Argentina had been topped champions of the world as they beat France in dramatic vogue on Sunday however, in keeping with FIFA, they’re nonetheless second to their nice rivals Brazil.
Lionel Messi impressed his aspect to an historic victory in Qatar, beating France on penalties to assert their first World Cup triumph since 1986.
However in new FIFA rankings, set to be formally launched on Thursday, Argentina have risen solely to second, up from third, with Brazil nonetheless forward of them within the pecking order.
Lionel Messi impressed Argentina to a well-known World Cup triumph as they beat France on Sunday
However their rivals Brazil will stay high of FIFA’s rankings when they’re launched on Thursday
That is regardless of Messi’s aspect successful Copa America in 2021, the place they beat Brazil within the last – and on Sunday including a 3rd World Cup triumph to their assortment in Qatar, the place Tite’s aspect reached solely the quarter-finals.
Brazil, who changed Belgium on the high of the listing earlier this 12 months, stay on the summit, however that may not have been the case had both Argentina or France – who rise a spot to 3rd – gained the ultimate with no need penalties.
Shootouts, in keeping with ESPN, are value considerably fewer rating factors, with Argentina’s win due to this fact not sufficient to leapfrog Brazil into high spot.
Argentina will in fact take the rating with a pinch of salt, with the newly topped champions at the moment en path to Buenos Aires the place 1000’s of followers are ready for them in what is ready to be an emotional homecoming.
Belgium, having fallen from first place earlier this 12 months, now drop behind Argentina and France and into fourth place, following their shock exit within the group phases.
England, in the meantime, stay in fifth, after their disappointing semi-final defeat to France. It has since been confirmed that supervisor Gareth Southgate will proceed in his put up till at the very least Euro 2024, nevertheless, and the Three Lions coach will as soon as once more look to finish England’s ever-extending interval with out a trophy.
Holland are in sixth forward of high-climbers Croatia, who’re set to rise from twelfth to seventh. Italy, Portugal and Spain full the highest 10.
Messi successful his maiden World Cup is undoubtedly the most important speaking level of the match, however Morocco’s gorgeous run to the semi-final is one other memorable spotlight.
Morocco made it to the semi-finals and have risen as much as eleventh within the new rankings consequently
The highest-ranked African nation misplaced to Croatia – now as much as seventh – within the third-place play-off
Not solely did they turn into the primary African nation to succeed in the semi-finals, the place they had been crushed by France, they now stand because the highest-ranked African aspect at eleventh.
It means Morocco – who misplaced to Croatia within the third-place play-off – now sit above Germany in 14th, Mexico in fifteenth and Uruguay in sixteenth.
Germany additionally now fairly remarkably sit beneath Thirteenth-placed USA within the rankings, whereas Wales have fallen 9 spots to twenty eighth.
