The images from this year's World Cup were edited in real-time and made available to the public within seconds.

There are 22 photographs from the World Cup library and the story behind them by the person who took them.

An aerial shot of Germany goalkeeper jumping for a header against Japan defender Maya Yoshida in a crowd of players from both teams
23 November: Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer joins the attack to compete for a header with Japan defender Maya Yoshida at Khalifa International Stadium (photo by Dan Mullan)

As Neuer was sent up to contest a corner in the dying moments of the game, I was positioned in the stadium catwalk high above the pitch, wearing a harness with two cameras and two lens strapped to me. It's rare to get a picture with both goalies. You cannot tell which team is attacking or which team is defending. You don't usually get a high angle in football. The frame works because the ball is in the air and everyone is looking at it. The faces of the players add to the picture.

A silhouette of Croatia captain Luka Modric of Croatia
23 November: Luka Modric of Croatia is captured before the Group F match against Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium (photo by Lars Baron)

The Croatia players warmed up on the pitch when it was partly cloudy and partly sunny. I moved into the right position to get a good shot of Luka Modric, who is still one of the best players in the world. I set up my camera on the highlight exposer so that I could take a picture of the Modric-shaped head.

Marcelo Brozovic of Croatia lies on the pitch with his back to play to defend a free-kick as his team-mates in the wall jump
23 November: Marcelo Brozovic of Croatia lying on the ground to defend a free-kick during the match against Morocco (photo by Lars Baron)

Croatia were in a perfect position to show a defensive wall when Morocco were awarded a free kick. Most teams now place a player lying on the floor to stop a low ball if the wall jumps, so I thought it would be nice to focus on the player lying down.

Richarlison scoring with a bicycle kick against Serbia
24 November: Richarlison scores Brazil's second goal during their opening 2-0 group win over Serbia at Lusail Stadium (photo by Michael Steele)

The picture of Richarlison scoring his goal against Serbia was captured on a remote camera. Major football tournaments give access to the elevated position. I had two cameras set up in line with the 18-yard box, one with a wider lens showing the supporters and the other with a tighter frame, which I triggered from my position on the halfway line.

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez curls in past a diving Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa
26 November: Argentina's Enzo Fernandez scores the second goal in their 2-0 group win over Mexico at Lusail Stadium (photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

The picture was taken using a small remote camera that was placed inside the goal. We've been working on it for a long time. The picture works because the Mexico goalkeeper dives in mid-air as the ball crosses the line. It is very difficult to find a different angle at a football match these days, but every now and then something will come along that will work, and this is one of them. The technology that allows us to capture moments like this is the work of my colleagues at the same company.

Ghana players in a corridor inside Education City Stadium
28 November: Ghana players prepare to inspect the pitch before their Group H match against South Korea at Education City Stadium (photo by David Ramos)

According to David Ramos, the authorized photographic agency of the world's most popular sport has been given by the company. The goal is to document what goes on behind the scenes. An example can be found in this image. The players got off the bus and went to the dressing room to dance and sing. I waited for them in a corridor halfway between the bus and the dressing room to mingle with the players. The shot was easy and they were able to perform their ritual. They didn't progress further in the World Cup.

A diving Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny makes contact with the face of Argentina's Lionel Messi
30 November: Lionel Messi of Argentina is fouled by Wojciech Szczesny of Poland during their Group C match at Stadium 974 - it led to a penalty being awarded after a video assistant referee check (photo by Matthias Hangst)

Hangst was assigned to work on the runway. It means that you can stay on the roof of the stadium and watch a football match. It gives a different view. As Messi is one of the key players in this tournament, I was focused on Argentina's attack. I was happy to cover it with a 400mm lens because it was rare that he would end up in a clash with a goalkeeper. Instead of hitting the ball, the goalkeeper's hand went into Messi's face. They won the game despite Messi missing the penalty.

