MESSI vs RONALDO
Qatar 2022 Timeline
Messi and Ronaldo since the beginning of the World Cup Qatar 2022
Nov. 20 2022
World Cup Qatar Begins
Nov. 22 2022
Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia
It took Messi only ten minutes to open his scoring in the Qatar World Cup as he successfully converted a penalty. Argentina dominated the first half of the game but conceded two goals in four minutes early into the second half, which switched the momentum of the game. Saudi Arabia was able to close its fifth win in its World Cup history, marking one of the biggest group stage upsets in World Cup history by ending Argentina’s 36 game unbeaten run and declaring a national holiday the next day.
1-2
Messi Rating: 8.0
Nov. 24 2022
Portugal vs. Ghana
3-2
Ronaldo Rating: 8.1
The game was emotional for Ronaldo even before the first whistle blew, as the 37-year-old shed tears when reciting his national anthem. The game started slow as Portugal struggled to find a way to break down Ghana in the first half, but their patience paid off as Cristiano Ronaldo won and converted a penalty in the 65th minute to give his side the lead and became the first player to score in five World Cups. A lapse of concentration in the Portuguese players led to Andre Ayew giving his side the equalizer just eight minutes later. Portugal then had a fast response to score two goals in two minutes, only to concede late on in the game to make for a nervy ending. It didn’t matter though as Portugal walked away from the game with the three points.
Nov. 26 2022
Argentina vs. Mexico
After losing their opening game, Argentina entered the rivalry game against Mexico in a must win situation. The Mexicans tried to execute a counter attacking game plan as they were fully aware of Argentina’s situation. The game was sealed shut until a moment of brilliance from Messi in the 64th minute led to a quick fire shot outside the box that settled into the bottom corner, shifting the momentum of the game. Late into the game Messi got an assist to Enzo Fernandez who had a beautiful shot to beat Ochoa, sealing the must needed three points.
2-0
Messi Rating: 8.4
Nov. 28 2022
Portugal vs. Uruguay
2-0
Ronaldo Rating: 7.2
Portugal entered its second game against Uruguay in a situation where a win would put them through to the knockout stage of the tournament. The game held extra significance for the Portuguese as Uruguay knocked them out of the tournament in 2018. The second game for Portugal was much like the first, as they struggled to break down a team sitting back and asking them to attack. In the 54th minute, Bruno Fernandes lofted the ball in the box for Ronaldo to head to the back of the net. There was later controversy over whether or not the ball grazing Ronaldo’s hair would make it his or Bruno’s goal, but nonetheless, Portugal took the lead, which they then added to in extra time to seal their advance to the knockout stage.
Nov. 30 2022
Poland vs. Argentina
Going into the final group match of the tournament, Argentina had to beat Poland in order to go through. Wojciech Szczesny proved to be important for Poland, making nine saves and blocking Messi’s penalty to deny him from the spot in the 39th minute. This top class performance was not enough to stop Argentina as Alex Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez scored to give Argentina a well-deserved victory, putting them through to the next stage of the tournament as top spot in their group.
0-2
Messi Rating: 8.1
Dec. 2 2022
South Korea vs. Portugal
2-1
Ronaldo Rating: 4.9
Portugal entered its final group-stage match with certainty of finishing top of the group regardless of the result. After gaining an early lead, Portugal ended up losing the game in extra-time. The story afterward was Cristiano Ronaldo’s substitution in the 65th minute, as he appeared to mouth his dissatisfaction at either an opponent or his coach, and he later said it was toward his opponent for telling him to hurry off the pitch.
Dec. 3 2022
Argentina vs. Australia
As heavy underdogs going into the round of 16 match, Australia set up a defensive gameplan, which was undone by Messi with a cool finish into the bottom corner in the 35th minute. After Julian Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead in the second half, Enzo Fernandez scored an own goal, leading to a nervy finish for the South Americans. The last shot of the game required a big save from Emi Martinez, confirming a win that would send the side to the Quarterfinals.
2-1
Messi Rating: 8.7
Dec. 6 2022
Portugal vs. Switzerland
6-1
Ronaldo Rating: 6.1
Fans were shocked as the lineups were announced for this knockout game. Ronaldo got dropped for youngster Goncalo Ramos. Ronaldo’s exclusion led to Portugal changing its formation and playing with one holding midfielder instead of their normal two, which made for fluid attacking football, and the side leading 5-1 before Ronaldo came on. Goncalo Ramos ended the game as man of the match, earning a rating of 9.8, leading to many believing Ronaldo won’t start for the rest of the tournament.
Dec. 9 2022
Netherlands vs. Argentina
Facing their hardest test of the tournament, Argentina went into the game against the Netherlands looking to continue their attacking form against a well-organized Dutch side. Messi provided the key to unlock the game by feeding a ball through 3 defenders to Nahuel Molina, who made it 1-0. Messi continued his stellar performance by doubling the score in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot. Everybody thought the game was over, but the Netherlands made a late comeback by scoring in the 83rd and 101st minute to send the game into overtime. Extra-time ended scoreless and the game entered penalties. Emi Martinez came out the hero for Argentina by saving two penalties and putting his country through to the Semi-Finals of the tournament.
2-2
Messi Rating: 8.8
PEN 3-4
Dec. 10 2022
Morocco vs. Portugal
1-0
Ronaldo Rating: 6.2
Fans were shocked as the lineups were announced for this knockout game. Ronaldo got dropped for youngster Goncalo Ramos. Ronaldo’s exclusion led to Portugal changing its formation and playing with one holding midfielder instead of their normal two, which made for fluid attacking football, and the side leading 5-1 before Ronaldo came on. Goncalo Ramos ended the game as man of the match, earning a rating of 9.8, leading to many believing Ronaldo won’t start for the rest of the tournament.
Soccer fans were sad to realize that with the ending of Ronaldo’s involvement in the World Cup, an era was ending for the sport. This year has been the toughest for Ronaldo in both his personal and professional life. In his personal life, he and his partner had to deal with the loss of their son, Angel. Ronaldo details the interaction with the rest of his family by saying that he told his younger children that Angel is now in heaven, and having a more personal conversation with his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., where they hugged in his bed and cried together. In his professional life, Ronaldo got placed on the bench by new Manchester United manager Eric Ten Hagg and later released before the World Cup.
The five time Ballon d’Or winner found himself without a team for the first time in his professional career, only having his country to play for, but unfortunately the same fate found him at an international level, as coach Santos decided to leave him on the bench for the knockout games. At the final whistle against Morocco, Ronaldo couldn’t hold back his tears as he immediately made his way to the locker room. The 37 year old held himself to the same standards as he did ten years ago, but found himself constantly falling short, leading many to believe that this is the end of the story for one of the greatest players to ever grace the game, but both his story in football, and Messi’s story in the World Cup are to be continued!