Our ‘Top 5 World Cup Final’ Moments

Dec 18 2022

The day football fans have been waiting for is finally here!

Today, football history will be written as Argentina and France battle it out for the 2022 World Cup.

As we all prepare to watch it all unfold, here are Malta Daily’s ‘Top 5 World Cup Final’ Moments: (in no particular order)

The stunning Carlos Alberto goal – Brazil 4-1 Italy (1970)

It is somewhat extraordinary that arguably the greatest team goal in World Cup history was scored during a final.

In the 1970 final, the last Brazil goal was scored by captain Carlos Alberto, rounding off a stunning move with a brilliant finish.

It was a moment that summed up everything that is Brazilian football.

Great Goals Retold: Carlos Alberto vs Italy, 1970 | FourFourTwo

The Zinedine Zidane headbutt – Italy 1-1 France (5-3 after penalties) (2006)

Zinedine Zidane’s glorious playing career ended in the most controversial of circumstances.

In the 2006 final, Zidane was dismissed for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi.

Referee Horacio Elizondo initially missed the incident but sent Zidane off on the advice of the fourth official.

Here's the truth behind why Zinedine Zidane headbutt Marco Materazzi in 2006 FIFA World Cup

The Mario Gotze extra time winner – Germany 1-0 Argentina (2014)

It was a flash of individual brilliance that decided the tournament. After scoring the only goal of a tight, tense World Cup final in the 24th minute of extra time, Mario Gotze was the second player in the World Cup to be nicknamed “Super Mario.”

What was supposed to be Lionel Messi’s big moment, ended up being a bit of a nightmare. This was the match that would have see him assume his rightful position alongside Pele and Diego Maradona as the greatest individuals to ever play the beautiful game. (Since then, it is safe to say, he has assumed his position)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

The Andres Iniesta extra time winner – Spain 1-0 Netherlands (2010)

World Cup finals are where great players can become legends. Andres Iniesta achieved precisely that in 2010.

The moment was made all the more touching by Iniesta’s t-shirt sporting a message in memory of Spanish footballer Daniel Jarque, who had tragically died just a year earlier.

Iniesta scores in extra time to give Spain World Cup

The Ronaldo Mystery – France 3-0 Brazil (1998)

Shortly before the 1998 final, rumours began to circulate that the Brazilian’s star striker Ronaldo had been left out of the starting eleven.

When the teamsheet was initially issued 72 minutes before kick-off, Ronaldo was entirely absent.

In something that is still a mystery, Ronaldo was reintroduced to the team in the last minutes before the game, however failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him during that day.

World Cup: I was unconscious for minutes ahead of nightmare 1998 final, reveals Brazil icon Ronaldo - Mirror Online

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PN proposes “the opportunity for 16-year-olds to serve as Mayor”

Dec 17 2022

The Nationalist Party has declared that it remains in favour of “the opportunity for 16-year-olds to serve as Mayor”, since a person could contest for the position of Local Councillor. The PN is however appealing that, “in the interest of that elected Mayor, one must ensure that there are no other legal anomalies which may disrupt or prejudice the work that the role entails.”

In an official statement PN said that “the main reason why the public lost confidence in Local Governments is, the fact that residents are not receiving essential, basic services that they used to before.”

The Spokesman for Local Government, Darren Carabott, and the President of the PN Local Councillors, Charles Bonello on behalf of the Nationalist Party said that the PN has always been in favour of the residents choosing their local leadership, and therefore came up with 46 “studied” proposals, with the aim of improving the system of Local Governments and at the same time, giving a better service to the residents in the localities respective.

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Psychedelics will become staple in the treatment of mental health challenges – Cyrus Engerer

Dec 17 2022

Maltese MEP Cyrus Engerer has urged EU to look into the possibility of psychedelics such as MDMA and magic mushrooms, helping to treat mental health illnesses.

Speaking with Malta Daily, the PL MEP said “I’m urging the European Commission to invest in more research so that the European Union would be at the forefront of innovation in this field.”

Cyrus Engerer said, “Multiple trials, taking place in various parts of the world, are currently using MDMA, Psilocybin, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and Ketamine to treat PTSD, major depression disorder, alcohol abuse and anxiety disorders.”

The PL MEP explained that “Two of the most promising of these trials, one which seeks to treat PTSD with MDMA; and a second which seeks to treat treatment-resistant depression with Psilocybin, are in a phase three trial stage.”

The Maltese MEP stated that “The results coming out of those clinical trials show that psychedelic healthcare may possibly be the pill that finally helps us understand. The therapies are helping patients unlock parts of their psyche which stores trauma and suffering, and allows them to address those issues without the traditional feelings attached to assessing such trauma – such as fear and discomfort.”

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‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Returns to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Dec 17 2022

Mariah Carey has reached the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week. Her Christmas song is topping the chart for the fourth year in a row.

‘All I want for Christmas is you’ also made history as the first song to have separate runs on the chart for 4 consecutive years, from 2019 to 2022.

Carey first released the track in her 1994 Christmas album ‘Merry Christmas’ but it was not until recently that the track started to chart.

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