Germany substitutes look dejected - with Kai Havertz holding his head in his hands
1 December: Players on Germany's bench look dejected during their match against Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium after their elimination from the tournament at the group stage (photo by Shaun Botterill)

It is fun to capture winning moments, but the hardest part of the job is to take a picture of the team when they leave the World Cup. Germany was under pressure to leave their group after losing the first match. Kai Havertz came off the bench to score two goals and was going to be the player of the match, but they were still going home. To be discreet, you have to shoot on a longer lens and not hang around in their eyeline. I was able to take a few pictures.

Nikola Milenkovic pushing Granit Xhaka
2 December: Granit Xhaka of Switzerland and Serbia's Nikola Milenkovic of Serbia square up during their Group G match at Stadium 974 (photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

It is important to watch out for off-the-ball incidents during knockout matches. Our editors told us to look out for key Swiss players. The two players who scored and celebrated by forming a double-headed eagle with their hands were both Kosovar. It makes you more aware of what's happening. I kept an eye on both players in case the situation got out of hand.

Lionel Messi speaks to children as they prepare to walk out of the tunnel
3 December: Children ready to walk on to the pitch with the players chat to Messi before Argentina's last-16 match against Australia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (photo by Maja Hitij)

The kids who escort the players in the tunnel are always excited when Lionel Messi is playing. Sometimes it's like the other players don't exist, but he always looks to engage with the children. It can be hard to find the perfect spot for a live broadcast in the tunnel because there are so many cameras. I waited for Messi to lead the team from the changing rooms. One girl who was not his escort snuck to the front and told him she was a big fan. He smiled when she put her thumb up.

Kylian Mbappe and Matty Cash sprinting along the touchline - the blurred picture suggesting how fast they are running
4 December: France forward Kylian Mbappe battles for possession with Poland right-back Matty Cash during their last-16 tie at Al Thumama Stadium (photo by Laurence Griffiths)

There are fantastic players in this tournament, then there are the superstars of world football that steal the show. That's right, Mbappe of France fits that criterion. I was looking for a picture to show his skill and pace because he was the star performer on the night. It was not easy to achieve such a sharp and clearly recognisable face by using a slow shutter speed.

Neymar dances with Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Jr
5 December: Brazil players celebrate after Neymar scored their second goal in the 4-1 last-16 win over South Korea at Stadium 974 (photo by Francois Nel)

Brazil are known for their flamboyant celebrations when scoring goals, and there was a lot of talk about the celebration being disrespectful towards the opposing team. I was focused on him running towards my corner to get the shot after he scored the second goal from the penalty spot. I switched back to a shorter zoom lens to make sure I captured all the players dancing after he scored.

Morocco players run towards the penalty area from the centre circle to celebrate while the Spain players stand looking dejected in the background
Morocco players celebrate after winning their penalty shootout against Spain in the last 16 at Education City Stadium (photo by Alex Grimm)

Alex Grimm is a sports photographer at the World Cup. You can't predict who will run onAdrenaline and who will freeze in shock. The concentration on getting the perfect shot is mixed with excitement and euphoria when it's just a few seconds.

A shot from behind the goal as Emiliano Martinez dives at full stretch to save Virgil van Dijk's penalty
9 December: Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saves the Netherlands' first penalty of the shootout in their quarter-final at Lusail Stadium (photo by Patrick Smith)

The Netherlands vs Argentina match was one of the highlights of the tournament. The match went to penalties after a lot of fighting. The first save for Argentina was captured by my camera behind the goal. The start of the shootout was set by the stop from van Dijk.

An aerial shot of Argentina's players celebrating in the face of dejected Netherlands players, some lying on the pitch, after winning their penalty shootout
9 December: Argentina players celebrate winning the shootout against the Netherlands to reach the semi-finals (photo by Shaun Botterill)

The catwalk is the unique vantage point we are granted access to for Fifa tournaments. The advantage is that you don't have to think about where you are on the pitch. I was able to take a picture of Argentina's celebration as soon as the match was over. I am always thankful for some luck in my job, as it was a tense game and I wasn't expecting this reaction.

