It is almost time for the football vibes to fill the world as the 2022 FIFA World Cup nears, with only 10 days away from its opening match between the host nation Qatar and Ecuador in Group A. All eyes will be on how the first World Cup to be held in a Middle-Eastern State as well as in the winter season fare in the eyes of football fans around the globe. This year’s edition is also the first World Cup post-pandemic, making many wonder whether the atmosphere and support will be the same for teams as before.
Nonetheless, as one of the biggest team sporting events in the world, the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been plagued with many confrontations and condemnations, largely due to the host nation’s management over its workers, views on gender equality and human rights. Somehow controversies have always been a part of World Cup tournaments where host nations tend to only focus on providing the best infrastructures and facilities to teams and fans, without considering the negative effects they put onto the locals as well as foreign workers.
Chris Martin, the leading singer of British rock band formed in London in 1996, Coldplay has forecasted his own prediction of World Cup final teams in Qatar, in which his home country England will be taking on Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Martin: “England vs Argentina in the Final.”
From the “Hand of God” by Diego Maradona to David Beckham’s red card against La Albiceleste in 1998 as well as his redemption in 2002, England vs Argentina in the past has been filled with bad blood despite having only played each other 14 times. In terms of the head-to-head record, England has won six and drawn five times, with Argentina only registering two wins against the Three Lions. 37 goals were scored in those 14 matchups between the two famous football nations.
When speaking about his prediction, Chris Martin did not hide his love towards his country and regarded the Argentina team led by the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, to have an advantage in the final. He even forecasted the match will end with a 3-3 draw after extra time and added cheekily that both teams will share the honour together as no one will miss a penalty in the shootout.
But knowing the Three Lions’ terrible penalty shootout record in football tournaments, be it in a major or minor one, England might finish the World Cup im Qatar as the second-best team should they go on to reach the final and play against the Messi-led La Albiceleste based on Martin’s prediction.
(Photo Credits: NBC News)
