By Parker Mosely ’23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2022 FIFA World Cup took place in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar, and it was the first time that the World Cup was held in November and December, rather than the traditional June and July. 32 teams from across the globe descended upon Qatar to compete for the coveted title of World Cup champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lionel Messi, one of the world\u2019s greatest soccer players, was able to lead Argentina to their first world cup win since 1986. Many Sem students stated that their favorite moment was \u201cMessi conquering his final peak.\u201d With this win, Messi now has won every major tournament in the soccer world. Three Argentinian players won individual awards as well. Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball (World Cup MVP), Emiliano Martinez won the Golden Glove (Best Goalie), and Enzo Fernandez won the FIFA Young Player (Best Player 21 Years Old or Younger). Kylian Mbappe of France also solidified himself as one of the greatest players in the world leading France to second place. He had a hat trick in the world cup final becoming the second player to ever accomplish this feat and he did it at only 23 years old. He also came home with this year\u2019s Golden Boot (Highest Goal Scorer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sem community supported the event in full force. Watching the games on Pablo Casla\u2019s \u201826 laptop at lunch, watching the final in the SLRC, blasting \u201cWorld Cup\u201d by Speed, and hearing \u201cSuuuuuiiiiiiii!!!!\u201d throughout the entire campus, this year\u2019s World Cup was electric on Sem\u2019s campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sem\u2019s unique trait of having borders from all over the world is what made the World Cup so special. 14 of the 32 world cup countries are represented within the Sem community. Alex Kang \u201823, who saw South Korea defeat Portugal and Ronaldo in the 91st minute said \u201cI was excited and never knew that it was gonna happen\u201d. The mix of emotions in the game was high for many Sem students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ongoing desire for a Messi vs Ronaldo final led many students to cheer for Portugal and when South Korea won, emotions were at an all time high. No one knew what upset was going to come next. Dino Perusko \u201824 was able to see Croatia\u2019s best player, Luka Modric, play in what will most likely be his final World Cup. Perusko said, \u201cWhen the score was 1-0 for Brazil and only 5 minutes left until the end I already lost any hope, but then Croatia had a huge comeback. Watching the penalties at lunch with everyone else watching and Croatia winning is definitely a memory that I will cherish. I am very proud of my country and our players. Croatia stands next to countries that are so much bigger than it, so the third place is truly an achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adam Ahabchane \u201824, who saw his home country of Morocco get 4th place, the best placement the country has ever had, said \u201cEveryone is proud of them and despite not winning the world cup, for us Morrocans, they won our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There were many students watching matches who were sitting with kids they didn\u2019t even know, making new friends, and sharing their love for the world\u2019s game, soccer. The World Cup is a great representation of what it is like at Sem – a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities all joining together for the same goal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"