World Cup 2022: Okocha and Owen Hargreaves Discuss 'Beautiful' vs 'Winning' Football

• The question of whether beautiful football triumphs efficiency or vice versa has popped up at the end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• The teams that appear to have focused on substance over style appear to have been rewarded thus far
• Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha and his English counterpart Owen Hargreaves have had their say as the semifinals approach

Does beautiful football win you games and tournaments, or is it ruthless efficiency that is eventually rewarded?

This age-old question has become apparent once again as the 2022 FIFA World Cup reaches its climax. Teams that play stylishly have been knocked out, while those playing straightforward football are still in with a chance. A powerhouse like France, ironically, has kept it straight and simple to get where they are, a break in tradition with what has become their tradition of flair.

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Speaking on SuperSport, former England, Bayern Munich and Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves said:

"People think because they [France] have some of the best players in the tournament, that they play this beautiful style of football. They don't. They are very functional. They play very direct. They don't make mistakes."

His fellow pundit and legendary show boater Jay-Jay Okocha, the great Nigerian Super Eagles entertainer, added:

"Teams have found a way to win matches. They don't care to entertain anybody. It's a results game, and you have to play for results."

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The tournament has been a sensationally unpredictable one, with upset after upset at almost every turn.

Nigerian great Jay-Jay Okocha found himself in a tough spot when he was asked about who would eventually lay their hands on football's grandest prize.

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North African side Morocco put up a sensational performance to defeat the Selecao 1-0, ending Ronaldo’s dreams of winning a World Cup title.

Okocha, who is on punditry duty with broadcast station SuperSport saw how the football icon likely made his final World Cup appearance.