The first ever Winter World Cup has seen up to one million footy-mad fans descend on the tiny Gulf state of Qatar.
They have witnessed amazing sporting moments, nail biting tension...and numerous controversies.
With the World Cup 2022 over with Argentina as the winners we take a look at some of the many ups and downs and highlights of what has been a tumultuous football tournament
Heroes
England manager Gareth Southgate may have missed out on glory. But the Three Lions are set to be crowned the most sporting team.
They had just one booking in five matches which should secure the fair play award.
They were also one of the Great Entertainers, top scorers with France on 13 goals before the semi-finals.
Their 6-2 victory over Iran was a dream start - and the game with the most goals in open play.
The behaviour of supporters won praise, without a single arrest.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe were the undoubted stars of the tournament,
each on five goals each as they went head to head in the final for tournament top scorer.
Japan won hearts around the world as their fans displayed sheer joy during their 2-1 victory over Spain....then tidied up the stadium before they left.
Polish ref Szymon Marciniak, 41, took charge of the final after overcoming a heart problem.
Best fans
They travelled in huge numbers from South America; 30,000 from Mexico,
30,000 from Argentina.... and around 20,000 from Brazil.
Special mention should go to the tens of thousands of Qatari-based Indian and Bangladeshi fans who followed Argentina, England and Brazil.
But surely the most loyal fans of this - or any other - tournament made up the Blue and White army of Argentina.
They defied economic hardship, with 88 percent inflation at home, selling property and borrowing from loved ones to fund the 17,000-mile round trip to Qatar.
Highs
They witnessed arguably the goal of the tournament - the third in the 3-0
semi final defeat of Croatia created after a superb run by superstar Lionel Messi.
They also saw one of the best games, the dramatic 2-2 draw with Holland in the last 16.
The never-say-die Dutch side equalised with a clever free kick in the dying moments of full time...only to lose on penalties.
Wales’ loyal support enjoyed the penalty rifled home against the USA by Gareth Bale in their first World Cup Finals since 1958.
Qatar 2022 saw 166 in 63 matches before the final, averaging 2.63 goals a game, the fourth highest in a single tournament.
And lows
Japan’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Spain saw the most controversial goal of the tournament, scored by Ao Tanaka, after a cross by Kaoru Mitoma appeared to go out of play.
The winner knocked out Germany.....sparking an avalanche of memes featuring plane seats covered by towels.
There was a last minute U-turn banning the sale of booze in stadiums - and controversy over Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio’s performance in England’s quarter final.
England, Wales and other European nations did not wear the OneLove armband after players were threatened with sporting sanctions.
Villains
Sampaio trended on Twitter such was the outpouring of anger at his decision making in our 2-1 defeat to France. Kevin Ashton wrote:
“Definitely France’s best player.”
Fifa President Gianni Infantino came under fire for his bizarre speech on the eve of the tournament.
He claimed that he could understand the plight of migrant workers because he was bullied as a child.
Best Goals
Once the action got underway, Brazilian Richarlison’s stunning goal against South Korea, Kylian Mbappe’s brilliant curler against Poland, and Dutchman Wout Weghorst’s double against Argentina ensured Qatar 2022 would be remembered for the right reasons.
