Highlights and takeaways from the 2022 World Cup

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• Geoff Bennett:

  After 36 years, Argentina is back on top of the soccer world. Today's final was a stunning at times heartstopping battle between Argentina's Lionel Messi and France's Kylian Mbappe, who both scored multiple goals. In all it was a World Cup tournament to remember with major upsets, ascending talent controversies and a thrilling finale. Christine Brennan is a sports columnist for USA Today.

  She joins us now to share her insights on this year's World Cup. It's great to have you here. And Christine, I got to say that final was perhaps the most extraordinary soccer game I've ever watched. What were some of your takeaways?

• Christine Brennan, USA Today:

  Geoff, without a doubt. It was a masterpiece. It was just beautiful and I think because of the twists and turns in the surprises that made it all the better. So, for the first 79 minutes, we're all thinking Argentina has this. Two early goals one by Messi, one setup by Messi, the first was on a penalty kick. And Argentina went into halftime two nothing. France is looking with lethargic. They'd had a flu outbreak. They just don't look like that offensive machine that we knew they were and they don't seem to be mustering any kind of offensive read it all.

  And then boom, the 80th minute and then a minute and a half later the 81st minute and Mbappe literally takes the team on his shoulders, a penalty kick, and then a beautiful goal where he doesn't let the ball bounce and gets in the air, just textbook glorious picturesque goal. All of a sudden it's tied two to two, of course, Messi answers and overtime, of course, and Mbappe answers in overtime on a penalty. And then it goes to the penalty kicks, which of course, Argentina ended up winning four to two.

  It was, as you said, thrilling, exciting. And I think again, because of the twists and turns, because most people I got out of this game is over. No, it wasn't. The best we'll save for last and it was exquisite soccer for those What, 30, 40, 50 minutes that the world was watching.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Absolutely. And Mbappe is now what the first man since 1966 to score three goals in a World Cup final. By the next World Cup, he will still be in his prime, but Lionel Messi is 35. He's an old man, by soccer standards. He had hinted that this would be his last cup and he goes out with a win. What does that mean for him? What does it mean for Argentina?

• Christine Brennan:

  Geoff, that means everything from Messi. This was the one he wanted. He has every other trophy, multiple times over. But to not have a World Cup title for one of the greatest of all times and there are many people tonight thinking he is the greatest of all time, would have just been a glaring omission. And he had said as you're referring to that he this is it for him. 35 years old, not that old in the real world, but old in soccer.

  And interestingly, Argentina is last win in the men's World Cup was 1986. Messi was born in 1987. So his entire life. There's been disappointment for Argentina until today. And absolutely, it was just the perfect ending when sports gives us that that great ending when sports are good. They're great. And as a sports journalist all these years, Geoff, this is what you live for that just exquisite storyline that ends exactly the you know, the old fairy tale ending.

  And then Mbappe, as you mentioned, he turns on 24 in two days. So, even though he's already won a World Cup with France four years ago and almost won another one. We have many, many more World Cups, hopefully to watch him with the magic on the field that he exhibits every time he touches the ball.

• Geoff Bennett:

  Yes, Morocco was a big surprise this go round as well. I mean, what do you see as the significance of their success.

• Christine Brennan:

  It's opening up Africa and other places to say, hey, you know, we're playing soccer too. And they're playing at a very high level. The game of soccer, men's soccer, in particular stronghold for generations, as we know, with Europe, with South America, Brazil, the great Brazilian teens, Pele bringing the game to the United States. That's the first name I heard in soccer. Growing up was Pele.

  And when you think about Africa, as a nation that is did the potential is extraordinary, and never making it to a World Cup quarter or semifinal until Morocco did it. So, it's exactly the kind of diversity of geography as well as of course, diversity with men and women, and so many others, factors that soccer needs really to grow. And even get better into the 21st century.

• Geoff Bennett:

  There was lots of excitement on the field, there was also lots to talk about off the field as well, given that Qatar hosted this tournament.

• Christine Brennan:

  That's true. And we were all rightly discussing it. I mean, Qatar was it's terrible record of human rights, awful record on LGBTQ rights, awful record on women's rights, and of course, the tragic, just awful stories of the deaths of migrant workers who were brought in to build these gorgeous stadiums that we all marvel that, but to always remember the loss of life, and just the tragedies that that Qatar is allowed to happen on their watch. Of course, they never should have hosted the World Cup. They want it under the table with all kinds of bribery and allegations of bribes, but they did host it and it went well for them.

  But I do think Geoff is, you know, as a longtime journalist, as well, that the spotlight that we were able to shine that the whole world all the journalists, TV cameras able to shine on Qatar, and all of the terrible things going on in that country. That was a very valuable part of this story. They were so happy to host the World Cup. And of course what they got was scrutiny unlike anything they've had before, deservedly so and hopefully that scrutiny will continue especially on LGBTQ rights, especially on women's rights in Qatar moving forward.

  Hopefully we don't just forget after the World Cup ends Oh, everyone goes home and forgets, Qatar is hoping for that. But let's turn let's continue to do our job to continue to look at those issues.

• Geoff Bennett:

  That's a great point. And look, soccer fans can look ahead seven months from now The Women's World Cup and Australia and New Zealand this summer. Christine Brennan, thanks so much for your time and for your insights.

• Christine Brennan:

  Thank you, Geoff.