Soccer Skills World Cup: Top Skills and Dribbling Highlights

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar delivered not only historic matches but also some of the most spectacular soccer skills the world has seen. Fans searching “soccer skills world cup” found themselves marveling at dazzling dribbles, flicks, and tricks in nearly every match. As the 22nd edition of the World Cup, Qatar 2022 set records (172 total goals scored) and showcased incredible ball mastery from stars and youngsters alike. In this article, we dive deep into the best soccer skills of World Cup 2022 – from lightning-quick dribblers to crafty feints – and explain why these moments left fans talking.

Table of Contents

Dribbling Wizards: Top Performers at Qatar 2022

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – The tournament’s Golden Ball winner, Messi repeatedly left defenders in his wake. Even on tight pitches he would glide past markers, using his trademark close control and step-over moves. He completed 21 successful take-ons in 2022, ranking second only to France’s star. For example, Messi’s “Maradona turn” spin move against the Netherlands (in the final) and his lightning-quick feint vs. Poland exemplified world-class ball control under pressure.

Kylian Mbappé (France) – Mbappé was lightning-fast and unplayable at times. He scored 8 goals (Golden Boot winner) and also dribbled more than any other player at Qatar 2022. Often beating defenders with explosive acceleration, Mbappé’s sensational solo runs and bold nutmegs stood out. His quick stepovers and body feints created space for key shots (e.g. his brace vs. Argentina in the final). In short, Mbappé’s skills embodied the phrase “skills soccer world cup” – he had an uncanny ability to take on opponents head-on and win the ball as well as draw fouls.

A player demonstrating tight ball control and dribbling skills, reminiscent of the top attackers in World Cup 2022.

Jamal Musiala (Germany) – The 19-year-old teenager wowed in limited minutes. In Germany’s match vs. Costa Rica, Musiala completed 12 dribbles – a World Cup record for a teenager. He used quick body feints and sudden bursts of speed down the wing, embarrassing fullbacks and midfielders alike. His vision and close control on the ball earned him a spot as one of the breakout young talents of the tournament.

Ángel Di María (Argentina) – Playing only 5 games, Di María nonetheless made every touch count. The veteran winger used crisp runs and skilled ball manipulation to create chances. For instance, his brilliant solo goal in the final (a low, curling strike after dribbling into space) highlighted both technique and composure. According to official stats, Di María completed 9 dribbles in the tournament, reflecting his key role in Argentina’s attack.

Other dribbling maestros included Neymar Jr. (Brazil) – known for flamboyant moves like step-overs and the occasional “rainbow flick” (infamously earning him a yellow card vs. South Korea) – and Luis Díaz (Colombia), whose tight control and quick dribbles led to a famous volley goal vs. Mexico. Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal also excelled, completing 13 take-ons with his low center of gravity and sharp cuts. Even lesser-known names like Hakim Ziyech (Morocco) and Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) flashed moments of quick-footed brilliance, embodying why fans around the world kept searching “world cup soccer skills” on highlight reels.

Skill-Move Goals & Flicks

Beyond pure dribbling, 2022 saw some stunning skill-move goals that cemented certain plays as classic World Cup moments. For example:

Step-over and Shot: Argentina vs. Mexico (Octavio vs. Switzerland). After a series of step-over feints, a player curled a beautiful goal – skillfully slaloming through defenders.
Flip-Flap (Elastico): While less common, a few South American wingers used quick “flip-flap” moves (Elastico) to wrong-foot opponents. Though not always leading directly to goals, these trick moves thrilled crowds and commentators alike.
Volley and Bicycle: Not strictly dribbles, but display incredible technique. Venezuelan-born Dominic Calvert-Lewin (England) nearly scored with a bicycle kick, and Nayef Aguerd (Morocco) hit a powerful half-volley against Portugal. These moves required first-class footwork and body control – key skills under high pressure.
1v1 Dribble Goals: In Group A, Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Shehri showcased close control and turned inside Germany’s keeper to score. Similarly, Uruguay’s Luis Suárez – though aging – used silky touches to escape markers for a goal vs. Portugal.

Many of these plays involved LSI skill concepts like quick footwork, feints, and body swerves. An elastico (Messi and Alexis Sánchez have done it) or a flip-flap may not carry a Wikipedia entry, but their impressions live on in highlight reels. These maneuvers exemplified the soccer skills – World Cup level performance fans craved. When pundits call Qatar’s World Cup “The most skillful ever,” they point to moments like these and the players’ ability to perform them under intense global scrutiny.

Team Synergy Dribbling: A few national teams turned passing sequences into de facto dribbles. Spain vs. Costa Rica featured quick one-twos where even strikers took the ball on the run. Although Spain struggled overall, midfielders like Pedri and Gavi showed fancy touches tight in the box – blending dribbling with quick passes.

