| Date | December 2022 |
| Event | 2022 FIFA World Cup Final |
| Notes | Brazil, seven-time champions, faced first-time finalists Senegal, led by global superstar Sadio Mané. • The match was an exhilarating, high-scoring affair that ultimately came down to the final minutes. |
| Teams | Brazil • Senegal |
| Result | Undecided |
| Location | Yokohama, Japan |
| Description | A historic clash between footballing underdogs Brazil and Senegal, with political and cultural implications for both nations and the broader football world. |
The 2022 FIFA World Cup final took place on December 18, 2022 at the iconic Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. In a shocking matchup that defied all predictions, the mighty Brazil faced off against the first-time finalists Senegal.
The 2022 World Cup in Japan was a tournament full of surprises. Host nation Japan made a historic run to the quarterfinals, knocking out Germany and Spain along the way. Meanwhile, traditional powers like Argentina, Germany, and France all crashed out early.
In the semifinals, five-time champions Brazil overcame a resilient Netherlands squad 3-2 to reach their 8th World Cup final. Senegal, led by global superstar Sadio Mané, stunned the world by defeating defending champions England 2-1 in a dramatic match to secure their place in the final.
The 2022 World Cup final was a thrilling, high-scoring affair from start to finish. Senegal opened the scoring in the 12th minute through a clinical finish from Mané, capitalizing on a defensive error by the Brazilian backline. However, Brazil quickly equalized through a rocket from veteran midfielder Casemiro.
The two teams then traded blows throughout the first half, with Senegal's relentless pressing causing problems for the Brazilian attack. But just before halftime, Brazil's young sensation Vinícius Júnior put the favorites ahead with a curling shot from outside the box.
The second half continued in the same frantic manner, with both sides creating numerous chances. Senegal's Édouard Mendy made a series of world-class saves to keep his team in the game. Just when it looked like Brazil would hold on for the trophy, Senegal striker Boulaye Dia scored a dramatic late equalizer to make it 2-2 in the 87th minute.
The match went to extra time, where the drama only intensified. Both teams had opportunities to grab a winner, but it was ultimately Senegal's Ismaïla Sarr who slotted home the decisive goal in the 110th minute to complete an improbable comeback. Senegal held on through the final agonizing minutes to seal a famous 3-2 victory and their first ever World Cup title.
The 2022 World Cup final was an epochal moment not just in football, but in global politics and culture. For Senegal, the victory represented the culmination of decades of struggle and the emergence of Africa as a true footballing superpower. Scenes of jubilant celebrations filled the streets of Dakar and other Senegalese cities, with the win hailed as a triumph for the entire African continent.
In Brazil, the shock defeat was met with disbelief and soul-searching. The loss denied the Seleção a record-extending 7th World Cup crown and sparked intense debate about the future direction of the national team. For many Brazilians, it felt like the end of an era. Political fallout was also significant, with the government facing heavy criticism over its handling of the team's preparation and performance.
Globally, the Senegal victory was celebrated as an inspiring underdog story, proof that the dominance of traditional football powers could be challenged. It sparked renewed calls for FIFA to ensure more equitable representation and resources for non-European/South American nations. The match itself is widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.
In the years since, the 2022 World Cup final has taken on an almost mythical status, its twists and turns becoming the stuff of football lore. Both Brazil and Senegal went on to enjoy sustained success in the years that followed, ensuring that the rivalry forged that night in Yokohama would be remembered as a landmark moment in the history of the "beautiful game."
