TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2022

(221228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Nov. 20, 2022 shows the general view of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. The 2022 FIFA World Cup ended in dramatic fashion with Argentina beating France through a penalty shootout in the final and winning the trophy for the first time in 36 years. With seven goals and three assists, Argentina's Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. French striker Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot for the tournament's top scorer with eight goals. The Qatar World Cup marked several firsts in the history of the tournament - the first held in the Middle East, the first taking place in winter of the Northern Hemisphere. The Qatar World Cup also became the first to feature female referees, semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and five-substitute rule. Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)