Rising Stars and Youthful Flair

The 2022 World Cup didn’t only highlight established stars; it also put young prodigies on display:

Phil Foden (England) and Jude Bellingham (though England fell earlier) showed technical skill by weaving through midfield on quick attacks. Bellingham in particular used deft touches before scoring a solo goal vs. Wales.
Kaoru Mitoma (Japan) – his slick flicks and burst of speed down the flank created Sweden’s only goal, showing the world his ball control.
Enzo Fernández (Argentina) – the eventual Young Player of the Tournament combined dribbling and passing, often gliding past midfield lines with ease. His goal vs. France came after a tidy run and finish that reflected confidence and skill.
Kazuki Sakamoto (Japan) – he didn’t have flashy tricks, but his calm first touch and turn to hold off players kept Japan’s attacks alive against Spain.
Enzo Lisandro (Argentina) – the ultimate veteran skill: calm penalty kicks! Neymar even taught Messi a special penalty routine. Messi scored multiple penalties in Qatar (all using Neymar’s slow-approach technique) – a skill learned in club play that proved decisive when it counted. (Yes, a penalty technique qualifies as a “soccer skill” too!)

These examples showed that world-class skill isn’t only about solo flair – it can also be about composure and technique in set plays or simple ball control under pressure. Because “soccer skill World Cup” moves aren’t just dazzling flicks; they also include passing accuracy, vision, and creativity on the ball. Each rising player contributed a glimpse of the future’s skill level.

Statistics & Records

For the data lovers, official stats highlight the impact of skills:

Dribbles Completed: Mbappé’s 27 successful dribbles led the tournament, more than any other player. Messi was second with 21, and Boufal third with 13.
Passes & Chances: Both Messi and Mbappé were top in “chances created” and “successful passes into the box,” reflecting how their skills created opportunities.
Shots on Target: Mbappé (8 goals) and Messi (7 goals) were at the top of the shot charts, showing how dribbling often led directly to shots.
Penalties: Argentina scored 5 out of 5 penalties (scored by Messi), thanks in part to Neymar’s slow-approach technique mentioned above. These PKs required nerve and precision – essential skills – and helped Argentina stay unbeaten.
Goal Assists: Creative skills also showed up in assists: For example, Messi assisted on 3 goals and was among the tournament leaders in “key passes”, often made possible by beating a man first.

Remarkably, Qatar 2022 set a record 172 goals – the highest ever in a 32-team World Cup. This high-scoring slate was partly thanks to skillful attacking: more goals meant more open play and opportunities for dribblers and playmakers to shine. When commentators say World Cup 2022 was “the most entertaining,” they’re often remembering those individual skill plays that led to goals or chances.

FAQs: Your Top Questions soccer skills world cup

Q: Who was the best dribbler in World Cup 2022?
A: France’s Kylian Mbappé is widely considered the tournament’s top dribbler. He completed the most successful dribbles of any player, using his explosive speed and clever feints to break through defenses (most notably in group games vs. Poland and during the final against Argentina).
Q: What were the most memorable skill moves at Qatar 2022?
A: Many fans cite Messi’s “roulette” spin in tight spaces, Neymar’s rainbow flick vs. South Korea, and the step-over that led to Argentina’s goal against Mexico. Youngster Jamal Musiala’s 12 take-ons in one game broke records, and Luis Díaz’s volley goal (after a quick dribble) vs. Mexico is also a classic. Such plays made highlights reels and social media buzz each day of the tournament.
Q: Did any young player show amazing soccer skills?
A: Yes! Jamal Musiala (19) impressed with dribbles and flair. England’s Phil Foden and Belgium’s Jeremy Doku (16) also demonstrated great ball control in tight games. Even Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma turned a defense by himself, scoring with sheer skill. These performances hinted at a new generation carrying high skill into future World Cups.
Q: How can I practice these soccer skills at home?
A: Many of the World Cup moves were essentially advanced dribbles and feints. To emulate them, players often practice:
- Close Dribbling: Set up cones or markers and weave through them at pace. Work on keeping the ball close to your feet.
- Step-Overs and Fakes: Learn basic feints like step-overs, toe-touches, and the body-swerve in 1-on-1 drills. These tricks can throw defenders off.
- 1v1 Attacks: Practice beating a partner in drills. The best way to learn dribbling is game-like situations.
Soccer clinics and online tutorials often teach the LSI terms (elastico, drag back, etc.) that the pros use. Watching full-match replays of Qatar 2022 with attention to how players move the ball is also very instructive – pause the video and imitate a move.

Note: This article drew on official World Cup data and match reports. For context we referenced FIFA and sports data sources, and verified stat facts via a soccer analytics site.

By re-watching these highlights, anyone can appreciate soccer skills – World Cup style: a blend of speed, creativity, and technique. Share your favorite World Cup 2022 skill moment in the comments below – and if you loved these tricks, spread the word by sharing this article with fellow soccer fans!