An aerial shot of Cristiano Ronaldo on his knees on the pitch with his hands over his face
10 December: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during their 1-0 quarter-final defeat by Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium (photo by Patrick Smith)

With less than 10 minutes left in the tournament, Portugal was on their way out and Patrick Smith was working from the runway. My plan was to follow him. After coming off the bench in the second half, he was either going to make a difference in the game or be eliminated from the World Cup. The image is a result of a missed opportunity late in the game and it shows the story of Portugal's loss.

A close-up shot of Sofiane Boufal and his mother smiling at each other and holding hands
10 December: Morocco's Sofiane Boufal celebrates with his mother after beating Portugal to reach the last four (photo by Alexander Hassenstein)

Alexander Hassenstein was able to work from above the benches in the media tribune. Usually, we are positioned on the field of play, so it was nice to get a different perspective. After finding his mother in the stands, he took her to the pitch to dance with her for the world to see. As the two danced so beautifully together, I was completely fascinated by the fun and atmosphere, as they will remember for the rest of their lives.

A shot from inside the goal of Harry Kane skying his penalty, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris diving in the foreground and players on the edge of the area in the background
10 December: Harry Kane misses a late penalty against France during England's 2-1 defeat in the last eight at Al Bayt Stadium (photo by Richard Heathcote)

The picture was taken during England's World Cup journey. It was taken with a small camera mounted high up in the top corner of the goal, a location that requires a lot of luck and custom equipment. We were able to get a new perspective on goalmouth action with the addition of two remote cameras behind each goal. They are set up a few hours before kick-off and can get knocked off balance by a goal or something that shakes the net, so for it to stay in place after the first penalty was lucky. As if they were a second goalkeeper in the back of the net, the ability to see a moment without the net draws the viewer in.

An aerial shot of Julian Alvarez poking the ball past Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic as defender Borna Sosa lies on the pitch behind the scorer
13 December: Julian Alvarez scores Argentina's second goal in their 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia at Lusail Stadium (photo by Dan Mullan)

I was able to look down on the pitch from the stadium's catwalk, thanks to the lighting rig. It's a unique angle that we have been working on to bring something different to the table. You have more control over your position above the field. You can think about what kind of picture you want to take. I was positioned above the Croatia goal in the first half of the game. They did that. The shape of the bodies is what makes this image special, it is the fully stretched leg of Alvarez that knocked the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper.

A close-up shot of Kylian Mbappe shouting at the camera in celebration while wearing Achraf Hakimi's Morocco shirt back to front
14 December: France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates the 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco after exchanging shirts with Paris St-Germain team-mate Achraf Hakimi (photo by Michael Regan)

The pitch at the World Cup was only open to the media after the game. These images allow players to connect with fans through the lens of a camera, when emotions are at their highest, and we photographers try to capture the players' reactions when emotions are at their highest. I knew I had to grab his attention by shouting "Yeeessss Kyliaaaaan!". He gave me the perfect shot and celebrated right down my lens. It's nice that he's wearing the shirt of his team mate. The visual sums up how excited I am for the final.

18 December: Lionel Messi of Argentina walks to the stage in the trophy presentation after the Fifa World Cup final victory against France at Lusail Stadium (photo by Matthias Hangst)
18 December: Lionel Messi of Argentina walks to the stage in the trophy presentation after the Fifa World Cup final victory against France at Lusail Stadium (photo by Matthias Hangst)

Hangst, what a final. Messi led Argentina to world supremacy. The image shows Lionel Messi in the spotlight moments before he lifts the World Cup trophy. I was in an exclusive position on the roof of the stadium to get a better look at the greatest player in the world.

18 December: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the World Cup trophy after the team's victory against France at Lusail Stadium (photo by David Ramos)
18 December: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the World Cup trophy after the team's victory against France at Lusail Stadium (photo by David Ramos)

In 1986 Diego Maradona of Argentina held the World Cup trophy aloft in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, and this image of Lionel Messi on the shoulders of a teammate is similar. Messi had to avoid hitting his head as they passed under the bar.

All photographs are owned by the photographer

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