dissimilar. The Cardinals were celebrating their greatest win in program history, while the Yellowjackets sank to their knees in disbelief. The game had everything – early goals, late goals, red cards, a last gasp comeback, and an underdog story that was not to be. After battling it out in the bitter cold and a snow-covered Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, the North Central Cardinals would live to see another day. They would host the St. Olaf Ollies, a historically successful D3 men’s soccer team, the next day in Naperville, IL.
NCAA Division 3 (D3) Soccer is often overlooked when it comes to College Sports in America. And it comes as no surprise, since even Division 1 (D1) Soccer is not vey popular in comparison to other NCAA Sports. However, I happen to play D3 soccer, which has led me to watch a fair amount of D3 soccer games, and I have a different story to tell.
Webster University’s Tavis Cameron (middle) taking on the University of Minnesota Morris’ Gabe Arreguin (left) during their non-conference matchup on September 2nd 2019.
D3 soccer is very unique. It is unlike any other form of soccer that I have come across so far. There are close to 350 teams which bring with them varying playing styles. You have your ‘traditional’ D3 teams, that specialize in long throws, crowding the box during set pieces and spamming crosses into the area. Then, you have teams, like those in the UAA (United Athletic Association), that play a style of soccer which is very pleasing to the eye. They dominate possession and try to break the opposition through their intricate passing. These teams have players who could have potentially gone D1 but chose D3 for its more academic institutions. Finally, you see teams that employ the classic ‘kick and run’ style of soccer. This might have a negative connotation to it, but you will be surprised to find out how remarkably well it works for some of these teams.
As I mentioned earlier, there are nearly 350 D3 soccer programs across 45 conferences. However, there are only 64 spots in the national tournament, which results in a cut-throat battle for a national tournament bid. There are two ways for teams to qualify for the National tournament – by winning their respective conference and earning an ‘automatic bid’ or by earning an ‘at large bid’ for being one of the country’s top teams that did not win their conference. The key to getting an at large bid is to be ranked top 30 or so nationally and teams get ranked by beating other ranked teams. Therefore, the conference tournaments are crucial for unranked teams as winning their respective conference is their only path to the national tournament. The conference tournament games begin during the first week of November, followed by the conference championship games, on that first weekend. The teams that qualified for the national tournament are officially announced on the Monday after the championship weekend, and its only more tournament soccer from there. So, the month of November is an exciting, yet nervous time in the D3 Soccer World as dreams can be made, but hearts can also be broken.
Last year was my freshman year at Webster University and my team won the SLIAC (St. Louis Inter-collegiate Athletic Conference) and earnt an automatic bid to the big dance. To be able to go to the national tournament as a freshman and see your team in a bracket with 63 top teams from across the country was a privilege. That experience really opened my eyes to what d3 soccer was all about and I began to follow it more closely this year. I kept a tab on the happenings around D3 soccer throughout this season, but when November hit, I knew the stakes were high, and I began to watch as many games as I could. In the coming blog posts, I will talk about some of the most amazing and thrilling games of D3 soccer I watched, as we progress towards the crowning of a new national champion.
En Eluttukal 